CHAPTER X 



GRAMP AND THE GAMECOCK 



ijXE thing that made farm-life addi- 

 tionally interesting and pleasant was 

 that my father had moved his family 

 directly opposite my house; and as he 

 took a hearty interest in farming, although I have 

 reason to believe he knew but little more than I 

 did about it, he took occasion to come over about 

 every day to give me gratuitous advice. 



Now it is one of the peculiarities of that de- 

 lightfully frank old gentleman to fail to recog- 

 nize the fact that I have grown either in body or 

 mind since the time I was about twelve years of 

 age, and so he frequently criticises me severely, 

 even going to the extent of fervent oratory when- 

 ever my methods of managing my affairs do not 

 coincide with his views, and whenever a very 

 considerable amount of obstinacy that I have in- 

 herited from this same choleric gentleman, impels 

 me to have my own way. 



I do not find fault with his peculiarities in this 

 regard. Indeed, I rather enjoy them and recog- 

 nize them as a sort of paternal privilege. More 



