Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-02-21

ana ne was OH. we WOulu auu III oTuer
to prevent anxiety, that Tommy didn't
miss the train. He was two hours ahead
of time, and the train itself was one hour
behind. So he had to wait three dismal
hours. But he got away at last, and was
happy.
At the expiration of two weeks he re-
turned, and upon being requested to take
his pick of the four colts standing In the
yard, he did so. He selected the best one.
He was then given half dozen sheep, one
pig, one calf, and an acre of ground, on
on which to plant what he chose, the prof
its TO be his and his alone. or course 1t was
understood that he should work for his ia
ther, as usual, bu. that was a minor con-
sideration. But at this point of our story
Tommy came out strong. Picture the
amazement of his parents when he told
them, with knowing WINK, that he was
going to set that whole acre out to late cab
bage.
Mr.. Deliver said TO his wife:
"Betsey wonder If that boy got that ri
diculous idea out of that book on garden
in he had here all last week? know we
are close to a good market, but cabbage
never has nor never will head well on this
farm.
Mrs. Deliver said to her husband:
"well, Daniel, well hope for the best.
Cabbages pay well if they do succeed, and
he will likely get enough off the land to
pay for his labor at least"
But Tommy bought the seed and soon
had thousands of young cabbage plants in
full blast. But they didn't occupy his time
by any means. He suddenly took to doing
a mans work on the farm-a proceeding
which filed his father with delight. Up
early in the morning, until almost dark did
he toll steadily along until the corn was all
planted. Then he prepared his own acre,
and by the last of May was ready to set out
his plants.
At this point he asked his father ques-
tion. 1t ran something after this fashion:
"Say, pa, I'd like to hire you to-day and
tomorrow. want you to help me set out
them cabbage plants"
Mr.. Deliver look ed somewhat bewildered,
but finally made bold to ask what wages
he paid.
"Pll give dollar and half day, and
pay in cabbages, or in money when mar
ket 'em."
OF course no sane man could refuse such
generous offer, and they went to work
forthwith. They may have been engaged
a half hour, when two boys about Tommy s
age came into the field in their shrt-sleeves
and considerably out of breath.
"All right boys" said the gardener, call
right. There's the plants, and let's work
lively"
"Do you board those two young gentle
men?" asked Tommy's "hired hand" as
the bell rang for dinner.
mo, father" replied Tommy with his
first giggle, "they board themselves. I've
paid them off already. Jim gets my new
patent skates, and Charlie, my old soldier
overcoat. If make well on these cab
bages, 1 can buy something better next win
| ter.
Mr.. Deliver turned pale, and ventured nc
further remark.
Fall came, and Tommy marketed hi.
crop, which had done quite well. 1t orough
him 5000. His father borrowed the money
and put another 500 with it as n free gift
giving him ten per cent on the whole. Thi:
was pretty good summers work for boy
seventeen years old, and Tommy felt very
proud of it-rather prouder than he ough
to, I'm afraid.
They say the story writer must invaria
bly, conclude narrative pleasantly, in or
der to make a good impression. But W,
can't do this. Tommy got badly mixed vi
as the years rolled away. What with th
stock, the farm crops, the rebuilding, thu
re-painting, and regular journeys to lit
tie white cottage a mile away-the resi-
dence of nice young lady-Tommy be
came hopelessly nvoved.-N. Y. Tribune