Latest Facts About Tuberculosis. 
Uncle Sam’s Farm. 
Vol. LYIII. No. 2574. 
NEW YORK, MAY 27, 1899. 
81 PER YEAR. 
A STORY OF THE FARM. 
AN ORPHAN CAPTURES A HOMESTEAD. 
A Boy Who Haltered Opportunity. 
[The R. N -Y. does not often print stories, but the following 
facts will, we think, appeal to many of our readers. It gives one 
something of an idea of the happy life histories that are being 
worked out on some of our American farms. Whoever writes 
the great American story will, we think, get very close to the 
farm. We have no doubt that the following simple little tale 
will recall to readers similar cases where good-hearted farmers 
have found a blessing in caring fcr those who needed their help.] 
A Soldier’s Legacy.— In the year 1863, at the call 
of his country, William Allison, of Licking County, 
Ohio, bade farewell to his young wife, donned the 
fighting equipment of Uncle Sam, and entered that 
bitter conflict in gallant defense of the old flag. After 
a brief, sharp service at the front, the same young 
man was tenderly borne back to his loved ones, pale, 
weak and suffering from a mortal wound. He lin¬ 
gered for a while, but at last, responded to the final 
bugle-call, and was laid to rest in a soldier’s grave. 
The little ridge of earth in the cemetery was yet 
quite fresh when there occurred the advent of a tiny, 
blue-eyed boy into the lonely cottage. 
But the brave young heart, strong arms 
and willing hands that would have been 
delighted to receive, protect and provide 
for the little one, were forever stilled 
and out of reach. Thus it came about 
that little Asa J. Allison began life 
solely dependent upon the care of his 
widowed mother. If her love and care 
had been supplemented by a greater de¬ 
gree of physical strength and endurance, 
the humble little dwelling, in time, 
might have again become the scene of 
happiness and prosperity This, how¬ 
ever, was not to be. In 1869, Mrs. Alli¬ 
son died, leaving Asa at the tender age 
of six years, without a home or a dollar. 
A Friend In Need. —At this junct¬ 
ure, Mr. William Barrick, a kind-hearted 
and well-to-do old farmer, came to the 
rescue by offering to share his home 
with the little orphan lad. Mr. and Mrs. 
Barrick were fine, Christian people, and 
their great kindness, ever-ready counsel 
and sound advice were not given in vain. 
Asa grew up strong, healthy, honest, 
temperate and ambitious—with a genu¬ 
ine love for the old people and the old 
home that had given him shelter ; for 
the stock of all kinds which he had 
learned to care for properly; for the culture of the 
different crops which were grown upon the farm and, 
withal, for country life with its interest, freedom and 
independence. He worked for his board and clothes 
and a common-school education until he was 16 years 
of age, when he arranged to work the farm “ on the 
shares ”—he getting one-third of the crops. 
Just about this time the kind-hearted old people, 
ever upon the alert to bestow some favor to those less 
fortunate than they, again shared their hospitable 
roof with a homeless little girl, who at once imparted 
new strength and life to the household department 
When Asa reached the age of 21, he had no thought of 
leaving the old farm. Instead, he made arrangements 
with Mr. Barrick to rent the farm “ upon the halves”, 
he buying one-half of all the stock and tools. He 
now engaged intensely in general farming, but made 
the production of wool and mutton lambs a specialty. 
It certainly must have been peculiarly gratifying to 
the old people, in their declining strength, to see the 
farm and household machinery running so smoothly 
and vigorously under the skillful management of 
those four strong young hands that had once been 
held outward to them for help ; for the little girl, 
now a modest, refined, well-educated, Christian young 
woman, was just as warmly attached to her kind old 
benefactors, just as deeply rooted in the old home, as 
Asa Allison himself. 
A New Partnership. —For eight years, the farm 
continued to yield its increase under this arrange¬ 
ment, when Mr. Barrick, at the age of 78 years, died. 
There being heirs to the estate (for the old people had 
children of their own), it now seemed a critical period 
in the lives of our two young friends. The farm 
would have to be sold. The old home would have 
to pass into new hands—how would they solve the 
problem ? 
Among the diversified products of the old farm, 
there had early sprung up a vine of mutual friendship 
between these two young people. This friendship, as 
the years went by, developed into that true comrade¬ 
ship which nothing but eternal separation can dis¬ 
solve. Very natural it was, then, when at last the 
crisis came, that they should begin the solution of 
life’s problem at the altar. Side by side they 
faced the situation. One hundred acres of the home¬ 
stead were put to sale. Mr. and Mrs. Allison were the 
purchasers. Together they planned and worked and 
paid for this, the greater portion of the estate. Later 
on, the remaining 63 acres were, also, offered for sale. 
