xt7sqv3c083k https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7sqv3c083k/data/mets.xml Heady, Morrison, 1829-1915. 1864  books b92-259-31824866 English Walker, Wise, : Boston : Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Washington, George, 1732-1799 Juvenile literature. Statesmen United States Biography Juvenile literature.Thayer, William Makepeace, 1820-1898. Farmer boy, and how he became commander-in-chief  / by Uncle Juvinell [pseud.] ; edited by William M. Thayer. text Farmer boy, and how he became commander-in-chief  / by Uncle Juvinell [pseud.] ; edited by William M. Thayer. 1864 2002 true xt7sqv3c083k section xt7sqv3c083k 





































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THE



F A R M E R



B OY,



AXI



HOW HE BECAME COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.




         BY UNCLE JUVLNELL.



               EDITED BY

     WILLIAM M. THAYER,
        AUTHEOR 0P "THE PXO.ERR BOY," xTC.



        SEVENTH THOUSAND.



          BOSTON:
WALKER, WISE, AND COMPANY,
      246, WASHINGTON STREET.
            1864.

 































       Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1863, by

                  lWALKER, WISE, AND COMPANY,

In the Clerk'u Office of the District Court of the District of Ma.s,.chusetts
































                            B OSTON :
         STi.REOTYPED AND PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON.
                         No. 5, Water StreeL

 








INTRODUCTION.



        BY REV. WILLIAII M1. THAYER.



TiIE reader will remember, that, in the preface of
"THE PRINTER Boy," I promised the next vol-
ume should be "THE FARMER Boy; OR, How
GEORGE WASIIINXGTON BECAME PRESIDENT." That
pledge has never been redeemed, though some labor
has been performed with reference to it. And now
Providence seems to direct the fulfilment of the pro-
mise by the pen of another, soon to be well known,
I doubt not, to thousands of young readers;-
  Uncle Juvinell."
  The advance sheets of a volume from his pen, upon
the early life of Washington, have been placed in my
hands for examination. I have carefully perused the
work, and find it to be of so high a character, and so
well adapted to the exigencies of the times, that I
voluntarily abandon the idea of preparing the pro-
posed volume myself, and most cordially recommend
this work to the youth of our beloved land. I take
this step with all the more readiness, when I learn
that the author has persevered in his labors, though

 

INTRODUCTION.



totally blind and almost deaf; and I gladly transfer
the title which I proposed to give my own book to
his excellent work, well satisfied that the act will
prove a public benefit.
  The reader will find that MLNr. Heady (Uncle Juvi-
nell) has produced a very entertaining and instructive
volume. It is written in a racy, sprightly style, that
cannot fail to captivate the mind. Partaking himself
of the buoyancy and good humor of boyhood, the
author is able to write for the boys in a manner that
is at once attractive and profitable.  He has written
a live book of one, who, " though dead, yet speaketh."
It is replete with facts, and lessons of wisdom. The
virtues are taught both by precept and example, and
the vices are held up in all their deformity to warn
and save. Religion, too, receives its just tribute,
and wears the crown of glory.
  The appearance of this volume is timely. Adapted
as it is to magnify the patriotic virtues, and the
priceless worth of the government under which we
live, it -will prove a valuable contribution to the juve-
nile literature of the land. In this period of mighty
struggles and issues, when our nation is groaning
and travailing in pain to bring forth a future of sur-
passing renown and grandeur, it is important to
inspire the hearts of American youth by the noblest
examples of patriotism and virtue.  And such is
WASHIGTON, the ' Father of his Country." It is best
that the young of this battling age should study his



4

 


                  INTRODUCTION.                 5

character and emulate his deeds. His life was the
richest legacy that he could leave to unborn genera-
tions, save the glorious Republic that he founded;
and well will it be for the youth of our country when
that life becomes to them the stimulus to exalted aims.
Then loyalty will be free as air, and rebellions be
unknown; then treason will hide its hydra-head,
and our insulted flag wave in triumph where the last
chain of slavery is broken.
  This volume will do its part to hasten this consunm-
mation of our. patriot-hopes. Over its pleasant pages,
then, we extend the right hand of fellowship to its
author, though a stranger to us. Long may his
able pen hold out ! Widely may this his last work
circulate ! Blessed may be the fiuits !
                                          W. 31. T.
FIRANKLIN, MASS., October, 1&63.

 This page in the original text is blank.

 








PREFACE.



