The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-02-15
Selected Storp.
How Farmer Jones Learned
n Lesson.

and storm, muttering to himself:
Well, have done my duty by the
colonels wife, at any rate. Couldn't
turn 'em out just now and but the
wind whisked away his words, and just
as he gained his own door the storm
broke heavily upon the earth.
For an hour the tempest ragged; still
Farmer Jones read on, occasionally
stopping to stir the fire and remark to
the silver-haired old lady opposite
that such storm he had not seen
for nigh on to forty years.
The lady dropped her knitting, and,
gazing into the weather-beaten face of
her husband, inquired, timidly: You
didn't turn 'em out, John, did your"
Well, no: not exactly that, wife,"
he answered, helping himself to large
mellow apple from dish near by and
slowly pairing it with his jacknife;
e not that wife, but it will come to
that in the end; can't be helped no
way, for since the colonel is dead there
is no one to lift the mortgage, and its
all Harold can do to get on alone"
But gave 'em two years." he con-
tinued, as if in answer to his con-
science.
"Mercyl" interrupted the little
woman, as in the lull of the storm
loud knock was heard at the door.
who can be out such wild night as
this2" Do hurry, John, and unlock
the door"
"Why, it's Joey Reed. What is the
matter, boy?" asked the astonished
farmer, as the light fell full in Joey's
face.
With a toss of the snow-hakes on his
coat, the boy answered: "Ohl moth
ing, SIR" seating himself by the fire,
only l overheard your talk this evening,
and came over to see you. Aunt Alice
is nearly broken-hearted about leaving
the farm, and the girls will have to
leave school, and if Harold works ever
so hard he can only keep the interest
up, besides getting living, and there's
nothing to save from. l slipped over
here to see, sir, if you will give me
time, and will try and pay it up"
Grandma Jones had piled her shining
needles fast and faster as the boy went
on; she now let them fall into her lap,
and laying her hand softly on the farm
ers arm, said, slowly: "You will give
him a chance, father, won't you? Poor
boy, he don't look as if he was used to
hard work"
GO am not" answered the boy" but
l think L can do some kinds, and |
would like to try if he would let me,
Mrs. Jones'"
How old are your" asked Farmer
Jones, with quick look into the boys
face; "and what do you think you can
do to lift $500 mortgage?"
"Seventeen come June"
"Seventeen, chi You are not as
strong as boy of ten ought to be-" and
he knit his shaggy brows.
But am stronger than look, sir,
and if you will try me am sure can
earn the money some way in five years.
time"
"Seen my woodpile; want to try your
hand at that?" and he fixed his keen
blue eyes on Joey, who, to his surprise,
replied quickly:
Eyes, sir, thank you; when may l
begin, and how many cords have you?''
Taken somewhat aback by Joey's
ready answer, he replied "Ten cords
and l will give you 81 cord. Begin
when you are mind to. Is tia bar
gain!"
eyes, sir, and-and if you please,
will you give me writing about the
mortgage?"
An amused smile played for minute
about the farmers's lips; drawing him
selfup, he said: ooh, of course, boy, OF
course. l always make it point TO dc
as agree" and he reached pen and inl
from the table, and, after few rapid
strokes of the pen, pushed the paper
towards Joey, who read it over, folded
it up and put il carefully in his old
wallet.
"How could you'll" exclaimed hi
wife, as with a good evening"" thu
door closed on Joey.
Well, now, Martha, its no use talk
ing. 1 thought if he wanted to tr,
why | would just let him begin on thu
wood-pile, but l declare for'ts if h
does anything l am mistaken"
But he will though" said she
"didn't you notice the proud look i
his face when | spoke of his father?"
Well, yes, and so he was a goo
man, only he didn't know enough t
keep his money; signed with Reed an
lost the hull on it; died and left tina
youngster without red cent. Tell yo
what, wife, III watch that boy, an
he's made of the stuff you think he i:
why, I'll give him lift; can't take on
money along with u.s." and Farme
Jones resumed his paper and his wifi
her knitting, inwardly wondering at tn
change that had suddenly come owe
her husband, for it was well know
far and near that he was hard man, an
no one was more sensible of it than hi
quiet, patient wife, Martha.
1t was a coy sitting-room Joey er
tered a few minutes later; a small tab
near the fire, beside which Aunt Alic,
a fair-faced, brown-haired woman, VIZ
sitting busily engaged with a basket
mending; on the opposite side VIZ
Harold, a sturdy young man of twent
three, piling blocks for the little girl
his lap, whose ringing laugh no
sounded clear and sweet, as the pile {
the table toppled over and fell with
crash on the floor.
"I've been over to see Farm
JONES'" replied Joey to Aunt Alice
question.
cover to see Farmer JonesW e
olaipna1 lillian thrnuipu 1nun bar hoo