Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-08-19
Not His VOCATION


blinking tuoglodytes and live ih the
light of day. No more would he mol
In sitting drifts, tunnels and cross cuts.
He would employ himself at some con.
genial task IN the bright fields, where
pure breeZes blow, flowers bloom and
birds sing in the wind-toSsed boughs.
Such was the determination OF
John Boyle six months ago. But 'once
a miner always a miner" A few days
ago John returned wiser if not sad
der man. Meeting his old friend and
mining partner, James Bean, John was
questioned III regard TO his expert
ence.
well" began John, 81 became an
agriculturist, James, my experience
has taught me that an agriculturist is
the nOblest work Of God"
docs he beat an honest man,
John?''
Yes, James. in a horse trade"
II suppose you were high in the ranks
Of the Grangers, won badge as big as
a dinner plate, turned out in all the
professions, and made speeches at the
meetings?''
"a Granger! Poohl Why, James, 1
was old Agricola himselfn'
''Oh iUdeed?"
"Yes; 1 used to speed the plow,'
james,
"And sacrificed to Pallas founder of
the plow and the plowman's toil?"
Exactly James"
"YOu also hurled the glittering
reaper through the golden grain?"
mo, James, no. l guided the
shining share through the emerald
sward,''
Beautiful What says Virgil?"
Produce the plow and yoke the sturdy steer,
And gUad h IN TIL he grOans beneath his tOE,
I'll the bright share IS buried in the soil.
"AhI James, sweet is the recollection
Of those days. Why, l was a second
Cinclnnatusl'
"Indeedl John shake hands with
me-"
with pleasure, James. Take the
palm of a 'horny-handed son of toilp
AM James, [ 'ate my bread on the
sweat Of my face"
"a very Adaml But, tell me,
John, where did you do all this farm
ing?"
up IN Washington Territory. All
was done within the boundaries of that
one Territory. l never plowed across
the line into strange and inhospltable
regions, never, James"
st was well with your ambition j,
joint was well that you were not
On Rhode Island"
sit was, James-it wasp
Dare | ask fer some particulars iii
regard to your experience while pursu-
ing your labors in the capacity of a
husbandman?"
You may James. Upon my arrival
in the fruitful wales of the Territory
named, engaged myself to landed
proprietor and was allotted the congo
nial task Of preparing the fecund soil
for the waiting seed. Girding up my
loins-with a piece of baling rope-I
went forth to excoriate the bosom of
old Mother EaTth.''
you mean to say, John that you
plowed?"
AYE, James, I plowed. For the
space Of three hours l guided the shin
ing share and a noble pair of CayuSe
steeds-steeds to which l at once gave
NAGlSAS AtAL4Cof aA-O NNAf nHPAoBAASNS
ones, l may now say"
did you name them Galathe and
Podarge, after the horses of Hectorf"
No, James; but .Ambaster and
Abatos, IN honor of the horses of
Pluto"
with those horses of Hades you
plowed for three hours, John?"
About that period of time, James.
Then most unforeseen circumstance
gave new direction to my mental and
physical energies. 4 root, JameS-a
root, II appearance resembling one of
the mighty seTpents of Africa-a most
active root, arose and projected itself
INTO my face, causing two front teeth
and the classic outlines of my nose to
disappear. The plOw unguided, pro-
ceeded into the pedestal upon which at
u former period had lowered a noble
oak, where it remained stationery,
while l, James continued to progress.
L proceeded, James, TO drop all euphe-
mism-I proceeded over the handles of
the plow and over the top of the
stump, while Abaster and Abatos,
with the beam of the implement of
agriculture, went through two worm
fences and to the realms of old Pluto
himself, for aught l know"
"a regular smash-up, JOhn?"
sit was James-it was. While not
perhaps equalling what we may imag-
inc of the wreck of matter and the
clash of worlds,' still 1t was wreck
too painful for contemplation. And,
James, 1 did not linger near the
scene."
''You departed2"
AYE, James, departed. In emu
lation of the star of empire, westward
l took my way. Across fields and
commons sped nor halted in my occi-
dental fight until my eyes were glad
dened with the sight of masts and sails
in the seaport town of SteilacoOm.
Cincinnatus of old left his plOw in the
furrow, u the crumblIng soil, exposed
TO the yicissitUdes of time and the
elements, but James, L left what re-
manned firmly anchored in lasting
Oak.n
Where it probably remains implant-
ed to this day?''
II know not, ,JameS-I know not. |
only know that from that hour, preg-
nant of painful and disastrous events.
ceased TO be a tilleI of the soil. For
three long hours l enjoyed those calm
joys which SOothe the soul of the hus-
bandman. my heart tTillIng Georges !
equal to the original Nirgilian."
You were a Bobby Burns, Johnl"
81 was James
But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the nOWGr, lis bloom is she'd
From Bobbie himself!''
''As beheld the masts of Steilacoom.
James, I said, this day leave | the
treacherous land: my plOwing now
shall be to plow the raging mainr'
In other words John, after all your
fine notions about surface life and
Granger joys, at the end of three hours |
you took water?''
Don't be slangy. Jamesl l became |
one of those that go down |
to the sea on ships that do business in |