The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-19
\ selr-Madc Farmer at Fifteen.

ment OF the July american MAE&xine
appears an article about Melvin Spot,
ford Hatch. a fifteen-year-old North
Carolina boy who at fifteen bought a
farm with money that he himself
earned. What a normal American boy
who is encouraged In thrift and en-
terprise can accomplish In described
IN this article. an extract from which
follows:
"A young boy In. the mountains OF
western North Carolina. Master Mel
win Spofford Hatch, bought a small
truck-farm on the outskirts OF the
town of Hendersonville when he was
thirteen. finishing payment for IT by
the time his fifteenth birthday had
arrived. last September.
Thousands Of boys are as favorahiy
situated as he is for doing the same
thing: IL Is only that they could do II
and he did II that makes the differ
ence. His methods have not been spec
tacular: he bears not the slightest
resemblance TO the heroes OF various
popular nsyss hocfss nor has He been
spurred by any dire necessity. he has
not been beaded into action In any
way. or required TO drudge away his
boyhood: he has merely been given
sympathetic encouragement, and been
allowed to do his own thinking and
planning and to reap his own reward.
The fact that al fifteen he has achieved
a success that might be envied by q
full grown man land that without the
loss OF a single day at school or the
loss of too great part OF his boytsh
pleasures) Is to be attributed to three
virtues that should be commonplace:
thrift, industry. and good Judgment.
The purchase OF the farm was
handled in an entirely business-like
manner. No favors were given Or
asked on either side. Eighty dollars
was the first payment, and a mortgage
at the legal rate of interest was given
for the remainder OF the purchase
price. The house was promptly rented
for five dollars a month, which took
care of the interest and taxes and
left a small sum over toward the pay
ments on the principal. At this rate.
The farm would be nearly paid for by
the time he was twenty-one. without
a single extra exertion on his part
and all the money he earned might
he spent for baseball bats, tickets TO
the moving-picture shows, and other
things dear to the boyish heart: some
Of II did go In these directions, for,
be Ii understood, he Ia q real live boy;
some of IL. too. went in donation to
the town hospital and to an orphan
age. for he IL pubtic-eptrfted ctftxen
as we'll as good business man: how
ever. our hero Of the commonplace
did not rest on his laurels but looked
around for more opportunities
AS before said. the town was q
summer resort OVERLOOKING with board
ing houses; It was also minus = sys.
tenn OF garbage collection. 30 the land
lady OF the nearest boarding house
was more than willing to fan In with
q proposition to buy two pigs Tor
Melvin to keep on his fathers farm.
I'm addition to being landed pro-
prietor, Master Hatch mas also
steady income. acquired solely BY his
own exertions. for he has small sum
Of money loaned at good Interest, a.
well a. the steady rent OF the house.
and most hopeful sign. when the coun-
try's needs are considered. 1t Ii evil
dent that the siren song of the city
will fall IN deaf ears In soning years.
for the other day he said to shis busi-
ness adviser. his mother. Il think II
would be rood thing II were to
mortgage my land and buy more. 20
can be imprcving It and be ready to
make my LYING on II when am
twenty zone. ought to ~ able TO
fet Il n good shape ~ the next ~
Jo4fN 4i2 ~