The Prescott daily news., 1909-12-06
Strategy
By MRS. C. F. VAN PEARSE

well-to-do woman, but the sons of the family, Nathan and Ben, although good workers, well versed in the lore Of their fathers calling, and able to turn a furrow" straight as a bee line" were becoming more and more dissatisfied with home life-were growing fond of spending their rainy days and spare evenings at the village near the farm-were occasionally guilty of coming home with the odor of tobacco smoke and vile whisky upon their breaths; and this it was that troubled the father and mother and caused heartaches and wrinkles.
 One November evening, as the old folks were sitting silent and alone by the kitchen fire, knock was heard at the door, and to the summons to come in!" a neighbor thrust in his head and exclaimed
 "Hain't time to stop, friends; been over to the store, and the postmaster gave me this letter for you-so I'll jest hand it in. and be going on," and after few more words the neighbor went his way.
 The letter was for MT Peachblow, and the following is an exact copy of it:
 Princeton, November l.
 Dear Uncle: l have graduated at last, and am anxious to teach a coun- try school this winter. If your district is not already supplied with teacher please use your influence to secure your school for me. As you are one of the directors, and a good, kind uncle besides. l shall expect to hear a favor able answer soon. All we'll at home Your affectionate niece,
 MARY BROWN"
 The result of this epistle was tsat Miss Mary Brown was installed, some three weeks after its receipt, in the teachers chair of the Peachblow dis trict school
 Mary was shrewd girl, warm hearted and sympathetic, and she had not been long in her uncles family before she discovered the state of af- fairs regarding the boys" and deter mined to make an effort to change it for the better
 Nathan and Ben were both half in love with their pretty cousin, and she knew right we'll that she could infu- ence them in the wishedfor direction if anyone cOuld-provided their moth CT would be co-operator. Accordingly, one Saturday afternoon. when the brothers appeared, booted and spurred," in readiness for their usual Saturday visit to the village lounging place, she ran after them to the gate fail to call at the post office and bring her the expected letter from home.
 And don't keep me waiting long, please. for I'm really homesick for letter." and back she darted into the house.
 Now. auntie, I'm going to tell you secret. I have noticed how 1t worries you to have the boys staying out even- ings with that idle set in the village Mamma was troubled in the same way for time when Brother Charlie was younger. and we broke 1t up by tempt ing him to stay at home. Now, don't be offended, auntie-you know I love you dearly, and wouldn't hurt your feelings for the world-but don't you think 1t rather dull for Nat and Ben such bright. active boys. to sit down in the kitchen every evening without anything to interest or amuse them? Uncle takes only the country paper. there are very few books in the house, there are no musical instruments, and, in fact. they are almost compelled to go from home in search of variety and recreation. l propose that for the re- mainder of the winter we have a cheerful fire in the sitting room every evening. that we have a good literary paper. and couple of entertaining magazines to read, and that we make ourselves so exceedingly agreeable here at home that the boys will enjoy staying with us. Shall we. auntie?"
 Mrs. Peachblow was sensible wo- man. and she readily saw that there was something in 1t" so she replied:
 I'm willing to do anything in the world to keep my boys at home, and we will try your plan"
 So Mary made cheery fire in the prim and little-used sitting room AS the tidy tea table in the kitchen was ready for supper Nathan and Ben came in.
 Are you expecting company, Cousin Marry" asked Nathan. T see t'other room lighed up!"
 We did expect company this even ing. and 1 am happY to say we were