 In 1863, when he was 18, he started to work as a tutor for a family at the Can Tona masia (where he also helped out on the farm), while he continued to study.Can Tona is in the municipal district of Sant Martí de Riudeperes, today Calldetenes (Osona).In 1865, he participated in Barcelona's Jocs Florals—or "Floral Games"—poetry contest and won four prizes.