Pittston Gazette and Susquehanna Anthracite Journal

              % THE PITTSTON GAZETTE in sBsaraiuiiA jjmucm jommi. 51 ftlttkltj i!ntuijiajirt--( Drootri) tu Jims, 1'itfrnfmt, politics, the .JMrrnmtilp, Mining, JMtciinniriil, nnii Slgrirnltttrnl 3ntrrrgfa nf tfrt Cnmrtrtj, Snsfrnrtinii, Smustmtnt, kt. )--$t} Hirljnrt fc  VOLUME 1 .--NUMBER 14. PITTSTON, PENNA., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER f, 1850. §2.00 PER ANNUM. Peter. " I give out much qiricker than I did some years ngo." reul comfort in tiie dwelling, and little cultivntion in the children. " Uncle Ben," said ho, in a sharp, angry voice, while his face grew still redder, " I won't let any body tulk to me after that fashion. I'm sorry you came, if it wus only to insult me in my troubles."V, could help him a little !" Iler voice trembled. "If you could help him a little. He works very hard and tries to get along.— But it's so discouraging to be always under a pressure—to sec no light ahead." Hannah's feelings overcame her, and she leaned her face upon Uncle Den's shoulder and sobbed violently. " Don't take on so, child—don't!" said the old man, in a tender encouraging voice. Hope for the best. The darkpst hour, you know, is just before daybreak. I won't forget Peter. Perhaps I can help him.-— I'll go home and think about it." " He's very kind to us all, Uncle," sobbed Hannah. "And I can't bear to see him so troubled as lie is sometimes." "If he were not quite so set in his ways," replied Uncle Ben. " If he were only a little more ready to learn, it would be a great deal better for you all." " I know he's stiff about some things, Uucle ; but then he means well." " No doubt of that, Hannah. But no matter how good a man's intentions are, they will not help him much unless guided by a well-enlightened judgment.— And there lies Peter's defect. But I will see what can be done." '• Nothing—the postage ia paid,'' was repled. / enough, then.' " What is simple enough ?" asked Han- THE "Bud, bad !" returned Uncle Ben, shaking his head. "You're just in the prime of life, Peter. At your ago I could go through mare work without fatigue, than at any time before." Ellen, the oldest, was a coarse, hardworking girl, who had been to school long enough to learn to road and to fill a few pages of blank paper with pot hooks and hinges. Beyond this, her mind was uneducated in all that pertained to book know ledge. Coarse and rough as she was, however, tbcre were about her certain elements of womanly beauty in the first efforts of development, that Uncle Ben perceived, and which awoke for her, in his mind, a feeling of both interest and con- Poor Peter Miller, whose feelings had undergone a sudden and painful revulsion, thrust the newspaper into his pocket, and returned slowly homeward. nah PRINTED AND PUBLISHED WEEKLY DT o. M. ltlchart «V II. B. IMiillip*. ."You know that we lost nearly our whole crop of grapes, last year, by a kind of mildew or rot, said Peter. "I calculated, certainly, on getting a hundred and fifty dollars from that acre of vineyard, just in full bearing; and I got nothing worth sending to market. Now, here a man says that he lost his grapes, year before last, in just the same way : and that after studying about it a long time, hp thought he would gather the leaves that fell in autumn, and put them around the roots of the vine, adding a little gypsum, and see what effect it would have. Last year every vine thus treated, had an abundance of healthy fruit; while on the others, the grapes, just as they were about ripening, . decayed as before." Office West side of Main Street, second Story of the " Long Store " of H'isner if* Wood. " Oh Peter !" exclaimed Hannah, in tones of distress, " don't speak so to Untie Ben !" " Have you been to the post office ?" asked Hannah, as her husband entered the The ''Gazette" is published every Friday, at Two t Dollars per annum. Two Dollars ANn Kiety Cents will be churgcd it° not puid within the "And what is worst of all," sighed Peter, "I don't seem to get in the least beforehanded. In fact, for the last three or four years, 1 have found it impossible to make both ends meet." . " Peter,—Peter," said Uncle Benjamin, soothingly; "you don't understand me." house. year. No paper will be discontinued until all arrearages "Yes," was his brief answer, are paid. Advertisements are inserted conspicuously at " Yes I do understand you !" replied the excited Peter. " I've got ears and com- You'say 1 am no iarnier, and The gloom on Peter's countenance fell like a shadow on her heart. There was no need of further question, Hannah felt this, yet she said— One Dollar per square of fourteen lines for 1 three insertions; ami Twenty-k.ivb Cents ad| ditionnl for every subsequent insertion. A lib- "Yes, that is worst of ull, Peter. I'm ition sense. eral deduction to those who udvertise for six months or the whole year. Job Work.