The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-08-13

COWS DuI DTOWulc, anu part VI thO
sheep. and pay these outside bills. We
will keep Jennie, the horse, and all the
hens. We shall have hay to sell, If our
stock is reduced, and in this way we can
meet our other expenses. ! know, moth
err, it will be a good deal for me to
undertake., but am anxious to try it.
And" he added, lowering his voice.
don't You think father would be gladto
have us stay here?"
Tears filled Mrs. Morton's eyes at
these words. while Mr.. Ford said, in
husky tones:
THE boy is right, Mrs. Morton; the
boy is right. advise you to stay here.
1t won't take long to find a market for
the sheep and cows. Leave all these
things to me; I'll make the proper ar
engagements, and see that everything is
settled to suit you"
After Mr.. Ford had gone the mother
and son talked long and earnestly to-
gcthcr. AS Mrs. Morton listened to
Fred's plans for the summer she was
more and more surprised at the matur-
ity of thought and spirit of determine
ton he displayed.
81 an confident, mother" he said,
"that can take care of you and Lottie.
OF course ! must give up school, except
in the winter but hope to read and
study some with you. I shall under
take on the farm only what feel sure
that can carry through with little
help"
Though Mrs. Morton had some mis-
givings as to the result of the undertake
ing, she was glad to let Fred do as he
wished. 1t would delay the giving up
of the farm, if nothing more, and since
all the debts except the mortgage could
be paid, she was herself disposed to re-
main. Had she known that her son
hoped to pay off the mortgage in a few
years her misgivings would have been
greater still. The weeks that followed
were busy ones to Fred. Wood for the
summer was cut up, and the fences
about the farm were repaired. With
the coming Of settled weather he pre-
pared to plant.
Mr.. Ford looked in on Fred every
week or two, and frequently sent his
man and team to do heavy work. 1t
would be long story to tell of the
trials and triumphs of the summer. Of
course there were discouragements.
Once Lettie was very sick, and the
mother and son were well-nigh ex-
haustcd by care and anxiety. But there
were blessings also. Mrs. Morton's
health was unusually good. The season
was a promising one. The hay crop was
excellent, and a ready market was
found for all that could be spared. And
best of all, there was careful manage
ment, SO that Fred kept ahead Of his
work and steadily avoided all debt
The fall with its harvest came. As
Fred busily gathered in the fruits of his
toll, he felt that his cup of blessing was
full to OVERLOOKING. In the husking the
mother found time to help; in the apple
gathering, even Lettie found something
for her chubby hands to do. One even
ing Mrs. Morton and Fred sat by the
fire in their sitting-room. She was sew
ing and he was busy with his account
book. They had that day received an
invitation to spend Thanksgiving with
Mr.. and Mrs. Ford, an invitation which
was gratefully accepted. Suddenly
Fred looked up, and with sound of
triumph in his voice, asked:
Mother, shall I tell you just how we
have come out this season.
Certainly, my son."
I'VE have solo," went on Fred, rapid
ly, ''since last March, one hundred
dozen of eggs, which have brought us
twenty dollars. We have sold twelve
tons of hay Mt fifteen dollars per ton;
seventy-fve bushels of potatoes at one
dollar per bushel; fifteen lambs that
brought sixty dollars, and for Brownies
calf we got six dollars. We have sold
fruit. wood and butter that amounted
to sixty dollars. We have expended
just two hundred dollars. This leaves
balance in hand of two hundred and
one dollars"
Fred hesitated moment, and then,
dropping on his knees by his mothers
chair, and laying one hand on her
shoulder, he continued, earnestly:
This is saying nothing, mother, of
the corn in the crib, or the pork and
vegetables in the cellar, some of which
we can still spare. Don't you think it
will be safe on Thanksgiving day to
pay Mr.. Ford one hundred dollars of
the mortgage?"
Fred waited anxiously for his moth
er's reply. Tears gathered in her eyes,
and a moment later she threw her arms
around his neck and sobbed aloud. For
ten years her husband had tried to pay
this debt It had been the burden of
his life, and yet not a dollar had he
been able to pay. 1t was true that there
had been losses during this time which