The fact that young Daniel was skilled in mechanics and mathematics, able to superintend intelligently all the work on the farm and to make a finer scythe than any man in the shop, did not modify the father's opinion.

When John, the next boy, was old enough and the mother began to urge that he be sent to school, the father offered him his choice to go or to stay at home and work that year for $100.

This was a large sum for those days, it out-weighed the mother's arguments, John remained at home and regretted it all the rest of his life.
[Illustration: WEST END OF KITCHEN IN OLD HOMESTEAD.] The Anthony and Read farms were adjoining a mile east of Adams, and lay upon the first level or "bench" of the Green mountains.

From their door-yards the ascent of the mountains began, and only the Hoosac in a deep ravine separated them from the base of "Old Greylock." The crops were raised on the "intervale" and the cattle pastured on the mountain side.

Adams was then a sleepy New England village, and the Hoosac was a lovely stream, whose waters were used for the flocks and for the grist and saw-mills; but in later years the village became a manufacturing center and the banks of the pretty river were lined for miles with great factories.
In early times wealthy Quakers had a school in their home or door-yard for their own children.