
audiobook
HIDDEN TREASURE - THE STORY OF A CHORE BOY WHO MADE THE OLD FARM PAY - BY - JOHN THOMAS SIMPSON - COLORED FRONTISPIECE BY E.H. SUYDAM AND 16 ILLUSTRATIONS
THE AUTHOR FEBRUARY, 1919 - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I. THE OLD HOMESTEAD
II. A DAY'S WORK
III. A RAINY DAY
IV. DRAINING THE POND
V. SELLING TURTLES
VI. SELLING SAND
VII. THE NEW AUNT
VIII. THE SALE
A former farmhand returns to the Pennsylvania homestead of his childhood, only to find the fields overgrown, fences broken and the once‑proud orchard wilted. As he walks the muddy lanes, the stark contrast between his memories and the present decay sparks a determination to turn the old property around. He quickly discovers that modern machinery, clever engineering, and a few unconventional ideas could be the key to reviving the land.
Guided by a cast of practical mentors—farmers, inventors and even a beekeeping editor—the boy‑turned‑chore worker begins to experiment with tractors, concrete mixers, and new dairy techniques. Each small success, from draining a stagnant pond to selling turtles for extra cash, reveals how diligent work and clever tools can transform hardship into profit. Listeners will be drawn into a vivid portrait of early‑20th‑century rural life, where determination and innovation uncover a hidden treasure far richer than gold.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (391K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A writer remembered today for an early 20th-century story that mixes fiction with practical farm know-how, he turned rural life and hard work into an encouraging, down-to-earth read.
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