The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-11-24
out sAyly from behind her grandpa's

out sAyly from behind her grandpa's
chair.
At last the time came when the pota-
toes were to be dug, and it was very lit
tie time the boys gave themselves for
play during the season, so eager were
they to see the contamination of their
plans. And they worked with such a
will that soon they were all unearthed
and piled in heaps, and then a commit
tee of two we're chosen to visit the vii
lage, three miles distant, and dispose of
them to the highest bidder. A Saturday
afternoon was allotted to this, and when
the committee returned and reported
their success there was general salts
faction among the members. The mer-
chant was to give a certain sum for
them in the field and haul them himself,
and just as school let out one noon he
drove up and purchased and paid for
them.
Never since the first day of maturing
their plan had any one of the boys
showed any signs of relenting. And
now, when they held the money for their
summers work, all were anxious that
the plan should be carried out to the let
ter; and in view of this Freddie Benton,
as commander, headed an expedition in
the direction of Mr.. Hills cottage, with
his whole command at his back.
Mr.. Hill was sitting by the replace
in his big armchair, with Mile playing
near him, as Mrs. Hill admitted them.
"Really, really, boys" said the old
man, wiping his spectacles as he greeted
them, 81 am glad to see you all; you must
excuse me for not getting up, but my
rheumatics are bad lately bad"
Though his gray hair was brushed
carefully back, and his clothes as neat as
ever, the old gentleman's face wore
more detected look than usual. .
" Never mind, Mr.. HILL" said Fred,
eve feel just as we'll for you to welcome
US sitting as standing We have sold
our crop of potatoes, and have come to
pay the rent of the land according to
agreement" ~
Mr.. Hill inclined his head; the boys
fdgeted, but their leader remained cool
and calm.
"The yield was greater than we ex-
pected," continued Fred, "there being
204 bushels ON the acre. We sold them
to-day to Mr.. Melbourn for fifty-fve
cents bushel, which amounted to $112.-
30. Our summers work has been moth
ing but play for us, and-you see the
rent-that is-we'd like to give it to you,
you see," Freddie finished, getting very
red in the face.
"Hey?" said Mr.. Hill, looking over his
spectacles.
Freddie fumbled away confusediy at
the puff-sided pocket-book. "It's $112,
sir, and we want to give it to you," he
said, in desperation, and pulling out the
bills piled them in Mr.. Hills lap.
Bless my soulw exclaimed the old
gentleman in bewilderment. Then he
wiped his glasses vigorously, laid his
pocket-handkerchief on the floor beside
him, and endeavored to put his crutch in
his vest pocket. ..4 a.p
1--WE mean just what we say" contin-
ued Freddie. "You have got the rheu-
matism so bad you can't work, and we
want you to take this as gift, and we
have been calculating on it all the time"
" Bless my soul!' reiterated the old
gentleman. els it possible? But real
ly, really, boys"
But the boys had gotten over their
bashfulness. They told him their parents
sanctioned their plan; and they all talked
so fast that the old gentleman could only
sit and look at them helplessly. ,.......I
Boys" he said at last, " this is more,
this is too much kindness" A tear
started to his eye, but he brushed it away
and continued hurriedly: 81 can tell
you now that the long winter ahead has
troubled me very much, because I could
see nothing but starvation in it for us
all. But this lifts load from me, and
Heaven will surely bless you for it." And
certainly the old peoples hearts were
lighter than they had been for many
day.
"No summers work ever gave us so
much satisfaction as this one," Freddie
said, as they went back to the school
house, And l am sure his companions
thought so too.--C. a. Vick, in Western
Farm Journal.