The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-07-19
ADINNER OF NETTLES.

lie had a canvas-covered wagon and span
of tho wickedest. most forlorn looking mules
that you could we'll imagine. In the wagon
was packed all his earthly possessions, in
Guiding wife and four children.
There was also of his party an Irish lad
named Kelly, who had been but a short time
in this country, and who left life of misery
in Ireland, in hopes OF lettering himself here.
Bunkers load had been too heavy at the
start for the mules to draw, and keep up with
the rest, so at the first stoppage he auctioned
off what could be best spared, for any sum he
could get.
After that all went we'll for many days.
Then one morning when they were prepar.
ing for start, one of the mules gave an ex-
hibition of temper that was APPALLING. He
kicked and plunged about, biting and kick
ing at everyone who tried to approach him,
ending the matter by throwing himself in
such way as to put one shoulder out of
joint.
Then he was meek as lamb while the meE
put it in place, but when the harness was put
on him, and he was hitched to the wagon he
bothering for several honrs, Banker was
forced to stand and see the rest OF the train
disappear in the distance without HIM
The children cried loudly, Mrs. Bunker
quietly wiped her eyes, while Tom Kelley,
who had emphatically refused to go on with
the rest, muttered, bad cess till the bother
in creature. Az We lave our bones between
this an the big rocks: it's him as will be till
blamp!'
Bunker himself looked g1um, and blamed
the trainsmen for leaving him. But provi-
visions were getting scarce, and the Indians
had driven pretty much all tho game from
their route. Grave fears were enterta aimed of
suffering from hunger ere their destination
was reached, even at the best rate of speed
they could make.
AS soon as tho train disappeared. Tim and
Bunker fixed their Damp for a comfortable
stay. There was a scant growth Of timber,
and a clear stream of water ran merrily by
1t WAS July, and the weather was fine.
Fourdays passed quietly and uneventfully,
and by constant application Of cold water,
the beasts shoulder was SO far improved,
that, though doubtful of the wisdom of the
move, Bunker hitched up, and slowly started
along the trail.
For two days they journeyed on,
then the folly of starting SO soon be-
came apparent: The mules shoulder be.
came badly swollen, and the third morning he
laid down when Tim aud Bunker tried to
harness him, and all their efforts were of no
avail to induce him to RISE
They had camped for the night, long
ways from water, and our travellers were
about discouraged. What they used that
day was brought by Tim from little lake
nearly a mile away.
Next morning they managed to remove to
the vicinity OF the lake, made themselves as
comfortable as was possible. and waited with
as much patience as they could for the time
when they could make another start.
More than week went by. Rain fell
heavily for two days and you can we'll an
derstand how uncomfortable our friends
were.
Provisions became scarce. and there was
no game about. They had reached y region
where there was timber, not heavy, but con-
tlnuous, and when one day the children
asked for food and there was none to give
them, Bunker put the harness upon the mules
and started on.
The day was overcast and cloudy, and
without much thought. he started upon a
course he was sure would intcrsect the trail
followed by the train. But after travelling
oil day, and notindingit, he became alarmed
A solitary jack rabbit furnished them with
a meal, and next morning he undertook to
retrace his way.
His wagon was lightly loaded, and the
ground very hard in places, no no impression
WIS made, Visible to inexperienced ewes, and
after few hours Bunker was forced to &C.
knowledge himself hopelass:y lost,
lie knew he had gone south of the trail to
encamp near the lake, 20 when the sun came
out, he took his bearings, and turning due
north, jouTneyed on.
So for days. A few birds, shot now and
then. kept lie in their bodies, but at last it
seemed they must starve.
III no food is found by noon to-day" de-
clarcd Bunker on the morning Of the tenth
day OF their wanderings, IL shall kill one of
the mules"
His heart was wrung b;' the sight of his
children sufcrings. and although he knew
upon the mules depended their ever getting
to place OF safety, ne determined to e.cri-
ice them, rather than to see the little 1nes
starve. All the forenoon, he and Tom
tramped the woods on each side of the route
pursued by the wagon, on the alert for any
thing which would do for food
Ten o'clock.
Bunker looked at his watch and look of
stern determination came over his face, but
he continued on, gun in hand, his watchful
eye searching every grove and thicket as he
passed them.
They were just entering small clearing.
and Bunker was assuring the poor children
TINT they should soon have food, when a
great shouting was heard in advance, which
caused the mules to quicken their pace and
aroused the attention Of ALL
"Och. Misther Bunky! but here's the foine
atein' intirely! Faithen We'll not be stharvin'
now! Make haste wid foire, an get the
pot forninst it, Gu we'll have faste fit for a
king!'
He was carfring and shouting 80 excited'y
that oil peered eagerly about for a sight of
the promised food, but there was apparently
nothing visible near him but an immense bed
of nettles.
Close by was the ruins Of log cabin, its
blackened condition showing plainly by
what agency it had been destroyed. beau
tiful spring Of water dubbed from among
the roots Of towering pine, and danced
lonely but beautiful place. and had
been happy home perhaps, one day.
When the children could zee no food thew
began to cry in a disappointed way.
'Arrah now hush up wild We! Wen soon
have ye filed to your mouth wild good ate
in'.''
Then while they all looked on in bewildered
surprise, he quickly built fire, and hung a
kettle over it. Then he put in some water
from the spring, a handful of salt, and pro-
ceeded to crowd the kettle full of the tender
est shoots of the nettles, poked the fire until
it blaZed right mer.iiy, then leaving his
'grcens" to cook, sat down beside the fret
ting children and began telling them wonder
full stories Of life in "Oireland,' until in
laughing at his lroll speeches, they almost
forgot their hunger.
This he kept up for half an hour, peeping
occasionally into the kettle, whose contents
steamed right merrAy, and keeping the fire
roaring. At the end of that time, he dishcd
out quantity of well-cooked greens, and in
.vited them to partakc
All did SO, and found the queer
food very satisfying, if not very pal
atable. When asked by Mrs Bunker
how he knew nettles were good to eat Tim
replied, mournfully:
Dear lady, yeneyer stharved in Oirland or
ye wud never askl"
Compwas made and in the afternoon Tim
electrified all by bringing in Il hatful ofpota-
toes, which he had found in what had once
been a garden, and Bunker shot jack rab-
bit. Poor children! How greedily they
watched the food asst cooked, and how eager
II the little thin hands were outstretched to
clutch n share when offered.
Next day refreshed and rc-iryigoratcd they
started on their way, and q hnlf-day's travel
brought them to the camp of long
wagon train, which was stopping for day to
rest and recruit their stock
Then Bunker received some information
that staggered him. He was more than
hundred miles from tho trail no had lost 50
long before. This train was en- route for Or