The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-10-27


feel uneasy about them again.
BY seven O'Clock on the following
Thursday the farmers kitchen was full
Of boys, straight from the academy chat
ting merrily with the jovial farmer and
his pleasant wife. He told them stor-
les of his early life, and how he came to
the conclusion that the best way to SOW
his wild oats was to scatter seeds of
kindness.
81 tell you what it is, boys, the reap
ing's great deal more satisfactory. 1t
took me some time to find this out, but
l learned it before ]. got my spring wheat
so'Ved, just as Pm sure you will do.
Here comeG my little wife with the
pitcher of cream, and her sugar-crusted
sponge cake. If Benton and Gregg will
bring the big milk-pan Of peaches from
the pantry, Wen give them fair trial. {"
When the party broke up, one hearty
lad took Squire Holt by the hand and
said:
"You may find us on your farm
again, some day. But I'll give you my
word it won't be to steal your property.
If any one Of us can do you favor, just
let us know"
The boys went back to the village full
of plans for the coming harvesting.
The farmer and his wife Lucy gath.
cred up the fragments, talked over the
merits Of the boys, and put out the
lights.
"You women can get at the hearts Of
such boys they won't forget your kind
ness very soon. What were you ant
Gregg so busy about P''
"On not much. Only told him Il
bring down his winter feeting, and
would look them over and fix them VI
ht for cold weather, for you know hus
band, there's but one pair of stocking
for me to mend now."
He draws her close to his side ant
repeated this verse of the poem he knew
was in her thoughts
For each empty nook in the basket
, By the hearth there's an empty seat
And miss the shadows from off the wall
And the pstter of many feet
lis for this, that a tear gathered on m
r sight
At the one pair of stockings to mend t.
night.
When harvesting time came the SOUR
, went out to his corn field one day, say
l ing as he went.
81 don't feel very strong, I'll admit
but guess l can manage to cut fe,
: rows"
Imagine his surprise to find the cor
all cut, and dozen or more academ
boys hard at work stocking it.
L "Den't say one word," exclaims
one, as the farmer tried to thank then
WE'VE been watching this corn 6el
. for some time We want you to prom
Use us one thing"
"Say on" said the squire, 'you DO,
n dIo WOIhluB yOul way luGO Iouu'
spot in my heart, and can do most an
= thing with me-"
d Sand you, SIR said Arthur Greg
d stepping forward and grasping the su
| burnt hand, Shave worked your WI
J. into ours, and made us proud Of u
If tender spot in our hearts and anxiol
h to cultivate it. You have touched tn
spot with your confidence and friendl
!. ness. When we have housed al
!. husked this field of corn, then you mi
n thank us if you wish but you and yo
,s noble wife must always remember tn
e. you once did us kindness far beyOl
It anything we have done for you. o
n work must be done over next year, b
X 1 feel sure the work you have done t
ar us will be remembered a lifetime"
s, There was grand husking in Squi
g Hollis barn in the course of few day
lg and all the young folks came. The v
We layers wondered show those school DO
n. came to be on such good terms wi
W the people IN Jewett Road.' Let the
| wonder. These boys had learned tn
nothing worth having is gained
/ transgression, and nothing worth ket
ing is lost by nobleness.