Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-11-27

S8lu l.
"'Guess not, replied he. I've lived
here these five and forty years, and
never heard the looms scream over the
pond and saw the clouds hang below
the mountain the way they do now
without our getting rain atore night.
"However, l was sure l could
to my cousins in time, so I started in
spite of his warning; but l hadn't got
more than matter of two or three
miles when it grew so dark that
knew had better make for shelter
an. as l hadn't passed house since
l left the tavern, calculated the best
thing | could do was to 60 right back
The road was down hill all the way
and | wasn't long in comprising the
distance. But just rs l entered the
barn the rain came down powerfully
The tavern-keeper laughed when he
saw me, and said he was looking fol
me back to supper.
"'Well, I'll agree that you are the
best judge of the weather. said |, 'but
when left home l didn't lay out to
put up at taverns, and if I could do a
little something to pay for my lodging
l should be glad to-
"'Oh, don't you borrow any trouble
about that said he; 4 won't be hard
on you-but now think of it, have
got some grain in my barn that needs
threshlng, and if you are mind to
try your hand at that a spell, we will
call it square,
$50 went to the barn, pretty well
pleased with my bargain, and, pulling
off my coat, made lively work among
the rye that was spread out on the
floor. | prided myself on being able
to thresh with any man in the coun.
try, and my fail buzzed up and down
the length of the barn until you would
have thought there were dozen fails
in the air. | mind how the young
fellows who were hanging about the
tavern came and stared at me and
made remarks; but laid about me ut
such rate that they were glad to
stand back out of my way.
81 reckon the landlord didn't lose
much by his trade that time. We
had fried potatoes, cold salt beef and
corn bread for supper, and it was all
proper good, no mistake.
"Thc next morning rose clear as a
bell. and l was off again bright and
early. | went right past Cousin Hep
zibole's, for l was anxious to get
through to my uncle's that night. 1t
was no great disappointment to me-
for, as | said, she was only second
cousin on my mothers side, and, al
though | had never seen her, | had
always heard that she wasn't the
pleasantest and most even-tempered
woman i'll the world. If l could have
had my choice, l think l should have
rather done the thrcshing anyway.
81 logged along at pretty good
pace that forenoon, and by twelve
O'Clock was pretty well up among the
mountains. l had more than hall
my doughnuts and cheese left. Moth
er wasn't one Of the kind that scrimp
ed in putting up luncheons; and there
was plenty of good clover by tho
roadside, so Brutus' and l were not
accountable to anybody for our din.
ners that day. | did get a little tired
before night, though, and caught my
self nodding several times as we wen,
up the long hills; then l would &c,
off and walk apiece.
"About sundown we reached Boil
ton, but l didn't know in Just what
direction my uncle lived, so l Istopped
before the door of little wood-color
ed house and asked the old woman
who sat knitting before the kitchen
fire, if she could tell me where could
find Jeremiah Gales house.
"'Why, | guess you are n stranger
in these parts if you don't know
where Jeremiah lives said the old
lady.
"'Yes, l am
"'What district might you be
fron?' said she.
Massachusetts | replied.
''Dew tell,' said she. "What sort
Of country is it down yondcr? and
how did you make out with your po-
tato crop this year? Such harrass-
ing time as we have had with ours;
first it was too dry, and then it was
too wet, and then these pesky bugs
came round 1 tell our folks that If
I had to 60 to the poorhouse, the
first thing l should ask for would be
4 dish of good, mealy potatoes"
81 saw that she would talk for
half the night if would stop to list
en- to her, so l asked her again if she
would direct me to Mr.. Gale's?"
"Why, lar, yes, of course l WILL .
said she; ''it's good mile further on,
but the road is as straight as an az
rer. The house is brambell roof,
with two popple trees standing right
afore it. You can't miss it-but
don't be in such a hurry. Stop and
rest yourself Il spell, can't ye?" l
thanked her, and hurried along,
pleased enough that l was so near
my journeys end. After ! had rode
about half a mile l saw a little old
man laying stone wall near the road.
l saw him stop and look at me As
though he meant to speak, but l was
tired and thought | wouldn't give
him Il chance, and was passing him
upon brisk trot, when he Just
reached out his hand and took 'Bru-
tus' by the bride.
"You seem to be in a great hurry
said he. "Where mought you be
trom?"
81 told him Dunderbrook, Massa-
chusetts."
"Why, how you talk" said he.
"Did you ever run against a cousin
Of mine, David Smith, who lives in
the. old Bay State somewhere? I've
lost all track of him lately"
"Nevcr heard of him."
"Ah! what mought be your name,
if may be SO bold?"
"Ezckiel Gale"
"Any relation to Squire Gales
folks?''
''IIe is my uncle"
"Sho! you don't say. Here, don't
be in such an everlasting hurry.