—We have connected with our estab- Cwell tisKortment of Job Type, whiclujfill rn attic us to execute, in the neatest | variety of printing. Being practical V prirhuts8flprclvJs, we can afl'ord to do work on as rrasC«*jWi-ruM as any other office in the county. Communications addressed to the 'frffiT'x ilf pogT PA,rD. nnCl endorsed by a to receive attention. sorry to hear you say that." that's " " Last winter," resumed I'eter, "1 lost twenty sheep, and two of the finest cows in the neighborhood." tern " Slop, stop, Peter. I didn't say you were no farmer. I only said you were not n good farmer.. And if you will hear me patiently, I'll prove to you " " Was there nothing for us ?" "You're Working Ellen too hard," said the old gentleman to his niece, as the girl passed through the room where they were sitting, carrying a large kettle of boiling water which she had just heated for wash- " No—yes." And Peter drew the newspaper from his pocket and commenced tearing off the en- " We've been very unlucky, Uncle L)en,' said Hannah, pausing in her work, and looking with moistened eyes in the old gentleman's face. "Very unlucky ; and we're downright discouraged. I don't know what is going to come of us. Peter had to mort/ gage the farm this year." ' All ai " I'll hear nothing more on the subject, Uncle Ben," sharply retorted Peter. "Not a word more ! When a man says I'm no farmer, I feel insulted. He might as well sav that I'm not a man !" velope, retporii " Here's a newspaper, but dear knows where it came from. Oh! \es!" lie now saw a name written on the mar- " Is it possible ! Peter do the same. " 51 Wrutrnr C'nlr. " 1 know it," replied Mrs. Miljer ; "] think of it every day. Ellen ought to be going to school. But I can't spare her. If we could afford help, it would be different. It makes my heart ache, Uncle Hen, whenever 1 think of the way our children aro " Indeed I will. As soon the snow clears off I'll take a man and go through the entire vineyard. If that will save a hundred or two dollars' worth of grapes, it is well worth the trying. If 1 had only known this last year ?" " Peter, Peter ! don't net so !" said poor Ilunnah, whose eyes were filling with tears. From the hour of Uncle Ben's arrival, she had sull'cred the hope which then sprang up in her heart, that he would help them in their troubles, to grow stronger and stronger, l'he many enquiries he made and the interest he manifested in every member of the family, satisfied her that a purpose to aid them was in his mind. Now her husband seemed in a fair way to mar all by his untimely anger. gin of the paper,— " Benjamin Hicks." Uncle Ben's New Year's (lift; Oil. WHAT a NEWSPAPER CAN DO, " Humph ! What do I want with .his old newspaper !" And, in the disappointment and anger of the moment, he tossed the unopened paper into the fire-place. " Mortgn.'/i! Mortgago! shook his head and looked serious The old man " There was no help far it, Uncle," said Peter. "It was mortgage or be sued." " I think," said old Benjamin Hicks, a comfortable farmer, residing some fifty miles from Cincinnati, "that I'll take a little trip over to S , and see how Peter growing up." " How came you to get in debt ? " All bad—very bad," said Uncle Ben, shaking his head, and looking grave.— " Peter!" exclaimed Hannah, springicg forward and snatching the paper from the fire ere the flumes had touched it—"what A week went by, and then another number of the "Gazette " came. When Peter brought it from the Post Office and threw it down, Henry uttered an exclamation of pleasure, and catching it up, opened it with a delighted eagerness which his father could not help observing. He immediately commenced reading aloud for his mother. Puter Miller listened, and soon became as much interested as he had been in the story read in the preceding number. " Well, I bought from a neighbor a wagon and a pair of horses for a hundred and sixty dollars, promising to pay for them after harvest. But, crops were short, and my bills at the store a great deal higher than I " There's something wrong. Depend upon it, Iillen, there's something wrong. You're all industrious enough ; all, in fact, overworked ; and yet there is no thrift; no order in your • family ; no cheerfulness ; no comfort." This was enough to inspire Hannah with hope. After the old gentleman had departed, which event took place at the time fixed upon, she meditated on what lie hud said, and her heart took courage.