The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-02-05
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Farmer Lamson's Experience.

Farmer Lamson's Experience.
Farmer Lamson outlived his wife and
daughters, aud his son brought his wife
and family to fill their places and make
the old man comfortable. He had reached
the age when the grasshopper became a
burden, and his heart was no longer en-
crossed with buying and selling and max
ing the farm productive. So, arrange
ments we're made whereby the son should
feel well paid for his labors, bat the father
should hold the reins, even if he did not
drive, and do what work he pleased.
For two years this plan worked we'll
and they seemed happy aud united fam
ily; ''grandpa" was we'll cared for and re-
speeted BY all, and could 60 where be
pleased. Almost daily he took tour to
the village and visited the store, whose
owner was his friend aud adviser. But
one day he came down earlier than was
usual aud asked to see Mr.. Muuroe in pri-
vate, and told him that he was on his way
to a lawyers Office to convey his farm to
his SON.
Mr.. Muuroc shook bis head slowly at
this information and said Don't do it,
Hold the reins aud let Jim drive. Hu-
man nature is too weak to trust Don't
tempt him.
"Tempt him !" echoed Mr. Lamson.
"Wby, Munroe, what do you mean? I
give Jim the farm ahd he boards me and
gives me twenty five dollars every three
months, and I give him the stock aud
farming tools and thousand dollars in
bank stock. See, here's the agreement
all written down; can't be no mistake, aud
] needn't worry about the crops, the stock
or snythiug, but just sit BY the FIRE aud
doze and read the newspapers and sec how
the politicians fght, and drive down the
Hill and see you every day
Mr.. Munroe read the agreement 10 his
slow, quiet way Mum, nothing about
horse to drive here when the old mare
isn't yours. how'll you come down the bin?
You can't foot it very spry.
"Foot itl7 cried Mr. Lamson "Leud
o Goshen Who's a going TO foot i'll
Haven'i l got the old mare and that ine
team besides and three as likely colts as
this country ever saw What are you
thinking about p
''None Of them yours after you We signed
that deed, said his friend. Ny advice
IS, bold to your farm until you are dead,
I've been in this town over thirty years
have seen such cases before.
But Mr.. Lamson had a strong Ieayen Of
obstinacy IN his composition, and the more
bis friend urged him not to convey the
'arm, the more he was bound to do IL
So the lawyers Office was visited aud
he deed made out, but as the soa was not 1
here be concluded 10 carry it home to
laye it signed, aud asked two neighbors I
% witness il. When be returned home 4
he deed was shown to lin aud his wife 4
md his eldest boy, and they all rejoieed
hat at last grandpa had been made to
10 what was for the good Of the whole
amily That night Jim laid his plans for
he next springs work, intending to make
adical changes in everything, while his
rife planned a famous dairy and laid
ehemes which equalled those of the milk
laid of story book fame
Next day the winds blew loud and sbrill
nd the snow fell eeaselessly, so that the
eighbors could not be summoned and the
eed signed. But Jim and his wife cared
OF for the wind or storm and discussed
heir new plans before the Old man until
is few white hairs almost stood on end at
lie changes that were 10 be made. The
inc grove near the house, which sheltered
from the north wind, must come down.
i'm said ''It ought to have been cut
own long ago, father, and plowed up for
otatoes. And the back lot must be drain
aud sowed to corn. | shall make the
rm produce twice as much as you did, /
ut to do this [ must keep twice as much i
ock, and Eliza thinks she would like Z
rye diiry. Perhaps you wouldn't mind ,
,ing up stairs to,slecp, father. and ies US 5
ire aai,6-roon. tpaqe out IT your led
ON. ID summer sifIe you wouldn't t
ind It aud iF winter sen fix ytsu some S
ny." $
The father made no reply, but he O
fought Of Mr.. Munroe's advice, and t
bile be seemed to doze he was thinking a
bis wife and little children, and of the h
ne grove he had seen grow to tall, state 0
trees from tiny seedlings, and Of the
that made the old bedroom, II
th its quaint chest of drawers, its cur il
med bedstead old table, chairs and desk. Il
dear to him. h
Another day passed and still the storm s,
ged, the plans for changes were coutiu- h
d, and the old man was made to feel
at rot foot Of the land belonged to Il
N and hardly the chair that he sat in.
It that Jim end Eliza were uukiud to il
u CT the children less respectful, but 5,
very atmosphere Of the place seemed il
inged to him, and he went to bed at it
St an hour earlier than usual, jim said
Eliza =" Father don't seem as ehirk as b,