OAKLAND HOME, AS I FIRST SAW IT. 



CHAPTER II. 



PURCHASES A "PLACE.' 



The matter settled, I began to prepare myself for my new occupation, by purchas- 

 ing such books and papers as would be likely to render assistance. I soon added to 

 my library Doionin(j''s Landscape Gardening, and other works by the same author ; 

 Barry's Fruit Garden, the Horticulturist, and other books and journals, and com- 

 menced their study in good earnest, supposing that I could fit myself in " a few short, 

 easy lessons," to accomplish wonders in the country. 



It may be as well for mo to remark at once that I knew nothing of ftirming. After 

 leaving school I had taken a clerkship in the village store, and after learning all the 

 arts and mysteries of country " store" keeping, I removed to the city from which I 

 had now resolved to take my exodus. My wife was much better fitted for our new 

 vocation, as she was one of our customers at the old country store — a daughter of a 

 farmer in the neighborhood; and although I can not say as much for others, we cer- 

 tainly had one customer who made some veiy desirable bargains — as I had good 

 reason to know, and my employer didn't. 



The announcement of my determination caused no small joy in my family, as I had 

 every reason to believe it would. The children began to anticipate a feast of good 

 things. Pure milk and bread, and new butter; fresh Strawberries and cream — real 

 cream; and honey gathered "from every opening flower," was to be free as water 

 farm, like the promised land, was to " flow with milk and honey." Littl 