— Uncle Ben was in good circumstances, and fully ublc to help them if ho would. A few hundred dollars might be spared by him, easily. And how much good a few hundred dollars w,ould do them ! Her hopes were soon whispered in the ears of Peter. At first he said it was all nonsense to think of any thing from Uncle Ben, and, in the excitement of the moment, called him an old miser. Still, hope did find a lurking place in his heart, and would not be cast out. Before the day closed, Pc-'.er several times catDght himself musing on tho vague promises of the old gentleman, and even making some calculations predicated thereon. Since the mortgage on his farm was executed, he had experienced a pressure on his feelings that robbed him of all true peace of mind. Before, he seemed at least to be standing still, if not progressing. Now, the first downward step being taken, final ruin seemed inevituble. A man who feels himself sinking is ready to catch at any thing that promises to bear him above the surface. The act is instinctive rather than from a determination of the will. Thus it was with Peter ; he felt that he was in deep water, and caught at the first straw which floated near him. It was in vain that he reasoned against this hope in his mind, and sought to turn himself from it. Its power over him was not in the least abated by the is coming on are you doing ?" "I wish you would," replied the farm, cr's wife, a fine, hearty-looking old woman To Hannah's mind had come the quick suggestion, that a letter, containing money, perhaps, might be enclosed. Hurriedly, she unfolded it, but there was nothing beyond the large and wellfilled newspaper. with a pleasant, intelligent countenance.-— expected. In fact, there had been no settlement for a year, and it took my five hundred bushels of wheat anil three hundred bushels of c-ii ti tomukeall square." " I wish you would,•Benjamin There's " Come, come, Peter!" spoke up the old gentleman, with some authority in his manner, "this is all nonsense. What I say is for for your good.—Can't you under, stand that, you silly fellow?" not much to do now at lion and vou can Hannah acknowledged, with tears in her eyas, the truth of the picture. But she knew no remedy; and saw nothing but go away for a week, as ell as not. It 10 see the fami- " That's an insult which I'll never forgive," said Peter, with much bitterness in w ill bo a cood opportunity i,-.ciliated the old man.— ly, and judge of things a little from your own observation. Hannah makes a dread- And remained to live on until trouble ahead his tone After supper that evening Peter took up the paper because he could not help doing so—the very sight of it producing a desire to know more of what it contained. Ho was reading to himself, when he paused, and looking up, said, thoughtfully— next "If we go on as-we have been going," •said she, " we'll lose our farm in two or three years; and then what is to become of us all ? I feol utterly discouraged." " I don't wish to talk any tnoro on the subjcct, Uncle Ben," replied Peter ; " Don't bo too hasty, Peter," remarked Hannah, ns she refolded the paper. "Wait a little while ; Uncle Bon is incapable of deliberately insulting any one.*' ful sour mouth whenever she writes " I know she does, and that's the reason " so why I thought of going over. There's something wrong, pepend ori't. Something Undo. Ben shook hi» head, compressed was silent for bomo moments. This was suid in a way that (Jncle Ben did not by any means like ; so tossing his head with affected indifference, he answer- change it, if you plaase." hrs lms. (i "Helms clearly insulted me; and he did it deliberately," replied her husband. wrong. Than I'eter. there isn't a harder What did u get for your wheat ? " I see no books about," said Uncle Ben, sometime afterwards. "Don't Ellen and Heury sj end some of their time in read- " Can that really be so?" working or more industrious man any where, I'll give him credit lor that. lis " No, no. Don't tliiuk so. Unele Ben spoke to me very kindly of } ou. He means well, but acts strangely sometimes." "Can what be so V asked Hannah. Fifty replied Peter •' Oh, very well ! very well! Just as " If what is said in this paper be true, " replied Peter. "I can pay off my mort- ought to get along comfortabl and lay uf There's the Bible nftd tome old relii books up stairs," replied Hannah.