Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-06-28
M isetlla ueo II s
From Petersous Magazine.
Hoe out Your Row.
BY MRS. n. M'CONAUGHY.

The youngest son stood with his fair
bride upon the threshold Of the old farm
house. He was the last of four brave boys
who had gone forth from that humble roof
to work their way up manfuly to a place
of honor and usefulness in the world
Perhaps there was little dimness in the
old mans eye, and may be a little trcmor
in his voice as he spoke the farewell words.
But he took from the old side-cup- board
his parting gift "a bright. new hoe-an1
as he placed it in the hand of the youth,
the accompanying admonition sounded
checrily on his ear. Hoe out your row. ,
1t was the fourth time similar prcsen-
tation had been made in the old home
stead.
Everybody will find his row to hoe in
this world. George-and ., 'netimes it's a
mighty tough one but it is only towards
that snirk It. .Whatsoeycg thy hand find
eth to do. do it with thy might, and nv
er forget to look up.
The old man wrung the rand of his son,
and stopped down to kiss the cheek Of his
fair. new daughter while mother busted
herself with the dozen last dozen things
which every one but mother fcrgets. The
lingering farewells were all said at last.
and the old coach rolled away with the two
hopeful, sunny hearts just entering life's
bri xht and beautiful summer.
The old homestead seemed deserted and
drear US last years p b;e;.t(he aged par
sat down by their "''n ,;f. to rstone alone
as when they begA'r run,, @ "a tbe .ounJ Of
tn.se olJ v.b- l!au ruuS W ,'e suuau ~
alltse .;; I'D otu mirth and chlldhood's step.
and in later years had echoed with the
tread of manly feet.-Now they must live
more in the buried past
But to George and Helen life seemed
all one bright future. with the rainbow OF
hope arching all their plans and projects.
Their western home was humble one.
and plenty of work for willing hands with
in it. The young farmers chief capital
was his strong arm and stout heart and
the sound working day principles he had
been taught from childhood. Sometimes
he grew discouraged at the prospect ol
paving for the place he worked-but he
was sure to meet with hearty encourage
meut and words of cheer from Ellen a
glance, too, at the parting gift of his IA
Iher as it stood on tho mantle in the tani-
" room, was as good as sermon any day.
There it stood very ready to give encour-
agelnent or admOnltiOn as the case might
be. Strangers might think it Il curious or
nament for chimney piece, but it was
soon regarded as one OF the household
treasures. Dust nor rust were never sui
fered to mar its brightness.
ELLEN, it is no use trying, said George
one evening, quite despondingy, as he
turned away from some figures he had
been making on scrap Of paper. cant
make out the payment this week and l
may AS well give it up.
Ellen looked up cheerfully from her
work and nodded towards the mantle.-
Il hare hoed aud hoed, but this row is
too much for me. The wool will pay the
next installment, and the crops the next ;
but where this fifty dollars is TO come fronl'
that need in addition to what can max"
out. is more than can sec.
Sell the COW, George, advised Ellen ;
YOU were offered sixty dollars Tor her, you
know.
But what can VIC do for butter, and
cream in our coffee, and all that
DO without for time, dear. A home
is great deal more important to us noH
than any table luxury. Besides, YOU shal
net suffer. These little sclt-denials, yoI
know, are almost unavoidable, II we Would
fairly hoe out our row.
George. like sensible man. took hi,
wifr's advice and the satisfaction he felt
as he paid down the money promptly ant
took his receipt, far exceeded that whicl
any table enjoyment would afford hun.
Ellen rausacked her memory for econ
mical sauces and gravies, to take thu
place of old Debby golden butter an,
yellow cream and she never forgot to sti
"a well beaten egg into the pot OF coffee
80 improving its richnJss that Georg'
scarcely missed the tavOrltc luxury.
Steadily onward he hoed his row unit
the place was all his own. The old holn'
had nut on new face out doors and ill.,
There were shrubs and rose bushes il
abundance in the once tangled and brlar
grown door yard. and fine Young orchar'
was blossomiug on the sunny slope towar'
the south.
There were files OF agricultural paper
on the broad shelf Of the little library. an,
choice selection of miscellaneous book
above them. There werelittle tasteful ap
poiutments here and there. about th'
cheerful sitting room. but the bright hot
was never disp. aced by any gem or crystal
The pretty shell framed pictures nigh
look down upon it, if they chose; it coul'
not be looked out Of cOuntcnance.
George was respected and known by al
his neighbors, and the stranger who shared
but for night the generous hospitality o
his broad hearth-st0ne, went away to speak
wears after. of the pleasant hours he spen
there aud tho kindly attentions OF the gen
tie wife. whose wide heart took in ever.
suffering, sorrowiug one of earth Th
blessing Of the Lord was upon the house