Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-08-12
sow WHAT YOU WOULD REAP.
BY IsADoRE ROGERS.

BY IsADORE ROGERS.
II was harvest time at Farmer Dobson's
and half dozen stalwart men stood
around the well, washing their hardened
hands and bathing their sweat-stained
faces preparatory to going to dinner.
They were all there, snatchinga moments
rest before the first summons to the noon
sav meal. except the very weakest and
weariest of them all. Tommy Dobson,
the farmers son, had reached his four.
teenth wear, and was expected to do a
mans work in the harvest field; and al.
Though there are plenty of lazy boys who
have TOO little energy to hurt themselves
or allow anyone else to, when it is said
that a boy is doing mans work it gen,
erally means that he is doing great deal
more The long, warm days, with their
hard labor, were rather trying to Mr..
Dobson, and he felt that early rising was
not beneficial to him, and one rests SO
well in the cool morning hour that he
thought best to take advantage of it. And
now that Tommy was old enough to at
tend TO little matters about the premises
there was no reason why he should not in
dulge in the luxury of an extra hours
rest, and so Tommy was called at four
O'Clock in the morning to get up and
make the fire, and milk the cows, and feed
the calves, and carry swill to the hogs,
and feed, water and harness the horses,
and attend to things in general, like a
dutiful son, while his father refreshed
himself with a morning nap. On this
particular morning, after Tommy had
been busy for not less than two hours be-
fore any ether hand commenced work, they
proceeded to field about half mile from
nAl aha,, IN
start the reaper something was found to
be slightly out of order, and upon looking
in the tool-box for the wrench it was
found to be missing.
aTom, you've had that wrench; what
did sou do with it," asked Mr.. Dobson.
@fhaven't seen it, father"
where's it gone to, then? Of course
YOU have, or it would be here. Go to the
barn and hunt it up, and be lively about
it, for we can't afford to wait long"
81 don't know where 10 look, father"
@Lcok where you had it; in the wagon,
for instance" said Mr.. Dobson, suddenly
recolIecting of using and laying it there
himself; and the boy started back, while
the strong, unwearied men sat down under
a tree to wait for him. When the reaper
started Tommy bound with the rest, and
although he did no more than any other
hand it taxed his strength more severely,
and he was the weariest one in the lot
when the bell sounded for dinner. The
men went directly to the house, leaving the
boy to unharness and feed the team, and
it was net until they were half through
eating that he found time TO go to the Ia
BILE. When they had finished the meal
they went out and sat under the trees to
rest for half an hour before going to the
field again Tommy had scarcely swal-
lowed the last mouthful when Mr.. Dobson
called: "Tom, bring out the tobacco box
and some matches. / forgot to bring in
that Jug" he said, as Tommy made his APP
pearance with the desired articles. "Tom,
you'll have time to go and get it before we
20 to work again." and for the third time
that day the boy started off through the hot
sun TO the farthest corner of the farm.
why, how long you have BEEN" said
Mr. D., as Tommy came walking slowly
and YEARLY back to where they were rest
ing. when l was of your age l could
have walked that distance in half the time.
Hurry up, now, and harness the horses.
Take the other span this time; half day
is long enough for one team to draw that
reaper-not but that they could do it well
enough, but my horses are in good condi-
Il
the house and get my hat first. I'll fill
the jug. You've been gone so long that
you won't have time, and l can't keep half
dozen hands waiting on your slow mo-
tions.n
Tommy, bring in an armful of wood
said Mrs. Dobson, as he entered the
house
"Oh, mother, am 50 tired; I do wish
Icould sit down Just little while"
:" So am ! tired, but / can't stop for
that; 1t Is the busy season, now, you
know, and we all have TO work if we are
tired"
II / should ever be man / won't
work on farm If there's anything else !
can do said the hey, as he laid the wood
carefully into the box.
Why, it's the pleasantest life in the
world, said Mrs. Dobson. II hope you
won't be getting such notions as that into
your head after all that we have done for
you. II is your duty to stay and care for
us in our old age"
tlsnt living on farm that is so hard,
maybe, but being boy is the worst part
OF II. Ii was man could go out there
under the trees and sit down and have a
little rest. perhaps" muttered Tommy,
taking his fathers hat from its accustomed
PLACE and going out He brought the
horses ronnds and Mr. Dobson said
Tom, did you carry any swill to the
hogs since you came from the fieldT'
You careless boy, you wouldn't do
anything If / didn't attend TO it. Give