— vou like." money Then came a long silence, which was finally broken by sols from Iiannah, who, after having tried for some time, but in vain, to control her feelings, burst into a " Strange enough ! I don't like such \vf 11 meaning men." gage in two years." piece of farm land ; nor one that, proper trented, ought to turn out more to the acre your crop for the "But the children don't care about them. Henry borrowed- the Arubian Nights and Robinson Crusoe froni some of our neighbors' children, and he and Ellen got so interested in them, that they couldn't do any thing else. Henry would leave his work " What does it say?" enquired Hannah, looking surprised." 1 Gray Si Elder wouli And so saying, he left the room. As soon as he was gone, Henry, whose eyes liail ben feasting on the newspaper since the moment his father drew it from his pocket, seized upon it, and opened it with a feeling of delight so intense that his very hands trembled. It was a copy of the Weekly Cincinnati Gazette, which he immediately commenced reading aloud to his mother and Ellon. About halfan hour afterwards, Peter Miller returned to the house. Glancing through the window, he " And 1 can speak for Hannah," said the old lady. " I raised her, and I know that she hasn't a lazy bone in her body." How me for i " It says that swamp muck, treated in a certain way, makes a fertilizer equal in value, to lands of a certain character, to the best stable and barnyard composts. If this really be so, I can, as just said, pay off the mortgage in two years. For there are thousands of cart loads of muck in that swamp across the orchard. There is a little book, it is further stated here, to be had in Cincinnati, called " The Muck Manual." It really seepis too good to be iizht ■nts ! Well, that beats fit of crying ! And did you sell Mir whole five Neither husband nor Uncle Ben said any thing to soothe her distress. t that price ? remarked 15 in the field and hide away among the bashes to,read, and Ellen would neglect every tiling for tho.Aomc purpose. Their father got so angry about it, that he positively forbade their bringing any more books into In a little while she arose and left the room ; and, in a few minutes afterwards, lies somewhere in a want of management ; or in the profitable disposition of what they make. Handwork is all very well; but it While I received sixty-night cents for the two men separated You d On the next morning, Uncle Ben announced, while they were at the breakfast table, his purpose to leave for home after dinner. Peter felt sorry for having manifested so much angry impatience, though lie partially justified himself on tho plea of great provication. The declaration, that he was not a good farmer was one that he could not bear. If there was any thing that he did know, it was how to farm. On this knowledge he had prided himself lor three years ; and, what was more, particularly prided himself on being a thorough practical agriculturist, and no " upstart theoretic-book-farmer," who, as he sometimes said, wouldn't know, except for books and newspapers, whether potatoes grew above or below ground. is often I'ke rowing wit lightly them.' forward. Yes— ■es. I imi ket [ " Is it possible! You lake a newspa saw the paper open in Henry's hands while his wife and Ellen, who were sewing— though it was New Year's day—were evidently listening with much interest. It was towards the latter part-of D collars ! How many comforts Id buy!" said Hannah, per?" "No. Wc can't afiord to spend money in that way. Wo have nothing to spare for useless things. And, besides, Peter has no time to read. When night comes, true. " ber, a few days before Chi Ittrs v The " Muck Manual " was sent for and obtained, and Peter studied it day and night, for a week. By that lime he understood the matter thoroughly, and it was to him like "light