340 HISTORY OF THE GRANGE MOVEMENT; OR, 



dren should be forced to put up with the deprivations 

 that had fallen to their lot when he was still struggling 

 to clear the farm from its encumbrance of debt. 



One day, as he stood watching the bright field of 

 green that spread out before him, and imagining what 

 he would do when the grain was harvested and the 

 money received for it, he was accosted by a stranger 

 who came driving down the road from the village. 



"A beautiful crop of wheat you've got there," said 

 the stranger, as he drew rein before the farm gate. 



" Yes," said Farmer Green, " I reckon it will turn 

 out pretty well." 



"A fine farm you have, too,'* said the stranger, 

 glancing admiringly around him. 



" Yes," said the farmer, pleased with the compli- 

 ment to his place. " There's none better in the 

 neighborhood." 



"Paid for yet?" asked the stranger. 



" Every dollar, thank God," said the owner, heartily. 

 " It's clear at last, and I hope to keep it so." 



" That's right," said the stranger. " Never contract 

 a debt you're not sure of paying, and the farm will 

 remain yours. That's a mighty nice crop of wheat," 

 he added, as if speaking to himself. " I never saw any- 

 thing look prettier. It will be ready for cutting soon. 

 How do you cut it ? By hand ? " 



" Yes," replied the farmer. " We've no reapers in 

 this part of the country, and we farm in the oldfash- 

 ioned way." 



" That's a pity," said the stranger. " A reaper 

 would work beautifully on this land. Why it would 

 be no trouble at all to get your wheat in with a good 

 reaper." 



