Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-02-11

had spent most Of his nearly forty Years
minding his o@n business. Two thinos
mad resulted--both to Jed's ADVANTAGES.
His business had prospered, and he stood
we'll with his fellow men. As boy. like
many farmers son, be had ssworlxed
out" after the growing up Of younger
sons-his brothers-had made longer Ia
Dor BY him on the home place unneces-
sary. In few years, being good work.
or and bis services always in demand, be
had laid by several hundred dollars for
the great purpose he had in mind-the
purchase of farm Of his own and the es-
Enlistment OF home. With the same
kind Of thrift and sagacity that he pro-
NOTED this plan, he cast about for the
right sort OF helpmeet, and when Edna
Weston said Yes" to his frank question.
he secured the cooperation Of q life
partner than whom no man in his station
needed better. II there was an absence
OF all the tender sentiment that attaches
70 such affairs in some cases, there was an
/ implicit trust and confidence and a mutu-
al understanding that paved the way to
+ successful, and therefore q happy, union,
for both Jed and Edna were intensely
practical.
The means being at hand and the part-
ner secured, Jed was married, without
ado, and purchased a naturally produc-
/ tive farm not far from his fathers place.
that, through the shiftlessness, and later
the poor health, Of the owner had "run
down" until its successful tillage babe
fair to prove q puzzle to the one who
should essay Il. But Jed and Edna felt
thoroughly confident that. considering
the sacrifice price at which the place was
to be had, they could afford to take the
chance Of building II up in time, and
would realize we'll for their hard labor
Another consideration-with their limit
ed capital it was not every farm OF one
hundred acres that they could secure at
all, and they decided that, II fairly fav-
ored by fortune, they could do better on q
place Of that size than on a smaller one.
SO they took il, paying down for the
stock and tools, making q small payment
on the real estate, saving back enough
money to make pressing repairs and inn
provements and leaving a small reserve
for working capital. OF course they
faced the double problem Of lifting a
heavy mortgage and improving the prop
erty ct the same time, but they set to
work with a will, and by energy and
good business judgment II was not long
before results began to show. The notes
and yearly interest were promptly met,
and what remained went toward farm ad-
ditions and improvements. At the end
Of i've years, Jed. and Edna had reduced
the debt one-haIf, and their dwelling, II
not filed with all the luxuries, was com
fortably furnished, the barns and fences
in good repair and q full equipment Of
weil-selected farm machinery enabled Jed
10 carry on his tillage with but small out.
lay for hired help. The land, too, had
been we'll fertilized and the dry places II.
. rigated, 20 that heavy crops we're now be.
ing gathered, instead OF the former light
ones, and the dairy and stock received
constant additions Of well-chosen ami
mails.
I The thrifty couple watched with salts
faction the improvement in their material
, condition, but did not remit their efforts
! Il was early rising, steady labor, care
full planning and not much play will
7 them. An occasional Sunday outing
! with very little time spent in ligh
amusements or visiting, comprised theil
recreation. Few dollars went where thel
, did not count.
In Eve years more the place was tbei
: own-owned clear, the mortgage having
been paid OF. They had q joyful littil
bonfire In the backyard one summer
I, evening, with the document for back
a log.
Two children had come meanwhile
The oldest, boy, they christened Elmer
4, and the girl, three years younger, Der
!, the name CT Alice. They we're lusty
I, healthy little ones, and while their ad
!. vent had for q time somewhat disturbes
:, the steady Flooding Of the parents, II Wa
. not long before the family wheel moves
= -. ....s-. ..~.rnlrr 18th dnfn rnfhnr Thai
I. loss. to It's efficiency.
Jed Alden's farm was now pointed on
{ Is q model OF good order and productive
> ness. He kept the place tidied up at lit
J. tie real effort; buildings nicely repaired
. shinpled and painted; the lawn about th
I house trimmed and moved; few plant
! and shrubs to add q dash of bloom;
! small. early and scrupulously weeds
: garden; towering shade trees-the Who'll
\. forming a picture Of what rural hom
!, should be.
:, BY studying his land and adapting tn
! crops to them, a. far as possible, and 2
the liberal fertilization that his enlarge
= dairy Afforded. Jed's tillage land had Do'
I, developed to = point where his yeari
harvests made more barn room necess
!. ty, II he was not TO lose the increment
= Ms cropa that came from feeding theI
out at home. He could show as man
bushels Of grain, or tons Of hay, 70 q
!. acre as any farmer in town. He patron
= lied the creamery, and his monthly chee
Z, was a. large on the average as that OF an
- other dairyman milking the same numD'
> OF COWS. In short, at the time wne
- our story opens, there was not cloud 9
the narrow, but seemingly sutnclen
horizon Of Jed and Edna Alden. Tnel
seemed no reason why this little Vernon