ahead." Already the pressure of gloomy despondency, as he looked into the future,was,to a great extent, removed. If his vineyard, now four years old, produced a good crop next season, it would nett the handsome sum of two or three hundred dollars. Moreover, if the muck compost answered as well as he was inclined to believe that it would, one or two huudred dollars would be made by brief conversation, here gi between Benjamin Ilicks as. that in her lup with a ges- oiulen did you get for vour Peter was still too angry with Uncle Ben, and felt too great a contempt for his newspapaper, to join his family while thus engaged. So he went into the adjoining J his vvi 1 wh own with work that he is to his purpose, arrived by the stage in I S: on afterwards ho entered the farm hC of Peter Miller, which, neither within plied Peter glad to get in bed struggle against it. At length, Peter Miller ceased to search for arguments against the probabilities involved in Hannah's suggestion, and to let his mind rest pleasantly on the certainty of receiving substantial aid from Uncle Ben. Regret for his unhandsome treatment of the old gentleman came with this state, mingled with fear lest he had in the unreasonableness of his anger, done himself and family a serious injury. " I shouldn't at all wonder if we heard from Uncle Ben to-Morrow," said Hannah, after the children were in bed on New Year's Eve, and they sat talking over their 8 Elder ! " No newspaper ! Why Hannah! Yoft had much better all go without a meal once a week, than not have a newspaper. I don't room The communicating door stood ajar, and as Peter sat down, he heard distinctly th« voice of Henry, as he read to his mother and sister. At first he tried not to listen ; but as the words formed themselves into sentences, his mind took in the thoughts and feelings expressed, and soon in spite of himself he became deeply interested. Henry was reading a story of domestic trial, in which a profound trust in Providence sustained the parties introduced, even when their sky was fur darker than his had yet been; and when he saw help come to them, in their most painful extremity, and from a point least expected, he could not keep the tears from his eyes. After this story had been completed, Henry read for nearly an hour longer, all of which time Peter Miller sat in the adjoining room listening intently, and equally ictcrested with the others. without, presented an air of thrift or c fort. e brought il irty-twu. Jusl seven ce. How many wonder— A hearty welcome did Uncle Ben receive from Peter and Hannah ; and also fron s a uusrte icl.-s had yo 'd tli rer Uncle Ben checked himself and became nore thoughtful than before. On the next dav ha asked Peter why he '• I s " At hundred bushel their children. Of the latter, there were loss of tiveniy-on dollars loss •Jo] laVs Sev four living —three had died. The oldest an your wheat and 1 don't much didn't take a paper Slill Peter felt sorry for having lost his temper, and wished that it hadn't been so. But men of his character are not apt to own a fault. It takes a man of some stamina, besides a good degree of selfknowledge and true elevation of character, to do this. He felt sorry, but not prepa- of these was Ellen, a girl in Iter sixteenth n crops ju a single year " No time to read; Olid, besides, I can't afford the expense," replied Peter. using it, year; Henry, just fourteen, came next.— Peter, that you can't get along, if Week after week,came the " Gazette " by post; but it did not, ns at first, bear upon its margin the name of Benjamin Hicks, for the old gentlemen, instead of sending his own copy of the paper, had ordered it to-be mailed to Peter from the office in Cincinnati. No longer, in the mind of the latter, unpleasant emotions cxcited when the postmaster handed him out regular, on Saturdays, the " Gazette. " He would have felt no little disappointed had there been any failure of the paper to reach him with its accustomed regularity. Between him and Hannah, a bright, ccst you let other people le you in this " A couple of dollars a year would meet less, noisv creature, seven years old, th way. It rcqui two things to make a small hillocks in the grave-yartl near by had been a brother two in agricultural matters, sufficient to make the Intelligence tiebls, Uncle Ben, be' fore I think ubout indulging in newgpa pav my marked the spot where