The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-02-06
A YOKE AND A JOKE.

noon express train on the Kansas Pacific
railroad and bring home Bruce and Jer-
rvs cousin, Efie, who was coming alone
Ill the way from Kansas City to visit
them. Bruce and Jerry were left alone
% the claim to look after things.
u Bruce was fifteen; not very large of
his age, but active and strong. Jerry
was only two years younger than Bruce,
but he was dwarfed by an affection of
the spine, which kept him bent over like
hunchback.
When he was very small he was
thrown from horse. The accident con-
tracted some of the spinal muscles, and
it appeared that he was doomed to sc
through life with the huniliating ap-
pearance Of having a chronic case o.
collie.
Bruce and Jerry were great friends,
which is not always the case with broth
ers. This was not due to the fact that
other boys were few in that thinly set
tied Kansas district; they were really
very fond of each other.
All the morning, after their father
and mother left, Bruce was very bus,
making a small yoke, modelled after the
enc that was used on Tom and Red, the
oxen they had brought with them when
they emigrated from Indiana
Jerry sat on the framework of the
Grindstone in front Of the cabin and
watched Bruce at his work with much
interest. The yoke was now about COM
pleted and the young mechanic was
very proud of his workmanship.
"It's a dandy an 10 mistake" he re-
marked, with satisfaction. well have
some fun, Jerry. I've been thinkin for
q long time that the calves are big
enough to break, an there's no time like
the present Won't it be q joke ON pa
and ma, thought
"W'atu be joke" asked Jerry.
"Why, to break Bell an Nancy while
they're gone. Won't they be s'prised to
find us driving 'em around like Tom an
Red2 Won't it be a joke, thought?
''Um," Jerry assented.
After the pie had all been washed
down with a cup of milk, Bruce shout
= dered the yoke and led the way to the
COW pen, where the meek eyed little heif-
ers were lying in the sun.
Nancy and Bell were not in the least
wild, for the boys had made pets of them.
90 there was no difficulty in approaching
them. They were pretty animals: Bell
was spot" of red and white. and
Nancy was deep red.
We'll. girlies,' Bruce merrily salutcd
the heifers. chow do you find yourselves
this fine, large day? Nice day, isn't it,
incest in the neighborhood. Get up.
now, and act your prettiest; there s
company comm, and we want you to
Ahow Off Tie the string around Nancy S
neck, Jerry
While Jerry obeyed this instruction
Bruce secured Bell, and then the heifc-s
were led out of the cow lot to little old
cart that stood by the front yard fence.
IAN we'll take Efie a-ridin along by
the cornfield. an let her see the big tas-
sels. I'll tell you what we'll do. Jerry.
wen go down the road an meet pa an
ma, an we'll bring Ellie home in our
wagon. How's that?
@First rate," said the little cripple"
"Well. it's DONE" Bruce announced
presently. Lets eat our pie first, ami
then well yoke 'em up"
They had been too busy to notice that
il was past noon, but now hunger re-
minded them that their mother had left
for each Of them "a big hunk Of pie.
Very soon they were seated on the door
step, munching their dinner.
This plan of yoking up the calves
would have been instantly condemned
By the father had he been at home, for
IN the first place, the heifers were toe
young, and in the second place, they
were intended for mich COWS and not
for beasts of burden, but it did not oc-
Cur to the boys that he would object.
The little animals were docile and
trsctable enough; indeed. they were pro
vokingly slow and sleepy in their move
ments-
"You1l get walked up very soon.
Bruce remarked, half angry that Nancy
would not Astand around"
It took some time to get them yoked
satisfactorily to the cart, but at last
Brnce announced that the arrangements
Tor the start were complete. Jerry stood
On one side, next to Bell, and Bruce or
4 the other, by the side Of Nancy.
ssSaet mp. Bell!' called Jerry.
Both boys slapped the tanks Of thu
heifeas vigorously, and they moved on G
lew PAGES, in mild eyed wonder at this
new situation. Still they evidently
thought this new way Of petting them
and that it was all right.
The boys laughed delightfully."-.
ssThey're jest as easy goin as old Ton
and Red" Bruce declared. "Get mp
Nancyi Get up. Bellw
There was some backing ON the part o.
fiae team, and mild inclination to turn
around and inspect the arrangements
bat the boys, urging them ON, succeeded
III getting them to advance few more
paces
ssWeu get IN an ride" Bruce decided
They'll go better If they are talked Il