The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-02-15
Jack AT TFuE PLOyy,

Jack Boomsby had followed the sea
from the tine of early youth to the
silvering of his hair, and in the calm
evenings of his days, while yet health
and strength were left he concluded to
settle down on shore, and content him
self with Landmarks life. he bought
farm, and hired man to superintpnd
the agricultural department. In fact,
he hired man aud wife Che had no
wife of his Own) to come in and take
charge of his establishment, MS upslre
being simply to assure himself home.
He took possession of the farm late in
August, purchasing most OF the crops
OF the stasOn just closing, and making
ready for square work when spring
should open. He had secured yoke
of siOlt oxen, and two good horses, one
of the latter being Trim, fleet mare,
called "Gulightly," and the other a
strong, plodding steady going nag, nam
ed January"
At the proper time 1t was tho.:SSL. by
Mr.. WOOD, Jacks fartUtu.n, tnat a Ger.
tain piece OF old moving land should
be broken up preparatory to planting
With corn, or potatoes, in spring; so the
the oxen yoked up and hitchpd on, and
the old horse January put on the lead.
And away tney went. The farmer had
a little difficulty at first in getting the
three animals to pull together To the
best advantage; but he was a patient
and persevering man: and ere long had
his team well in hand.
The plOngh worked finely, turning a
good furrOw, and Mr.. Wood was well
satisfied.
Things were thus moving, and all o.
ing well, when man arrived who had
engaged of the Overseer some seed
wheat, and it became necessary that
Mr.. Wood should 20 to the barn and
get II ont.
"Heave ahead" said Jack, who had
been following the team around the
field; 81 guess can navigate the plough
till you come back"
Mr.. Wood didn't think there could
be any trouble He showed hi, chief
just how to hold the plough, and how
TO keep the rens of the horse in hand
Ii he kept old January straight, the
oxen would take care of lheYselves.
GAN right" cried Jack Away
1Ou 2u' u Keep lHlS craft on us
course, never you fear"
And the factotum went away to the
barn and gave out the wheat, AMI while
conversing with Ills friendly customer
he was startled by - terrible Outcry from
the field, and thther he hastened with
all possible speed TO find poor Capt.
Jack clinglng to the plough handles for
dear life, ana the whole team a scene
of utter decentralization,
"Why, Captain what has happen
edo"
Happened" gasped the man of the
sea, letting 80 of the plough and sweep
ing his hand over his brow. ''Shiyer
my timbers, ii this amt mixed messl'
but how did it happeu?"
why, In the first place the critters
started t0 'ack-shlp on their own ac-
c0un:. Into the wind they came all |
flying! and when they had fairly mis-. |
sed stays they tried to club haul by /
THROWN old January out to windw'rd, |
and over he went on his beam ends. !
Then the starbOard OK got over on the |
port side, aud the larbOard OK got foul |
ed in the tangled rigging and away
they went stern fOTpmOst-the whole |
calaboose-as fast as they could 60, TO
eyerlastin' smashl Here. take your old
aud get 'em back on to their
course again. II you can. can handle
a ship. but I'm blamed il can steer /
such erazy-headed craft as this is"
And thereafter Capt, Jack confined
himself to such departments of agroul, |
lure a. nc could mSaAge without danger
.. disaster