The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-08-07

tiful combined, we resolved to build. a
gigantic dead oak tree on the spot suf-
feed to testify to the solid character of
the ground, and, with the "brush" or
small bushes around, commanded our
first-until then-unpracticed essay at
clearing"
Tying the pony in the sheltering
thicket near by, with some hay to occupy
his time, the lads began slashing right
and left, until we could see around us
sufficiently to stake off the contemplated
site for the dwelling. The frost pinched
our fingers, and we saw the ice thinly
bordering the edge of the pretty lake;
but the sight of swimming muskrat and
two or three focks of migrating ducks
stimulated all with visions of forest and
aquatic sports in the future; and so the
boys, thawing their half-frozen digits at
the fire kindled at the foot of a stump,
bravely did their best on the refractory
growth, declaring at night, when back
in the city, that they had chad good
time of it,"
And so the work went on from day to
day, until at last, the clearing" &C
complshed, the cellar had to be dug
and other preparations made for the
important work of all-the erection of
the house.
But here the really serious nature of
the work suddenly broke upon us. The
laborers came to tough clay sub-soil,
and then struck spring of sparkling
water in the cellar, testifying to it's
too-abundant supply just there, and so
a pump was needful to keep the place
clear, so that the foundations or cellar
walls could be laid. Here let me OBJ
serve that one object had in view OF a
life in the country was early in their
career to teach the boys how to work;
how to depend on their own resources;
in short-to use an old saying
make men of them" The pump
brought to the place by the contractor
broke down in my absence, but one of
the boys proved himself quite equal to
the emergency. Mailing together four
pieces of flooring for the p11mp tube,
he found the needed leather for the
valves by cutting off the top of his
boot; and then, procuring slender
pole from the thicket near by for
plunger or follower, in trice the sur
prised and pleased workmen saw the
cellar clear of water, and then a per-
manent drain at one corner cured it at
last.
And so the work went on from day
to day, from the foundation to the i'm
portant work of raising" the frame
work of the structure. This was &C
complished on Thanksgiving day, and
under pressure of the advance of the
cold season, which permitted thank
fulness only in our hearts; and thus
we worked on, but the air was still
measurably soft, the sun shone brightly
in the heavens, and we were thankful
indeed at the good progress of the
work.
The first snow soon came, however;
but, fortunately, the house was covered
in, and, sheltered from the first real
seventies of the weather, there was no
delay. Then came the windows, the
chimneys, the lathing and plastering,
the needful watchfulness from the dan
ger of freezing out" the latter, and,
finally, the announcement that it would
do to occupy some time in February.
But how move during the "terrible"
weather of winter in the Northwest?
" Fortune favors the brave" and the
day at length came when the unusual
mildness of the weather was such as to
challenge the wonder and gratitude of
us also pleasant, indeed, that it was
really no hardship to break up at our
old residence in the city, few miles
away. We therefore made a grand,
single-day's rush for the new home in
the country, and straightway were safe
ly domiciled, not forgetting the pony
and the cow in their small stable under
the brow of the hill, canopied by the
leafy oaks which, although the summer
foliage was now dry and clinging, eff
fectually kept off the wintry winds.
Another snowstorm, which followed
Immediately after we were safely en-
sconced in our new home, occasioned
new cause for thankfulness and for
hearty congratulations on having
obeyed the impulse to hurry matters to
the uttermost.
The winter went on, and roaring fires
and good sleighing made life not mere
ly endurable, but pleasant. Books and
music inside, and sliding, or "coasting,"
outside, were great resources under
such circumstances. The pale and ap-
athletic lads from a warmer latitude
walked up to the life that was within
them; they gathered spirits and strength
under the bracing influences of colder
and dryer cline, and ruddiness came to
their cheeks, and blitheness and merri-
ment made the house and the surround
ing woods and hills ring with their
gladstone shouts. At ten degrees below
zero they would be found sliding down
the long hill upon the road in front,
mittens and overcoats things to be de-
spised and discarded as undue incum-
brances, until one stood in amazement
to look on at their hardy endurance,
their shedding exploits, their needless
~ hh0 j. ~