The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-03-05
UNDER THE LIONS PAW.

,
May fairly claim the bed
s,.------
UNDER THE LIONS PAW.
1t WAS the last Of autumn and the first
day of winter coming together. All day
long the plowmen on their prairie Farms
had moved toand fro on their wide, level
fields through the falling snow, which
melted as fell, wetting them to the skin
all day, Notwithstanding the frequent
squalls of snow, the dripping, desolate
clouds, and the muck Of the furrows,
black and tenacious as tar.
Under their dripping harness the horses
swung to and fro silently, with that mar
yelous, uncomp planning patience which
marks the horse. All day the wild geese,
honking wildly as they sprawlei side
wise down the wind, seemed 10 be flee
ing from an enemy behind. with neck
out thrust and wings extended, sailed
down the wind, soon lost 10 sight
Yet the ploWman behind his plow,
though the snow lay on his ragged great
coat, and the cold, clinging mud rose on
his heavy boots, lettering him like gives,
whlstled in the very beard of the gale.
/ As they passed, the snow, ceasing to melt,
lay along the plowed land and lodged in
the depth Of the stubble, till ON each
slow round the last furrow stood out
black and shining as jet between the
plowed land and the gray stubble-
When night began to fall, and the
geese, flying low, began to alight invis-
IDLY in the near cornheld, Stephen Coun-
ell was at work finishing land" He
rode on his sulky plow when going with
the wind, but walked when facing il.
Sitting bent and cold but CHEEKY under
his sloueh hat, he talked eneouragingly
to his four-in-hand.
Come round there, boys round
agin. We got Z finish this land. Come
in there, Dan. Siiddy, Kate stiddy
None O. y'r tantrums, Kitty It's purity
tough, bat gotta be did. Ichkl icAk!
Step along, Pete? Don't let Kate get y'r
single-tree on the wheel. Once more"
They seemed to know what he meant,
and that this was the last round, for
they worked with greater yigor than be-
fore.
"0nce more, boys, an sez oats and
nice warm stall, and sleep frall"
By the time the last furrow was on the
land it was too dark to see the house,
and the snow changed TO rain. The tired
and hungry man could see the light from
the kitchen shining through the leafless
hedge, and lifting a shout, he yelled,
Supper fr half dozenw
II was nearly eight o'clock by the time
he had finished his chores and started
for supper. He was picking his way
carefully through the mud, when the tall
form of man loonej up before him
with promonitory cough.
Waddy We want 2" was the rather
startled question of the farmer.
Well, We see" began the stranger, in
depressing tone, we'd like { get in
f'r the night. We've tried every house
fr the the last two miles, but they hadn't
room f'r Us. My wife's just about sick,
m the children are cold and hungry"
"Oh, y wants stay all night, eh?"
Yes, sir it 'ud be great accom-"
." Well, don't make it practice ter
turn snybuddy away hungry, not On sech
nights as this Drive right in. We amt
got much, but seeh as it is"
But the stranger had disappeared. And
soon his steaming, weary team, with
dropping heads and swinging single-trees
moved past the well on the block beside
the path. Council stood at the side of
the schooner" and helped the children
oGt-tws little half sleeping children
and then small woman with babe in
her arms.
There you go" he shouted jovially to
the children. :" Nor we're all right Run
right along to the house there, an tell
Nam Council y wants sampthin' Z eat.
Right this way .Aiisses-keep right off 10
the right, there. I'll go an git lantern
Come" he said to the dazed and silent
group at his side
Mother he shouted, as he neared
the fragrant and warmly lighted kitchen,
here are some wayfarers an folks who
need sumpthin' t eat an place to
snooze," he added. pushing them all in.
Mrs Council, large, jolly, rather
coarse-looking woman, took the children
in her arms. ACome right in, you little
rabbits. Most asleep, heyS Now, here's
a drink O milk fr each o ye III have
some tea in minute. Take off y'r things
and set up t the fire."
While she set the children to drinking
milk, Council got out his lantern and
went TO the barn TO help the stranger
about his team, where his loud, hearty
voice could be heard as he came and
went between the hay NOV and the
stalls.
The woman came to light as a small,
timid and discouraged looking woman,
but still pretty in thin and sorrowful
way.
"Land sakes, an you've travelled all
the way from Clear Lake t'-day in this
mud waal, waal. No wonder you're
all tired out. Don't wait for the men.