The Bossier banner., 1892-08-11

'ticA leHuerly. and haStened
with a quiet determination in every
action to assist her in the morning dn-
ties.
"A week passed. Fred had busied
himself about the farm and going to
the village as errands required. One
DAY he entered the house and said:
Mother, Mr.. Ford has got home. I |
saw him at the village to-day, He
spoke to me about fathers death. and |
said he would call here tomorrow,
This Mr.. Ford was an old friend of
the family, and held the mortgage on
the farm. A few days before Mr.. Nor
tons death he had gone to New York
on business trip. 1t had been Mrs.
Morton's intention to call upon him as
soon as she learned of his return. and
consult with him concerning her hus-
bands affairs.
The next day, when Mr.. Ford called.
Fred was repairing fence, so Mrs.
Morton received him alone. She told
him OF her hopes and fears, and then
spoke of the one plan that seemed to be
open to her. He was silent a few min
utes, and then replied:
Certainly, Mrs. Morton. this can be
done. What does Fred think about it?"
II have not mentioned it to him yet.
l could not bear to speak to him about
it, he loves the farm so."
How old is hep"
Sixteen"
81 would speak to him about it at
once" said the gentleman, thought
| fully. 'Such a boy can be great help,
| if he chooses"
Fred was called in. He listened as
Mr.. Ford explained his mothers project,
and then said, quietly:
II think, Mr.. Ford, there Is no need
of selling the farm, if you are In no
hurry for the money father owed you"
My dear boy" instantly replied the
good man, you know have no idea of
hurrying you about any money that
may be due me. l regret that cannot
afford to give you every dollar of it.
The principal, however, can remain just
as it is, and the interest can be paid
when it is convenient to you."
"Then," continued Fred, 81 see no
reason, mother, why we cannot stay
here on the farm. l have thought it all
over, and | am sure we can manage TO
get along. / found in fathers desk a
list of the persons he owed, and when
in the village the other day asked
them how much money was due them.
find that, including the interest due
MIR. Ford, we owe, outside the mort
gage, three hundred and twenty dol
lars. Now, mother, let US sell all the
cows but Brownie, and part of the
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. l 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 glad to
have us stay here?"
Tears filled Mrs. Morton's eyes at
these words, while Mr.. Ford said, in
husky tones:
1.-The boy is right, Mrs. Morton; this
boy is right. / advise you to stay here
1t won't take long TO find market fol
the sheep and cows. Leave all these
things to me; I'll make the proper ar
rangements, and see that everything i:
settled to suit you"
After Mr.. Ford had gone the mother
, and son talked long and earnestly to
gether. AS Mrs. Morton listened tt
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 l can take care of you and Lottie
, of course must give up school, excep
2 in the winter, but hope to read ant
| study some with you. l shall under
, take on the farm only what feel SUR
l that can carry through with llttl
help"
} Though Mrs. Morton had some mis-
: piyinrs as to the result of the undertak
r ing, she was glad to let Fred do as h
. wished. 1t would delay the giving u
. of the farm, if nothing more, and sine
a all the debts except the mortgage coul'
d be paid, she was herself disposed to re
e main. Had she known that her sol
hoped to pay off the mortgage in fe'
t years her misgivings would have bee
greater still The weeks that followe
4 were busy ones to Fred. Wood for tn
IS summer was cut up, and the fence
q about the farm were repaired. Wit
It the coming of settled weather he pre-
d pared to plant.
o Mr.. Ford looked in on Fred ever
week or two, and frequently sent n
% man and team to do heavy work.
e would be long story to tell OF Tn
IL trials and triumphs of the summer. |
is course there were discouragement
W Once Lettie was very sick, and tn
Le mother and son were well-nlgh e.
e, hausted by care and anxiety. But thel
% were blessings also. Mrs, Morton
1t health was unusually good The seaso
D. was a promising one. The hay crop w;
I'd excellent, and ready market Wa
lie found for all that could be spared. Ar
le best of all, there was careful manag
S, ment, so that Fred kept ahead OF n
IS work and steadily avoided all debt
The fall with it's harvest came. 4
,e Fred busily gathered in the fruits OF h