The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-02-25
The HOWARD LITERARY.
THE TIPTONS.

Not long since the Towards had
glimpse of Ben's unpleasant country
home. and 7 fear to the boys at least, the
world seemed none the better for Ben
having lived in it. Come with me and
will give YOU pieasanter view of country
life in the family of the Tiptons. which
consists of five bright, happy children.
Walter. the eldest, is tail, manly boy OF
eighteen, while Nellie, two years younger,
rather small for her age, is healthy,
rosy-cheeked school girl.
Gertie has Just passed her twelfth year,
and is a source Of great pleasure to her
mother in the way of taking care of little
Robbie and Baby May, always keeping
them neat and clean, aud amusing them
in various ways until mamma gets back
into the sitting-room. It's o'clock, and
Walter and his two sisters have come
from school, having placed their booksand
wraps in their proper places. Nellie has
donned a clean calico and large kitchen
apron and IS busily engaged helping her
mother prepare the evening meal. Wal
Ter is choring about the barn, the while
whistling contentedly as he passes the
stalls of the well-kept animals;
he stops for a moment Patting each
one affectiOnately; the black pony
YOU see in the back stall, tossing bis head
so vigorously for his share Of oats, belongs
70 Waiter, his father having given it to
him on his sixteenth birthday. lie has
. named it Prince, and has many pleasant
rides on its back. Here comes Father
Upton from the city. PiaasaEt words are
exchanged by father and son. They then
Join in caring for tho team, the wagon
being put into its place. and small door
near the granary is opened, whore the
harness is hung on large pegs. This is G.
kind of closet and is tightly built, that it
NAV be kept free from dust, with small
window at the rear end for airing. Here
are also kept lap-robe, buster, saddle and
MEETINGS: it is, in fact, the horses ward
robe This being done, father enters the
house, where a glad welcome awaits him (;
even baby raises her tiny hands and in q
cooling way says papa, who now re-
lieves little Gertic OF her charge.
Mamma has prepared the food for the
hens so Gertie trips gayly out to the poul-
try wards, for that is her much-loved
evening chore. The fowls al know her and
gather about her, each one seemingly try
inc To pet nearest. She now leaves them
70 chatter among themselves and enters
the poultry house, which is a long, mar
row. well-buili structure with plenty of
light admitted from the south side and
roof, being occasionally whitewashed. 1t
is thus kept free from lice the floor Is also
kept clean, a quantity OF fresh sand being
scattered upon it, and here are several
sheaves of grain tied tightly with a Irvine
string suspended from the roof, which
series the fowls very pleasant exercise on
cold DAYS when they are not admitted to
the yard. Just see the egg boxes on
either side and Gertie's basket filling up
as she passes them, having plenty OF
lime and ashes scattered on one side OF
the ward and small PARTICLES of meat
mixed with their food. The Tipton's have
plenty OF eggs all the winter through.
Gertie now enters the house with her
basket OF eggs and Waiter with pail of
milk He carries but one pail. His par
ents have learned that poultry-raising is
more profitable than dairying, also less
laboriOus. SO only enough cows are kept
to supply the family with milk and butter.
All are now in readiness for the supper
that awaits them on a cloth OF snowy
linen. Supper being over and everything
properly attended to, the family now re-
pair to the pleasant sitting room, where a
banging lamp sheds its bright rays over
choice literature on the comfortable below.
here the most delightful evening IL passed.
The first hour with the children is devoted
10 their school books. After that reading,
music, and pleasant conversation. Walter
Is preparing himself to teach that he may
help pave the way for college education.
He and his sister often attend church and
social gatherings, but has no occasion, like
poor belated Ben, Tor stumbling over a
swill pail much less falling into an aban-
doned old shaft
But we must be going. Nav we be hap
pier for our visit is thewish of
JENNIE +. r.