OuR beloved country, my dear young readers, has
passed through one great revolution; and it is now in
the midst of another, which promises to prove even
more momentous in its consequences.
  Knowing, therefore, the deep and lasting impres-
sion the great events of the day must needs produce
upon your opening minds, the author of this book
has been casting about him how he might contribute
to your and the nation's good. As he is altogether
bereft of sight, and nearly so of hearing, heis, of
course, unable to lift a hand in his country's defence,
or raise his voice in her justification. But she has a
future; and for that he entertains an earnest hope,
that through you, the rising Veneration, he may do
something.
  To this end, therefore, he has written this volume,
wherein he has endeavored to set forth, in a manner
more calculated to attract and impress the youthful
mind than has perhaps been heretofore attempted,
the life aind character of our good and great George
Washington.
                                          Uviij

 

PREFACE.



  By so doing, he hopes to awaken in your minds
a desire to imitate the example and emulate the vir-
tues of this greatest and wisest of Americans. For
should he succeed in this, and thereby influence a
thousand of you, when arrived at man's estate, to
remain loyal to your country in her hour of peril
(who might else have been tempted to turn their
hand against her), then shall his humble pen have
done more for her future welfare than he could
have done for her present deliverance, had he the
wielding of a thousand swords.
  And, should he ever have reason to suppose that
such were really the case, far happier would he be,
even in the dark and silent depths of his solitude,
than the renowned victor of a hundred battle-fields,
in all the blaze and noise of popular applause. Hop-
ing that this little book may, for your sakes, fulfil
the object for which it was written, and prove but the
beginning of a long and pleasant acquaintance, he
will conclude by begging to subscribe himself your
true friend and well-wisher,
                               MORRISON HEADY.



EtK CREEK, SPEN'CEP COUNTY, Ko .. 1863.



Vtiii

 















CONTENTS.



  WHEREIN IT WILL
HE CAME TO WRITE
LITTLE FOLKS.



APPEAR WHO UNCLE JLV'INELL IS, AND HOW
THE LIFE OF "THE FARM1ER BOY" FOR THE



I



George at SC/tool .



                3 5
. . . .  3  



  IN VWHICH THE YOUNG READER WILL FIND SOME ACCOUNT OF
THE BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, AND EARLY EDUCATION OF GEORGE
WASHLNGTON, AND THE STORY OF HIS LITTLE HATCHET; FROM
WHICH HE MIAY DRAW A WHOLESOME MORAL, IF HE BE DESIROUS
OF GROWING IN VIRTUE; TOGETIIER  WITH OTHER MATTERS OF
INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE HARDLY TO BE FOUND ELSEWHERE.



                         II.



The First iS'Orr)-f . .   



.  .  .  46



  SHOWING HOW GEORGE MET WITH THE FIRST GREAT SORROW
OF HIS LIFE IN THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER; AND 110W HS MOTHER
WAS LEFT A YOUNG WIDOW, WITH THE CARE OF A LARGE FAMILY;
WITH SOME REMARKS ON THE PRUDENCE AND WISDOM SHE DIS-
I'LAYED IN THE REARING OF HER CHILDREN; TOGETHER WITH THE
STORY OF THE SORREL COLT, WHICH UNCLE JUVINELL INTRODUCE3
BY WAY OF ILLUSTRATING THE CIHARACTERS OF BOTH MOTHER
AND  SoN.;
                                            rf x



Introductiam



.  .  .   17

 



x



CONTENTS.



                          I I .

Playing Soluict. .    .  .   .  .   .  .   .  .   .  54

  WHEREIN THE YOU-NG READER WILL FIND HOW GEORGE FIGURED
AS A LITTLE SOLDIER AT SCHOOL; WITH SOME REMARKS TOUCHING
HIS WONDERFUL STRENGTH AND ACTIVITY OF BODY, AND COURAGE
OF SPIRIT; AND HOW HE WOULD HLAVE FIGURED AS A LITTLE SAILOR,
HAD HE -NOT 13EEN PREVENTED BY A 10TflEi'S ANXIOUS LOVE;
WHICH INFLUENCED NOT ONLY TIlE WHOLE COURSE OF IEIS FUTURE
LIFE, BUT ALSO TIllE DESTINY OF HIS NATIVE COUNTRY, AND, IT
MAY BE, THAT OF TEIE WHOLE WORLD; AS TIHE LITTLE READER
WILL FIND OUT FOR llhINISELF, IF IIE BiUT hAVE TIlE PATIENCE TO
BFAR UNCLE JUVINELL COMPANY TO TEIE END OF TIIS LNTERESTING
HISTORY.

