Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-02-11

to bed that night flushed with conscious
ness of victory.
The next morning, early, Mr.. Hender-
son and his men went off to distant, de-
tachod meadow, TO do job of top dress
ing, and took their dinner with them.
The partridgcs had been whirring thro'
the bright woods for some days past,
which caused Jack TO shy away with the
long shooter from the garret-an ancient
fire-arm, supposed to be worthy OF much
reverence, because of a tradition which
connected il with the war of 'l2. II would
''kick," rs Jack expressed it, and by
deal of coaxing managed to get it off one
time in ten.
Rachel had enough on hand TO keep
her pleasantly occupied for two or three
hours. There was tray of solid, golden
butter on the shelf, which must be worked
over and laid down for winter use, and
the last scald was yet to be given her
sweet pickles She opened the window
and let the warm air in. laden with the
mellow. ripened smell oiapplcs dropping
from the orchard trees, and the crysan-
themums and zcnias bloom about the
dooryard. Over the prismatically tinted
woods. softened by haze, crows were
circliug. and their loud caws alone broke
the country stiffness, which always seems
deeper of dreamy autumn day.
Rachel was contentcd in the midst Of
her busy loneliness. There was some
thing about the mild glow ofthe morning,
and the beauty of the world, and the soit
wind coming in through the south
windows, that filed her with rest. She
had almost forgotten the annoyances oi
Yesterday and those provoking Bray,ons.
and was stepping about at her work
singing "Greenvillc," in a clear, sweet
but untutored voice. when gawky lad,
all of a color-from his tow trowsers,
hi,ched high in the back by improvised
suspenders. to the struggling locks that
strayed from below the rim OF torn
straw hat-madc his appearance ut the
door.
Il thought I'd stop and tell the folks"
said he. putting his head in, THAT Bray
tons COWS are in your corn. Gosh
| They've stuffed themselves till they're
ready to bust"
Instantly the strain died on Rachel's
lips, the spirit of peace went out OF her,
and she was prepared to act on the old
law OF an eye for AN eye and tooth for
tooth.
..Thcy shall 90 TO pound" instantly
she exclaimed "The men folks are
away from home; but if You will help
me. Tim. will see YOU get paid for it,
..rd do it TO oblige you, Rachel, as
quick rs q wink but, you see, father sent
me down 10 the blacksmith's after
coulter. The horses arc up ready to do
A Job of fall blowing; and. if | should
stop by the way he might whale me-"
"Go along, them" said Rachel proudly.
II will drive them to pound myself" and
at the moment she looked and felt equal
10 anything. At starting Rachel tied on
her ,un-bonnet and armed herself with
long carriage whip, having particularly
vindictiye snapper.
The corn field, which was rustling
with ripened grain almost ready Tor the
sickle. Law on n cross-road, and il gave
Rachel peculiar feeling OF satisfaction
10 know that she would be able 10 drive
the cows past her enemy's very door,
and thus cast another act OF defiance IN
their very teeth. Secretly she hoped to
find the whole Brayton dairy OF thirty
cows browsing and crushing the tall
stalks; bu, instead of that only two 'ani-
mails had broken bonds, and having eaten
to point of safety, they were now
tupidly standing by the gap in the rails
fence.
Rachel drove them out into the road at
a very smart trot; but rs she neared the
Brayton place she slackencd her gait,
and looked up at the front window, but
none of the family were visible, and thus
part of her triumph proved abortive.
The pound was good, long country
mile distant Rachel was in 4 hurry for
she had unfinished work at home. The
heat of the autumnal midday appeared
to come straight down, with scarcely a
breath of air stirring and Rachel did
not spare the cows. When she arrived,
hot and tired at her destination, the
pound master, who was a jolly, fat man.
came out to meet her.
"Well, now, Rachel" said he as he
took in the situation, ''you are a spunky
little girl. but tell my wife wouldn't
give brass farthing for girl that hasn't
rot some snap to her"
1--WE couldn't stand it any longer
said Rachel, defantly. "The Braytou
animals were overrunning US, and its
my opinion that there's point where
patience ceases to be virtue
That's true as preacbin', and all the
better for my trade" said the man, walk
S ing slowly round one of the cows that
was shaking and quivering now, rs if in
an ague iii. But it strikes me you mus,
: have druv pretty good jog he added
with refreshing disregard for grammar
. "Ths one acts as if she is sick. She ha:
cat herself as full rs tick; and it ain't