New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-12-12
PETER RAYMOND'S SON.


Twents years ago Peter Raymond owned
a hard, stony farm, eighteen miles from
Hartford. one September evening, about
nine O'Clock, he Suddenly recollected that
he had left his bride hanging on bar post
by his sheep farm, when ne turned his old
white mare in the pasture that afternoon
He sprang over the wall and struck across
lots, hoping to secure it before any greedy
mawed bovine should make it forever use
less for bride purposes. As he drew near
the barn he thought he heard voices inside
What any one should be there for he could
not conjecture. He stepped as lightly as
he could on the unmowed rowen, and slip.
ped in behind the big door, which was
standing aiar, and listened.
Philip, his eldest son was there, and Gin.
ton Dexter, a son of the man at whose
house he had been to call. The lads were
about of an age-both nearly fifteen. Philip
was talking when his father went up to the
barn, but he finished what he was saying
Just az Mr.. Raymond got into position to
catch the words, and young Dexter COM
menced to reply. He said:
well, Phil, my father is just as inconsid.
crate as your father is. / don't think that
he remembers he ever was boy. There is
scarcely day in the year that he does not
ride out-he rides morn he used to before
he was first selectman-and you NAV be
sure that he always has something on hand
to be done, just as your father does. Soon
as the frost is out of the ground. in the
spring, he tells me before he rides off that l
may pick up some stones or spread manure
till it is time to milk and fodder; after that
comes blowing and planting; little later
in the season he tells me to hoe corn or DO
tatOes, or weed the garden till it is time to
get up the cows, and, if he is at home when
take the pals to go out to milk, he always
tells me to be sure and strip the cows clean,
just as though he thought should be law
and dishonest enough to leave half the milk
he would be just as likely to tell me that
before dozen visitors as any way-makes
a fellow feel mighty uncomfortable, You
know. In the winter have to chop wood
most of the time that am not in school:
and don't think my father ever feels quite
satisfied if don't chop as much, and hoe
"a much, and pillow as much as full grown
man could do in the same time. didn't
know till the other day how it was with
you, Phil. l don't wonder that your pa
thence is worn out; assure you that am
quite as tired of living in this way as you
are"
II hesitated Q good while, Clint" Phil re-
Piled, "befOre / decided to speak to you
about it; but made up my mind in haying
time that it was the last summer that /
should stay at home and help to hay, and
AhIo dS tuou. 6tucr IL always reA0V
to find fault-he generally says when be
gets home, i don't think you have hurt
yourself working to-day, Philip And
sometimes he aaks me if my back doesn't
ache, I've chopped so much or hoed so
much; and no matter if work as hard as
can from sunrise to shutdown, never hear
anything more encouraging-never get one
word Of praise. I feel sorry to clear out on
my mothers account. l love her, and be-
lieye that che loves me, but if father loves
me he never shows it-never speaks ten
der, loving word to me. My mind is fully
made mp, Clint. am going to run away;
and want to get off tonight. Never mind
about your clothee-Pve got shirts, and
handkerchiefs, and stockings enough put up,
and I'll divide with you until we can earn
more. Last week thought it would grieve
mother, so / pretty much decided to give
it up; but got 80 provoked the day that
father went to Hartford, determined I
would 60 anyway. You see, here I've lived
ever since / was born, within eighteen miles
of Hartford, but never was there, nor in
any other city. / asked father If might
20 with him, last June, when he was going,
and he said l couldn't 90 very we'll then,
hut should go with him the first time he
went after haying. Well, when he spoke of
gong, last week, asked him If he was
going TO take me along, and he ansWersd
pretty cfAbbedly, No, sir; pretty time for
you to think Of going, when the hired man
= gomez told him that could get you to