The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-05
10 LEAVE THE FARM.

The WORK or the farmhouse was
over for the day; the children, with the
exception Of the oldest son, who had
gone to the vinsge-were in bed, and
in the big comfortable kitchen Farmer
Hardwood, his wife, and his wife's sis.
ter, Mrs. Lucas, were sitting round
center table. The farmer was reading
a paper, his wife was putting a patch
on the knse of little Harry's diminu.
tive knickerbockers, and Mrs. Lucas
was crocheting a hood Of blue and
white zephyr for small niece.
There was silence in the kitchen,
save for the swapping of the fire in the
stove, the ticking of the big eight-day
clock in the corner and the rustic OF
farner's newspaper, and when Mrs,
Hardwood sighed deeply, both her Sis
ter and her husband looked up in sur
prise.
"What's the matter, Sarah?" asked
the latter. "I'hat sigh was the loudest
I ever heard you give. has anything
gone wrong? You look as though you
have a big load on your mind
~ have" answered his wife. "And
It is a load you must share, Eli. have
borne it alone as long as I can bear it.
There is great trouble in store for US,
|husband-George is going to leave the
farm"
The newspaper fell to the floor, and
for moment the farmer looked at his
wife, too much surprised to utter
word.
"Going to leave the farmW he re,
piled at last. "Sarah, you must be
dreaming
Mrs. Hardwood shook her head sadly.
mI wish I were," she said. "No,
Eli, it is true. George has made up
his mind to leave US. I have ioticed
for months passed that he seemed dis
satisfied and restless, and since you
sold Vixen he has grumbled "a great
deal about work and the dullness OF
his life. And to-day I heard him say
to Jasper Flint that he wolld not be
here month from now; that be had
enough Of farm life; and if we refused
our consent to it he would run ava.
and take his chances"
"We'u see about that" said tht
farmer, angrily. "Consent to it! ]
rather think not! I won't consent to
it for moment. What would he be
worth year from now if let him go!
He'd fall in with all sorts Of rascals in
the city, and get US all into trouble
Besides, I need him here. It'll be ten
wears atleast before Harry can take his
place, and he's got to stay if I've goi
to tie him down"
"Why don't you make him want tc
stay, Eii?" asked the gentle voice OF
his sister-in-law.
sIf he's got the city fever on him all
the talking in the world wouldn't dc
any good" rejoined. the farmer. "He
wouldn't listen to a word"
"Don't talk. Don't let him ever sus
pect that you are aware of his desire to
leave you. Try a new plan, Eli, plar
I have been thinking Of all day"
sThe best plan I know Of is to tell
him my mind freely, without ally beat
ing about the bush, and the sooner its
Gone the better"
"Now, Eli, don't be above taking
woman's advice. Let me tell you how
to deal with George. I have been here
three months now, and have taken a
deep interest in the boy. I have seen
his dissatisfaction, and recognized the
cause. I have heard him talking to
Jasper Flint more than once, and only
Yesterday I heard him say that if he
went to the city what he earned would
be his own, but that here he worked
from dawn to dark, and was no better
off at the end Of the year than at the
beginning. He says Tom Blythe who
is in grocery store in the city, gets
Sl2 week, and Tom is only II. Now.
if YOU want George to stay on the farm
give him an interest in it, Eli. he is
lS years old, and has worked faithfully
for you ever since he could talk plain
He has his food and lodging, and two
suits of clothes year, to be sure, but
all he actually owns is the collie dog
which is always at his heels. You
even sold the only horse you had thai
was TT for the saddle, and George Was
extremely fond Of Vixen"
sit seems pity to keep a horse thai
no one out George ever rode" said TIT
farmer. sand she was too light to-