Hidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm PaySimpson, John Thomas
Science
Hidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm Pay
Simpson, John Thomas
Farm life
Shortly after Christmas, Tony came to Joe Williams and explained that
his brother, who was then visiting them, would like to stay at
Brookside and work. As Tony had given eminent satisfaction, and his
brother seemed to be a capable young man, he was engaged to look after
the dairy.
In February Bob had taken two weeks off. He had gone to visit his
father and mother. When he returned he found that many important
events had occurred at Brookside Farm.
"Who do you think is here?" asked his uncle, as Bob came into the
sitting room.
"I don't know," said Bob; "unless it's Edith back again."
"I believe you're pretty fond of Edith," said his uncle, eyeing him:
suspiciously; "seems to me you two were together a good deal last
summer, come to think of it."
"Well, isn't she a nice girl, Uncle Joe?" "She certainly is a fine
girl, Bob, and I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it isn't Edith this
time--it's Joseph Williams, Jr.," said his uncle proudly, "three days
old to-day."
"You don't mean it, Uncle Joe," exclaimed Bob.
"Yes, sir, Bob; twelve pounds on the scale, and every inch a farmer.
We've produced some prize winners at Brookside Farm, Bob, but this one
heads the list."
"That's splendid, Uncle Joe. May I see him?"
"As soon as we get warm, Bob. I wouldn't go into the room until you've
had a chance to warm up some."
A few minutes later Bob was conducted to his aunt's room and there was
not only allowed to see, but to hold in his arms, the heir of
Brookside Farm.
"My, but he's little," said Bob.
"Little!" exclaimed his uncle. "Why, he's a bouncing big boy."
"Well, maybe it's the clothes that make him look so small."
"Don't tell us that," said his uncle, "for we know better."
"That's what you told me when I first came to the farm," laughed Bob.
"That's right. I remember now you did look small, Bob, but you've
grown a lot since then."
"Guess he'll grow too, Uncle Joe. Everything seems to grow fast on
Brookside."
Then the baby asserted himself.
"My, what a good pair of lungs he has, Uncle Joe," said Bob.
"Just see what nice black hair he has, too," smiled his Aunt Bettie.
"I tell you what," said Bob, after a moment's thought, "they'll have
to go some to get ahead of Brookside Farm."
"This isn't the only thing that has happened since you left," said his
uncle. "You ought to go down to Tony's cottage and see what's been
doing there."
"What?" asked Bob.
"Oh, they have the finest little black-haired two-day-old girl you
ever saw," said his aunt.
"You don't mean it," said Bob.
"Tony's so excited," said his uncle, "that he forgets everything you
ask him to do."
"Well, this is certainly fine news," said Bob. "I don't suppose I dare
go down and see her."
"I think I'd wait a day or two if I were you, Bob, before going down."
Bob and his uncle now retired to the sitting room and were talking
over the events that had happened while he was away, when Alex Wallace
dropped in to see them.
"How's the new boy, Joe?" asked Alex.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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