Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1873-06-21

| pis 'IiloI WIS ~, TenlHTkch' Wy young
friend, ] am in need Of man, but hard.
y think person who has been subject
TO such training AS you say you have
would suit my purpose"
81 am aware Of my total ignorance Of
the duties Of farm laborer, sir; but am
entirely willing, and indeed very anxious
to learn. ] will tell you frankly, Mr..
Rowland, ] dcspise the lazy and eifemi-
nate life Of clerk, and wish to engage
in more cnnobling occupation" coura-
gconsly said Mathew, gaining control
over himself at the kind aud quiet words
of the deacon.
care you aware that man who labOrs
IN farm must needs be exposed 10 oil
weather; that the labor itself is monoto-
nous-dull, in general way; and more
than that, 1t requires a man 10 lay aside
fastidious habits and become what you
town folks call a 'Clod-hopper?'" asked
the deacon.
81 have thought so. and after mature
deliberation, have decided to take hold
and master the calling and trust TO God
for results, provided can obtain a place
to do so," was Matthew's enthusiastic
reply.
"Toung man." said Deacon Rowland,
81 like that talk. Are you willing to do
the best you know how? Are you will
ing to deny yourself many comforts for
the sake of success?"
Il am willing" was Matthew's brief
reply.
"How much wages do you expect" in
quircd Mr.. Rowland.
"What my services are worth, and no
more" promptly answered onr young
riend.
" "First-class help commands about
twenty-five dollars per month and keep
ing. | do not think you could get above
fifteen, and if you choose to try it at
at, you may stay with u.s." said the
| DeacOn. -.
81 was in hopes of receiving more, but
in consideration of my little idea of farm
ing, | do not know but the price is suf-
iicient;" and then hesitating IA moment,
that he might rapidly consider the. SUBJ
.ct, he soon continued, "upon the whole,
1 will accept your offer"
every well, sir,' answered Rowland,
"W hen will you be prepared to begin
No.k?''
Tomorrow, sir. ! must needs 90 to
Linton before can take hold properly" :"
answered Matthew.
every well; | shall expect you on the
morrow, and upon this the Deacon
passed out to attend to his duties, while
our young friend walked off hurriedly
to the village, four miles distant.
What passed through his mind on the
way to town is known only to himself,
but the rapid firm, tread bespoke the Man
OF Will.
Before the family had risen from the
breakfast table on the following morn
ing, Mathew, Bernard appeared at Dea-
con Howland's door, clad in homespun,
with small bundle in his hands AS he
afterwards said, sufficient clothing to
commence business with"
Having been informed that it was
customary to do up the chores before
breakfast, that they might go to the
fields Immediately after Matthew re-
quested instructions for the day.
"EOu will half to harrow the oat field
to-day; the boys will show you," said the
Deacon.
Matthew followed the boys to the barn
and aided in Harvesting the horses-so
awkwardly, indeed, that the other men
could not repress their merriment-all
of which our friend took good-humored-
ly, and when he explained that he was
there only to learn, the others showed
genuine rural willingness to aid the new
COZ er.
L, "as dry warm spring day, with
a stiff breeze from the south, which
blew the dust raised by the drag all
about him, nearly sufrocating Matthew
with its intense mastery. Tramp tramp,
back and forth over the newly plowed
ground. All day the hours seemed to
grow longer as each successive one came
until our friend seemed fainting with the
labor!
''Oh how the back ached-how the
limbs seemed To sever from the body
how often the embryo farmer turned his
mind to the ease in Yardstick's store
and how, after each short rest or breath
ing spell, the hero in the man would
break out with, "Hammer 1t through
and struggle on until the supper horn
called the men from the fields.
After the evening meal upon the farm
the trne-love of Il farmers life reveals IT.
self in the care of the stock, poultry and
other living but unspeaking attachments
to every weIl-to-do farmer. "Ies, u
thought Matthew, sin these dumb crea
lures, the eunobling traits of man car
find vent for his talents"
And as the days rolled along, Mat
thew, whose whole heart seemed imbueC
with the new world about him slowly
gained the knowledge of duties falling
upon him-all of which he endeavored
to perform to the satisfaction of the
deacon, towards whom he began to feel
the affection of Il son, and who in re
turn answered the many questions per
tanning to the proper conduct of success
sive crops and eagerly asked by the
novice.
Hoeing in the heat of June and July
with perspiration rolling down his face
hands blistered and aching back-long
rows before him and accustomed hands
beside him-Oh! how manfully did the
youth struggle against the odds, and as
.. each row was ended, sing joyfully,
"IIammer before you,
Hammer behind you;
Let nothing falter with you
, Hammer above you,
Hammer beneath you;