Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-08-26

Walter Browniield cast last look,
mt the wagon as it rolled away with the
farmer and his pretty daughter, then
heaving sigh, followed John Miles to
the cornfield.
''Did you ever cut corn bcfore?n
asked the young Hercules, when they
came to the corniield.
mo, never did, - answered Walter.
''Well, sir, then you'll hev to be
keeriul or yen split your shin open. ="
'HowP"
Don't you see these corn knives is
sharpP"
Yes"
''Well when We take n hill of corn
this way wrapping his strong left
arm around large hill OF heavy stalks,
blades and ears and drawing il toward
him. "Ihcre We see. when We strike
il about a foot from the ground with
your knife, you have TO strike toward
ye; and if ye don't watch itll 20 clear
through the corn an into Your shin. 4"
"Ies, sir, perceive. said the unin-
itiated farmer you must so regulate
the force OF your blow that it will lust
sever the stalks of corn, and vet not
strong enough to do yourself bodily
HARM added Walter.
The illiterate John Miles looked at
the new farm hand with surprise
His smooth sentences were pleasant
even TO Johns uncducated ear His
eye surveyed the slender form of the
youth from foot 10 broad high forehead
and then remarked:
well, ye may not be much on the
work, but by the tarnation. We know
how to handle your mother tongue
which Is more than do
'But you have a large fine manly
form. You are gifted by God with the
strength OF four men like myself, Of
which you should be proud"
''Hes, said John, with a sigh, 81
was made big-so was the OK; and to be
big in this world Is TO be drudge.
You are one o. these genteel fellers
what kin talk like book; somethin' |
never could learn when a boy"
Learn 1t now, since you are a
man, said Walter.
81 m too big and aint got time TO go
10 school. Pinkey is the only one % us
children who could learn at school"
''iou need not go to school to learn
a great many things about the parts Of
speech
How'll / learn, then?"
''At home"
'Got no teacher"
81 could teach YOU
"But we have TO work"
you will find an idle moment &C
easionally, which, ifproperly improved,
would accomplish wonders in the
course of time"
The young man scratched his head
a moment thOughtfully, and then said:
'P'raps sOmethin' could be done in
that way, but we must get TO work
here, or wen make no show afore
noon.
He then proceeded TO show Walter
into the mysteries of starting shock
Of fodder.
'You help me on the first row
through, and we kin each bring a row
back, he said TO Walter.
The corn was large and heavy with
giant stalks and blades that made the
Held seem wilderness. John am
nounced that they would cut the first
twelve hill square. SO he counted six
from the south side and six from the
west They started In at tho south
west corner Then he took four hills
that formed a square IN the center and
binding them diagonally took the tops
50 as to form rude coop.
That's the skeleton explained
John ION which we build the shock"
lie then commenced work, graspiny
n hill in his left arm he held ii close 10
his shoulder, with one blow of his
heavy sword-like knife he severed the
entire hill. Then TO the next, the next,
and the next in such rapid succession
until he had gathered sufficient 10
make a large armful when he bore Il TO
the skeleton and stood up against It
almost straight, the butt end down and
the top up.
Walter stood for few moments
watching his tutor and saw gradually
and even rapidly growing around him
a clear spot He began 10 initiate tho
example Of John Miles. with parsial
success
lie was as awkward in this AS John
Miles would have been IN drawing.
room, and the warning cry OF 'look
out for your shins" frequently came 10
bis ears.
hut after short time he became
moro skilled Ia the use OF his heavy
sword, and found ihat hy ordinary
caro- thelp would bo no danger OF even
slight wound.
ehook nlter shock X TAN stalks roso
|U tho NrII INNYiun 4 hroud trail Do-