The National tribune., 1882-09-23


he followed after quite cheerfulIy, carryin.
a sack of corn on his shoulder.
The hOminy-mill, which Elbridge was soor
operating under tree in the pasture, was
very simple affair: it consisted of section
of oak log with a basin-like burnt hole il
one end; into this the corn, which had beer
previously soaked in lye, was placed, and tht
hulls beaten off with a wooden pestle; The
corn was then washed and was ready for use
Hominy thus made formed the staple article
Of food in many q pioneer family.
When Elbridge returned home at the close
of his second days compound employment
as miller and shepherd, he found q stranger
III the house; this was nothing unusual, fOl
! all settlers expected to entertain travellers
and many stopped at the Gray cabin; but
this traveller proved to be pedler, and this
was something unusal After supper he
! opened his pack and displayed many articles
| of use and ornament Elbridge's mother
aud sister Janet found many things to ad-
mIre; but the boy, after looking over every
thing in silence was about turning away
| cAAAiIANt1iS bAittV lCt4CIS CSS41ltu ICI
boys, when the man of the pack took out a
| book: Here, my lad, is a picture book that
maybe you'd like to look at"
1t proved to be story-booll, q very primi-
tive affair. L fear the young folks of to-day
would consider the stories very dry reading
and the pictures very rough and poor indeed
but to Elbridge, who was soon absorbed in
the book, they were miracles of interest and
art.
The boy, though acquainted with few
books, could read quite well, thanks to home
instruction with Webster's Speller, the Bible
and psalm-b0Ok for textbooks so all even
ing he read on and on, and when near bed
time, the pedler, having returned most of his
/ goods to his pack, asked if ne were trying
to read the book through to save buying it, 4"
the joke was entirely lost upon EIbridge; he
heard nothing, and was at length rudely
awakened by his father abruptly taking the
book from his hand and returning it to its
owner
"Let me see the book" said Grandfather
Gray, who had all evening been apparently
absorbed in his pipe and his story, but who
had as usual taken more interest than he
seemed in what the lad was interested in.
The pedler handed the book to him, and
he looked through it while Eibridge stole to
his side for another longing look at the pic
lures.
Would you like to have the book, Iad?"
said grandfather, at length
Like to have the book? Elbridge was
speechless with surprise. The idea of own
ing such q treasure had not entered his
mind; but the look upon his face was sufi-
cient answer.
How much do you want for it?" said
Grandfather Gray to the pedler.
-Four bits" answered he, briskIy.
Elbridge could scarcely believe his eyes
when he saw his grandfather take out buck
skin pouch and count out the four bright
silver pieces into the pedler's hand; and
when the old gentleman put the book into
his hands, saying, You are a good, industri-
Gus lad and deserve it," he could only stam-
mer his thanks and creep off to bed quite
dazed with his unexpected happiness.
8 The, next morning there went with him to
the pasture beside the sheep and the bag of
corn the wonderful new story book, and no
boy will be surprised to learn that the grfst
brought from the hominy-mill that night.
when weighed in the balance, was found
sadly wanting. The reason for this being
soon surmised, he was strictly forbidden to
carry the book to the DaStI1re
For this, however, he cared but little for
he had that day got from one of the stories
an idea which he hoped, with his grand
fathers help, toput into such practical form
that he should henceforth be relieved from
the labor of pounding hominy, and have all
his time for reading and play.
isinspiration was drawn from the charm
ing story of Edward and Elmer, two youths |
more remarkable for ingenuity than for love
of hard work, who, having had the task given |
them Of doing the family churning, contriyed, |
by building a dam in a small stream and rig |
ging up water-wheel, to have the churning |
done by water power; and EIbridge argued |
that the force which could be made to churn |
butter could also be compelled to pound |
hominy.
As has been said before, o stream ran
through the pasture with q perpendicular
fall of several feet; this would do away with
the necessity for building dam, but for the
wheel he must depend upon his grandfather,
Is also for all encouragement in his project.
His father and mother he knew would re-
gard it as sheer nonsense; but for what
Grandfather Gray chose to do on the farm
IT atthe smithy there was neither question
Tor remark.
So in the evening when grandfather sat
'esting and enjoying his pipe under the
great sycamore in front of the house.
1lbridge took the book, and, sitting down
beside him, asked:
Grandfather, shan't read you a story
'ut of my new boOk?"
"Why, yes, of course" said the old gentle
nan, looking pleased.
Then Elbridge read to him about Elmer
nd Edward and their wonderful water
Wheel, and grandfather became so interested
hat he nearly let his pipe go ont
"And now," said Elbridge abruptly, as he
lOsed the book at the end of the story,
why can't we rig up a wheel at the fall in
he pasture that will pound hominy as well
S [ can? You see, there won't be any dam
o build theren
Grandfather opened his eyes very wide,