The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-05-22

blinded by the little things right under
his nose. He got wild, ready-to-use hay
for his oxen and cows during the winter
that was near at hand, but farm that
kept him and his son in poverty ali their
lives. His grandson-meaning myself
also paid part of the ultimate price It
would have been better had my grand
father slaughtered his live stock and gone
into the woods with his bare hands and
ak. When ne died, he left his mortgaged
swamp to his heirs. My father bought
the interests Of his sisters-lucky aunts--
and heroically assumed the burden.
Born on Farm.
81 was born on that farm-in two
room cottage-and all through my child
hood. and so into my manhood. II and
its mortgage gave me trouble. Among
my companions were the sons Of two
rich farmers-we called them rich be-
cause they had good land and were out
OF debt The boys meant TO enter the
public schools at Jackson, fourteen miles
away, and they got me into the same
notion My mother had taught me
pieces. and had gone TO rural enter
tainments to recite them TO our friends
and neighbors. School teachers and
preachers thereby got in the habit Of
patting me on the head and saying:
Some day. Charley. you will be a Con-
gresham I didn't understand them,
but l accepted and repeated the prophecy.
But Congress vanished as I grew up
and came TO a realizing sense OF things.
While I surveyed our wretched farm and
reflected upon our mortgage, I was in
spired to think OF the law as a perma-
nent occupation. Going 10 Jackson. con-
sequently. fitted into the plans as I had
made them. 1 chopped wood for ready
money, rented a room, and boarded my
self on bread. meat. and fried cakes
supplied by mother. After being gradu-
ated from the high school at Jackson.
returned 10 my work as a farm laborer.
The two boys Of whom I have spoken
were 70 enter tie University Of MichI-
gan in the autumn. The father of one OF
them offered to lend me s200-coming TO
me and rendering the money voluntarily.
But have no security to give you.'
I told him.
I'll take your note. he replied.
81 am not Of age, / said. trying 20
look ike lawyer. and am not qualified
10 execute a legal document
7 am willing TO take the risk he
answered. not seeming 10 be impressed
by my warning.
Begins Teaching school.
well. ! spent a year az the university
paying all OF my expenses with the 500
had borrowed. When I returned home
proposed 10 work until I could pay my
indebtedness. after which I would negoti-
ate another loan and complete my educa-
ton. After teaching district school for
fifteen months / went 20 Parma. Ny
salary was $500 year. I was desperately
in love with young lady at Concord-we
had been children together-and I mar
ried her. Necessarily my college course
was abandoned. but was still deter
mined 70 be a lawyer"
How much capital did you have when
you became the head Of a famny?" I
asked
After paying the preacher and furnish
ing our humble cottage 7 was IN debt 70
the sum Of 800. However. a good friend
was my willing creditor The second
year az Parma 7 received 800 the third
year $500. and after that 500. had been
poor. Mrs. Townsend had never been
rich. and we lived very economically. but
every cent we saved went 20 pay the IN
terest on the mortgage that my poor
old grandfather left behind him as a
perpetual memorial 10 the two yokes OF
oxen and the several milk COWS whose
lives re had saved IN the manner related.
'Logically-thats the right word-the
birds sang very melodlously and the
fields looked uncommonly green as ]
drove home from Jonesville At last. !
thought. as I reflected upon the $3.50 ex-
ira, Townsend Of the third generation
VIII get ahead Of the mortgage that has
pursued us so long and strenuously."
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