The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-25
A GREEN CHRISTMAS.
A Red-Lctter Day in the Life Of
Absalom Strong.
"It's terrible, isn't it?''

''It's ter bic, isn't it?"
Old AbSalOm Strong stood in his shed
door and looked out into the falling rain.
As he had said, it was indeed disagree
able, that is if the quantity of rain could
make it so. The month of December
was wearing away and with it was van
iShing the signs of winter. The snow
had come early; the ground had been
previously well frozen; the swamps filled
with water and everything indicated
regular old-fashioned New England
winter
Absalom Strong had contracted to
haul a large quantity of hemlock bark
to 4 tannery number of miles away,
and from all appearances would have
made an excellent thing out of it had
it not been for the sudden collapse of
all these fairy air-castles, or rather frost
castles, for spite of the aforesaid favor
able representations, the chilling breath
of winter had given place to almost
springlke mildness, and AhsalOm
Srong's hauling road. which led across
n long stretch of boggy land, became
suddenly impossible, and his horses
munched their hay and oats in idleneSs.
RainStorm followed rainstorm. and now
as Christmas time drew near the snowy
landscape had given place to bare
ground, Slush and ice.
This pcslly rain wa mt needed an |
can't tell fer the life o me why come"
said the sharp voice of Mrs. Strong. as
she came and stood with arms akimbo,
beside her lord and master in the wide
door of the shed.
AhSalom was exceedingly well-todO
and much Of their prosperity. so the
neighborS asserted. he owed To his care
full, saving, scrimpiug helpmeet. who
tOiled early and late, and whom he
almost invariably consulted on all bust
ness matters, though for once in this
bark-hauling arrangement he had neg
lected to do 50.
You Il lose money on this spec, any
way" continued Mrs. Strong. or Aunt
Polly as she was generally called. "Ef
you'd a asked me I'd told We bettern'
TO take the job so cheap"
Il thought sure. Polly" answered
Mr.. Strong, in as plaintive voice as he
could command, THAT Id make a good
thing out of it, but
But" snapped his amiable partner.
this ere talkin' about ifs and butts and
all sech like don't do no good I've
told We, time an agin; to alavs leave
little leeway. sorter margin; same's
when We start load in the snow We
want a chance to rack the sled.
shouldn't be surprised eff We died in the
pOOr-houSe.
Absalom WINGED and looked furtively
at his wife. who had assumed an orator
zeal attitude and was swinging her bony
right arm in rather dangerous proximity
to his prominent nose. Then he turned
his wrinkled face toward the watery
outlook again.
At this moment half-grown boy.
bearing strong resemblance to AbSa-
lom, came hurrying into the shed, shak-
ing the moisture from his clothing like
a huge dog just emerged from a bath.
''Well, " said both parents, in breath,
81 thought We was helpin' 81 Wallace |
finish off his tie-up."
80 l was" returned the youthful |
Strong. But We see the Wilder |
Nason's COW Slipped on the ice an hurt |
her SOS she couldn't get up, an ST. he
went an helped get her into the barn |
There want any money in it, an so | |
am home. Guess she'll lose the cow"
'MasSy sake; it's all the cow they've
got. What'll she do now" said Absa-
Iom as his son ceased speaking.
faint nothin' to YOU how she gifts
along, Alb Strong" broke in Polly Nth
considerable show of spirit. ''Ef you're
sagoin' to carry all their burdens where
do We s'pose well end our days?"
Il hain't carryin' their burdens. am
II" retorted Absalom Cant l be
sorry if they're in trouble?'
''Of course Y can be sorry, but y're
-aIays givin' away somethin'. Last
spring We give Pete Jones pig"
Twas runt, an want with rails
IN" interrupted the more charitablv
disposed husband. but Polly was not
silenced
AN then We give away calf last
That calf, We know, was half sick,
an the feed he'd eat was with morn
he'd be in the spring. So didn't lose
nothin' on him" again interposed Alb
salon.
Polly's teeth came together with a
v'n'nr'S snap. See here now. Alb. don't