The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-06-24
miscellaneous.
Farmer LamsOn.

Farmer Lamson outliyed his wife and
and his son brought his wife and
family to fill their places and make the old
man comfortable. lie had reached the age
when the grasshopper became burden, and
his heart was no longer engrossed with buy
ing and selling and making the farm product
i've. So, arrangements were made whereby
the son should feel well paid for his labor,
but 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 a happy and united family
grandpa" was well cared for and respected
by all, and could go where he pleased. AL
most daily he took Il tour to the village and
visited the store. But oncday he came down
earlier than was usual and asked to see Mr..
Munroe in private and told him that he was
on his way to a lawyers office to convey his
farm to his son.
Mr.. Munroe shook his head slowly at this
information and said: "Don't do it! Hold
the reins and let jim drive. Human nature
is too weak to trust. Don't tempt him."
Tempt him y echoed Mr.. Lamson.-
"Why, Munroe what do you mean? give
Jim the farm and he boards me and gives me
twenty-five dollars every three months, and
| give him the stock and farming tools and a
thousand dollars in bank stock. See here's
the agreement all written down; can't be no
mistake, and 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 fight, and drive down the
hill and see you every day.
Mr.. Munroe read the agreement in his
slow, quiet way "Mum, nothing about a
horse TO drive here When the old mare isn't
yours, how'll you come down the hill? You
cant foot it very spry."
Foot it ~ cried Mr. Lamson. Iand o.
Goshen Who's going to foot it Haven't
| got the old mare and that fine team besides
and three as likely colts as this country ever
saw? What are you thinking about?"
"None of them is 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 lcaven of oh.
stinacy in his composition, and the more his
friend urged him not TO convey the farm, the
more he was bound to do it.
So the lawyer was visited and the deed
made out; but as the son was not there he
concluded to carry it home TO have it signed
and asked two neighbors TO witness it
When he returned home the deed was shown
to Jim and wife and eldest boy, and they all
rejoiced that at last "grandpa" had been made
to do what was for the good of the whole
family. That night Jim laid his plans fol
the next springs work, intending to make rad
ical changes in everything, while his wife
planned famous dairy and laid schemes
which equalled those of the milkmaid of story
book fame.
Next day the winds blew loud and shrill
and the snow fell ceaseessly, so that the
neghbors could not be summoned and the
deed signed But Jim and his wife careC
not for the wind or storm and discussed theil
new plans before the old man until his few
white hairs almost stood ON end Mt tho
changes that We're to be made The pint
grove near the house, which sheltered it from
the north wind, must come down. Jim said
at ought to have been cut down long ago
father, and plowed up for potatoes And Thu
back lot must be drained aud sowed to corn
] shall make the farm produce twice as mucl
you did, but to do this l must keep twice AZ
much stock and Eliza thinks she would like
very well large dairy. Perhaps yot
wouldn't mind going up stairs to sleep, faith
er, and let us have milk-room. In summer
time you wouldn't mind il and in winter
wen fix you someway."
The father made no reply, but he though
of Mr. Munroes advice, and while he seemed
to doze he was thinking of his wife and littl'
children, and of the pine grove he had seer
grow to tall, stately trees from tiny seedlings
and of the associations that made the old bed
room, with its quaint chest of drawers, III
curtained bedstead, old table, chairs and desk
so dear to him.
Another day passed and still the storm
ragged, the plans for changes were continued
and the old man was made TO feel that not
foot of the land belonged to him and hardly
the chair that he set in. Not that Jim an(
Eliza were unkind to him or the children les
respectful, but the very atmosphere of til,
place seemed changed to him, and he went t.
bed at least an hour earlier than usual. jim
said to Eliza Father don't seem as chirk a
usual; hope he hasn't taken any cold. Bu