From Farm to Fortune; or, Nat Nason's Strange Experience

re have y

dressed, a sturdy youth of sixteen,

go fishin'?" demanded Abner Bal

y, firmly. "But I thought you'd all like

ould hoe themselves, eh?" sneered Abner Balberry,

he boy's answer. "Got throug

e job," grumbled the man. "I ain't goin' to have

go fishin

e is work to d

my work, Un

t if ye didn't take proper time fer it, Na

y, indignantly. "I work as h

Abner Balberry. "I say you are lazy, a

They didn't bite

h two little fish! If I let you go your own way, Na

ever get to the poor

uick as you can. You've got to help me milk to-night. An' don't you dare to go fishin' ag'

lips, but he checked it and turned

questioned the did woman who wa

Felton. They didn't b

s. Felton, who had been housekeeper at the place

because I we

rry to h

ver wants me to

nd always was, Nat. He does

ught to have a

may be

work pretty hard fo

o, N

o make a regular sla

u were to help hi

, he'll give me another jawing," answered the boy, and pla

a brother to the late Mrs. Balberry. The boy's father had been killed in a

him. The Nasons had not been rich, so there was little or no money coming to Nat. From the start h

other, for it left him under the entire charge of his uncle, Abner Balberry. The latter

with a house and several outbuildings. Among his neighbors Abner Balberry was considered the meanest man in the district.

He was expected to work from morning to night, and such a thing as a whole day off

when questioned on the subject. "'Tain't good fer boys

e me anything," ha

you a good home an' goo

ade over from the garments worn by Mr. Balberry, and such a thing as an elaborate table was unknown on the farm. Many times Mr

e eat too much it only brings on the dyspepsy." More

s uncle already there with the milk pails

cried Abner Balberry, without stopping hi

passing through the barnyard he

re. She did not seem inclined to herd with the other animals

t away from him, but he was too quick for the creature and soon had her turned around and headed up the lane. Then h

with a sigh. "Somehow, farming doesn't seem to be just

r Balberry. "Do you think I'm going

t Nat. "Get along, Ju

d away she flew up the lane. The boy f

e to the lane and as the new cow appeared, driven by Nat, th

ed Abner Balberry. "

it over. Then she ran against another cow that the farmer was milking. This cow swerved around