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

/ ""o cVois BhVN Wuih pcAoIe ~ WIS oNc'
fourth over.
The hotter grew the day, the faster
John Miles worked. His strong arm
seemed never 10 tire. Starting Ia With
a merry whistle he kept u up through
the entire day The higher rose the
sun, The hotter the day became, the
faster he worked, the shriller sour 1ed
his whistle over the field,
Walter made manly effort TO keep
pace with hiai, but found that impos
sihle,
The perspiration streamed down his
heated face, and even through his
shit. The corn blades chaffed bis
neck and the side Of his face, Until
every stroke he made caused intense
pain. But he had started to do or die,
aud made no complaint On the road
was weary tramp and starvation; hero
was labor and pain, but food and shell
ter. He contrasted his pleasant labori-
GUS condition, with his life of few
months ago. How different How he
had been humiliated. The sense Of
the great wrongs he had endured,
seemed TO steel his arm and rouse his
fainting spirits.
Try az he would he could not COM
pete with the robust son of his employ
er Like raging hurricane John
Miles swept around Walter, leaving
naught but the bare field. while the in
experienced youth was struggling with
few hills Of corn.
Would that arm never tire, would
that piercing whistle never ceasep
thought Walter, as he struggled to
keep up with the young farmer. John
saw that he was doing all in his power
20 keep pace with him, and knowing
that no farmer in the entire fiat could
do that, he did not attempt to hurry
him. Thus hour after hour passed.
To the painting Walter, IL seemed
ages; John Miles seemed to gain un-
tired strength and rapidity with each
stroke. His blows fell faster and he
heaped the corn up higher while his
whistle sounded louder and shriller
upon the morning air.
They had been continually advauc-
ing into the dense wilderness, and there
had seemed no end to il. Not breeze
was stirring or could stir in that dense
corn, to cool the brow of the almost
fainting youth.
az AATA hnNA hAo htdu EItM HthNA
and throbbing, when he was dizzy
from heat, and felt as though he was
chilly instead of warm, they suddenly
burst through the wilderness, and
neat little farm cottage that stood in a
grove OF elms and oaks, was just across
the fence.
Let's go to Uncle Dams and git
drink" said John, as the last shock
OF fodder in the row was completed,
sticking the knife in the ground.
Walter was willing to do any thing
which promised a momentary respite
from the sultry heat Of the burning
sun.
The sweet, cool breeze came to kiss
his forehead the moment he emerged
from the tall. dense corn.
They climbed the fence, and walked
through the grove of elms to the cot
tage door.
A pleasant-faced old man. near sixty
years Of age, was sitting on the front
porch in his large. easy armchair. en-
joying the cool breeze that swept
round his cottage.
Hello, John. We have been at
work this mornin'?" said the old
gentleman. who's this ye got with
YEP"
This is our new hand. Walter
Brownfield,h answered John with his
native awkwardness.
"Wall, how dye do, Walter?" said
the old gentleman, arising and ex-
tending his hand 20 that individual.
" 1Ou boys must sit down on the
porch, for l know you are hot and
tired; take cheers?n and he placed
two split bottoms for them.
"We're nearly choked for n drink,
Uncle Dan, said John.
"In course ye are; might knowed
il; jest sit still an I'll 90 an git some
fresh water from the spring"
The old gentleman put on his hat.
took his cane and went into the cot
tage, where he told his wife, pleasant
old lady known all over the Hat as
Aunt Margaret, TO hand him the water
bucket.
Aunt Margaret came out to talk to
the tired boys. The awkward John
Miles did not attempt another intro
duction, so Walter was compelled to
sit in embarrassing silence until the
motherly old lady asked him his name,
where he was from, all about his par
ents, and numerous other questions FAR
more embarrassing than the silence.
Uncle Dan returned with a cedar
bucket (they call pail bucket in the
WesD full Of cold water, and n gourd.
Walter sure he never drank water
so sweet, so clear and cold. and had not
the kind old lady cautioned him against
drinking too much while he was warm
the result might have been disastrous
TO his health.
How long hev We been in this
neighborhood, Walter?" asked Uncle
Dan.
" | only came yesterday" answered
" alter
well, how long hey ye been farm
ing?"
This might be called my first trial
at hard work. "
The old gentleman opened his eyes
wide, and looked at John Miles.
81 guess it's so, said John, with
grin on his broad face. He was as
awkward in the corn this morning as
I'd be in Dave Blacks store; but he
larnt most tarnatiOn quick, and he's
grit. by hockey"
They took another drink each from
the gourd, and then returned to the
field TO cut another row Of shocks be-
fore dinner.
i wonder why that young chaps
workin' on farmP He looks like he'd
do better as skule teacher, a lawyer
or a clerk in some store" said Aunt
Margaret.
% don't know" said Uncle Dan,
sitting in his great rustic char and
watching the young man as he climbed
the fence.
IL don't know why he's here in the
Flat, but know he's all right. He's
a good honest young man. ! can see
from his face.