The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1890-01-16
stream flowing through Mr.. Green.

Had we better keep this young tramp,
or notl really need a boy to help do
the chores; Arthur isn't mt all strong, as
you remind me twcnty times day. II I
thought the lad would be of any earthly
use 20 me, I'd try him for month"
'IIc seems an honest, bright lad, I"
said Mrs. Green. ''and. besides, he's lust
Arthur's age. Let's give him trial"
The fac; Of his being ''just Arthur's
age seemed to he his strongest recon-
mcndation in the eyes Of the loving
mother. Arthur was a sickly though
merry lad, and the "cforesn tha. natur-
ally 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 behind
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
the former very blue.
1--WE have concluded, Mark, " said the
farmer, slowly, "to give you a months
trial
"hurrah, hurrah." shouted Arthur.
throwing his cap in the air. "Aint
that Jolly. Now | shall have some one
TO play with"
~ snall cxpec; YOU" continued the
farmer when Arihur's enthusiasm had
somewhat ohated. "to help milk. feed
the pigs and hens, water the horses,
bring in the wood and water, and do
such other light work as I may call upon
you to do. II at the end of the month
we are mutually satisfied with each other,
we will make a bargain for longer
period
That night, for the first time in his
life. Mark Bloomer slept on Il feather
bed, between snOw-whtc sheets. The
next morning hc was up at daybreak,
and had the fire made, and the tea kettle
singing right mcrrily, before Mrs Green
made her appearance. In short
time the farmer came into the kitchen
with two large tin milk.pais, one of
which he handed Mark with the remark
"Now, my lad, come out to the barn
with me, and | will give you your first
'''' ~ 'iiiNili-' -huih WIS IhiutI
awkward at first but soon learned to
milk rs well ~ the farmer himself
In fact, he did 50 well. and so endeared
himself to the whole Green household.
especially Arthur, that, at the end of the
trial month, they were not only willing,
but anxious TO have him stay through the
fall and winter. and do chores for his
board and schooling.
IAN work aud no play makes Jack a
dull boy Farmer Green, being Il sensible
man, recognized the truth OF this old
saying, and gave Mark one day each week,
''all to himself Instead, however. of
is being all to himself. it was all for
Arthur; for ne gave up the entire day to
the amusement of the latter. making for
him kites, balls, bows and arrows, traps,
etc. In fact he worked harder on his
play days than at any other time. Arthur
was constantly singing his praises; nc
could out-run, out-swim, out-sl.ate any
boy round. At school he fairly astonished
the teacher by the rapid progress he made.
At Farmer Green's everything about the
barn and sheds was in order; every tool
had q place of its own. and was kept in
Its piacc: the COWS were sleek: the horses
'hone like glass bottles; the woodshcd
was pilcG full OF wood, and the wood-box
aud water pals were never empty
II don't know what should do with
mt him" said the wcll-satisfed farmer.
''lIc's worth his weight in gold
Things went along thus pleasantly un-
Ill the holiday vacation The day but
luc before Christmas, Mr.. Green handed I
/ sealed envelope to Mark, saying: II
want you to take this to Nr. Perry. lie
ives over ON the Cherry Valley road, /
ron know. I'd lc; YOU have one of tine
lorSos, but I've got to 60. to the village
'or that load of feed You'd better put /
he letter in your inside coat pocket, for I
there's money in it. It's the pay for
hat yearling bought. | didn't agree to |
pay for it till the first OF March, but |
Pcrry'S just heard that his daughter in |
Ohio is very sick, and is going TO see
ler; consequently, he wants the money
Tor car fare"
Mark placed tho letter in his inside
pocket, as directed, and started ON his
,rrand, whistling merry tune. The
farmer went to the village, got his load
IF feed, and returned home and unloadcd
il.
"Seems to me it's about time Mark
got back, It's almost chore time, ;" said
Mr.. Green to his wife.
80, maybe he has met some of his
'choolmatcs IN the road, and is having
Boys will be boys, you know"
said the kindhcarted Mrs. Green
At five O'clock Mark had not made his
appearance, and the farmer went out to
milk alone. 'Tain't like him TO dily-
daily when on an errand, he muttered
to himself, as he TOOK down his milking
stool! IL hope he hasn't ran away with
that money. He's been good boy since
being here, but what do | know about
his past record! | do hope he hasn't
run away. Not that ! care so much for
the money, but had learned to like the
boy.
The chore' done, the Green family sat
down TO supper. All were silent until
the farmer said;
That boy had twenty dollars in an
envelope in his inside pocket, and there
can't be any doubt but that he's run
away with it. I'd give another twenty
dollars, cheerfIlly,i if | could think other