OLD HOMESTEAD 



the very earliest time possible. As soon as we could walk and 

 talk plainly, something was found for us to do. Chores and 

 errands of all kinds kept us trotting about, so that we thought 

 we were doing a lot of work. Whether it helped or not, it at 

 least kept us out of mischief, and early taught habits of industry; 

 but the work done and required of a boy from seven to ten years 

 old in those days, and particularly on father's farm, could not be 

 said to be of little account. 



When very small he could pick up chips, of which there 

 were a plenty about the great woodpile in the dooryard, and as 

 he grew up he was put to any and all kinds of work and use 

 which his strength and intelligence would warrant. He could 

 bring home the cows and drive them to pasture, could salt the 

 sheep, watch the crows to keep them from pulling the corn, 

 hold the horses, carry water to the field, ride horses to plow 

 corn and potatoes, pick up potatoes and apples, tend fires, call 

 the men to meals, run errands about the farm and neighborhood, 

 hold lights for those who were obliged to work evenings or 

 nights, bring in wood, or feed cattle. The errand business with 

 me was a strong leader. I was used as a sort of wireless tele- 

 phone, both long and short distance, and was a combined 

 telegraph messenger and express service. There was no end of 

 errands to be done on and about the place, and as soon as large 

 enough I had a monopoly in that line. 



My elder brother John and three sisters were at home when 

 I was of this age of all-round utility. They all had their chums 

 and acquaintances with whom it was desirable to communicate 

 frequently. There was but one span of horses, or a pair and 

 one extra, and they were generally busy. Telephones and 

 bicycles were not yet invented, and my nimble heels seemed to 

 be the only quick communication and rapid transit available. 



95 



