Look where he would , Ellis could see no prospect of employment . `` If I could only get a chance ! '' he thought miserably . `` I know I am not idle or lazy -- I know I can work -- if I could get a chance to prove it . '' He was sitting on the fence of the Fillmore elderberry pasture as he said it , having taken a short cut across the fields . This pasture was rather noted in Dalrymple . Originally a mellow and fertile field , it had been almost ruined by a persistent , luxuriant growth of elderberry bushes . Old Thomas Fillmore had at first tried to conquer them by mowing them down `` in the dark of the moon . '' But the elderberries did not seem to mind either moon or mowing , and flourished alike in all the quarters . For the past two years Old Thomas had given up the contest , and the elderberries had it all their own sweet way . Thomas Fillmore , a bent old man with a shrewd , nutcracker face , came through the bushes while Ellis was sitting on the fence . `` Howdy , Ellis . Seen anything of my spotted calves ? I 've been looking for 'em for over an hour . '' `` No , I have n't seen any calves -- but a good many might be in this pasture without being visible to the naked eye , '' said Ellis , with a smile . Old Thomas shook his head ruefully . `` Them elders have been too many for me , '' he said . `` Did you ever see a worse-looking place ? You 'd hardly believe that twenty years ago there was n't a better piece of land in Dalrymple than this lot , would ye ? Such grass as grew here ! ''
`` The soil must be XXXXX good as ever if anything had a chance to grow on it , '' said Ellis .
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