                          IV.
"Rules of Behavio ".     .   .  .   .  .   .  .   .  61

  AFFORDING TO THE READER ANOTHER AND 1l[S LAST GLIMPSE
OF WASHINTGTON AS A SCHOOL-BOY. hERE HE WILL LEARN OF
WASHINGTON'S MANY INGENIOUS MODES OF GAINING AND RETAIN-
ING KNOWLEDGE, AND 1IlS HIABITS OF PUTTING IT TO PRACTICAL
USES; AND WILL FIND HIS RULES OF BEHAVIOR IN COMPANY A-ND
IN CONVERSATION, WRITTEN AT TIlE AGE OF THIRTEEN. WHICII
UNCLE JUVINELL WOULD EARNESTLY RIECOMMEND IIIM., AND, IN
FACT, ALL HIS READERS., BE THEY BOYS OR GIRLS, MEN OR WOMEN,
TO STORE AWAY IN THIEIR MEMORIES, IF THEY BE DESIROUS OF
GROWING IN VIRTUE. AND OF DEPORTING THEMSELVES IN SUCH
A MANNER AS TO GAIN THE GOOD-WILL AND ESTEEM, AND CON-
TRIBUTE TO THE HAPPINESS, OF ALL AROUND T1hl;EM.


                          V.

In the Wilderness. .   .     .  .   .  .   .  .   .  70

  IN W-HICII WILL BE SEEN H10W GEOIGE BECAME ACQUAINTED
WITH OLD LORD FAIRFAX, AND WAS EMPLOYED BY TIIIS GREAT
NOBLEMAN TO ACT AS SURVEYOR OF ALL 111E WILD LANDS; WITH
SOME ACCOUNT OF TIlE LIFE HIE LED IN TIlE WILDERNESS, AND
A SOMEWHAT HIGIGLY COLORED PICTURE OF A WAR-DANCE PER-
FORMED BY A PARTY OF INDIANS FOR TILE ENTERTAINMENT OF j1l1M
AND HIS ]FRIENDS

 




CONTENTS. .



                         VI.

The Young Surveyor      .   .  .   .  .  .   .  .   78

  REVEALING STILL FURTHER GLIMPSES OF WASHINGTON AS A
YOUNG SURVEYOR,-IN IWHICH THE READER WILL SEE HOW THAT
GREAT MAN BROUGHT HIS LABORS IN THE WILDERNESS TO AN
END; WITH SOME REMARKS RESPECTING THE LOWLAND BEAUTY,
AND HOW LITTLE IS KNOWN OF HER.


                         VII.

Flust MJJ1idaiy Appointmnt .   .   .  .   .  .  .   89

  IN WHICH THE YOUNG READER W'ILL LEARN HO1W WASHINGTON,
AT THE EARLY AGE OF NINETEEN, BECAME ONE OF THE ADJUTANT-
GENERALS OF THE PROVINCE OF VIRGINIA; AND HOW HE WENT ON
A VOYAGE TO THE WEST INDIES IN COMPANY WITH IllS BROTHER
LAWRENCE, WHO, BEING IN QUEST OF HEALTH, AND FAILING TO
FIND IT THERE, RETURNED HOM1E TO DIE.


                        VIII.

Imnportant Eiplunantins .   .  .   .  .   .  .  .   96

  WHEREIN UNCLE JUVINELL AND TfIE LITTLE FOLKS TALK TOGE-
TIHER, IN A PLEASING AND FAMILIAR STYLE. OF CERTAIN MATTERS
CONTAINED IN TIIE FOREGOING PAGES; WIICH, 3BEING SOMEWHAT
DIFFICULT OF COMPREHENSION, -NEED TO BE MORE FULLY ASD
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, TI1AT THEY M1AY THlE BETTER UNDERSTAND
WHAT IS TO C01E HEREAFTER IN THIS INTERESTING HISTORY.


                         Ix.

Indian Troubles .   .  .   .  .  .   .  .   .  .  1(,,

  WHEREIN UNCLE JUVINELL GOES ON WITH 111S STORY, AND TELLS
THE LITTLE FOLKS ALL THAT IS NEEDFUL FOR THEM1 TO KNOW
CONCERNING THE CAUSES TEIAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE OLD FRENCH
WAR; TO WHICH TEIE YOUNG READER WILL DO WELL TO PAY VERY
PARTICULALI ATTENTION.



]d

 




CONTENTS.



                           x.

