The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1869-04-15
From the Hearth and hOme.J
TN TEE ICE.
BYJ. T. RIDGE.
CONTINUED.

Old Dracutt was sweeping snow from
che door yard path when Uncle Jim sto p
ped at the g&te.
"Good mornin', Jonathan"
Good mornin', good mornin', James"
said Jonathan, resting on his broom
What's the good word this mornin'
james,"
IN o good word, Jonathan" said Uncle
Jim, in Constrained and awkward man
uer, pulling the gate open and coming in.
"Hey! what's the matter-folks sickg"
my folks are all well; children chip
per, thank heaven!" Uncle Jim cleared
his throat. "All well, hereg"
"Toler'ble, all that's to home Clint's
off to-day"
"Ah Where's Clint"
ITO work on the ice, s'pose"
"Sorry to hea that !" said Uncle Jim
There's been an accident did you know
it?"
"On the ice?" cried old man Dracutt,
with an anxious start.
$50 l hear. A good many men got in:
and it's feared that they haint all got out
again" And Uncle jim fixed his tender
blue eyes compassionately on old man
Dracutt's face
" Not CllntOn?"
"Some of the wet men have come to
my house for clothing II hope for the
best, Jonathan. There's no knowing yet;
but | thought you ought to be prepared
Dear boy! he was in to see US last night
so lively, ne always isl Ne, no. Jonathan!
can't believe he's drowAed." But IN
Gle Jim turned away with look thattold
different story.
" understand; you've come to break it
10 me-" Jonathan spoke calmly, though
ais voice was deep and husky, and he
leaned heavily on his broom. "Tell me
tie truth, James; is he drownded?"
80 the men say; but they" James set
out to explain, but Jonathan cut him short.
"Wherc?"
"Over by the white ice house"
go in and tell her." said Jonathan.
He himself did not go in, and we will
not but started at once to walk to the
scene of the disaster.
"Drowndedl and my last word to him
was harsh one! he murmured as he
went out at the gate; and again, ever and
anOn,as he tramped with difficulty through
,he snow-"Drownded and my last word
was unkind !"
nan was more infrm than he appeared
lie soon came in sight OF the pond, how
ever, and could see, far off, groups of men
moving axcitedly about the broken field.
Some we're clearing the water Of the
boating fragments of ice; others, in boats
or standing on the unbroken edge, were
.hrusting down poles which he knew tc
ne long handled, ponderous pond rakes
with which the bottom in summer was
cleared OF weeds Up and down, and te
and fro, the poles were pushed and drag
ged, and he was sure they were searching
for his boy.
With thissterrible knowledge, and witt
this scene full in view, the old man walk
ed the last half mile of his toilsom
tramp. He kept the bank of the pom
until he was quite near, and then wen
down upon the ice. Crossing the unbrok
en- corner, he soon came up to the me
with the poles. They continued at work
while others standing by made way 70
ann with ominous respect-the respeo
which even the rudest persons instructive
y show to one in affection. There was
aush OF voices as he appeared; then oil
.afmer Corbett turned to him and sal
bluntly:
It's bad business, nelghbor Dracut
Ii the boys had only heerd to me, 'twoul
not happened. KEEP tellin' on EN- the
worked too clust together; though I'd i
ilee myself but that the ice was tbicke
Lucky for me, I'd jest drove off when
gave way. Your boy want alone "
had thirty men and eighteen hosse
oa to oret. But I flew round. nu1Ied {
the ropes from t'other bosses, and thro,
ed en- to the fellers we couldn't reac
Wcoasn scrapers was lucky, q VOW, 1 b
lleFe the boys would hitched onto Il
lion ones 1T hadn't been for me); th,