The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1919-10-10

MOUNTAIN DOyS may iChiChiDSi tho
the stalwart widow who figures 81
much had her cavern with its cutie
under the oyerhanging bank of OtteI
creek; about midway on the western
side Of Vermont said creek rises
flows northward and empties into
Lake Champlain. Along its valley are
some of the richest farms OF thai
state; one of these was on the summit
of a rolling ridge, with comfortable
buildings, and occupied by widowed
grandmother with her tow nsons, and
a boy and a girl, children of one OF
the sons. The mother of the children
was dead and the grandmother had
assumed charge of their uD-bringing
but their father after several years as
a widower had married lady whose
invalid mother required her living on
her own farm, over the hill from her
husbands family home. This second
wife was a superior woman, and wise
withal; she told her husband "Your
mother has been an able manager, is
capable and has 'mothered' her two
grandchildren, and as it seems to be
her desire, | think they had better re-
main with her. But | hope they will
accept me as mother and my home
shall always be wholly open to them. '
They were prosperous; very much
so; the butter of their dairy had high
reputation. The father had been a
mechanic, noted as the finest brick
layer in the state and had built some
of the finest brick buildings in Yer
mont; but his oldest son disliked the
business, craved farm, animals and
out-of-doors life. The grandmother
told me il was an actual fact that the
highest reward she could offer this
oldest son when he was boy, was to
let him have garden and work in it;
and yielding to his entreaties the
family bought this one of which |
have spoken. Grandmother and sons
were workers; early and late; re-
spected, honored and prosperous; they
had little time for reading; but Frank.
the grandson, did love to read; the
growing business of the farm seemed
to require his labor early in life; bu;
tured his mind and thoughts. Grand
mother and father knew that hard per-
sistent work brought profitable re-
turns, and believed that much of the
time Frank gave his books and the
pursuits TREY suggested, was time
wasted.
Chased Beetles.
He did not rebel, but he became
passionately enamored with small ami
NAL life; birds, bugs and insects; his
stepmother sympathized with him, as
she was an educated woman, coun-
selled patience, but was too wise to
offer advice to the grandmother who
really had been most devoted to her
grandchildren. | was told that the
lad might be working in the field and
start up a strange beetle when he
would drop his hoe, give chase and
perhaps be gone hours in his pursuit
for information; but father and grand
mother ascribed il to dislike for work;
actual manual labor. They saw little
merit in anything else. Vermont is
well supplied with good schools and
colleges; other boys went off to them,
but Frank remained, unhappily, on the
farm.
AT last he reached his 2lst birthday.
and his stepmother asked the privilege
OF giving him birthday dinner,
which her home and means enabled
her to do well; after the good things
had received due attention this wise
woman asked Frank about his plans
would he now 90 to school and try
for college? which she knew he had
silently longer for. No: he was too 4
old; it would take too long for pre-
paration and full college course.
Might he not be able to take partial
course in the lines he most desired? |
Yes; but he had no money; he must
first work for himself and earn it: |
she drew out the boys smothered fire |
tor study, and learning, and then
quietly asked Frank, Would you try |
your plan if ] should lend you the
money"
Starts for College
Apparently, the lad had never
thought Of such thing, and suddenly |
asked will you do it," She asked |
When would You start if should 7"
He promptly replied. Tomorrow.
And the next day he started for |
Middlebury college, and soon found |
his place, was asked to bring his col |
lections of eggs and bugs, etc. and |
gave instruction. as well as received il. |
About that time the New England |
papers began telling about a parasite
that was attacking the Hackma- tack, |
or american iarch trees of Maine and |
the Otter creek valley of Vermont. |
From Franks home one could see a |
grove OF them in the bottom of the |
creek, and those which had been
ravaged by the parasite looked as |
though they had been swept by a |
fire. On a vacation Frank saw the
sight. made careful inspection and
study and reported his facts TO the
Scientific department of the govern
ment at Washington Correspondence
ensued. was met at the railroad
station by the father. who that dav
took from the postoffice a letter in |
big official envelope, which had just
come IN on my train. That father was
in a flutter, which lasted till we
reached the farm, and it soon come
about that his boy received an invita- |
ton to join the scientific staff of the |
government, with which he is still as
ISOLATED, and in these almost forty
N Lae l.