Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-01-03

BY the time the family were dressed
and hasty breakfast snatched, the
army of attack had taken possession
ofeverything 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-rollings. Those who believe
that the American blood is running
out, should strike an average on the
children present at one of these occa-
sions. Polly Wrinkle assumed command
of the women and children, by no
other right, that know of. than that
she most nearly realized Napoleons s
definition of the greatest 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 commodious loft in the barn. Here
from each wagon was brought such an
array of dainties and sweetmeats as
would have doubled up less hardy
race for the rest of the year. A table
was improvised. the stove was re-
moved to the loft, and by noon asmok
ing dinner was on the board.
Meantime moro than fifty men were
at work in the field The November
rain had carpeted the ground with
wild flowers, but those were unheeded.
The lupine bloomed in vain. The
gaudy eschscholtzia Haunted It's colors
unheeded. The timid nemophila 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 strip
ped and deformed, like torsos of
mighty giants. One-half the force
were chopping at the trees yet stand
ing Every few moment some mon
arch would tremble, try to steady him
Self for a second and then fall with a
resounding crash To the earth. 4 score
of woes were upon him at once. His
hundred arms were Topped from his
body. His life-bloUd sank into the
thirsty earth. The place that knew
him in his pride knew him no more.
As fast rs the logs were ready, chains
were passed around them, the oxen
were harnessed TO them and they
were drawn to designated spots, and
arranged in orderly piles. When Alice
Winthrop came down 10 the field with
dozen girls about her own age, and
looked out Of her great brown eyes
upon the strange scene, what splendid
feats of strength we're done, With
what magnificent grace these men
moved now who were 50 awkward in
the house, and how Jim Barker hated
young Winklee for shouldering an inn
mense log with such apparent ease,
Once in while a couple Of young
sters got into a wrestling match
Then a rest was declared for five
minutes to watch the throw. During
the incoming there were several of
these. and Jim Barker had set-to
with young Wrinkle. which was more
than half in earnest 1t had leaked
out somehow that the former was very
much interested in the new family. or
/ in part of Il at least. and Wrinkle had
Z jokingly offered 10 "cut him ost. p"
/ Now Jim was in that miserable state
of uncertainty when the mere sug-
gestion of such possibility made him
wofully unhappy. And 1t may be
doubted whether Wrinkle ever got such
toss in his life "a Jim gave him that
day all in sport. though. Of course.
When night fell. the circuit preacher,
Methodist South. declared that the
field was ready for the Lords vine.
| yard. Nothing but few stumps re
mained TO impede the course Of the
ploughman. The underbrush was
bnrning from a dozen fires. In q
single day. in hearty western fashion
work had been done which one person
, must have labored at for monthA In
the house the gossips had had session
Of rare comfort. When all came to-
gether at supper II was season oi
great merriment. But after while
the young people began to get restless
There was good deal of whispering
and some half-suppressed secret seem
ed on the wing. When the preacher
rose 20 go there was general expires
sion OF regret. The whole assemblag'
csc rted him and his family to theii
wagon. But he had not driven thre'
hundred yards before there was an un
mistakable sound of dance music In