The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1890-02-27

yeungster, said the farmer to Mark,
who during the foregoing short dialogue
had remained perfectly silent, hoping
against hope that Arthur would prevail
upon his father to permit him to stay.
4 II W Mr.. Green.
You're an honest-looking lad enough,
though you are ragged and dirty. And
50 you want TO do chores for yours board,
en2 What do you know about farm.
work.
Not any thing said Mark; '.i've al
ways lived in the city, but know
could learn. will do my very BEST sir,
II you will take me- y
We'll, we'll. well / see about it-iin 4tfIe
mornings In the meantime you had
hettefgo rtiown to tho crteki,s and taize
a bath. s'pose VOL have to keep you
over night anyway, and them feet and
hands Of yours amt just the things to
put between clean white sheets. Arthur
faay go with you and show you the
swimming hole, but don't stay in the
water long. and be sure and put up the
bars 50 that the cows won't get into
the meadow shouted the farmer after
them as they started, with many a
wboop and shout, for Oaks creek, a
stream flowing through Mr.. Grecn's
farm.
AS soon as the boys had disappeared
the farmer turned to his wife AID said;
well, Polly, what do you >think?
Had We better keep this young tramp
or not? really need a boy to help do
the chores; Arthur isn't at all strong, as
you remind me twenty times day. II
] thought the lad would be OF any earth
ly use to me, I'd try him for a MONTH
lie seems an honest, bright lad, !"
said Mrs. Green, land, besides, he's
just Arthur's age. Let's give him a
trial !.
The fact OF his being lust Arthur's
age seemed to be his strongest recon-
mendation in the eyes of the loving
mother. Arthur was sickly though
merry lad, and the ''chores'' that
naturally fall to the lot of boys of his
age on all farms had in great part, been
done by his father; the doing which kept
the latter from his other duties to such
an extent that he was continually be-
hindhand with his work.
In the course of half an hour Arthur
and Mark returned from the creek, the
latter looking very clean and rosy and
tire former very blue.
s:We have concluded, Mark. said the
farmer, slowly, ito give you months
trial"
! ''Hurrah. hurrahl'' shouted Arthur,
throwing his cap in the air. Amt that
jolly? Now ! shall have some one to
play with.
II shall expect you," continued the
farmer when Nrthur's enthusiasm had
somewhat abated, Ito help milk, feed
the pigs and hens, water the horses,
bring in the wood and water, and do
such other light work as may call upon
you to do. II at the end of month we
are utuatt " satisfied beach other
we will make bargain for longer
period
That night. for the first time in his
life, Mark Bloomer slept on feather
bed between snow-white- sheets. The
next morning he was up at daybrea and
had the fire made and the tea-kettle
singing right merrily before Mrs. Green
made her appearance. In a short time
the farmer came into the kitchen with
two large tin milk-pails, one of which he
handcd to Mark with the remark:
Now, my lad, come out TO the barn
with me and ! will give you your first
lesson in milking" Mark was rather
awkward at first, but soon learned to
milk as we'll as the farmer himself. In
fact, he did so well and so endeared him
self to the whole Green household, espe-
ciallH Arthur, that at the end of the trial
month they were not only willing but
anxious to have him stay through the
TAI and winter and dc chores for his
board and schooling.
"All work and no play makes Jack a
dull boy Farmer Green, being a
sensible man. recognized the truth of
this old saying, and gave Mark one day
each week, '.all to himself" Instead,
however of its being all to himself,
it was all for Arthur; for he. gave up
thesentire day to the amusement of the
bows and arrows, traps, etc. In fact
he worked harder on his play days than
at any other time. Arthur was con-
stantly singing his praises: he could
s.out-run, out-swim, out-skate any boy
round,'s At school he fairly astonished
the teached by the rapid progress he
made. AT Farmer Green's every thing
about the barn and shed was~in order;
every tool had a place Of its own, and
was kept in its place; the cows were
sleek; the horses shone like glass bot
lies the wood=shed was piled full OF
wood, and the wood-box and water-pails
We're never empty. -
ID don't know what should do with
out him,r said the well-satisfied farmer.
He's worth his weight in gold"
: Things went along thus pleasantly
until the holiday vacation. The day but
one before Christmas Mr.. Green handed
-a=saafed envelope to Mark, saying: II
want you TO take this to Mr.. Perry. He
lives over on abe Cherry Valley road,
you know, I'd let you have one of the
horses, but Tvs got to go to the village
the letter in your inside coat pocket
for there's money in it. It's the pay foI
that yearling bought, didn't agree
to pay for it till the LIST Of March, but
perry'se just heard that his daughter in
Ohio is very sick, and is going to see
her: consequently. he wants the money
for car fare
Mark placed the letter in his ms ide
pocket as directed, and started on his
'errand, whistling a merry tune. The
f.rmer went to the village, got his load
OF feed, and returned home and unloaded
II.
'Seems to me it's about time Mark
got back. It's almost chore time, y said
Mr.. Green to his wife.
20 may be he's met some of his
schoolmates on the road, and is having
play-spen. Boys will be boys, you
know said the kind-hearted Mrs.
Green.