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

Farmer LamSOn'S Experience. |
Farmer Lamson outlive3 MS 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
burden. and his heart was no longer en-
crossed with buying and selling and max
ing the farm productive. So, arrange
meuts were made whereby the son should
feel well paid for his labOrs, but the father
should hold the reins, even if he did not
drive. and do what work be pleased
For two years this plan worked well,
and they seemed happy and united fam
ily; agrandpa" was well cared for and re-
spected 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 and adviser. But
one day he came down earlier than was
usual and asked to see Mr.. Munroe in pri-
vate. and told him that he was on his way
to lawyers Office to convey his farm to
his son.
Mr.. Munroe shook his head slowly at
this information and said Don't do i'll
Hold the reins and let Jim drive. Hu-
mau nature is too weak to trust. Don't
tempt him.
"Tempt him = echoed Mr.. Lamson.
"Why, Muuroe, what do you mean? |
give Jim the farm and be boards me and
gives me twenty-five dollars every three
months, and 1 give him the stock and
farming tools and thousand dollars in
bank stock. See, here's the agreement
all written down; cant be no mistake, aud
| needn't worry about the crops, the stock
or anything, but just sit BY the FIRE and
doze and read the newspapers and see how
the politicians fghr, and drive iUwu sAv
bill and see you every day.
Mr.. Munroe read the agreement in bis
slow, quiet way. "Mum, nothing about a
horse to drive here When TIE old mare
isn't yours, how'll you come down the hiils
You can't foot it very spry.
"Foot il. cried Mr.. Lamson. LAND
o Goshen Who's a going to foot iti
Haven't I got tho old marc aud that fne
team besides and three as likely colts as
this country ever saw What are you
thinking about?'
4sNene Of them yours after you ve signed
that deed said his friend my advice
is, hold 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 strong leaven Of
Obs;inacy in his composition, aud the more
his friend urged him not to convey the
farm, the more he was bound to do il.
So the lawyers Office was visited and
the deed made out, but as the son was not
there be concluded TO carry it home to
have it signed, aud asked two neighbOrs
TO witness it. When he returned home
the deed was shown to Jim aud his wife
aud his eldest boy, and they all rejoieed
that at last ''grandpa" !" had been made to
do what was for the good Of the whole
family. That night Jim laid his plans for
the next springs work, intending to make
radical changes in everything, while his
wife planned famous dairy aud laid
schemes which equalled those of the milk
maid Of story book fame.
Next day the winds blew loud and shrill
and the snow fell eeaselessly, so that the
neighbors could not be summoned and the
deed sigEad- But Jim and his wife cared
ndra the wind or storm and discussed
their new plans before the old man until
his few white hairs almost stood ou end at
the changes that we're 10 be made. The
pine grove near the house, which sheltered
it from the north wind, must come down.
jim said "It ought to have been cut
down long ago, father, and plowed up for
potatoes. And the back lot must be drain
ed and sowed to corn. shall make the
farm produce twice as much as you did,
but to do this l must keep twice as much
stock. and Eliza thinks she would like a
large dairy. Perhaps you wouldn't mind
going up stairs to sleep, father, and let US
have milk-roorn made out Of your bed
room. In summer time you wouldn't
mind it and in winter wen fix you some
way
The father made no reply, but he
thought Of Mr. Munroe's advice, and
while be seemed to doze lie was thinking
of his wife and little children, and Of the
pine grove he had seen grow to tall, state
ly trees from tiny seedlings, and of the
associations that made the old bedroom,
with its quaint chest of drawers, its cur
tanned bcdstead, old table, chairs aud desk,
so dear to him.
Another day passed and still the storm
ragged, the plans for changes were contin-
ued, and the old mpn was made to feel
that not foot cf the land belonged to
him and hardly the chair that he sat in.
Not that Jim and Eliza were unkind 10
him or the children less respectful, but
the very atmosphere of the place seemed
changed to him, aud he went to bed at
least an hour earlier than usual. Jim said
TO Eliza :-@Father don't seem as chirk as