The progressive farmer., 1899-11-07
Little Folks Column.
BIN TRRMPRR's PICNIC.

44OA BA6 uoAU WQ6E6 06 was nara at
work loading hay, to Ned Lee, who
had just jumped from his wheel.
Down Where3" Ned echoed. There's
only one place to go to morrow, and
that's Albert Fitch's grove, where the
picnic is to bs held. OF course you'll
be theref"
81 suppose I'll be having a picnic,
sure enough, but I'll be right here in
the bayfield," Ben answered with some
disgust in his voice. I'VE amt half
through haying yet, and the grass is
dead ripe now"
But 1t will be just for one day, Ben,
and we want you. Mrs. Lester sent
me up on purpose to tell you about it.
Did she9"
why yes; and we can't get along
without you. Hire some one to take
your order place to morrow, and come
on"
"Help is scarce, Ned. Don't sse how
l can"
The two lads spent several minutes
talking over the fence, and then Ned
mounted his wheel and rode away,
while Ben went bzck to his work.
It would interest ycu to know what
Ned and Ben were thinking about for
the next half hour. am afraid Ben's
thoughts were quite stormy. Why
was it that he never had a chance like
the other boysG Now, here ne was
sweating in the hay6eId while this
picnic was coming on. Every body
else had been through haying a week.
They were always on time, while his
father was forever behindhand. 1t
ground him hard to think of it.
This was the way Ben's thoughts
ran. Then he looked up at his father,
slowly toiling upon the load Of hay.
He was not strong and Ben knew it.
Every day he worked far beyond his
strength, and Ben was the only stay
Of his father.
Hadn't you better try ard go to
the picnic to morrow, my boys The
haying can wait. One day will not
matter"
The tone brought Ben back from his
rebellious thoughts. It was wicked
for him to entertain such thins in his
heart Father did all he could for
mis- boy.
mo, I guess I won't 60, father. OF
course I'd like to; but if it is good day
we want to clear up the fire acre lot.
don't wei"
well. we had planned that way :;
but the five acre lot will wait; the pic
mic will not"
Ben fought out a fierce battle just
then, and came off victor. 1t would
not be right for him to go away and
leave his father tomorrow.
Ned's thoughts we're somewhat as
follows:
Sorry for Ben! Best hearted boy l
ever knew; but he has no chance to
get alor g. He can't go to school like
the rest of us, and he has to work all
the time when net in school. Wish
could do something for him. Nothing
l wouldn't do for Ben"
NothingR Just then a good thought
came into Ntd's mind. 1t would cost
him something to carry it out, but if
no really meant what he said, why
should he hesitate to go ONT IN do it, "
he declared, grimly.
The next morning Ne1 rode over to
Mr. Tremper's and found Ben and his
father grinding scythe.
Hello, Benz Ned began cheerfully.
HELD u was Ben's laconic response
You remember what we we we're
saying yesterday about the picnlcH
Well, 1 want you to go to day, and I'll
work in your place, il Mr.. Tremper
will let me-"
Good, kind, unselfish Ned SO
thought Mr.. Temper. Ben's only
thought at the moment was, that after
all, he was to 60 out to the picnic. II
would seem good to lay aside the grind
Of the farm, if only for a day.
Then he, too, began to think Of Ned's
side of it.
why, you can't do that, Ned |" he
exclaimed. Everybody will miss
YOU. while am so seldom at such a
place that no one will know the differ
ence il I stay at home" And Ben
began again to turn the grindstone,
which had for the moment stood still
as he listened to Ned.
That's all right, Ben. But can
go most any time, you know. You
can't. This is your chance; now take
it and CO."
Ned gently took B ms hand from the