The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-10-23

duty done in giving him a home. You
are disposed to think him ungrateful
| because he wants to leave you. now
| that every year makes his services
lmoreL valuable But the boy is am
bilious, and is not satisfied to travel in
a circle. He wants to make some
Roadway. And it is only natural"
The farmer leaned his head or his
hand, a look of deep thought on his
grave weather beaten face. His gentle
sister-in-law's plain speaking had given
rise to thoughts which had be-
fore entered his mind.
81 believe you're morn half right,
Hester he said at last. "I1l think
it all over tonight, and make up my
mind what to do. I'd be lost here
without George, and he shan't leave
the farm if l al help it."
"Force won't keep him, Eli, re.
member that" and Mrs. Lucas feeling
that she had said enough, folded up
her work, and taking up a lamp from
q shelf by the stove, went up stairs to
| her own room.
Just at day-break she was reused
from a sound sleep by the sound of a
horses hoofs in the yard, and looking
out of the window she saw Eli trotting
away on old Roam.
+ Where can he be going at this
hour?" she thought.
When she went down stairs at six
o'clock, George vas standing by the
kitchen table, having just come in with
two full pals ofmilk. His face ore
a disconnected, unhappy look, and he
merely nodded in return for his aunt's
CHEEKY "Good morning" ,
A few moments later his father en-
tered, but George, who had gone to
one of the windows, and was looking
out dejectedly, did not even glance up.
"You were out early, Eli" said
Mrs. Lucas. ~ heard you ride away
at day-break."
eyes, 1 went to Pine Ridge on a
matter of business"
"That's where you sold Vixen,
| papa, isn't it ?" asked little Harry, and
Mrs. Lucas saw a culver pass over
Georges face as the child spoke.
Eyes, my boy, I sold Vixen to
Lawyer Stanley. George" turning to
his son, 1--we made up my minds to
part with that ffty-acre lot by the
river. What do you think of that ?"
"Of course you are to get a good
price for it, sir" said the young man
indifferently. "It's the best piece of
land you have"
but l haven't sold it. I am going
to give it away"
"Give it away !" repeated George,
reused out of his Indifference, and
staring at his father IS if he thought
he had not heard Alright.
"Yes, deed it over, every inch of it.
to some one L think a great deal of,
and who deserves it," laying his hand
on his sons shoulder, and his voice
breaking a little. II am going to
give it to my son, George Hardwood,
to have and to hold, as he sees fit,
without question or advice"
"To me! You intend to give that
fifty acres to me, father !"
"Yes, my boy, and with my whole
heart. You've been a good son,
George, and I only wish 1 we're able
to do more for you. But I'm not a
rich man, as you know, and 1 have
your mother and the three little ones
to provide for, too. Still, I want you
to have a start, and this ffty:acre lot
will yield you a handsome profit. You
can have three days in the week to
call your own, and that will give you
a chance to work it, and if you choose
to break in that pair Of your oxen 1
bought the other day from Bagley,
you can have them for your trouble"
"This-this seems too much, sir"
stammered George. al don't know
how to thank you"
TOO much Then I don't know
what you'll say to this" and the farmer
took his son by the arm and led him
out on the porch. "There's another
present for you, my boy"
"Vixenl" The word came from
Georges lips with long sigh of Joy,
and with one bound he was at the side
of the little black mare he had never
thought to see again, and had both
arms about her neck. ooh, father,
I'd rather have Vixen than anything
else in this world |"
And he buried his face in the pretty
creatures name, and in spite of his
eighteen years, fairly broke down,
and sobbed aloud.
That ended Georges desire to leave
the farm. He was never again heard