Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-25
NO 149.
Gales ano Skettbes.
rHE FARMER BoY's EiPERIESCE.
Continued from yesterday, J


Come. my son." said Mrs. Brown.
You are getting to he quite y lecturer;
we will have tea now, but will stop to
say that heartily agree with yeu about
the farming business. DO YOU feel able
TO come to the table. father?"
Il do" said he. ''It makes me feel
Young again to see Benson. and listen TO
his cheerful voice am So rejoiced that
he has decided TO he farmer. for then
we shall have him to live with us"
They said much more which will not
stop 10 state.
Benson soon donned his old clothes and
resumed his former habits. His father
soon-got better and the farm thrived. Ben
son worked through the hot summer,
while many of his more fortunate school
mates We're dreaming away the lazy days
Il, the seaside. and breathing the clear
mountain air.
In this manner Benson spent year alter
year. working through the summers and
studying through the winters and springs,
until he was ready TO graduate from col
lege. He led his class. II was proud
day for his father and mother, the day he
graduated. His part was superior in
every direction, well chosen words, well
rounded periods delivered in a splendid
manner. His eloqucnee held the close
attention of ical audience.
What profession has he chosen. asked
many. He is going TO be farmer, was
the answer. Then he must lack ability in
some direction was the almost invariable
conclusion of the interrogation silent, If
not spoken.
Benson's father overheard two gentle
men talking. alter he had finished his
part.
Il understand he is TO be f;,rmer,''
said one.
What. that fellow bury himself on
farm? That's all it amounts to, to edu-
cate most boys. They won't do anything
with their education after they get it.
What pity! | do not think | would
drudge at farming, il / possessed his
talents"
IL doubt if he is ever heard from by
the public after this day." replied the
other. pray what great reward does the
public ever grant to its entertainerp)
Mr. Brown felt somewhat doubtful on
hearing this conversation, and feared his
Son had chosen an occupation in which
his talents could never shine AS they now
promised. He mentally concluded. II
will urge him to study some profession
and 50 into some city where his abilities
viii receive the compensation and appre-
citation they so much merit. had COM
ior,ed myself that | could have him at
home on the farm. but il would be selfish
in me, indeed, to sacrifice his talents for
my qualification SO Mr.. Brown with n
sigh. concluded to sacrifice his own wishes
for the good of his son.
Lucy Edwards and Alice Matthews were
present at the graduation. and wished for
an opportunity to speak with Benson, but
none was found. They were greatly sur
prised that the son of a farmer should ex-
hbit so much talent, and he so fine an ap-
pearing gentleman.
| Benson's father urged him TO give up
the idea of becoming farmer for life.
and study some profession, repeated to
him the remarks he had heard that day.
told him people would say he had made a
failure if he did not pursue different
course, but his persistent argument was
Intellectual. Benson had determined his
course OF life with careful foresight, and
still harbored the feeling produced by his
sarcastic admirers when he leaned upon
his rake near the cornfeld lie believed
he could he farmer and still make his
talents of benefit TO the world. So he re-
turned home with his parents. and re-
svmed his old habits of work in connec-
ton with some iavorite studies. lie had
determined those should not he forgot
ten.
A conversation between Miss Lucy Ed
wards and Alice Matthews will show how
these two ladies looked upon him not.
withstanding they had been wonderfully
impressed in his favor.
"Alice." said Lucy one day while call
ing upon her. '.they say that Benson
Brown has gone to farming since he re.
turned from college. has put on his old
clothes and actually gone to farming.
did think class day that il was going tt
amount to something; that he was going
to cut quite place in society, he is jus
about the green fellow we thought him
when I'VE viewed him standing in thu
Icornfield.
"IIe will soon be as rusty as Of old
!drudging on that farm, father saw hin
out working this morning, as he rode
past there. If he should decide TO marry
he would not have a very fine profession
with which TO secure wife, would he
II should say not.'' said Lucy, "but
understand that he paid considerable at
itention to Miss Grant. lawyer Grant
daughter They reside in the town where
he graduated. friend told me this. o
!coursc Miss Grant knows nothing Of hi
plans or the home from which he came
Had she known. certainly she would no
have received attentions from one so fa
beneath her own solid standing. ! saw
Benson with lady class day, but did no
ESPECIALLY notice her as probably though
IL was some one Of his country cousins
|, I don't think fellow ought to treat a cir
| in that way. She probably thinks hin
some rich mans son. Some one Ough
Ito tell her how it il, should thank an,
lone to give me information under simila
circumstances. They say she is distan
relation Of Mr.. Bakers folks here in tn
city. but they know nothing o
course about Benson Brown. He live
three miles ont in the country"
Really. then, said Alice II am slight
ly acquainted with her; I remember G
meeting Beatrice Grant at Mr.. Baker
five or six years ago. She is niece G
Mr.. Bakers wife. She was then about t