Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-08-18

SOW WHAT YDuF WGELD
REAP.
BY lSADORE ROGERS.

1t was harvest time at Farmer Dob
sons and half dozen staIwart men
stood around the well, washing their
hardened hands and bathing their
sweat stained faces, preparatory to 60
ing to dinner. They were all there,
snatching a moments rest before the
first summons to the MONDAY meal,
except the very weakest and wea.iest
of them all. Fimmy Dobson, the
farmers son, had reached his four,
teenth yea, and was expected to do 4
mans work in the harvest field; and
although there are plenty of lazy boys
who have too little energy to hurt
themselves, or allow any one else to,
when it is said that a boy Is doing a
mans work it generally means that he
is doing a 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 attend to little matters about the
premises there was no reason why he
should not indulge in the luxury Of an
extra hours rest, and so Tommy was
called at four O'Clock III the morning
to get up and make the fire, and milk
the cows, and feed the calves, and
carry swill to the hog3, and feed, wa
Ter and harness the horses, and attend
to things IN general, like 4 dnt'tul 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 before any
other hand commenced work, they
proceeded to a field about halt a mile
from the house. AS Mr. Dobson was
about to start the reaper something
was found to be slightly ont of order,
and upon looking in the tool box for
the wrench it was found to be missing.
"Tom, you've had that wrench !;
what did You do with it? asked Mr.
Dobson.
Il haven't seen it, fathcr.'
"Whero'S 1t gone to, then? OF
course YOU have, or it would be here.
Go to the barn and hunt it up, and he
lively about it, for we can't afford to
wait long"
q don't know where to look, f.
ther,"
"Look where you had it; in the
wagon, for instance" said Mr.. Dooson,
suddenly recollecting Of using and
laying it there himself; and the boy
started back, while the strong, un,
wearied men sat down under tree to
wait for him. When the reaper start
cd Tommy bound with TIE 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 unhar-
ness and feed the team, and it was not
until they were half through eating
that he fond time to go to the table.
When they had finished the mo2l tL9y
vert out and sat under the trees to
rest for half an hour before going t.
the field again. Tommy had scarcely
swallowed the last mouthiul when Mr..
Dobson caIled: Tom bring ont the
tobacco box and some matches.
forgot to bring in the jug," he said as
Tommy made his appearance with the
desired articles, 'Tom, you'll have
time to go and get it before we 90 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 aud YEARLY back to where they
were resting, "When l was of youl
age 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 hcrses are in
good condition and / mean TO keeI
them so. Go into the house and get
my hat first. III Gil the jug. You've
been gone so 'ong that you Wont
have time, and cant keep half a doz
en- hands waiting on your slow mo
tions."
Tommy, bring in an armful oI
wood" said Mrs. Dobson, as he en-
tered the house.
"Oh, mother, / am so tired ] &c
wish could sit down jast little
while"
$50 am I tired, but | cant stop fol
that it is the busy season, now, yol
know, aud we ali have to work if We
are tired"
III should ever be a man | won
work on farm if there's anything
else | can do" said the boy, as he laic
the wood carefully into the box.
"Why, its the pleasantest life in the
world, said Mrs. Dobson. 81 hope
you won't be getting such notions a
that into your head after all that ",
have done for you. 1t is your duty t.
stay and car for us in our oil age"