The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25
THE MAN WITH THE HOE TALKS.
Tells All About 1t and Says He Rather
Liked 1t.
New York Evening Sun.

am the man with the hoe. This is my
own story, written in prose because the
theme Is not poetical. manipulated the noe
on the old plantation, far away. The hoe is
an instrument of great utility and value
on the farm. 1t is used to subdue and de-
stroy the grass and weeds that would choke
the growing crops 1t is also good weapon
for killing snakes.
| was up with the lark in the days of old
when used to hoe My breakfast consisted
of plain but wholesome food and IL was
served hot. 1 was at work in the field while
the dew was yet upon the grass and the
golden glow of the dawn cleaned bright
upon the hills. The birds sing in the trees,
the crickets chirped in the furrow. the
fresh, pure air was laden with the perfume
of flowers and the landscape was a grand
picture of light and shade, colored by the
golden rays of the sun and the green foil
age Of the forest and the fields. There was
music in the rustic of the corn and often
sang snatches of song as l raced with the
man at the plough.
Sometimes / leaned upon the handle Of
my hoe while watched the buds. the flow
ers and the blades of grass throw off their
rosaries of dew and turn to meet the sun
coming over the hills and climbing higher
and higher until the shadows of the great
oaks receded from the fields and became
mere spots in the forest The blades of corn
unfolding in the sunlight opened to me
vistas of peace and plenty in the winter
days to come. AS struck down the cum
bering weeds and tore up the roots of the
poisoning grasses. the heat of the summer
day opened wide the pores of my skin and
my blood cast off the impurities that
would have made me peSSimist or a
brother TO the OK
When the noon hour approached and the
heat of the sun caused the blades of corn
and the petals of flowers to curl inward for
the protection of the nourishing moisture
left by the dews of night I threw my hoe
into the nearest fence corner and answered
the summons of the dinner horn. In the
shade of the giant elms 1 drank from the
| old oaken bucket the clear, cool water that
refreshed and nourished body and brain.
The OK, ignorant as / of the Markham
brotherhood, drank from the trough and
grazed in the clover lot. picture of animal
| happiness, while / consumed copius drafts
! of milk, fresh and cold, and then dined at
| leisure on food substantial and wsl cooked.
Stretched full length upon a rustic bench
| or bed of grass for the noon hour siesta,
| l read the weekly newspaper. the PATENT
| medicine almanac the tales and poems
| of Scott, Burns, Dickens or other authors
| of genius and hope and of the weight OF
| ages I wot not. The golden glow of the
| sunset was to me promise of Il bright to-
morrow The song of the whippoorwill was
| a note of companionship and the 'hirp CT
| the katydidS was like the voices of friends
calling in the night. If the moon was shin
| ing I often wandered down the lane whist
| ling merrily until / reached the gaze of 4
| neighbor, where Kate. Jennie or Jane
would be waiting for me. Swinging on the
gate of a farmyard with girl whose
| cheeks are rosy with the glow Of youth and
| health. the weight of ages falls lightly
upon the man with a hoe and there is no
| lack of luster in eyes that look love into
| loves eyes returning, and lips that tell the
| old, old story in the simple language of the
| heart oft wax more eloquent than the pen
| that writes slowly of the pessimism of a
false brotherhood.