The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1895-09-04
A Handy Boy.
EY FRANK II. srAuFFER.

/ training
The farmer was eXctIsable for the
half vicious outburst. He had tried
half dozen boys i'm quick succession,
and none of them had suited him. As
he was a kind, patient man, exaeting
but little, the fault was not with him,
but with the boys. Just as he turned
into his lane, a clear, self-eOnfident
voice addressed him:
"Mr. Atkins, I've been told that you
want boy"
Turning around, his eyes rested upon
"a sturdy, short-set, capable looking fel-
low, about fourteen years old, plainly
yet neatly clad, with eyes that had an
honest, fearless look in them.
II ann not taking any stock in boys
lately" he srowled. They are not
trustworthy. They have more conceit
than energy. What can you dO3''
~ hardly know, tine boy replied; II
have never lived on farm. / think /
could make myself handy
Farmer Atkins laughed.
''rhat's the same a. useful, | take
it, he said. "WeIl, am looking for
boy that can make himself useful.
Still that isn't all. I've known useful
boys that were not to be depended on.
If can't depend on a boy don't
want him. The last boy had wasn't
afraid Of work, but ne was entirely too
/ forgetful; he was tax upon my pa
tieuce and my purse. lie neglected to
/ put up the bars and the cows got into
the eornfield, he neglected to halter the
mare and she pushed her way up into
the granary. We had to rig up tack
lie to hoist her out Of il. lie trimmed
the grape-vines without orders six
weeks too soon and they bled 10 death.
He was either always a little too far
behind or little too previous"
The boys brown eyes were fixed up
on the speaker.
"You might try me, " he quietly sug-
gested. 81 believe that / can please
you" Then he added, while tt flush
came into his cheeks, ''at home / am
regarded a. u thoughtful, conscientious
boy"
"Oh, yes" erisply replied the farmer.
''That'~ natural. Parents are blind To
their boys imperfections. Boys are
like men; there's a big difference he
tween the price they think they are
worth and the price they II really bring.
However, I'll try you. See what you
can do about the wood pile during the
interval, for u not Ice back until din
ner. I'll give you no instructions:
when get back III be able to tell how
much gumption there is in you"
'Thank you sirr' cried the boy with
glad intonation in his voice.
At dinner-jime the farmer found him
busily at work.
"Where did you find the buck and
SAVE" he asked.
''The one in the shed, the other in
the tool-house,' - replied the boy.
"Who told you they were there?"
Nobody, sir; looked for them"
w no >narpened the saw.
"The wheel-wright."
'Paid him a quarter, did you?"
''No, sir
Told him to charge it, eh?'
''There was no charge. He knows
me and wanted to help me-"
''Humphr' growled Mr.. Atkins. "He
told you / was an old curmudgeon,
didn't he?''
NO, sir. He said nothing disre-
spectful about you"
''How did You know what length to
make the s;icks:''
II went into the kitchen and meas
ured the stove"
THAT showed tholghtfulness. Is
this all the wood you have sawed and
spite
''Oh, no. l hauled 4 IoJ to the shed"
"Why??"
"Well, it rested me. II was a change
in the work. Then it might rain be-
fore night"
''Ies, it might, assented the farmer,
keenly studying the boy, and rather
pleased with him. Yes, my lad,
change of work Is rest. Did you pile
up the wood nicely?:"
''Oh, YES"
There was a snow shovel ON the
wood; | sIpp1s, you piled great lot
on top of it,"
"No, didn't. Iput it away in the
tool-houSe"
you've earned your dinner, any
how. Come in and get it."
Three weeks later Mrs. Atkins said
u her husband:
Joe, you've struck a jewel in that
boy"
''AIaria, believe / have"
''lOu wouldn't believe how useful he
is to ME in the house. He spares me
wonderfully, and can do some things
a. we'll a. girl. There is - much
tact about him."
"When | asked him what he could
dc" replied Mr.. Atkins, '.he said he
he could make himself handy. Ii
struck me as an odd expression, bat it
was precisely what he meant. He i
very handy. Did You notice how he
mended the step ladder / shook my
head at it, thinking it beyond repair.
lie found some small iron corner pieces
around the place, screwed one arm To
the steps and the other arm to the up
rights, and the ladder Is a. strong now
as the day | bought il.
"He is always busy, Joe. Ii Is sur
prising, When there is nothing eSpc-
eially to do he looks up something"
''Pm little more hopeful about
boys" farmer Atkins slowly said, e.
pecialIy when they are thoughtful and
conscientious. That is what he told
he was rated at at home. There are
boys and boys"
Storing Potatoes