I THE FRUIT GROWER'S STORY I 



A man once determined a rural life 

 Was the happiest, best ami more free from strife 

 Than a life in the city of noise and snot, 

 So he moved in the country and commenced raising 

 fruit. 



He needs money for help and money for boxes — 

 His advisers are gone like so many foxes, 

 Hut he gets his fruit packed and ready for sale ; 

 And ships, how ? Well— on this letter so frail : 



He planted some peaches, some apples and cherries. 

 And between tlie tree rows some fancy strawberries. 

 He watched with great care the trees as they grew. 

 And pruned and sprayed as most orchardists do. 



Mr. Rural Fruit Grower ; — 



My very dear sir : 

 A very great favor on us you'll confer. 

 If at once you advise us what fruit you can send ; 

 We refer you to Bradstreets, and remain 



Nour dear frienil. 



His money gave out, yet still he worked hard. 

 Well knowing that .soon he would have his reward 

 In selling the fruit that the trees would unfold, 

 And bring him returns in silver and gold. 



He ships after getting the usual wire : 

 "Market good, ship (juick, we think will gn higher.'' 

 He stops not to think that this house w ires all over. 

 And the market's a puzzle, like "pigs in the clover." 



At last the crop comes, fruit plenteous and line. 

 It's ready for market. Now comes the time 

 When new friends appear; clever fruit men galore 

 Who give much advice, but give nothing more. 



For many do exactly like our Rural Fruit (Jrower. 

 Result: market higher? not much; market lower. 

 A few days later the returns he receives, 

 Ninety dollars; deduct charges, one dollar it leaves. 



SOLILOQUY. 



'■ One dollar the first of my orchard's crop, 

 I'll let the rest of my peaches rot. 

 No ! I can't do this, I'll continue the gamble, 

 I'erhaps in the wind-up of the general shamble, 

 A dollar or two may happen to stray 

 Around to me, and help my box bills to pay." 



Tlie <lrcam of the beautiful rural life 



Of the gentle fruit grower, 8eclude<l from strife. 



Is a pretty tale ; but to us who know. 



It's not a sweet dream, but a perfect side show. 



— Amerii^ftn Fiiiil Oiituvrs' Magazine. 



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