Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-05-22
Master or Man, Which?
BY Il. E. j.

1t was a sad day for John Mills,
when he stepped from the train at the
depot in his native village in Yer
mont. He had year before attain
ed his majority, and gone West, leav-
ing his father and mother settled
comfortably in a neat cottage in the
edge of the village. The farm
where he had spent his boyhood had
not been clear of mortgage, and it
had seemed to him best that he should
begin life free from debt His faith
er was quite willing to lay the burth-
en- down; so the farm was sold and
a village home secured for the par
,ents, while John went to the western
frontier to secure a homestead, and
advance his fortune by all reasona-
Bile means.
But sickness and death come to all
so the parents of John Mills were
stricken down with sickness; and
when the news came to him, his work
ceased, his plans were laid aside, and
the cry of his heart was, 'Let me go
and bury my father, and after that
1 will gather my wealth. When he
arrived at his native place, kind
friends had performed every sad office
and care. The cottage was closed,
and as the warm days of coming
spring quickened universal life, the
gloominess of the cottage was not
dispelled. Many friends greeted
John and urged him to partake of
their hospitality; but all their kind
offers were refused and as the day
was waning, he might have been seen
with farmer Jones, former neigh
Dor, going a mile or more to the farm
home with Mr.. Jones, with whom he
made his temporary home. After
few matters of business had been at
tended to, the days were not fully
occupied, and it began to be sub
ject of thought with John, What
shall l do? He freely conferred with
Mr.. Jones in regard to the matter.
1t seemed with the settlement of
the estate that it would be advisable,
if not necessary, for him to stay
year in the vicinity.
He desired more liberty than hir-
ed man could be allowed; yet he
wanted a constant job, and an income
was desirable. Mr.. Jones offered
him home with the chance of work
ing by the day on his and the ad-
joining farms. This would provide
plenty of hard work and, also, many
idle days with but little choice in
Jobs. In connection with these con-
siderations, it was found that if he
chose he could occupy the cottage at
the village, and during the season,
control its land which amounted to
full acre.
He said to Mr.. Jones. "By trade
am farmer, and l am not intend
ing tolearn any other trade ''That
is all as it should be- said farmer
Jones, zone trade well learned ought
to give a man living. But John,
what is farmer, as you understand
it?"
II think" said John, 'that a
farmer is one who can cause the earth
to produce food for man.
"That definition is generally cor
rect" said Mr.. Jones; ''but remem-
Der that many who control large acres
of land devote it to other purposes,
as the growing of Gotten, and tobac-
co; and others produce such articles
of food as must be transported long
distances to market, as sugar, rice,
wheat, and dairy products. Now
what kind of farmer would you like
to be?'
"Well," said John, II should be
glad to produce such crops as would
be wanted and consumed near where
they were grown"
Il think" said Mr.. Jones, "that
if you had your trade well learned.
you could take that acre of land in
the village by the cottage, and so till
it that it's crops would pay you bet
ter than working for wages.
"If such a course were possible, >
E said John. chow much better I should
like it,
"Yet there are two other elements
that enter into life,'' argued Mr.
Jones, one is palatable food, anoth.
er is agreeable company, and young
man of your age is apt to think more
; of these than of the accumulation OF
wealth."
ga year ago." answered John,
your remark would apply to me but
a year on the frontier in the West
teaches a man to rely upon himself.
and reveals to himself his powers and
: capabilities. If [ pleased, / could
go into the cottage and live a yeal
without a housekeeper, and every
, day have palatable food; and as fol
company, there would be no lack il
village like this. The scheme looks
tempting"
II would not advise you to try any
such way of passing the time. While
it might be done, it would be freely
f criticised by every one, as it woult
5 be unusual. Here all are gathered
e into families, and it seems the onl,
way to live properly
''This may be the prevailing opin
ion but, alas, / have no family.
said John. ssIf 7 had remained west