1847.] Turning Over a JVew Leaf. 223 



aspect from that which it usually wore at that time. Commonly, 

 some potatoes were frozen up, and some portion of the intended 

 sowing left undone, in consequence of the frost overtaking the 

 plow. But now, every crop was secured, the grain sown, and 

 up quite green, the house banked, and quite a " string of stone 

 wall" made. That the corn was all husked in season, might have 

 been owing to the fact, that the tuining over the new leaf had 

 inspired the family with such a spirit of industry, that Lizzy had 

 joined them in their evening huskings, and took her seat near 

 John, that he might break off such of the ears as were beyond her 

 strength. It happened on one or two occasions that these two 

 continued their labors long after Saul and his father had gone to 

 bed. 



In course of time it came to this, that Mr. Butler used to ask 

 John what he was a going to do, as though his right to direct 

 operations was unquestionable. For example, one morning John 

 had a stone boat, with several crow bars in it, at the door. 



" What are you going to do?" said Mr. Butler. 



" I am going to build a stone wall, on the east side of the 

 meadow. The ground is high enough there for a wall to stand, 

 and there are stone enough on the knoll there which ought to come 

 out to make." 



Mr. Butler made no reply, but together with Saul went to dig- 

 ging stone. 



" This looks like a new farm," said Mr. George one day to his 

 neighbor, as they rode by Mr. Butler's house. 



"Yes," replied his neighbor, " there is a new hand at the bel- 

 lows." 



" Does Hendricks work it on shares?" 



" No, he works by the month." 



" Does he? What makes him drive on so?" 



" I don't know for certain, but I guess Butler's daughter is at 

 the l)ottom of it." 



W hen winter set in, Saul, though he was a good boy to work, 

 felt a desire to have a little more furniture in the upper story, ask- 

 ed leave to go to the Centre to school. " Uncle Zeb says he will 

 board me if I'll come." 



" I don't see how I can spare you. We must build in the 

 spring, and we have all the timber to get out, and logs to get to 

 the mill, said Mr. Butler. 



Saul looked rather down hearted. 



" You can go," said John, who was sitting before the blazing 

 fire, between Saul and Lizzy. " I'm a going to stay, that is, if 

 they will let me. I tell you what it is, turning to Mr. Butler, if 

 you will give me this critter, laying his hand on Lizzy's arm, I'll 

 stay and work for you at any lay you choose." 