The young “ Invincibles ” were again on the scene, 
and secured the land for a reasonable consideration. 
To-day the old home in which they, as lonely children, 
had been given shelter is their very own—paid for by 
hard work and honest endeavor. 
The Farm Improved. —Late in the Autumn of 
the past year, I drove to Mr. and Mrs, Allison’s place, 
which lies up among the hills, a mile south of the 
Licking River, and three miles east of Newark. 
Although situated among some very steep hills, the 
farm does not appear to be one that is difficult to 
work, and it shows the effects of careful tillage and 
good cultivation. Mr. Allison says that, for years, 
he could produce but about 50 bushels of corn per 
acre, the best he could do. The past year, however, 
a hill field of 11 acres averaged 71 bushels per acre. 
This has gradually come about as the natural result 
of good care and fertilization. Commercial fertilizers 
are used quite freely, especially upon the wheat fields. 
Clover, of course, enters largely into the rotation of 
crops, and no doubt, has done its part in bringing the 
farm up to its present standard of fertility. 
While the price of horses, during the past few years, 
has generally been considered below the cost of rais¬ 
ing, Mr. Allison has ever found it profitable to raise, 
at least one colt each season. In these he endeavors, 
by proper breeding, to obtain animals that are speedy 
and substantial. About seven years ago, he produced 
a prize in the way of a very fleet young horse, which 
he sold for $600. Hogs and sheep still find a prominent 
part to perform on the old farm. Mr. Allison fattens 
his hogs in small herds, preferring this plan to the 
one of feeding a great number together. The past 
season, he bought 16 shotes, fed them out, and re¬ 
alized 51 cents per bushel on the corn they consumed 
as a profit on his investment. At the time of my visit, 
he had 41 hogs. 
Sharing With Sheep. —Sheep, however, are yet 
Mr. Allison’s specialty, and he certainly has a beauti¬ 
ful flock of 50 Cotswolds. At Fig. 162, is shown a 
portrait of Mr. Allison himself, and by his side, a fine 
Cotswold ewe that, last year, returned him the neat 
little sum of $8 14—the proceeds from 
the sale of her three lambs and fleece of 
wool. The 50 sheep last year earned 
$197, and Mr. Allison says that he cannot 
figure that they cost him over $60 for 
feed besides their pasture. 
Mr. Allison says that, while he was 
compelled to sell his wool, during the 
past few years of great depression, as 
low as 11 cents per pound, there was not 
a time but he and his faithful little 
flock of sheep could look with mutual 
confidence and satisfaction right in each 
others’ eyes. This struck me as being in 
pleasing contrast to the story of the man 
who, when asked why he reversed the 
order and began shearing a sheep at the 
opposite end from its head, replied that, 
since he believed he had done his part in 
bringing the price of theep and wool 
down to such a shamefully low figure, 
he could not bear to look his sheep in 
the eyes, and studiously avoided the end 
in which they were situated. 
Mr. Allison has made many improve¬ 
ments upon the old farm since it came 
into his possession. Foremost among 
these are a spacious granary and tool- 
house, a 100-tree apple orchard, and the 
piping of the distant spring right up to 
the door, where the water is drawn by a powerful 
force pump. As a result of his experience, Mr. Allison 
says he is persuaded that, if a young man be strong, 
thoroughly industrious, hone9t, temperate and fairly 
well educated, there is no reason why he should not, 
sooner or later, make a home for himself. He also 
thinks there is no place where such a young man may 
earn a home more quickly than right upon the farm, 
if he be given a chance to work. 
If the world contained more just such men as Wil¬ 
liam Barrick—men who are willing to give those less 
fortunate than themselves a chance to gain a fool hold 
in life there would be more young men with a history 
similar to Mr. Allison’s. Mrs. Barrick makes her 
home with Mr. and Mrs. Allison, is still “mother” to 
both, and is “ grandma ” to a healthy, vivacious little 
blue-eyed boy now two years old. f. h. rallou. 
Ohio. 
R. N.-Y.—We know of a number of cases where 
orphan boys and girls are living in farm families. 
The man or woman who takes one of these little buds 
of humanity, and attempts to nourish and train it, as¬ 
sumes a great responsibility. 
AN OHIO BOY AND HIS WOOLLY FRIEND. Fig. 162. 
