Good and Bad Farming Contrasted. 149 
as we have said, had no cash, that specific watchword, which 
gives a ready passport, where the more sterling qualities are 
doubtful. He was in no expectancy that some rich relative about 
to pay the debt of nature, would leave the surplus of his " this 
world's goods" to his behoof, and warrant hini in taking credit, 
until such means enabled him to become " clear and free" pos- 
sessor. No — none of these. We have given a true inventory 
of his worldly possessions in his common school education, his 
robust frame, and present the only clue we can to his future suc- 
cess, in noticing his integrity and energy of character. With 
these he sought and obtained employment at the house of a farm- 
er, whose habits of life were full of that quiet which belong so 
truly to rural occupations, and whose skill in causing the earth to 
produce abundantly, were such as to entitle him to the honorable 
cognomen of the best farmer in the township. Here Thomas 
labored for four successive years, to the full and entire satisfaction of 
his employer. At twenty-five, he found his wealth increased — to 
cash $550, a good and substantial wardrobe, and a small collec- 
tion of choice books. 
About this time, circumstances had rendered the sale of the 
" Baker Farm," a lot of seventy-five acres, necessary, and the 
condition of the premises were not such as to bring many pur- 
chasers in competition for the territory. The soil, much of it, by 
nature was fertile, but a system of excessive cropping had laid 
bare the back bone of sterility on its most fruitful fields. In 
short, it w^as taken throughout, to be just such a premises as the 
trusty friend of Thomas, Capt. Leonard, looked upon as a favora- 
ble purchase, wherein the young man could increase his capital, 
by restoring famished nature to her usual tone of productiveness. 
Through the agency of Capt. Leonard, the place was soon pur- 
chased and a deed in due form made out to Thomas Russell, yeo- 
man, to have and to hold the aforegrantcd premises, to himself, 
his heirs and assigns, to his and their use forever. 
The event of this, the said purchase, may well be considered 
an era in the life of our friend, Thomas Russell, and so it in real- 
ity was. The little homestead had been obtained by honorable 
purchase, but no one will suppose that !$550, the amount of his 
capital, was an equivalent for the place then in his actual pos- 
session. So far from it, that this sum was but barely suflficient to 
stock the farm in the scanty manner its productions would war- 
rant, and furnish the very few tools which every day necessity 
required in the labor of the field. 
Then Thomas must go to house-keeping, for he has now a 
home, and there are a thousand little incidentals attending the 
first outset in this business, which must be met with " cash in 
hand." Repairs were to be made, and if the artisan was not 