" BiO Talk" wit/i ''White Thunder"       .  .   .  115

  EXPLAINING H10W MAJOR WASHINGTON CAME TO BE SENT BY
GOVERNOR DINWIVDDIE ON A MISSION TO TILE FRENCH, NEAR LAKE
ERIE. - HOW HE SET OUT. - WHAT BEFELL hIM1l BY THE WAY. -
HOW IIE STOPPED AT LOGSTOWN TO HAVE A BIG TALK WVITH TILE
HALF-KING, WHITE TfIUNDER, AND OTHIER INDIAN WORTHIES. -
HOW IIE AT LAST REACHED THE FRENCH FORT, AND WHAT HE DID
AFTER lIE GOT TIERE.



Christmatis in the [f d11dernc5ss. .   .  .  .   .  126

  ENABLING TILE YOUNG READER TO FOLLOW MAJOR WASHINGTON
TO U1I JOURNEY'S END, AND SEE HO1W HE AND ILLS PARTY SPENT
THEIR (H1RISTMAS IN THE WILDERNESS. - HOW HE TWVICE CAME
NEAR LOSING1 H1S LIFE, FIRST BY THE TREACHERY OF AN INDIAN
GUIDE. ANID TILEN BY DROWNING; WITh SOMIE ACCOUNT OF I1S
INTERVIEW' WITIL THE INDIAN PRINCESS, ALIQUIPPA.


                         XIT.

(Vai5zinonl's FirSt Batte .   .   .  .   .  .   .  134

  IN WHICHI TILE YOUNG READER, AFTER GETTING A HINT OF THE
TREMENDOUS CONSEQFENCES TTIAT ENSUED FROM THE FRENCLI
GENERAL'S LETTER, WILL FIND SO MUCH TO ENTERTAIN H3IM, THAT
Ii'i WILL READILY EXCUSE UNCLE JUV',INELL FROM GIVING TILE
REMAINING HEADS OF THIS CHAPTER; FURTHER THAN TO SAY, THAT
IT WINDS UP WITIH QUITE A LIVELY AND SPIRITED ACCOUNT OF
WASHIINGTONS FIRST BATTLE.


                        XIII.

Fort Necessity   .  .   .  .   .  .   .  .  .   .  146

  WIIAT BEFELL COLONEL WAS1HINGTON IN AND AROUND FORT NE-
CESSITY, AND 1O1W IHE SUSTAINED HIS FIRST SIEGE; WIHCH WILL
BE FOUND EVEN MIOR1E ENTERTALNINO THAN THE ACCOUNT OF HI3
FIRST BATTLE, NA:RRATED IN THE LAST CHAP[TER.



aci

 



CON'TENTS.



                        XIV.

General Braddock   .   .  .   .  .  .   .  .  .   158

  IN WHICH THE YOUNG READE'R AN D COLONEL WASHINGTON FORM
TIlE ACQUAINTANCE OF GENERAL BRADDOCK, AND COME TO TIE
SAME CONCLUSIONS REGARDING HIS CLARACTER; AND IN WHICH
T11E READER IS HONORED WITH A SLIGHT INTRODUCTION TO THE
OREAT DR. FRANKLIN, WHO GIVES SOME GOOD ADVICE, WHICH
BRADDOCK, TO HIS FLNAL COST, FAILS TO FOLLOW; AND IS ENTER-
TALNED WITh A FEW GLIMPSES OF LIFE IN CAMP.


                        XV.

Rongfi7Yrk      .   .  .  .   .  .   .  .  .   .  172

  TIIE READER WILL SEE HOW GENERAL BRADDOCK AT LAST SET
OUT ON HIS MARCII TO FORT DUQUESNE-HOW HE GOT ENTANGLED
IN THE WILDERNESS, AND WAS FORCED TO CALL UPON THE YOUNG
PROVINCIAL COLONEL FOR ADVICE. WHICII, THOUGH WISELY GIVEN,
WAS NOT WISELY FOLLOWED-HOW CAPTAIN JACK MADE AN OFFER,
FOR WHICII HE GOT BUT SORRY THANKS; AND WILL FIND A SPRINK-
LING OF WAYSIDE ITE3MS IIERE AND TIIERE; WHICH SAVER THIS
C1EAPTE11 FROM BEING CONSIDERED A DULL ONE.




Braddock's Defeat .    .  .   .  .   .  .  .   .  186

  IN WIIICII IS RECORDED THE BLOODIEST PAGE IN' THE ANNALS
OF A-MERICA; OR, TO EXPRESS IT OTHERWISE, AN ACCOUNT OF THE
FAMOUS BATTLE OF TIE MONONGAHELA, COMM-IONLY CALLED BRAD-
DOCK'S DEFEAT; WHICH, IT WILL BE SEEN AT A GLANCE, MIGHT
hAVE TURNED OUT A VICTORY AS WELL, HAD WASHINGTON'S AD-
VICE BEEN FOLLOWED.

