Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-02-21

spent on their acre of ground since the
blowing, except that taken at Moons and
recesseS.
but it's really pleasure boys" said
old Mr. Hill, wiping his spectacles to
better enable him To see them as they
came in upon him one day at the re-
commencement of the school, "its zeal
ly a pleasure to see how clean the rows
are, how nicely they're hoed, and what
splendid crop there'll be. Itreally is.
You ought to be proud of 'em boys, l
surely ami"
His wife, IL kind, benevolent looking
old lady, joined him and praised the
boys success, and little Millie peered
out shily from behind her Grandpa's
chair.
At last the time came when the pota-
toes were TO be dug. ami it was very lit
tie time the boys gave themselves for
play through this season, so eager were
they to see the consummation of their
plans. And they worked with such a
will that soon they were all unearthed
and piled in heaps, and then commit
tee of two were chosen to visit the viii
lage, three miles distant, and dispose Of
them to the highest bidder. A Satur-
day afternoon was allotted to this, and
when the committee returned and re-
ported their success, there was n gene
r;,l satisfaction among the members.
The merchant was to give certain sum
for them in the field, and haul them
himself, and just as school let out one
noon he drove up and purchased aud
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
letter: and in view of this Freddie Ben
ton, as commander, headed an expedi-
tion in the direction of Mr.. Hills cot
tage, with his whole command at his
back.
Mr.. Hill was sitting by the fire place
in his big arm chair, with Millie play
ing near him, as Mrs. Hill admitted
them.
Really, really boys" said the old
man, wiping his spectacles as he greeted
them, Il am glad to see you all; you
must excuse me for not getting up, but
my rheumatics are bad lately-very
bad"
Though his gray hair was brushed
carefully back, and his clothes as neat
as ever, the old gentleman's face wore
a more detected look than usual.
Never mind, Mr.. Hill," said Fred,
"we fee, just as well 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"
afr. Hill inclined his head; the boys
fidgeted, but their leader remained cool
and calm"
1.-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-five
cents a bushel, which amounted to
SIP 20. Our summers work has been
nothing but play for us, and you see
the rent that is we'd like to give it
to you, you see," Freddie finished, get
ting very red in the face.
"Hey?" said Mr.. Hill, looking over
his spectacles benignly.
Freddie fumbled away confusedly at
the puff sided pocket book. ''It's SIP,
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 soull' 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,
1--WE mean just what we say" contin-
ued Freddie. "You have got the rheu-
matism so bad you can't work, and we
have made this money this summer and
want you to take this as gift and we
have been calculating on it all the time"
"Bless my soul!'' reiterated the old
gentleman. us it possibleY But real
ly, really boys"
| But the boys had gotten over their
bashfulness. They told him their pa
rents sanctioned their plan; and they
all talked so fast that the old gentleman
could only sit and look at them help
lessly.
"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, II can
tell you now, that the long winter
ahead has troubled me very much, be-
cause 1 could see nothing but starva-
tion in it for us all. But this lifts a
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.
mo summers work ever gave us so
much satisfaction as this one," Freddie
said, as they went back to the school
house. And am sure his companions
thought so too.