The Kemper herald., 1908-02-27
MEARS MITCHELL, SCIENTIFIC FARMER.
BY Isabel Graham Bush.


| WOTld seemed eDVelOped In log IndC
turned into purple haze as the east
frightened. THE chariot of of Auro-
RAJ" exclaimed Mears, remembering
the picture in the high-school room.
But several of the morning hours are
out of sight even at this time of day"
And then his thoughts turned to the
real purpose of his work. ''Fd do al
most anything to have father well
again. and he'll never be any better
while he worries about us. | believe
worry is half that ails him, anyhow.
He's been almost killing himself to
give us an easy time" Mears looked
very sober as he thought of his absent
parent.
After unavailing efforts to keep the
family fortunes on the top wave, Mr..
Mitchell had been imperatively order
ed West. This was the first autumn OF
all the boys care-free life that he had
shouldered grave responsibilities in
stead of leading his class in school. He
had counted on the last year so much.
Perhaps now there wouldn't be any
last year. Perhaps-but no, he
wouldn't allow himself to believe it
for moment-it might be his fathers
last year.
Mears found the farmer finishing his
morning chores. The barnyard had
been awake for hours The brilliant
Dominick rooster had finished his
,,,orr;,r oppoupoop, p,aptc from tho corn
crib ridge-pole, and was busily eating
the remnants of scattered breakfast.
A litter of squealing pigs disturbed the
serenity OF the scene and interfered
with conversation. But at last Sllas
Gridley found time to pilot his new
help to the field and start him out with
his first bushel of corn.
EFF we stick" he said, by way OF en-
couragement, yell be the fust city
chap I've had that did. They're tur-
rible afraid O work an dretful tender"
Mears looked at the slouching, stoop-
shouldered figure and roughened hands.
A boy who led in athletics ought to
amount to something at farm work.
Yes he intended to stick as long as the
| job lasted.
All through the morning the corn
flew into the basket with unerring ac-
curacy. Wasn't he captain of the
basketball team last year? After all,
blistery hands wouldn't last forever.
They'd soon get tough and tanned-a
badge of his servitude. By that time,
perhaps, a bank account might be to
his credit.
BY noon Mears had what seemed to
him large pile of yellow ears and a
pair of red hands. Under a hick-
ory tree the small wicker hamper con-
tanning his dinner was opened. Tucked
in one corner was cup of his favorite
custard-Ruby's make. The basket
was full of surprises-small ones.
Mears enjoyed them gratefully, even
to the last crumb. His first day of ac-
tual hard work vas half over. For
just ten minutes he stretched himself
luxuriously on the grass and studied
| the surrounding country. The woods
skirting the cornfield made beautiful
background for the intervening browns
and yellows. The sorrel lent dash of
burnt sienna to the stubble field ad-
joining. Mears turned toward the yell
low farmhouse, with its unpainted
barns and stacks of straw. The farmer
was doing the noon chores. At his
heels bobbed little figure wearing a
broad -brimmed straw hat Grandson"
thought the lad remembering the
small black eyes peering at him
through the barnyard fence that morn
| ing. LAS much alike as two foxes!
Wonder what mother meant by look
ing so solemn when / told her the
name?"
At $50 the farmer came around with
horses and wagon to measure and
gather up the corn. 1t seemed to the
lad as if the heaped basket represented
almost two of honest measure. Eff
teen bushels" reported the old man,
and Mears saw his days earnings
dwindle. Wrathfully he started home
ward without word.
mo wonder he wanted to bait me by
talking about city chaps! I'd never go
back, only mother and Ruby'd feel
bad If they knew" Before he reached
home, Mears resolved to keep his job
a few days while he hunted for another.
The next day there were twenty BUSH
els.
Seems to be gaining little." re-
marked Silas Gridley, still giving him.
self very generous measure and cycling
the blistered hands cynically.
All the rest of the week the lad stuck
to his work manfully, but in spite of
every effort, could not get beyond his
previous record. Mears met his moth
er's and sisters questions evasively.
He had secret that they should know
Saturday evening-not before. He
knew now the old farmer needed him
more than he would admit
"S'pose you'll be on hand Monday
morning?" was the casual remark at
the close of the week.
Chat depends upon you, Mr.. Grid
ley" The lad looked straight into his
employers narrow black eyes In
school Mears had been known as a
born leader. Nothing fired him like
being "downed." Here was foe wor-
thy of his steel, man voted by his
neighbors "a born skinflint." The lad
squared his shoulders for the conflict
as the shaggy brows in front Of him
lowered ominously.
"Mr. Gridley, find that other farm
| erS are having three cents a basket and