The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-09-05

proudly. 1t looked neat and precise
but was as cold and damp as the tomb
The lonely old man had faithfully swep
and busted, and kept everything where
his wife had placed, even her work bas
kct, with needle sticking in the hall
finished gingham sleeve.
George and / tookthe spare room, and
4 built fire and aired the bedding In
a few days grew competent to take
charge of the house, put things WHERE
she had placed them, and cook the sim
bple meals--and these were very simple
for grandfather was poor. Two OLD
horses, two cows and a calf comprised
the stock.
81 don't hev no luck VII poultry
Charley" he said. He called me Char.
ley, for Chsrllne was too ''new tangled, u
and Charley was the name of his dead
son. "Mother used to raise a sight, but
arter she went they begun dyin', and
what didn't die was eat by cayotes."
The last day of my first week ON the
ranch Miss Bessie Little rode up to the
cabin on her coal-black horse. She was
sweet-faced girl, blue-eyed and yellow
haired and rode beautifully. She made
herself at home, petted George, and 1,
shy as was, found myself conflding to
her all my troubles and hopes. She sym.
pathized with me and helped me, cutting
frock for George and basque for me,
and when she rode off, she promised to
come often.
The next day wagon came from her
home, and In it was fine rooster and six
hens, and big bundle of clothing tha,
she had outgrown and that fitted me.
How drearY the howls of the cayotes
were at night, especially when one of
their number was killed. The would
seem to unite in a chorus of maledic.
| tions.
Miss Bessie rode up one day, and al
her heels was an overgrown shepherd
puppy, with big paws and jolly little
black eyes.
"Here's cayote exterminator, Grand
father Byers," she said, as she jumped
from the saddle, and the black horse fel
eagerly to eating the short, crisp buffalo
grass, just as though he was not stuffeC
at home.
She initiated the cayote's cry; the dos
bristled, his eyes shot fire, he looked II
all points of the compass, and then, will
a fierce howl, tore madly around the
house.
ThroughMlssBessie kindness founC
a ready market for my eggs and chick
ems, ,and for the butter learned to make
and she showed me how to clay butte
down" for winter use.
Though she never had to work, sh
knew every task in farmers wife's ex
I istence: and perhaps it was best, fo
there was young man living near he
fathers ranch, who himself owned BIZ
ranch, and who took tea every Sunda.
afternoon with her father, and went t,
church down in the village every Sunda,
evening with her.
About two miles from our ranch wer
three low hills, or mounds. Behind one
in sort of valley, hedged in by tn
hills and facing the plains, was a wei
ninety feet deep, called, regret to say
"Byer's folly" Poor grandfather ha'
had the well dug, hoping to obtain tn
water to irrlgate his land. He coul
not see ahead to the time when a com
pany of capitalists would intersect tn
region with irrigating bitches, and eacl
mans land could be benefited by payin
a small annual water-tax.
Grandfather's money gave out befor
the well was finished land the wide, deep
; black hole, carelessly crossed by rottel
boards, and big pile of earth, was al
| that was left of his labor and his fortune
Not only was his money sunk in tn
hole, but also large sums borrowed iron
Mr.. Little, who knew, had forgiven it
and five hundred dollars borrowed iron
a Mr. DAVIDSON, of D., and to this maj
, our ranch was mortgaged.
) Grandfather grew gloomy and sad a
spring came on. He frightened up
little when showed him my accoun
book, Miss Bessie showed me how {,
keep it,-and l proved to him hoy
much money had made with the hen
and the butter; but he sighed momen
after.
''Ef l hadn't a. done that, how com
ferable we'd a been. You're sich
smart girl, son more'n a gal, Charley
But Davieson's hard man; dunno a
ter-morrer'll find us with roof to cove
us, and it's fine property too, now tn
irrigatng ditch crosses it,"
He seemed to take little interest in tn
farmwork. He would harness the horse
plow few furrows and then stand in
helpless attitude, looking toward D.
He would wander down to the road Il
ask passers if they had letter for him
and then would sit outside the kitcheI
door, his face hidden in his hands
George, playing near by, would try t,
comfort him in his loving baby way.
One day, however, a man came up ol
horseback. He tossed me letter-I'v,
hated yellow envelopes ever since-fo
grandpa, who was down the field will
his team;t was such a sunny March day
it gave him new life for his work
could not bear TO take it, so pu
Georges sunbonnet on him, and pinneC
the letter to his frock, and with a BIZ
cookie in his hand, sent him down Z
'dampa.'
They came back later, hand in hand
the same old horses following. Grand
father hurried past me into his chamber
and shut the door, His face was ash