National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-01-14

ucrSOn ana MS mcI went on 10
distant detached meadow, to do top
dressing, and took their dinner with
them. The patridges had been heard
whirling through the woods for some
days past, which caused Jack to shy
away with the long shooter from the
garret-an ancient firearm, supposed
TO be worthy Of much reverence,
because of tradition which con-
nected it with the war of 1912. 1t
would kick beastly ,as Jack expressed
it; and by a deal of coaxing, mans
aged to so 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 stand
ing upon a shelf, which must be
worked over and laid down for win.
ter use, and the'last scald was yet to
be given to her sweet pickles. She
opened the window and let the warm
AR in laden with the mellow. ripened
smell of apples dropping from the
orchard trees. and crySan,hrmulns
and xenias blooming about the door
yard. Over the prismatically tint
ed woods, softened by Il tender haze.
crows were circliny, and their loud
caws alone broke the stiffness, which
always seems deeper of dreamy
antumn day.
Rachel was cOntented in the midst
of her busy loneliness. There was
something about the mild glow of
the morning and the beauty of the
world and the soft wind coming in
through the south windows thai;
filed her with rest. She had almost
forgotten the annoyances of yester.
day and those provoking Braytons.
and was stepping about her work
singing 'GreenviIle, IN a clear, sweet,
but un:utored voice, when II gawky
lad, all of color, from his trowsers.
hitcbei high in the back by impro.
vised suspenders, to the struggling
locks that strayed from below the
rim of torn straw hat, made his
appearance at the door.
Il thought Td stop and tell the
folks said he, putting his head in,
that BraytOn's cows are in your
corn. Gosh they've stuffed them.
selves till there ready to bust
Instantly the strain died ON Rach
els 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 a TOOTH
They shall 20 to pound instantly.
she exclaimed. The men folks are
away from home; but, if you will
help me, Tim, l will see that you gel
PAID for it,
I'D do it to oblige you, Rachel, as
quick as wink ; but, you see, father
sent me down to the blacksmith 5
after a Golfer. Tue horses are mp
ready to do the fall plou hing and
if l should stop by the way, he
might whale me-
go a,ong then, ,'said Rachel.proud
ly. Il will drive them myself and
at the moment she looked and fel,
equal to anything. At starting
Rachel tied on her sun bonnet and
armed herself with IL long carriage
whip, having particularly vindic-
tive snapper.
The corntield, which was rustlina
with ripened grain almost ready iol
the sickle, lay on cross road, and
it gave Rachel a peculiar feeling o
satisfaction TO know that she would
be able 10 drive the cows past lel
enemy's very door, aud thus casl
another act of defiance in their teeth
Secretly she hoped to find the whole
Brayton dairy OF thirty cows hrows
ing and crushing the tall stalks =
but instead OF that only two animal,
had bruken bounds, and havin.
eaten to the point of safety, the,
were now stupidly standing by tlii
gap in the rail fence.
Rachel drove them ont into til,
road at Il smart trot but as sh,
neared the Bray:on place she slack
ened her gait and looked up at tia,
: front windows. But mone of thu
, family were visible, and thus part .
her triumph proved abor'lve.
The pound was "a good. long coun
try mile distant. Rachel was in ;
hurry, for she had left uniinisle,
work at home. The htat of th'
autumnal mid day appeared to com,
straight dOwn.with scarcely Il hreatl
Of air string; and Rachel did no
spare the cows. When she arrived