Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-10-26
THEM HAMS.
True Story Of 7wo Pioneer Girls.
BY ELLA GUERNSEY.

BY ELLA GUERNSEY.
Il hate ter leave ye, gals, but it's q
tase of life and death. Neighbor Widge
las allus bin faithful hand in time of
rouble, an yer mother an me can't
cave him in his need. Lock up the
Bmoke-house, an go to bed airly.
Thieves won't want anything we have.
tnIcss it's them hams. Meats skarse
his season, an thar's gang of idlers
lown to the Pint this winter that1l hey
Ter beg OF steal before warm weather
Eones, I'm afraid"
Thus spoke Farmer New, as he, with
bis good wife Mahala, set out to walk
scross lots to the home of the Widge
amily, "an down with fever" to
spend the night in nursing them
The settlement was new. food scarce,
md the winter severe. and the dozen
plump, juicy hams, nicely sailed in the
Flnoke-house just back Of the good
ncwed log dwelling house, the home of
armer New, his wife and two young
daughters, were treasures to be guarded.
Are you afraid to stay here all night
Without father and mother? Remem-
ber Cynthia, it's two miles to a house,
lnd the whole neighborhood knows
about them hams" ventured Becky
New, timidly looking around as they
walked down to the barn-yard to milk
he brindle and the red COW that
moo-ed," "moo-oo-ed," pleadingly, i'm
patient for food and shelter.
Afraid, Becky? No, no; haven't we
Erandfather's gun?'
Yes, but you can't fire it."
Well, you'll see, if any straggler
comes after them hams, whether I can
fire that gum" retorted Cynthia, the
ELDEST and boldest appearing sister, de-
family swinging her bright milk pail,
which reflected back the rays Of the set
hing sun.
The foaming milk was strained and
deposited in the receptacle made for it in
the smoke-house; then the lock looked
alter by Cynthia, but in her haste and
nervousness she forgot to turn the key
in the paddock.
Becky prepared supper and lighted
the lamp, nearly upsetting it in her
haste.
What was that noise? Some
body is trying the window in
the big room," whispered Becky,
as the east wind blew briskly.
penetrating the crevice between the logs
Of the walls and rattling the stiff blue
paper window blinds.
"stragglers don't come prowling
around SO airly in the evening; I've left
Guess out to guard the house he'll bark
an tear around if anybody shows them
selves. Let's do the dishes and so to bed.
There's one comfort-nobody knows
that father an mother are gone" said
cynthia, consolingly, as she, with
Becky's help, washed the pink blue
delf cups and platters, which had been
for years the pride Of Mother News
heart.
The clock struck ten before all the
household tasks were completed, and
Cynthia and Becky stood, nightgowned
and capped, before the huge open fire
place, where big hickory backlog
slowly burned.
Mothers bed, plump and white, the
soft wool blankets turned back, was
IN readiness, and Grandfather News
shotgun, an ancient piece, which had
not been "shot off" for many months,
Was placed beside the bed, just where
cynthia could "lay her hands on it in
moments time"
IN all the fourteen years of her life,
Becky had never before been left with
only Cynthia for company over night
:eid a fear was in her heart driving from
uef pillow all thoughts of slumber
Nsnthia, however, soon slept the sleep
" tired, healthy country la~sie.
= Eleven, twelve, strokes of the clock
Becky counted, and all was quiet. save
"nen the wind sprang up. She be-
gan to grow tired of her vigilance,
'liough she had determined to watch all
night.
One oielock-she heard the stroke
.uo"sly. Suddenly there came clst'
Ter Of loud noises which seemed to pro-
,3eo from the direction of the smoke
'1'ase, and Cynthia, too, was aroused.