Adams used to say of him, "I never saw a man
work so hard for both worlds as Deacon Hale."

One amusing incident was long in circulation and
laughed over by many who did not know the energetic
haymaker by name. As it really happened
to Deacon Hale, it is worth telling as an example
of the energy that has characterized his descendants.

One haying season Deacon Hale hired a tall,
brawny countryman, of uncommon strength, to
help him house his crop. While in the field he took
upon himself the task of "packing" the load, the
hired man's duty being to pitch it on to the cart.
The man began his work too slowly to suit Deacon
Hale, who soon called out, "More hay!" This
call he repeated three or four times, as cock after
cock of hay was still somewhat lazily pitched up
to him. Finally his tardy helper, becoming
sensible that his easy way of working was being
rebuked, set himself to work with a will equal to
the Deacon's, and at last pitched the hay up so
rapidly that his employer was unable to "pack"
it properly upon the cart. Very soon, therefore,
to the dismay of both men, the whole load slipped
off in one great mass on to the ground, carrying
the Deacon along with it!

"What do you want now, Deacon?" shouted
the Hercules by his side with a satisfied grin.

[[26]]

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