“And sure it’s an angel ye are, and may ye be in heaven three weeks before the devil finds out ye’re dead.”
THE WONDERFUL POTATO-PATCH.
IN the spring of 1862 potatoes were very scarce and dear.
The women of Muscatine, Iowa, who were earnest workers in the Soldiers’ Aid Society of that town, were anxious to secure potatoes to send to the army. They decided to canvass the town and the region round about for that purpose.
But the first grocery they entered the proprietor said, “No, I have no potatoes to spare; but I have a field about a mile out of town that you may have the use of, if you wish to raise potatoes.”
The proposition was accepted gladly; and they at once began to solicit potatoes for planting.
At the appointed day for planting, the loyal old men who had not gone to the front, and the women and children, rallied for the work. Wagons were in readiness to carry out the ploughs, harrows, hoes, and potatoes. The men ploughed and harrowed and furrowed the ground, the women and children followed, dropping and covering the potatoes, and the field in due time was planted.
When the time came to cultivate the potatoes, a “potato picnic” was announced; and when the day arrived, wagons were in readiness to take all who were willing to work to the field. A picnic dinner was served, and although the work was hard, these hours of toil were enlivened with laughter and song and wit and wisdom; and the weeds were destroyed, and the potatoes cultivated. And so it was each time when the cultivation of the field was needed.
Happily the Colorado beetle, known as the potato bug, had not been heard of as yet.