The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-07-07

will keep Jennie, the horse, and all the
hens. We shall have hay to sell, II our
stock is reduced, and in this wny we can
meet our other expenses. know, moth
CT, 1t will be good deal for me to
undertake, but an anxious to try It.
| And" he added, lowering his voice,
have us stay herc?"
Tears filled Mrs. Morton's eyes at
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.
II won't take long to find market for
the shecp aud cows. Leave all these
| things to me; I'll make the proper ar-
rnngements, and see that everything Is
settled 70 suit you"
| After Mr.. Ford had gone the mother
and son talked long md earnestly to-
| gether. As Mrs. Morton listened to
| Fred's plans for the summer she was
more and more surprised ut the matur-
ity OF thought and spirit OF determina-
tion he displayed.
II am confident, mother" he s9jd,
that can take caro- of You and Lottie
OF course must give UP school, except
IN the winter, but l hope to read and
study some with you. / shall under
talsc on the farm only what 1 feel sure
that can carry through with little
help"
Though Mrs. Morton had some mis-
givings us to the result of the undertake
| ing, she was glad to let Fred do as he
wished It would delay the giving up
of the farm. if nothing more, and since
NIL 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 few
years her nisgivings 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 bo long story to tell of the
trials and triumphs of the summer. OF
course there were discouragcments.
| Once Lettic wns very sick, and the
mother and son were well-nigh eY-
haustcd by care and anxiety. But there
wore blessings also. Mrs Morton's
health was unusually good The season
was promising one. The hay crop was
excellont, and ready market was
found for all that could be spared. And
| best of oil, there was careful manage
ment, so that Fred kept ahead of his
work and steadily avoided oil debt
The fall with It's harvest came. AS
Fred busily gathered in the fruits OF his
toll. he felt that his cup Of blessing was
full to over1owing In the husking the
mother found time TO help; in the apple
| gathering. even Lcttic found something
for her chubby hands to DO One even
ing Mrs. Morton and Fred sat by the
Gre in thoir sitting-room. She was Sow
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
wos gratefully accepted. Suddenly
Fred looked up, md with q sound of
triumph IN his voice, asked:
Mother, shall tell you just how VIC
have como out this seSson?"
Certainly, my son."
1--WE have sold," went on Fred rapid
ly, "sincc last March, one hundred
dozen OF eggs, which have brought us
twenty dollars. We have sold twelve
tons OF hay at fifteen dollars per ton;
seventy-fivc bushels of potatoes ut one
dollar per busbel; fifteen. lambs that
brought sixty dollars, and for Brownies
calf VIC got six dollars We have sold
fruit, wood and butter that amounted
TO eixty dollars. We have expended
just two hundred dollars. This leaves
| o balance in hand of two hundred nnd
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 sofc On Thanksgiving day to
pay Mr. Ford one hundred dollars of
the unortgage?
Fred waited anxiously for his moth
er.s reply. Teors gathered in her eyes,
and moment later she threw her arms
around his mock nnd sobbed aloud For
ten years her husband had tried to pay
this debt It had been the burden OF
his life, and yet not dollar had he
been ablc to pay. 1t was true that there
he'd been losses during this time which
had increased the expenses. II was also
true that the present year had been an
exceptional one. Still, she saw that
had the same forcthouGht been cxcr-
cised in the past years as In the present
one, the debt Of the farm might loag
ago have been paid. She saw
thoughtfulness and thoroughncss IN her
darling boy that she and her husband
had never manifested and her tears
were tears Of Joy and thanlsfulness for
such son.
Five years have passed since Er. Nor