Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-03-27
HOW ! BECAME A FARMER.
By A, B. Berry.
Massachusetts, Ploughman.
CHAPTER ii.

my wife, with some degree of anxiety
and apprehension manifested in her
tone, for we had a large family of
children, invaluable blessings every
one.
eve will see" said l, "only keep
up good heart dear wife. There's
always a way to those that try"
"Never fear" said she cheerily;
"you and the children are my world,
and should be ungrateful indeed,
after all you have done for us, to fall
ter or lack faith in your best efforts"
had made up my mind just what
wanted to do, but l knew my wife,
devoted as she was and ready to ac-
cept any course l was likely to pur-
sue, would shrink with feeling akin
to borrow at the thought of my be-
coming farmer. She had learned
to think that city life was the only
true and real life for civilized people,
and that real practical farm life was
but degree or two above barbarism,
or, at least, state of uncomfortable
and unmitigable dizziness and servi-
tude. proposed, therefore, that we
take one of the children and the next
day take a ride of several miles into
the country, as had some business
matters to transact there. The day
was pleasant and at eleven o'clock
A. NJ, we drove into the yard of Mr..
Evans; and a livelier scene it would
be hard to imagine. There were
scores of chickens and young turkeys,
of all sizes, running hither and thith-
er, with at least two pet lambs and a
young shepherd dog, with theyoung-
er children among them. Our young
est, a five-year-old daughter, just
shouted and clapped her hands at the
sight.
Mrs. Evans caught sight of us and
was instantly at the door to welcome
us. My wife showed a little con-
fusion at first, as had given no word
of explanation or reason for my call.
She knew about our being caught in
a tempest and the manner of escape;
and | remarked to her, as Mrs. Evans
approached, that this was the place
where we had found shelter and the
generous welcome.
After the usual greeting l said to
Mrs. Evans: 81 wanted my wife to
see you and your home, and what
real farm life may be made"
"My husband and | have often
spoken of you and wondered if you
would be as good as your word, and
come and bring your wife to see
u.s."
We were soon in the house, and my
wife fully at her ease, Hwith Mrs.
Evans and her two older daughters.
Suddenly she started and exclaimed
"But where is my little girl Annie
all this time?'
"Head over ears with the turkeys,
chickens and pet lambs" said | f.; and
Just then she came inwith a pet lamb
on one side of her and pet chicken
perched on her hand, and followed
by the two younger children, boy
and girl, of Mrs. Evans; all happy
and apparently as familiar as old ac,
quaintances, for there is a wonderful
amount Of fellow-feeling in children
and little formality in its expression.
1t had been fully settled that we
were to remain till afternoon, and ]
left the house to find Mr.. Evans, who
was with his oldest son in the hay,
field. He was driving the mower,
with a splendid pair of farm horses,
through grass as heavy as could well
be made on the ground; and Viii.
mot, the son, was stirring it up with
a tedder, with another pair, for the
grass was too heavy for one horse tC
work comfortably.
After cordial greeting: "You are
the very man." said he, 81 was
thinking of you not ten minutes ago
| was just on the point of turning out
my team, for the work is pretty hard
for them"
at must be- said |. "What a
burden of grass! never saw the like
before"
"My neighbors cut over twenty OF
thirty acres and get twenty tons;
cut fifteen acres and get forty tons
They say my land is better, but it is
only that my farming is better.
can't help Dragging little"
"You may well do So" said l.
"They pillow all the manure under;
| never do, but apply all to the sur.
4, faoo -