Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-12-28
Jim's only answer was blush. But,
IN he snre that was enough.

/ New Years morn, about half-past
five, there was predigi0us dog-dght at
at the pre-emptor's front door. Now the
| Englander had but one dOg,and it stands
to reason that one dog isn't going to get
up a fight all by himself; that is, unless
he is uncomH Hlonly pugnacious, which
this one was not. A glance through the
window revealed not only three dogs,
but two wagons, the horses already half
unfitched from the traces. The Oecu-
pants had alighted upon the ground. Up
the road several teams of oxen were ad-
vancing. The house was evidently be-
ing put into state of siege. And in
moment the voice of the senior Barker
called out:
"You'ins had better git up. You're
goin' to have some company.
By the time the family were dressed
and hasty breakfast snatched, the
army of attack had taken possession of
everything. Every moment brought
new arrivals. There was Kaleidoscope
of men, women. children. horses. dogs,
and oxen. The great festivals of West
ern life are camp meetings, barbecues.
and log r0lliDgs. Those who believe
that the American blood is running out
should strike an average on the children
at one of these occasions. Polly Wrinkle
assumed command of the women and
children, by no other right that | know
of than that she most nearly realized
| NapOleOn's definition of the grPatest of
her sex. 1t was soon evident that the
house was too small to accommodate so
many, and the Winkle contingent were
led to the commudious loft in the barn.
! Here from each wagon was brought such
an array of dainties and Sweetmeats as
would have doubled upa less hardy race
| for the rest of the year. 4 table was
Iimproyised, the stove was removed TO
the loft, and by noon a asmoking dinner
was on board.
Meantime more than fifty men were
at work in the field. The November
rain had carpeted the ground with wild
| flowers, but these were unheeded. The
pupine bloOmed in vain. The gaudy
eschscholtzia Haunted its cOlOrS unheed-
ed. The timid memophila crept closer
to the sod, and hid its maidenly beauties
from PROCLAMATION. But all were alike
unsought. There was mems work to be
done. Great trees lay stripped and de-
| formed, like tOrsOS of mighty giants.
One-half the force were chOpping at the
trees yet standing. Every few moments
some monarch would tremble, try to
steady himself for second, and then
fall with a resounding crash To the
earth. A score of foes were upon him
at once. His hundred arms were Topped
| from his body. His life-bloOd sank into
the thirsty earth. The place that knew
him in his pride knew BIN no more. As
fast as the logs were ready, chains were
passed around them, the oxen we're har
messed to them, and they were drawn to
designated spots, and arranged in or
| derly piles. When Alice Winthrop came
down to the field with dozen girls about
her own age, and looked ont of her great
brown eyes upon the strange scene,
what splendid feats of strength were
done! With what magnificent grace
these men moved now who were so awk
| ward in the housed and how Jim Barker
hated young Wrinkle for shouldering an
| immense log with such apparent ease!
Once in while a couple OF the young
sters got into wrestling match. Then
rest was declared for live minutes to
watch the throw. During the incoming
there were several of these, and
Jim Barker had settO with young
| Wrinkle which WAS more than half i'll
earnest. 1t had leaked out somehow
that the former was very much interest
ed in the new family, or in part of it al
least, and Wrinkle had jokingly offered
| to sent him out Now Jim was in that
miserable state of uncertainty when thu
mere suggestion of snch possibility
made him wofully unhappy. And II
may be doubted whether Wrinkle ever
got such toss in his life as Jim gave
| him that day-all In sport, though, OF
coarse.
When night fell, the circuit preacher.
Methodist South, declared that the field
was ready for the Lords vineyard.
Nothing but few stumps remained to
impede the course of the plOughman.
The underbrush was burning from a
dozen fires. In a single day, in hearty
western fashion, work had been dOnt
which one person must have labored al
| for months. In the house the gossips
had had session of rare comfort.
When all came together at supper it was
a season of great merriment. But after
while the young people began to get
restless. There was good deal oi
whispering, and some half-suppresSed
secret seemed on the wing. When thu
preacher rose to gn there was d general
expression of regret. The whole assem-
blage escorted him and his family to
their wogon. But he had not driven
three hundred yards before there WAS
unmistakable sound of dance-music in
the air. The good man wavered mo-
ment, and then drove straight home and
never heard it.
The wind had changed to the south |
early in the day, and the rain now began
to fall But in the loft Sandy BallOu |
was mounted on nail keg, and was i'd
ding as If his life depended on his zeal.
What pigeOn-wings were cutl what
pressure of hands was exchanged when |
Sandy authorized "alamande leftr' what !
maddening whirls when called. Swing |
partnersl" The rain came down in tor
rents. 1t seemed as if the reservoirs OF |
the heavens had given away. About |
twelve o'clock a wagon load who had |
started for home came back and report |
ed portions of the road caved in by the |
creek. The darkness was almost palpa- !
BILE. 1t was unsafe to venture out |
There was nothing to be done but to |
make night of it. Sandy Ballou started |
| in afresh to fiddle till daylight. A new |
relay of candles was lighted. Some of |
the older folks went to the house, and |
and took turns at getting a little sleep. |
But the younger heels knew no rest.
Antique country-dances that had not
been seen for generations were rususci
tated. Sandy was king. and his brain
seemed store house of forgotten fig /,
ures.
During the afternoon Jim Barker had
picked bunch of delicate memophilas |
and handed them to Alice Winthrop,
saying, "My fate goes with these flow
ers."
| The senior Barker had observed this
action, and was not slow in drawing his
conclusions when, later in the evening,
the fair Puritan appeared with the
dainty offering on her bosom, and Jim