                           XVII.

Erxl anatins.    .  .      .  .  .   .  .  .   .  200

  WHEREIN UNCLE JUVIN'ELL AND TIlE LITTLE FOLKS DISCOURSE
TOGETHER, IN A LIVELY AND ENTERTAINING STYLE, OF DIVERS MAT-
TERS TO BE FOUND, AND NOT TO BE FOUND, IN BOOK THURSDAY;



.  .

 



CONTE NTS.



WHICH 51AY SEEM OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE TO THOSE ELDERLY
PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO WISE TO BE AMUSED, AND WHO WOULD, ANY
TIME, RATHER SEE A FACT BROUGHT OUT STARK NAKED THAN
DRESSED HANDSOMELY. SUCH OWLS ARE REQUESTED TO PASS OVER
THIS CHAPTER, AND PERCH UPON BOOK FRIDAY, PORTIONS OF WHICH
WILL BE FOUND QUITE AS DRY AS THEY COULD POSSIBLY DESIRE,

                       XVIII.

JTior k in Earnest .   .  .   .  .  .   .  .   .  210

  SHOWING HOW BRADDOCKIS ARMY CONTINUED ITS FLIGHT TO
PHILADELPHIA.- HOW WASHINGTON RETURN-ED TO MOUNT VERNON,
AND WAS SHORTLY AFTERWARDS MADE tOMMANDER OF ALL THE
FORCES OF TIRGINIA; AND HOW LIE WEN-T TO BOSTON, AND WIY;
WITH OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST.

                        XTX.

Dark Days .     .   .  .   .  .  .   .  .   .  .  222

  STILL FARTHER ACCOUNT OF WASHINGTON'S TROUBLES WITH THE
JnDIANS AND WITH HIS OWN MEN, AND NOTICE OF HIS MISUNDER-
STANDING WITH GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE; ALL OF WHICH. COMBINED,
RENDER TIlIS TIlE SADDEST AND THE GLOOMIEST PERIOD OF HIS
LIFE.
                        XX.

A New Enteprise     .  .   .  .  .   .  .  .   .  233

  CONTAINING GLIMPSES OUTSIDE OF THE DIRECT LINE OF OUR
STORY, WITH A MORE MINUTE AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL ACCOUNT OF
HOW WASHIN`GTON WOOED AND WON A FAIR LADY THAN IS TO BE
MET WITH ELSEWHELIE; WITH SOME PARTICULARS TOUCHING AN
INTENDED EXPEDITION AGAINST FORT DUQUESNE.

                        XXT.

More Bliinderin.    .  .  .   .  .   .  .  .   .  244
  SHOWING HOW BRADDOCK'S FOLLY WAS REPEATED BY MAJOR
GRANT, AS FOREBODED BY WASHINGTON'; AND ALSO WHAT CAME
OF THE EXPEDITION AGAINST FORT DUQUESNE.



xivt

 




CONTENTS.



xv



                       XXIT.

JWashington at lIo2e 255

  GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF WASHINGTON'S MARRIAGE WITH MRS.
CUSTIS. - IIS RECEPTION BY THE VIRGLNIA HOUSE OF BURGESSE3. -
111 HABITS AS A MAN OF BUSINESS-HIS RURAL PURSUITS AND
AMUSE MENTS. -HIS LOVE OF SOCIAL PLEASURES -HIIS ADVENTURE
WITH A POACHER; AND MANY OTHER ITEMS; ALL OF WHICH, COM-
BINED, MAKE TEIIS CHAPTER ONE OF TILE MzOST P1.EASING AND
ENTERTAINING OF TILE VOLE 11BOOK.


                      xXIII.

A Family Quarrel .    .   .  .  .   .  .  .   .  269

  WHEREIN THE YOUNG READER WILL FIND WHAT WILL BE ]X-
PLAINED MORE TO HIS SATISFACTION IN CHAPTER XXIV.


                      XXV.

Thte Cause of the Quarrel .  .  .   .  .  .  .   2 7 6

  AFFORDING A MIORE CLEAR AND SATISFACTORY ACCOUNT OF THE
CAUSES THAT BROUGHT ABOUT OUR REVOLUTIONARY WAR THAN
WEAS GIVEN IN CHAPTER XXIII.; BUT CHAPTER XXV. MUST NEEDS
BE READ, BEFORE A FULi. AND COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF
THESE MATTERS CAN BE ARRIVED AT.


