OR, WITH BRAINS, SIR. 267 



frost was out of the ground. The next day, the third of 

 April, was so mild and pleasant that I went out after 

 breakfast to see what was going on. I found the entire field 

 behind the house dotted over with small black heaps of 

 manure, and two men at work spreading it thickly over the 

 ground. Seeing Robert over by the woods with a yoke 

 of oxen and a man holding a plough, I went toward them 

 to watch their operations. Before going many steps I dis- 

 covered the whole team approaching me. Taking a good 

 stand I waited to witness the procession. First came a 

 pair of sturdy oxen ; then Robert, glorious in big boots and 

 a mighty whip ; next a huge plough tearing its way through 

 the soil ; and lastly, Mr. Kempenfielder. Immensely enter- 

 tained with the performance, I took out my handkerchief 

 and cheered them on. They never took the slightest notice 

 of me (at least Mr. K. and the oxen did not), but went sail- 

 ing away and left me alone in the middle of the field. I put 

 up my handkerchief, and started for home. But seeing them 

 soon at a stop, I turned toward them. 



" Well, Eobert Nelson, I never expected to see you 

 driving a pair of oxen." 



" No more did I. It is my first attempt. Mr. Kempen- 

 fielder showed me how to drive them, and there you see 

 the result." 



