He knows where there are lots of
wintergreens and sweet flags, but, instead of going for them, he
is to stay indoors and pare apples, and stone raisins, and pound
something in a mortar. And yet, with his mind full of schemes of
what he would like to do, and his hands full of occupations, he
is an idle boy, who has nothing to busy himself with but school
and chores!
He would gladly do all the work if somebody else would do the
chores, he thinks; and yet I doubt if any boy ever amounted to
anything in the world; or was of much use as a man, who did not
enjoy the advantages of a liberal education in the way of
chores. --From "Being a Boy."
DEFINITIONS:--Factotum, a person employed to do all kinds of
work. Indispensable, absolutely necessary. Perpetually,
continually. Centiped, an insect with a great number of feet.
Economize, to save. Dispatch, diligence, haste. Penstock, a
wooden tube for conducting water. Chores, the light work of the
household either within or without doors.
EXERCISE.--Call you tell of anything else that a boy on a farm
must do? What advantages has a country boy over a city boy? What
advantages has the city boy?
MEDDLESOME MATTIE.
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