                       XXV.

Resistance to TyranuI .   .  .  .   .  .  .   .  288

  ILLUSTRATING WHAT PART WASHINGTON TOOK IN THESE MEA-
SURES OF RESISTANCE TO BRITISH TYRANNY -HO1W HE BECAME A
REPRESENTATIVE OF VIRGINIA IN THE GREAT COLONIAL ASSEMBLY,
OTHERWISE CALLED THE OLD CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; AND 1HOW,
UPON THE BREAKING-OUT OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN TILE COLONIES
AND TILE MOTHER-COUNTRY, IIE WAS MADE COMMANDER-IN-ClII:EF
OF ALL TIlE FORCES OF TTIE UNITED COLONIES; WITH OTHER ITEM1S
TOUCHING TIIE PROCEEDINGS OF TIlE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, AND
PATRICK HENRY, TILE GIZEAT VIRGINIA OR lkTOR.

 



Xvi                  CONTENTS.


                   - xxVI.

Conclusion..    .  .  .   .  .  .   .  .  .   .  301

  WHEREIN THE YOUNG READER WILL BE ENTERTAINED WITH
THE PLEASING AND EDIFYING CONVERSATION WHICH TOOK PLACE
BETWEEN UNCLE JUVINELL AND THE LITTLE FOLKS, TOUCHING
DIVERS MATTERS IN BOOK FRIDAY; WHICH DEMAND FURTHER CON-
SIDERATION FOR A MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR HIS-
TORY, PAST AND TO COME.

 










       THE FARMER BOY.




               LNTRODUCTION.

SOMEWHERE in green Kentucky, not a great
S     many years ago, the ruddy light of a Christmas
sunset, streaming in at the windows of an old-fash-
ioned brick house, that stood on a gentle hillside,
half hidden by evergreens, shone full and broad on a
group of merry little youngsters there met together
to spend the holiday with their Uncle Juvinell, a
charming old bachelor of threescore and ten.
  WXhat with " blind man's buff," " leap-frog,"
"hide-and-seek," "poor pussy wants a corner," Mo-
ther Goose, dominos, sky-rockets and squibs, and
what with the roasting of big red apples and the
munching of gingerbread elephants, the reading of
beautiful story-books, - received that morning as
Christmas presents from their Uncle Juvinell and
other loving relatives, -these little folks had found
this day the most delightfiul of their lives.
                                         [1. ]

 

THE FARMER BOY.



  Tired at last of play, and stuffed with Christmas
knick-knacks till their jackets and breeches could hold
no more, they had now betaken themselves to the
library to await the return of their Uncle Juvinell,
who had gone out to take his usual evening walk;
and were now quietly seated round a blazing winter
fire, that winked and blinked at them with its great
bright eye, and went roaring right merrily up the
wide chimney. Just as the last beam of the setting
sun went out at the window, Uncle Juvinell, as if to
fill its place, came in at the door, all brisk and ruddy
from his tramp over the snow in the sharp bracing
air, and was hailed with a joyous shout by the little
folks, who, hastening to wheel his great arm-chair
for him round to the fire, pushed and pulled him
into it, and called upon him to tell one of his most
charming stories, even before the tingling frost was
out of his nose.
  As this worthy old gentleman has done much for
the entertainment and instruction of the rising gene-
rations of the land, it is but due him that some
mention, touching his many amiable traits of charac-
ter and his accomplishments of mind and person,
should be made in this place for the more complete
satisfaction of those who may hereafter feel themselves
indebted to him for some of the most pleasant
moments of their lives.
  In person, Uncle Juvinell is stout and well-rounded.
His legs are fat, and rather short; his body is fat,



18

 


INTRODUCTION.



and rather lon-; his belly is snug and plump; his
hands are plump and white; his hair is white and
soft; his eyes are soft and blue; his coat is blue
and sleek; and over his sleek and dimpled face, fron
his dimpled chin to the very crown of his head,-
which, being bald, shines like sweet oil in a warmn
fire-light, -there beams one unbroken smile of fun,
good-humor, and love, that fills one's heart with
sunshine to behold. Indeed, to look at him, and be
with him a while, you could hardly help half believing
that he must be a twin-brother of Santa Claus, so
closelv does he resemble that far-famed personage,
not only in appearance, but in character also; and
more than once, having been met in his little sleigh
by some belated school-boy, whistling homeward
through the twilight of a Christmas or New Year's
Eve, he has been mistaken for the jolly old saint
himself. In short, his whole appearance is in the
highest degree respectable; and there is even about
him an air of old-fashioned elegance, which of course
is owing chiefly to the natural sweetness and polite-
ness of his manners, and yet perhaps a little height-
ened withal by the gold-bowed spectacles that he
wears on his nose, the heavy gold bar that pins his
snowy linen, the gold buttons that shine on his coat,
his massive gold watch-chain (at the end of which
hangs a great red seal as big as a baby's fist), and bv
his gold-headed ebony cane, that he always carries )X
his shoulder like a musket when he walks, as much