their dust was min gling wiih its kindred dust. A bnb round produce fr ard to tiie st ]v,and it knowledge " You'd find a paper a great saving, even if it cost ten dollars a year," remarked the old gentleman. pors," returned Peter *' I thought you were going to spend a week with us ?" said Peter, when this an- red to say so. future prospects. Peter shook his head doubtingly, although the expectation of a communication from Uncle Ben was as prominent in his mind as in that cf Hannah. Soon after breakfast, on New Year's day, Peter, without waiting for a hint from his wife, walked over to the post office. On his way, spile of all ho could do to control his thoughts, they would run on the probable extent of aid to be received from Uncle Ben. The mortgage on the farm was four hundred dollars. "If he would let us have enough to pay that off " He checked himself in the midst of a half uttered sentence, and called himself a fool for indulging such vain and inprobable fancies. nearly two years old, completed t! in ri of the produce marisary to ensure sales at the best You are n hard.working man, hold treasures of Peter and (Iannah Miller liel I nouncemcnt was made. For a few hours after the old gentleman's arrival, the pleasure folt at his com- | Peter; but, to ensure success, something I beyond hard work is ,needed. The head I PrK Peter did not in the least comprehend the meaning of this declaration. But, as he did not ask for any explanation, none " 1 did think of doing so when I left home," replied the old gentleman " but I've changed my mind." ing beamed frovn every countc must guide the hands. And in order to do this, the head must be properly enlighten- ter was talkative a d cheerful, and Hon was given Hannah koked sadly into Uncle Ben's face, and then glanced towards her husband. She did not speak—her heart nah's face was lit up with a constant sue *1." Uncle Ben inquired still further and : more minutely into Peter's affairs, and the i results confirmed his first impression.— | There was industry, but it was not enlight- I cned industry. " You're a hard-working man, Peter," said Benjamin Hicks, alter two or three day§ had been spent in the family of his nephew and niece— "a hard, work ing man. ''I'll give you credit for that. But, from all 1 have seen and heard since I've been here, Peter, I must say, that you are not a good farmer !" All dinner time, Henry and Ellen talked about what had been read in the " Gazette." They did not know that their fathhad been as much interested in the contents of the paper as themselves. He remained silent. During the afternoon', as Peter sal in the room with his wife, he picked up the newspaper which lay temptingly near him—he felt differently towards it, since he had listened to Henry reading from its broad pages—and let his eye glcince over it, from column to column. It is wonderful what a change was wrought in the whole family of Peter Miller, in a very short space of time, by the introduction of a newspaper. Its careful selected stories, ever inculcating some good principle—or awakening the feelings to warmer sympathies; its current history of passing events ; its pleasant melange of wit and humor; and its grave lessons of truth to the understanding, and good impulse to the heart, gave aliment to the hungry minds of parents and children, at the same that it elevated them into a higher, purer, and healthier region. cession of smiles. After supper, towever, when all the children but Ellen were in bed—she sat up to help her mother with the sewing of the family—and the quiet of evening made the thoughts sober, Peter was too full Nothing more was said during the meal. After breakfast Peter went out to look after the cattle, sheep and horses, and uncle Ben went into the little spare room where a bright fire had been kindled by. Ellen.— lie had been sitting here only a few minutes when Hannah came in, and drawing a chair close up to the old gentleman, said, in a choking voice, as she took his hand and looked into his face.— grew silent, and Hannah, as she sat at her work, now and then sighed involuntarily. " How are you getting on now, Peter I" asked Mr. Hicks, breaking in upon a silence of several minutes. j '• Do you take an Agricultural paper ?" he asked, during the conversation, •j " No," replied Peter, with some emphaj sis. " I don't believe in book farming.