Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-04-04
THE LIONS PAW

IL was the last OF autumn and the nrst
day OF winter coming together. All day
long the plowmcn on their farms had NOV
ed to and fro on their wide, level fields
through the falling snow. which melted AS
it fell, wetting them To the Skin-all day,
notwithstanding the frequent squalls Of
snow, the dripping, desolate clouds, and
the muck of the iurrows, black and tcnac-
iOus as tar.
Under their dripping harness the horses
swung to and fro silently, with that mar
velous, accomplishing patience which
marks the horse. All day the wild geese,
honking wildly as they sprawled side-wise
down the wind, seemed TO be fleeing from
an enemy behind, with neck out-thrust
and wings extended, sailed down the wind,
soon lost to 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 him gives, whs-
led in the very beard of the gale. As they
passed, the snow, ceasing to melt, lay
along the plowcd land 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 invisibly in the
near cornfield Stephen Council was at
work finishing a land" lie rode on his
sulky plow when going with the wind, but
walked when facing it. Sitting bent and
cold but CHEEKY under his slouch hat, he
talking encouragingly to his four in hand.
Come round there, boys!-round agin!
We got Z finish this land. Come in there,
Dan. Stiddy, Kate! steady None o y'r
ti.ntrums, Kitty! It's purity tough, but got
be did. Tchki tehn 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, tor they
worked with greater yigor than before.
"0nce more, boys, an SEE | oats and
nice warm stall, aud sleep fr all.
BY the time the last turrow was on the
land il 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 Ieafless hedge.
and lifting a shout, he yelled, "Supper fr
half a dozen"
1t was nearly eight o'clock by the time
he had finished his chores and started for
supper. lie was picking his way carefully
through the mud, when the tall form of
man loomed up before him with plemon-
itory cough.
'Waddy ye want'' was the rather start
led question of the farmer.
"Well, yc see" began the stranger, in
a dcprecating tone, "we'd Ike Z get in FIR
the night We've tried every house fr the
two miles, but they hadn't room fr us. Ny
wite'5 just about sick, n the children are
cold and hungry"
ooh, y want-a stay all night ehf"
'1es, sir; it nd be great accom-"
'Well, / don't make it II practice ter
turn anybuddy away hungry, not on sech
nights as this. Drive right in. We amt
got much, but scch as 1t is"
But the stranger had disappeared And
soon his steaming. weary team, with droop-
ing heads and swinging single trees moved
past the well on the block beside the path.
Council stood at the side of the SCHOONER"
hn1 hu ,,t4t NO la
half-sleeping children-and then a small
woman with a babe in her arms.
There you go!" he shouted jovially to
the children. "Nor were all right. Run
right along to the house there, an tell
Nam Council y wants sumrthin' Z eat.
Right this way Misses-kecp right OFF to
the right. there. I'll go an git lantern.
Come" he said to tho dazed and silent
group at his side.
'Mother," he shouted, 40 he neared the
fragrant and warmly lighted kitchen,
''here are some waylarer5 an folks who
need sumpthin' eat an aplace to snooze, 3"
he added, pushing them all in.
Mrs. Council, large, jolly, rather coarse
looking woman, took the children in her
arms. Come right in, you little rabbits.
Most asleep, hey7 Now, here's drink O.
milk fr each o ye. I'll have some tea in
minute. Take off y's thing and set up Z
the FIRE"
While she set the children to drinking
milk, Council got ont 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 ana went between
the hay NOW and the stalls
The woman came to light as small,
timid and discouraged looking woman but
still pretty i'll n thin and sorrowful way.
Land sakes! am you've travelled all the
way from Clear Lake t'day in this mud
WAL, wal! No wonder you're all tired out.
Don't wait for the men. MisseaA' She hes
itated, waiting for the name.
"Haskins"
Misses Haskins, set right up to the Ia,
Bile an take good swig o that tea, while
| make y some toast It's green tea, an
it's good | tell Council as | git older /
don't seem to enjoy Young Hyson mr. Gun
powder. / want the reel green tea, Jest as
it comes of n the vines. Seems L have
more heart in it some way. Don't s'pose
it has Council says it's all i'll m eye"
Going ON in this easy way she soon had
the children filed with bread and milk and
the woman thor oughly at home, eating
some toast and sweet melon pickles, and
slipping the tea.
See the little rats, she laughed at The
children. They're full as they can stick
now, an they want to go To bed. Now,
don't git up, Misses Haskins; set where
you are. a let me look after en-. ! know
all about young ones, though Pm all alone
now. Jane went and married last fall.
But, as l tell Council, it's lucky We keep
our health. Set right there, Misses Has
k!ns, | won't have you stir finger"
! 1t wa5 an unmeasured pleasure 10 sit
rlere in the warm, homely kitchen, the
! JOvial chatter of the housewife driving out
and holding at hay the growl of the inpo-
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