The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-09-29
witt, "Bayley has been in Jail for


debt for the last ten years."
In-jail-for-debt," said Blewitt
"here we are again. / have beer
transplanted. Igiye up; but, say
here is two cents. You send a letter
down to brother John and he will b
up here in a day or two"
"Why, husband, the mail only goes
once a week, and then he will be thres
days coming up on the stage, and
furthermore, it will cost a shilling
twelve cents-to send letter to AL
bany."
"Say," said Blewitt, Gust bury me
will you? / don't belong to this cen.
fury. Stage coaches, twelve cents
postage! Telegraph him, thenl'
There goes another new word, "
said his wife in a solemn voice, and
she wetted a cloth and laid it on his
forehead, as she repeated to herself
telegraph what a funny world"
Blewitt was in despair. Could it
be that all the common things of life
were to him a dream? Had he ever
ridden on the cars? Did he ever own
a moving machine? Was there ever
a telegraph pole in the front of his
house? He turned his eye and looked
out. He only saw the tall post and
long pole of the well sweep. Along
the other side Of the road ran a dense
forest. He was willing to swear that
he had once owned O nice meadow
where that wood was. Backed up
against the log fence was an OK cart
with a heap as large as a young lib
erty pole. Down cellar he could hear
the banging of an old fashioned
churn. Helooked up the road to the
east and saw the road was full of
great hemlock and pine stumps, and
over it the doctor was coming on
horseback, with saddle bags before
him.
Blewitt was a man of determina-
ton, and he arose from the lounge
and went to the door to consult with
his wife.
"Maria," said he, "there has been
enough of this foolishness. You
stare at everything ! talk about, and
I can't locate myself, or seem to fay
in with my surroundings. Now will
you answer me just one question:"
Certainly I willif underestimate"
said she.
"Well, then, who is president of
these ere United States?"
"Why, John Adams, ofcourse, she
said.
Blewitt sank down and whispered:
'"Then you never heard ofCleveland
swingin' round the circle?"
"No, never" she answered.
'"Then all right. Shoot me or put
me in bag and lay me away up
garnet. have got through" said
Blewitt, and he went back to the
lounge and fell asleep.
When he awoke it was Sunday
morning, and the whole family were
stirring around, getting ready for
meeting. His wife of whom he was
somewhat proud, had put on dress
with waist about nine inches long and
a skirt so tight she could hardly walk,
and on her head such a bonnet! 1t
made Blewitt hold his breath, but he
had got through talking. The boys
had on suits Of full cloth and shirt
collars seven inches wide. Blewitt
smiled, and said nothing. At last
Mrs. Blewitt came to him and asked
him if he was going to church.
Certainly, certainly" said he,
anything to accommodate. Tell one
of the boys to hitch horse on the
carriage"
again"
7'Well, then, roared Blewitt, Glitch
on to the stone boat, hitch on the
OK cart, hitch on to anything. Have
it your own way"
"Why, we will go on horseback
you on the saddle, l on the pillion be-
hind" said the wife.
"All right" said Blewitt, and away
they went.
Blewitt made some adverse remarks
about the singing at the church,
which was led by deacon with
fiddle. The sermon was too long too.
1t lasted two hours, On his way
home from church his wife appeared
to be in fear of something and urged
him to hurry up. He asked her what
allied her, and she told him in q
trembling voice that his queer talk
had made the minister think him
and she feared he would
be burned or drowned.
"What kind of a country Is this,
asked Blewitt.
Then Mrs. Blewitt reminded him
that in New England several had
thus died, and that everybody be-
ieves in it and the church was death
On witchcraft.
"Then guess we had better light
out from here" said Blewitt, as he
slapped spurs to his horse.
Away they went, rattle-te-bang,
over stumps and logs and stones,
and there was a rattle and roar be-
hind and he knew they were after him.
They came to log bridge over a
brook, and they struck it SO hard
that down it went, Blewitt and horse
and wife, and with a yell of despair
ne awoke-yes, awoke; for the chair
had tipped too far back, and he was
n a heap on the floor, with his head
n a pan of apples and his feet in Mrs.
Blewitt's work basket. He heard the
,attling yet, and he looked out of
5he window to discover it's source,
and saw that the boys had started
jhe reaper in the field of wheat. One
If the girls had just driven into the
yard with the top carriage, and was
ust taking out his daily mail, and
lad offered him a telegraph dispatch
lbout his hops. His wife was put
ing in q tenor to the racket with
'ewing machine in the front room,
Ind the hired girl was backing the
range.
With q pleased smile Blewitt saun-
cred out to the wheat field, and, as
he reaper stopped, he said: Darn
he good old times! These ERE times
8 good enough for me-"
"What's that father?" said John.
4 thought you was in favor of the
cal, honest, reliable, good old fash |