19

 


TILE FARMER BOY.



as to say, " Threescore and ten, and no need of a
staff yet, my Christian friend." No man is more
beloved and esteemed by all who know him, old and
young, than he; for like Father Grimes, whose
nephew he is by the mother's side,-
         "He mo(lest merit seeks to find,
            And give it its desert;
            He has no malice in his nMind,
            No ruffles on his shirt.
          His neighbors he does not abuse;
            Is sociable and gay:
            He wears large buckles in his shoes,
            And changes them each day."

  If there is one thing about Uncle Juvinell that we
might venture to pronounce more charming than
another, it is the smile of mingled fun, good-humor,
and love, with which his countenance never ceases to
shine, save when he hears the voice of pain and his
breast with pity burns. Touching this same trait
of his, a ladv once said in our hearing, that she verily
believed a cherub, fresh from the rosy chambers of
the morning, came at the opening of each day to
Uncle Juvinell's chamber, just on purpose to dash
a handful of sunbeams on his head; and, as there
were alwavs more than enough to keel) his face
bathed with smiles for the next twenty-ftour hours,
they were not wasted, but, falling and lodging on
his gold spectacles, his gold breast-pin, his gold but-
tons, his gold watch-chain, and the gold head of



20

 


INTRODUCTION.



his ebony cane, washed them with lustre ever new,
as if his face, bright and broad as it was, were not
enough to reflect the love and sunshine ever dwelling
in his heart. We will not undertake to vouch for
the truth of this, however. As the young lady was a
marriageable young lady, and had been for a num-
ber of years, it would not be gallant or generous for
us to mention it; but of this we are certain, that,
when this good old gentleman enters a room, there
is a warmth and brightness in his very presence,
that causes you to look round, half expecting to see
the tables and chairs throwing their shadows alone
the floor, as if, by the power of magic, a window had
suddenly been opened in the wall to let in the morn-
ing sunshine.
  If the affections of Uncle Juvinell's heart are child-
like in their freshness, the powers of his intellect are
gigantic in their dimensions. He is a man of pro-
digious learning: for proof of which, you have but to
enter his library, and take note of the books upon
books that crowd the shelves from the floor to the
ceiling; the maps that line the walls; the two great
globes, one of the earth and the other of the heavens,
that stand on either side of his reading-desk; and the
reading-desk itself, whereon there always lies some
book of monstrous size, wide open, which no one has
ever had the courage to read from beginning to end,
or could comprehend if he did.
  In the languages he is very expert; speaking



21

 


2  THE FARMER BOY.



French with such clearness and distinctness, that any
native-born Frenchman, with a fair knowledge of the
English, can with but little difficulty understand
more than half he says; and in German he is scarcely
less fluent and ready; while his Latin is the envy
of all who know   only their mother-tongue.  In
mathematics, his skill is such, that you might give him
a sum, the working-out of which would cover three
or four large slates; and he would never fail to
arrive at the answer, let him but take his time.
  In astronomy, he is perfectly at home among the
fixed stars; can distinguish them at a single glance,
and that, too, without the help of his spectacles, from
the wandering planets; and is as familiar with the
motion and changes of the moon, as if he had been in
the habit for the last forty years of spending the hot
summer months at some of the fashionable watering-
places of that amiable and interesting orb. But it is
in the history of the nations and great men of the
earth that Uncle Juvinell most excels, as shall be
proved to your entire satisfaction before reaching the
end of this volume.
  And yet, notwithstanding the vastness of his learn-
ing and the gigantic powers of his mind, he can,
when it so pleases him, disburden himself of these
great matters, and descend from his lofty height to
the comprehension of the little folks, with as much
ease as a huge balloon, soaring amidst the clouds, can
let off its gas, and sink down to the level of the kites,



22

 


INTRODUCTION.



