Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-06-09

cows Out DTOWElc. anu l1Ib u Tx
sheep. ard pay these outside bills. VIZ
will keep Jennie, the horse. and al TIE
hens. We shall have hay to sell. If oul
stock is reduced, and in this way we car
meet our other expenses. ! know. moth
err, it win be "A good deal for me &c
undertake, but am anxious to try il.
And" he added, lowering his voice.
don't you think father would be glad to
have ms stay here?"
Tears filled Mrs. Mortons eyes al
these words. while Mr.. Ford said, in
husky tones:
1.-THE boy is right Mrs. Morton; the
boy is right. | advise you to stay here.
1t won't take long to find market for
the sheep and cows. Leave all these
things to me; III make the proper ar
rangements, and see that everything is
settled TO suit you"
After Mr.. Ford had gone the mother
and son talked long and earnestly to-
gether. 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
tion he displayed.
81 am 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. / 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 10 re.
main. Had she known that her son
hoped to pay off the mortgage in 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-
hausted by care and anxiety. But there
were blessings also. Mrs Morton's
health was unusually good. The season
was 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 It's harvest came. As
Fred busily gathered in the fruits Of his
toil, he felt that his cup Of blessing was
hull to overfiowing. In the husking the
mother found time to help; in the apple
gathering, even Lettie found something
or her chubby hands to do. One even
ng Mrs. Morton and Fred sat by the
ire in their sitting-room. She was sew
ng and he was busy with his account
,ook. They had that day received an
invitation TO spend Thanksgiving with
dr. and Mrs. Ford, an invitation which
vas gratefully accepted. Suddenly
'red looked up, and with sound of
ripmph IN his voice, asked:
Mother, shall ! tell you just how we
ave come out this season.
Certainly, my SON"
eve have solo, went on Fred, rapid
Y, "since last March, one hundred
Oxen of eggs, which have brought us
wenty dollars. We have sold twelve
ons of hay at fifteen dollars per ton;
twenty-five bushels of potatoes at one ]
ollar per bushel; fifteen lambs that !
rought sixty dollars, and for Brownies
alf we got six dollars. We have sold
ruit, wood and butter that amounted
, sixty dollars. We have expended
ist two hundred dollars. This leaves
balance in hand OF two hundred and
ne dollars" :
Fred hesitated a moment, and then,
ropping on his knees by his mothers
nair, and laying one hand on her
boulder, he continued, earnestly: 4
This is saying nothing, mother, Of
lie corn in the crib, or the pork and 4
agetables in the cellar. some of which
e can still spare. Don't you think it
i'll be safe on Thanksgiving day to
ny Mr.. Ford one hundred dollars of
lie mortgage?"
Fred waited anxiously for his moth c
IS reply. Tears gathered in her eyes,
i'd moment later she threw her arms &
'ound his neck and sobbcd aloud. For
n years her husband had tried to pay G
is debt. 1t had been the burden Of =
S life, and yet not dollar had he n
zen able to pay. 1t was true that there 4
I'd been losses during this time which
ID increased the expenses. 1t was also
ne that the present year had been an
one. Still, she saw that y
ID the same forethought been exer- Z
sed in the past years as in the present 3
e, the debt of the farm might long
o have been paid. She saw a I
and thoroughnessi in her I
Ring boy that she and her husband !