HOMES NEAR TO NATURE 



49 



the Avar we began to think we should 

 be 'whipped' and things got to low 

 value." 



Have you been a farmer all your 

 life? 



"Yes, mostly. Yes, have raised as 

 much as fourteen hundred bushels of 

 ears of corn on the farm. I was born 

 on the Dr. Morris place that you have 

 described in The Guide; to Nature. 

 I was born in that house. I sold all of 

 the place except one tract of woodland. 

 Have only some thirty-five acres now 

 — just a garden spot. You perhaps 

 wouldn't believe it but I've seen the 



has made me especially appreciative 

 of those who helped me in the 'learn- 

 ing.' I wanted to do something for 

 Stamford. I asked E. L. Scofield what 

 was most needed, and he said a general 

 hospital. In a few days I went into his 

 office and laid forty-seven thousand 

 dollars on his desk — and that is all I 

 did." 



I suppose you have always lived 

 near to nature. 



Yes, most country boys do — or 

 rather I should say they used to in my 

 time. I used to catch partridges in 

 snares, but never had much skill in 



JUDGE CLASON'S HOME NEAR TO NATURE. 



time when on every rood I'd get a 

 big load of hay." 



What made you think of giving 

 money to the hospital? 



"I didn't think of it. I only remem- 

 bered what I owe to humanity. Think 

 of it as you please, what is all the gold 

 worth? Sometimes men forget they 

 are human beings. I had a good 

 father, but I guess I'm better off than 

 if he had left me much money. He 

 didn't leave me any. I have had to 

 learn some things for myself, and that 



catching trout. Only a few men have. 

 But .Daniel Barlow could catch them." 



I suppose he must have been your 

 "Uncle Dan." Most country boys have 

 a hero called Uncle Dan, though he 

 may have some other name. I had 

 one. 



He listened patiently to my interrup- 

 tion and then continued : 



"I used to go hunting some — guess 

 all boys did." 



What work on the farm do you like 

 the most? 



