The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-04-15
PETER RAYMOND'S son.

PEIER hA MUNUS SUM-
Twenty years ago Peter Raymond
owned hard, stony farm eighteen miles
from Hartford. One September evening
about 9 o'clock, as he returned home
from q neighbours, he suddenly recollect-
ed that he had left his bride hanging on
a bal post by his sheep barn when he
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 useless 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 slipped
in behind the big door, which was stand
ing aiar, and listened.
Philip, his eldest son, was there, and
Clinton Dexter, 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 faith
en- went up to the barn, but he finished
what he was saying just as Mr.. Raymond
got into position to catch the words, and
young Dexter commenced to reply. He
said:
''WeI, Phil, my father is just as in
>considerate as your father is. [ don't
think he remembers he ever was a boy.
There is scarcely a day in the year that
he does not ride out-he rides more'n he
used to before he was selectman, and
you may 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 may pick up
stones or spread manure till it is time to
milk and fodder; little later in the
season he tells me to hoe corn or pota-
toes, or weed the garden till it is time to
get up the COWS; and if he is at home
when l take the pals to go out and milk,
he always tells me to be sure and strip the
COWS clean, just as though he thought I
should be lazy and dishonest enough to
leave half the milk in their bags if he did
not tell me SO; and he would be Just as
likely to tell me that before dozen visit
ors as any-makes fellow feel mighty
uncomfortable, you know. In winter
have to chop wood most of the time that
i am not at school; and I don't think
my father ever feels quite satisfied if
don't chop quite as much, and hoe as
much, and pillow as much as full-grown
man could do in the same time. I did
not know till the other day how it was
with you, Phil. I don't wonder that
your patience is worn out; and I assure
you that | am quite as tired of living in
this way as you are. y"
- hesitated good while, Clint, Phil
replied, "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 hay
If and fare as I did then Father is
always ready to find fault-he generally
says when he gets home, I don't think
you've hurt yourself working to-day,
Philip And sometimes he asks me if
my back doesn't ache, I've chopped so
much OF hoed SO much and no matter
Il work as hard as I can from sunrise
ill sund0wn, | never heard anything
more encouraging-ne get one word
Of praise. [ feel S rry to clear out on
mothers account. I love her, for I be-
heve she loves me but if father loves
nae he never shows it-never speaks
teader or loving word to me. My mind
is fully made up, Clint. I am going to
run away and I want to get off tonight.
Never mind about your clothes-I've got
shirts and stockings and handkerchiefs
>saeSGgh put up, and I'll divide with you
till we can earn more. Last week [
thought it over, and l thought it would
grleve mother so l pretty much decided
to give it up but / got so provoked the
q dug that father went to Hartford I de-
:termiufed would 90 anyway You see,
xhsre I've lived ever since a. was born,
within eighteen, miles Of Hartford, but
mever was there, nor in any other city. I
asked father if Knight go with him, last
June, when he was going, and he said |,
&6hat I couldn't go very well then, but
Z sh0uld go with him the first time that he
!. went after haying. Well, when he spoke
of going, last week, I asked him if he
zwas going to take me, along, and he
answered pretty crabbedly, No, sir
pretty time for you to think of going,
when the hired man.is gone! I told him
.Elaat / would get you to come, and do the /
achores, and that you would be as faith.
ful in doing them as would be but he
wouldn't hear word about 1T. didn't
feel light hearted after he was gone, but
Z tried to brave it out the best Icould 81
and I worked hard all day That after
moon was a dark, cloudy afternoon !; and !
III got up the COWS and MIXED them
"a little earlier than II supposed that
r. did but I don't think the sun
was five minutes high when I got the
chores done. I took the newspaper and
cot down In the door. SO as to be on hand