Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-01-28
GOING TO LEAVE THE FARM.

GOING TO LEAVE THE FARM.
The york Of the farm house was over for
the day, the chiidFen-with the exception
of the eldest sop, Who had gone to the vii.
lage-were 10 bed, and in the big comf0rta
BILE kitchen Farmer Hardwood, his wife and
his wife's sister, Mrs. Lucas were sitting
around center table. The farmer was
reading the paper, his wife was putting
patch on the knee of little Harry's diminu
tive knickerbockers, aud Mrs. Lucas was
crocheting hood of blue and white zephyr
for a small niece.
| There was silence in the kitchen save for
the snap3iug of the fire in the stove, the
ticking d the big, eight-dsy clock in the
corner, and the rustic of the farmers news
paper, and when Mrs. Hardwood sighed
deeply, both her sister and her husband
looked up in surprise.
| What's the matter, Sarah? asked the
latter THAT sigh was the loudest ever
beard yeu give. Has anything gone wrong?
You look as though you had big load en-
your mild
I have answered his wife. And il is
load which you must share, Eli; have
borne it alone as long as ! can bear it.
There is great trouble in store for us, hus
band-George is going to leave the farm
| The newspaper fell to the floor, and for q
moment he looked at his wife, too much
surprised 40 utter word.
Going to leave the farml he repeated at
last Sarah, you must be dreaming
Mrs. Hardwood shook her head sadly. 4
wish were,' she said. mo, Eli, it is true,
George has made up his mind to leave us.
have noticed for months past that he
seemed dissatisfied and restless, and since
hA hoc lod
deal about the work, and the dullness of
his life. And to day heard him say to
Jasper Flint that he would not be here
month from now; that he had had enough
of farm life, and intended to leave; and if
we refused our consent to it he would run
away, and take his chances
sWe'll see about that said the farmer
augrily. Consent to It'll l rather think
notI I won't consider it for moment.
What would he be worth year from now
If / let him go2 He'd fall in with all sorts
of rascals in the city, and get US all into
trouble. Besides, need him here. It'll
be ten years at least before Harry can take
his place, and he's got to stay, if have to
tie him down.
why don't you make him want to stay,
Eli?' asked the gentle voice of his sister in
law.
l. IL no q ROt buo city lcN0I Ou utm all tuo
talking in the world wouldn't do any good
| rejoined the farmer. He wouldn't listen
| to word
Don't talk. Don't let him ever suspect
that you are aware of his desire to leave
you. Try new plan, Eli, plan l have
been thinking of all day.
+. The best plan I know of is to tell him
| my mind freely, without any beating around
| the bush; and the sooner it's done the bet
| ter
| sNow, Eli, don't be above taking woman's
advice. Let me tell you how to deal with
George. have been here three months
now, and have taken deep interest in the
boy. l have seen his dissatisfaction and
recognized the cause. I have overh card
him talking to Jasper Flint more than once,
and only yesterday heard him say that if
he went to the city what he earned would
be his own, but that he worked from dawn
to dark, and was no better off at the end of
| the year than at the begianing. he said
that Tom Blythe who is in grocery store
in the city, gets $42 week, and Tom is
only II. Now, if you want George to stay
on the farm give him an interest in it, Eli.
He is 1S years old, and has worked faith
| fally for you ever since he could talk plain.
| He has had bis food and lodging, and two
suits Of clothes year, to be sure, but all
! that he actually owns is that collie dog
which is always at his heels. You even
sold the only horse you had that was fit for
the saddle. And George Yves extraordinari.
| ly fond of Vixen
1t seemed pity to keep horse that no
one but George ever rode,' said the farmer,
and she was too light for work. I'm poor
man Hester, and can't afford playthings
for my Children
sYou can better afford to keep an extra
horse than to have your son leave you, Eli.
Whom could you get who would take the
interest in the work that George hasP You
heye thought it only right that George
should DO his share toward running the
farm, and have considered your duty done
in giving him home You are disposed
to leave you now that every year makes his
services more valuable. But the boy is am
bilious, and is not satisfied to travel 10 a
circle. He wants to make some headway.
And it is only natural
The farmer leaned his head on his hand,
a look of deep thought on his grave wealth
er-beaten face. His gentle sister-inlaw's
plain speaking had given rise to thoughts
which had never before entered his mind.
| I believe you're more than half right,
Hester he said at last. 'Iil. think it all
over to night, and make up my mind what
to do. I'd be lost here without George,
and he shan't leave the farm if | can help
it,
Force won't keep him, Eli, remember
that said Mrs. Lucas, feeling that she had
said enough, folded up her work, aud TAX
ing up lamp from shelf by the stove,
went up stairs to her owp room.
Just at daybreak she was reused from
| hr,4 he IF
in the yards, and looking out of the win
dows she saw Eli trotting away on old Roam.
Where can be be going at this houI%
she thought.
When she went down stairs at 6 o'clock,
George was standing by the kitchen table,
having just come 10 with two full pals of
milk, His face wore discontented, un-
happy look, and he merely nodded in return
to his aunt's CHEEKY good morning.
A few minutes later his father entered,
but George, whu 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, I heard yon ride away at day break.
Yes, went to Pine Ridge on matter
of business.'
That's ~here you sold Vixen, papa, isn't
it?' asked little Harry, and Mrs. Lucas saw
a culver go over Georges face as the child
spoke.
Yes. my boy, l sold Vixen to Lawyer
Stanley. George, turning to his son. I've
made up my mind to part with the 30 acre
, lot by the river. What do you think ol
that?'
of course you are to get good price for
it, sir, said the young man indifferently.
It's the best piece of land you have
But haven't sold it. I am going to give
it away
'Give it awayp repeated George, reused
out of his Indifference, and staring at his
father as if he thought he had not beard
ariaht
'.Yes, deed it over, every inch of it, to
some one thiuk a great deal of, and who
deserves it, laying his hand on his sons
shoulder, and his voice breaking little. Il
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 30 acres
to me, father!
, AT