Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-06-16

husky tones;
THE boy is right, Mrs. Morton; the
boy is right. advise you TO stay here.
II won't take long to find a market for
the sheep and cows. Leave all these
things TO me; III make the proper AR
rangcments, and see that everything Is
settled to suit you"
After Mr.. Ford had gone the mother
and sou 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. 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 rs TO the result OF the undertake.
ing, she was glad to let Fred do as he
wished. II would delay the giving up
of the farm, II 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 few
years her misgivinRs 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
q L.. 4.
pared to plant.
Mr.. Ford looked In on Fred every
week or two, and frequently sent his
man and team to do heavy work. IL
would be long story TO tell of tho
trials and triumphs OF the summer. OF
course there were discouragemcnts.
Once Lcttic was very sick, and the
mother and son were well-nigh ex-
hausted by care and anxiety. But there
were blessings also. Mrs Mortons
health was unusually good. The season
was promising one. The hay crop was
excellent, and ready market was
found for all that could he 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
r..s NuAjly gathered in the fruits of his
rIeu !, i" that his cup Of blessing was
s so,,' no re-. ting. In the husking the
full TO overflow 20 hcln, In tho nnrlc
mother found time ..,,nd son,o,l,i III
gathering, even Lettie a, ono &C.,
for her chubby hands to do. ~, ,ho
ing Mrs Morton and Fred sat 80.
fire In their sitting-room. She was Ne
ing and he was busy with his account
book. They had that day received nm
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 tell you Just how we
have como out this seasonY'
Certainly, my SON"
1--WE have sold" went on Fred, rapid.
ly, "sincc last March, ono hundred
dozen OF oggs, which have brought us
twenty dollars. We have sold twelve
tons Of hay ut fifteen dollars per ton;
scventy.fivc bushels OF potatoes ut 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
a balance in hand of two hundred and
one dollars"
Fred hesitated n 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 II
will be safe on Thanksgiving day 10
pay Mr.. Ford one hundred dollars OF
the mortgage2"
Fred waited anxiously for his moth.
cr's reply. Tears gathered In her eyes,
and a moment later she threw her arms
around his neck and sobbcd nloud. For
ten years her husband had tried TO pay
this debt. II had been tho burden OF
his life, and yet not II dollar had he
been able 10 pay. II was true that there
had been losses during this time which
had increased the expenses. II was also
true that the present year had been au
exceptional one. Still, she saw that
had the same forethought been cxcr.
cised In the past years as in the present
one, the debt Of the farm might long
ago have been paid. She saw u
thoughtfulness and thoroughnoss in her
darling boy that She and her husband
had never manifested, and her tears
were tears Of joy and thnnlfulness for
such son.
Five years have passed since Mr. Nor
toms death, and Frcd's farm Is In thor
ough order. lie keeps several cows and
has a large flock Of sheep. The house
has been newly painted and furnished
throughout, and every dollar OF the
mortgage has been paid.-Willard N.
Jenkins, In Yankee Blade.