The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-01-18

MtAlNAgtG bapfN AahA MY f ~
work in the field. The November rain
had cArpcied the ground with Wild now
ers bu, these were unheeded. The lppine
hloomed 10 vain. Other hosers erep'
close 10 the sod and hid their maideni,
beauty from proclamation. But all we're
alike uusonght There Was men = work 70
he done. Grca, trees were stripped and
aciormed like torsos Of mighty giants.
one half the force we're chopping Of the
trees still standing Every moment some
monarch would tremble. try to steady
himself for second. and then fall with
resounding crash to the earth. A score OF
foes were upon him at once HIS hundred
arms we're Topped from his body HIS
life blood sank into the thirsty earth, and
the place that knew him in his pride knew
him no more. As fast as the logs were
ready chains were passed around them,
the oxen we're hitchcd to them and they
were drawn to designated spots and ar
ranged in orderly piles. When Alice
Winthrop came down to the field with
dozen girls about her own age, and
looked out OF her great brown eyes upon
the strange scene, what splendid leafs OF
strength were done With what magnif-
cent grace these men moved now who we're
so awkward in the honsel and how jim
Barker hated young Winkle for shoulder
ing an immense log with apparent ease.
Once in a while couple Of tho young
sters got into wrestling match. Then a
rest was declared for fiye minutes to watch
the throw. During the incoming there
were several Of these, aud Jim Barker had
n set.to with young Winkle which was
more than half in earnest. 1t had leaked
ont somehow that the former was very
much interested in the new family, or in
a part of it at least, and Jim had iokingly
offered to cut him out. Now jim VAS IN
that miserable state of uncertainty when
the mere suggestion OF such possibility
made him wofully unhappy. And IL may
be doubted if Winkle ever got such a toss
in his life as Jim gave him that daS-aii
IN sport, though, Of course
When night fell, the circuit preacher,
Methodist South, declared that the field
was ready for the Lords vineyard. Moth
ing but few stumps remained to impede
the course OF the ploughman. The nm
derbrush was burning from dozen fires.
In single day, in hearty Western fash
ion. work had besn done which one person
must have labored at for months. In the
house the gossips had had a rare session
of comfort. When all came together ut
supper it was season OF great merriment.
But after awhile the young people began
to get restless. There was good deal OF
whispering, and some half-suppressed Sc
cret seemed on the wing. When the
preacher rose to go there was general ex-
preston Of regret. The whole assemblage
escorted him and his family to the wagon
But he had not driven three hundred yards
before there was an unmistakable sound of
dance music in the air The good man
wayered moment and then drove straight
home and mover heard it.
The wind bad changed TO the south
early in the day, and the rain now began
to fall. Bnt il the loft Sandy Bsllou was
mounted on nail keg, ard was fiddllng
as if his life depended on his zeal. What
pigeon wings were cut! What pressure OF
hands we're exchanged when Sandy auth
orized "alamande left" What madden
ing when he called, 'Swing' partnersF
The rain came down in torrents. IL
seemed as il the reservoirs OF Heaven had
given way. About twelve o'clock a wagon
load which had started for home, came
back and reported portions Of the road
caved in by the creek. The darkness was
almost palpable. 1t was unsafe to ven
ture 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 fresh candles was lighted.
Some of the older folks went to the house,
and took turns at getting little sleep,
but the younger heels knew no rest. An
tiaue country dances that had not been
seen for generations were resuscltated.
ANDY was king, and his brain seemed
store house OF forgotten tigues
During the afternoon Jim Barker had
picked bunch of delicate nemophilas and
handed them to Alice Winthrop, saying:
"My fate goes with these flowers.
The senior Barker had observed this ac-
ton and was not slow to draw his own
conclusions, when, later in the evening,
the fair Puritan appeared with the dainty
Offering on her bosom. and jim had an
awkward expression ofuncontainable hap
piness. A little after four o'clock horses
we're harnessed, and as Jim helped his
father into the wagon, the latter said IN
terrogatively, "Well?"
But Jim kept his eyes resolutely tow
ards the east and answered: "The dawn is
Just breaking"
whereupon Uucle Billy whipped up
bis horses and said quizzcalIy, "Yes. Jim,
/ s'pose it is. ."-Hppers Magazine.