— ! I've seen too many men ruin themselves "You're the first man who ever said that!" quickly replied Peter, the blood springing to his face. " Not so well as I could wish, llnole by new experiments. I was brought up Ben," replied Peter.' He tried to aflcct a by one of the best practical farmers in the cheerful air, but the real despondency that State, and know my business thoroughly, wag in his heart could not be disguised. There's only one light way to till the " That may be," returned Uncle Ben. " Still, it does not gainsay my words. You are not a good farmer, Peter, and your want of thrift shows it." " Any thing for me to-day ?" asked Peter of the post master, on arriving at the office, almost held his breath with sus- " Gypsum 1 Gypsum ?" said he at length speaking half to himself, yet looking towards Hannah, as if making inquiry of her. " What is gypsum ?" " God bless you, child!" replied the old man quickly, betraying considerable emotion as he spoke; " I am not angry with " Don't be angry with Peter, Uncle." In Hannah, who aforetimcs used to warble like a bird, from morning till nightt the sweet voice of music had become dumb. But ere the Spring opened, that voice was occasionally heard again breaking forth in snatches of old melodies. It sounded strangely familiar and pleasant to Peter, when this happened; and in his heart awoke a thousand dear, responsive " I'm sorry to hear you say that," returned the old gentleman " I wish you would explain yourself, Uncle Ben," said Peter, both his voice and countenance showing that tho remark hurt him a good deal. " No man in the neighborhood would like to say so muoh." " Here's a newspaper for you," replied the post master, handing out a small package.pense ground, and I flatter myself that I under " You were | statu! that way." "I'm sure I don't know," replied Hun" Isn't there a dictionary up stairs V always honest and industrious; and in the | Uncle Benjumiu flicks tried to show country, honest industry should rise by iis | Peter that he was in error here; but this own inherent buoyancy." was n subject on which Peter grew warm " Peter works hard enough, deaf knows!" ] at once, and thus closed the avenues of hi« spoke up Hannah. '• We ought to got along, mind to all iho appeals of reason. Peter:" nah, " Oh yes, you are, and I don't much wonder. He didn't speak right. But you know how lie prides himself on being a " No letter V' said Peter, while his heart sunk heavily. "None," answered the mani "Are you sure ? Won't you look " I believe there is, somewhere. But 1 couldn't put my hand on it. I've not seen it these five years." " A good farmer, with one hundred acres of land like youm, must get along. You don't get along, and therefore I say, you are not a good farmer." good furmer." " Let me see," said Hunnah, thoughtfully, " where is it ? Yes—yes ; I think I know." And laying down her mending she went up stairs. In a little while she returned with the book in her hand, open, and a» she entered the room said—" Gypsum is plaster of Paris." If he goes on as he has been going for the last few years, he will break himself down." On the next day, Peter Millor was ahsent on business which called him to a "I know—I know. lean excuse again " him." Another search was made. The pos master shook his head. " How much is to pay on this 1" asked Peter, as he turned the enveloped paper over and over again in his hands, «4{h an i absent-mindncss in his air. echoes. " That's bad," said Uncle Ben, " very 1 neighboring town, and the old gentleman bad work, even hard work, is better for the 1 spent most of the time in the house with health than idleness. Rust destroys more \ his niece, asking questions, giving advice than friction. But over work is not good." , and minutely rbserving every thing that "That I already begin is feel," Daid passed around him. There was but little Now Peter was rather quick tempered, and this assertion of the old man's chafcd him in a tender place. He tried to control his feelings, but the effort was not fullv successful. " But you are going off home sooner than you would have gone, if this hadn't happened." Peter himself had become a different man, and was looking hopefully forward to the coming summer, when the expori. ments, he was going to enter upon would" (Concluded on fourth peg' ) Hannah caught at these words. "Ah," said she, " Uncle Ben, if you "Indeed' Oh. well, that is simple