The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-12-28

the settlement had for sixteen years, and il
was just fifteen miles from nv cabin. ]
considered myself very lucky in living SO
nigh the mill, MS We had to pack all our
grain, ut least for the most part. As for
stores, we had little use for them, and had
mono higher tl,an Sandy Hill about forty
miles South. Some neighbor would 60 out
occasionally. and bring in tobacco, snuff,
and such indispensables; besides, the
Squire, when no went out to get his bar.
rel filled, would bring up any nick nacks
tho women wanted
'What did the Squire Gil his barrel with?
Had you a rum-sclling tavern in those
days7'
Not exactly tavern, like tho tavcrns
they have now-a-dny, but wo had two
griadstoncs, one in my ncighborhood, aud
one about ten miles north. Old Squire
S., he 10 now dcad--somo said he made
way with himself, but that was never fully
known. Mr.. s., moved into this coun-
try about two years before moved in; he
was n pretty cunning old fellow; under
stood himself very well, nj least he thought
he did; bot all did not end well with him.
When he came into tho country he brough,
with him q grindstonc, and n bnrrel OF
whiskey, two very good pieces OF property
in those days, and the man who had them,
was pretty sure to pick up nll the loose
change that was ailoat. When money fail
cd, a bushel Of corn would answer, and
when corn failed. days chopping was al
ways good. Many an acre ot land did the
Squire clear with n few gallons Of whis-
key. Every man had M axe, and you
know nxcs will dull; then they mus, be car
ricd TO tho grindstonc, and ns Mr.. s.
could not afford To have his stone worn on,
Cor nothing, all was KEEP, straight by spend
ing sixpence or shilling in whiskey. Be-
fore one barrel was out, the Squire would
always manage 10 have another on the
spot; and on this account he was consider
cd a public bencfac,or. aud WINS elected
Squire, MI Office which he held Cor more
ihnn twenty years. ] shal! never forge,
the last time ] wns At the grindstonc.
.Nercr. NEVER. shall forget tina, dny!'
sWhat happened on that day. said We.
'lhat makes Won remember il so wellY
why, il YOU have time to hear il, will
tell YOU the whole story. ! was once /.
wicked man, stranger, very wicked, bias
phemer IN iniilel and drlnkard. ] Yves
going To tell YOU about the last time ] was
at the 'Squire's erindstone. Well, start
cd enc fine morning in the latter part oil
MAY, with buShcl Of corn on nv back,
and as tho day was long, mud had got an
early start, Though, could get ont TO mill
mud back again by night. Indeed it was
necessary TINT ! should return the same
day, as did no. leave pound Of meal in
the house. We were dependent mini,
upon meal and milk for living, ms pork n,
tina, season Of tho ycnr was pretty scarce.
did not take INV axe that morning, rs
was in tho hahi. Of doing, having detcrmn-
cd not to make my stop at the 'Squiro's
although it Law in my way. Having got
along to within about half milo oil the
house, | wns oyertsken by three Of ms
neiphbors. with their nxcs, going to have
grind, and Of course the stone must be wet.
They invited me TO turn in and pnr.nke
with them, in drop OF the new barrel, Cor
it had been reported that barrel Of very
superior quality had arrived . few days
previous. Of course | did not need much
pressing. The new stock was pronounced
BY oil hands TO be excellent, md turned
the grindstone and drank wIiskey until
noon. now thought il time to start for
the mill, and il did seem to the that walk.
ed on a great deal insier BY tho help Of the
spirits than ! otherwise could havo DONE
| made no doubt but that could get home
by night But for all the speed with which
! was getting over the ground, ! found on
arriving at the mill, that had been five
hours in travelling nine miles. could not
believe il, but the miller showed me his
noon-mark. and calculated the time SO that
there could DO no mistake. lie told me
that water was low, and no could not do
my grinding short Of an hour. II was not
mill like the mills wc have nowadays,
that can grind bushel Of corn in riff.
Somewhat sobcred, ! felt vcxcd at this state
Of things; | saw plainly could not get
home that night and nv children must 90
to bed suppcrlcss. felt ready TO cry, for
no man over loved bis children better than
] did; drunkard that was, my heart was
never clean gone. cursed the 'Squire's
grindstonc. whiskey barrel md all, but it
was Of no use; my cursing did not mend
the matter in the least. AT last, l thought
the children might make out with milk for
supper ono night and ] should ret home
brigh. and early in the morning. lgot ms
grist about nm hour before sun.down, and
returned four miles, when put up 1t the
house Of a neighbor for the night, two were
oil ncighbors within twenty miles.)
1 was up in the morning as soon as il
began 70 get light. and while engaged with
q bowl of bread and milk, some ono knock.
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