air-balls, and sky-rockets wherewith they are wont
to amuse themselves.
  Being an old bachelor, as before noticed, he, of
course, has no children of his own; but, like the
philosopher that he is, he always consoles himself for
this misfortune with the reflection, that, had he been
so favored, much of his love and affection must needs
have been wasted on his own six, eight, or ten, as
the case might have been, instead of being divided
without measure among the hundreds and thousands
of little ones that gladden the wedded life, and fill
with their music the homes of others more blessed.
  Living, as all hi3 brothers do, in easy circum-
stances, he has abundant time and leisure to devote
himself to the particular interest and enjoyment of
these little ones; and is always casting in his mind
what he may be doing to amuse them, or make them
wiser, better, and happier.
  Such is the ease, heartiness, and familiarity with
which he demeans himself when among them, and
enters into all their little pastimes and concerns, that
they stand no more in awe of him than if he were
one of their own number; and make him the butt
of a thousand impish pranks, at which he laughs
as heartily as the merriest rogue among them. And
yet it is for that very reason, perhaps, that they
love him so devotedly, and would give up their dog-
knives or wax dolls any day, sooner than show
themselves unmindful of his slightest wishes, or do



23

 


TIHE FARMER BOY.



aught that could bring upon them even his softest
rebuke. They make nothing of taking off his gold
spectacles, and putting them on their own little pugs
to look wise; or running their chubby fists into the
tight, warm pockets of his breeches, in quest of his
gold pencil or pearl-handled knife; or dashing like
mad over the yard, with his gold-headed cane for a
steed; or stealing up behind him, as he stands with
his back to the fire, and slyly pulling out his big red
bandanna handkerchief, wherewith to yoke the dog
and cat together as they lie sociably side by side on
the hearth-rug. In short, he will suffer them to tease
him and tousle him and tumble him to their hearts'
content, and set no limits to their liberties, so long as
they are careful not to touch his snowy linen with
their smutched fingers; for, if Uncle Juvinell has one
fault in the world, it is his unreasonable partiality for
snowy linen. But, were we to go on with our praises
and commendations of this best of men, we should
fill a large volume full to overflowing, and still leave
the better half unsaid: so we must exercise a little
self-denial, and forego such pleasing thoughts for the
present, as it now behooves us to bring our minds to
bear upon matters we have more nearly in view.
  Seeing how earnestly the little folks were bent
upon drawing out of him one of his longest stories,
Uncle Juvinell now bade them sit down and be quiet
till he should have time to conjure up something more
charming than any Arabian tale they had ever heard;



24

 

INTRODUCTION.         2



and throwing himself back in his great arm-chair,
and fixing his eyes on the glowing coals, that seemed
to present to his fancy an ever-shifting panorama,
was soon lost in profound meditation. And the
longer he thought, the harder he looked at the fire,
which knowingly answered his look with a winking
and blinking of its great bright eye, that seemed 1to
say, W Well, Uncle Juvinell, what shal we do for the
entertainment or instruction of these little people
to-night  Shall we tell them of that crew of antic
goblins we wot of, who are wont to meet by moon-
light, to play at football with the hanged man's head,
among the tombstones of an old graveyard Or may
be that dreadful ogre, with the one fiery eye in the
middle of his forehead, who was in the habit of roast-
ing fat men on a spit for his Christmas dinners, would
be more to their taste. Or, if you prefer it, let it be
that beautiful fairy, who, mounted on a milk-white
pony, and dressed in green and gold, made her home
in an echoing wood, for no other purpose than to
lead little children therefrom, who might by some ill
chance be separated from their friends, and lose their
way in its tangled wilds.  Or perhaps you are
thinking it would be more instructive to them were
we to conjure up some story of early times in green
Kentucky, when our great-grandfathers were wont to
take their rifles to bed with them, and sleep with themn
in their arms, ready to spring up at the slightest
rustling of the dry leaves in the woods, and defend
                         2



25

 

6TIE FARMER BOY.



themselves against the dreaded Indian, as with pan-
ther-like tread he skulked around their lonely dwell-
ings.
  To each and all of these, Uncle Juvinell shook his
head; none of them being just exactly the thing hie
wanted. At length, finding that the fire hindered
rather than helped him to make a choice, he rose
from his seat, turned his back upon it, and looked
from one bright face to another of the circle before
him, till his eye rested on Daniel, who was among
the oldest of the children, and was, by the way, the
young historian of the family, and, in his own opinion,
a youth of rather uncommon parts. He had that
morning received from his uncle, as a Christmas pre-
sent, that most delightful of story-books, " Robinson
Crusoe;" but having seen the unlucky sailor high, but
not dry, on his desert island, and having run his eye
over all the pictures, he had laid it aside, and was
now standing at the readin-desk, looking as wise as
a young owl in a fog over a very large book in