Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-01-23
HORATIO KING
As A fARMER.

We have had Horace Greeleys and
Henry Ward Beecher's unique experien-
es 10 raising their own vegetables; but
We think our readers will agree with US
hat they were not more amusing than
What we have here from our own towns.
nan, who we understand, has selected
Vest Newton, Mass, for his future sum.
ner home, where he has beautiful house
situated. We are much
ratified in being permitted to publish
his racy private letter.
WEST NEWTON. Oct. ., 1882.
Ny dear Sister:
I've often thought, had the time,
I'd write q note to you In rhyme,
And tell you how, myself alarming,
came TO torn my hand to farming.
Well, In the 6rst place, as you know.
I bought house one year ago,
With only land upon the lot
Sufficient for q garden spot,
Intending TO enjoy my ease
Mid fragrant flowers aud shady trees.
Thus In philosophic view,
Dismissing care the summer through.
But soon the oft-felt fever rose,
From top OF head TO tip OF toes
The fierce desire to own In line
All lands, Of course, adjoining mine.
or feet had one thousand score,
And twenty thousand wanted more
To quell the fever this bought,
And II will show how was caught.
The lot with weeds was covered DER,
With thorus and briars even more,
And clumps Of trees OF smaller size
All so offensive TO my eyes,
That at once took tools In hand,
Determined to clear up this land.
In work like this, the world all knows,
One has no need OF Sunday clothes;
So. putting on . rusty suit,
A ten cent hat as top recruit,
went TO work with might and main,
Needless OF sun, or wind, or rain,
And soon the victims OF my blows.
In mingled network, high arose,
A pile OF stun, now high, now higher,
That lighted, made 8 grand bonfire.
Next came the ploughman with his team
To break the turf; did not dream
'Twould take three days to do the job,
Nor would 1t, but he planned to rob,
By plough ing mp, from underground,
All rocks and stones wherever found,
And then, to cart them of, asked pay,
When they had value where they lay.
Thus he contrived TO make me pay
Full seven dollars for each day.
In raising stones near half the time,
All for his gain, and not for mine.
But 10 all this there was no sin;
He met stranger'n took him In.
Nor was this all the part he played
In aid Of my insane crusade;
Insane, some thought 1t, nrst and last,
Because, they said would "lose caste, %
Here at the centre Of creation,
By being seen In such relation.
But, to proceed: Employed to bring
Carloads unnumbered, In the Spring,
or good, rich loan, this christian man,
Intent on gain, conceived the plan
or saving cost as well as travel,
BY bringing dirt filled with pln-gravel.
The price agreed on, down the road.
Was nve-snd-eighty cents load,
And ere his trick began TO shine,
His count had reached TO forty-niue.
or course he now had leave TO quit.
A thing he did not like bit.
Meantime found, by rake and hoe.
What until then did not know,
That he was cheating, day BY day;
Aud after this he staid away,
No doubt ashamed to bring his bill.
Which proved to NE bitter pill.
Four dollars sixty-Ave WAS all
He would deduct. and this call
Sharp practice, nearly without measure,
o. one turned farmer for his pleasure.
But, let rs call this chapter one,
s And then we'll see what else I've done.
In short, planted corn and beans,
Potatoes, peas, and beets "for greens.
Tomatoes, squashes, watermelon,
Cucumbers, canteloupes, to tell on,
Carrots and lettuce, cabbage seed,
And pumpkin, turuip, and indeed,
Asparagus and strawb'ry plants
Were started for our future wants.
Thus, 1t must be quite plain TO you
I've had full work enough to do
To hold me busy every day,
And keep the evil one away.
And In this labor, II not wealth,
I've found coutentment, peace and
health.
More still, we've hsd the joy amazing.
or eating food Of our own raising.
And then, besides this work OF tilling.
The clearing, planting, hoeins. drilling
All for q novice, heavy lugs,--
had TO nght potsto.bugs,
And do thousand other things
That farming always surely brings.
As found leisure now and then,
From farming work, ! used the Pen'
Or rustic basket made with hatchet'
Or rustic table, just 10 match IL,
Foot-stools, noWer-stand, or screen,
Az good ~ yod have ever seen.
This u not Ill, nor is u yrapdsr
Il