The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-08-27
HE QUIT TRUSTING.
How a Kansas Farmer Pat Faith

How a Kansas Farmer Pat Faith
in Providence.
1t was in Western Kansas. Just at
shutdown of summer day rode up to
miles from anywhere. A lank, hungry
looking man stood in the door, aud when
| asked if could put up there for the
night he thought it over for minute
and then replied:
It'll crowd things purity clus, but |
guess you kin stop.
His house was only one story and one
room, and he had a wife and five children.
1t was very slim supper we sat down
to, and the family were evidently very
poor. The man seemed to think some
explanation necessary, and after supper
he remarked:
The fact is, stranger, we haven't had a
fair show out here.
Sickness?
Some sickness, but not enough to dis
courage.
Grasshoppers?
Some few, but no damage. It's them
ERE il fernal cyclones that knocks the
tar out o US around here.
Joseph, don't you swear. chided the
wife, as she boxed two of the children s
ears.
Who's a swearin'? Pm jest a sayin'
that if it wasn't fur them gaul burned,
internal, cantankerous, thunder and
blazes cyclones whoopin' it up every
summer we might git bushel o taters
ahead now and them
Do they occur every season? | asked.
They do. They don't occur all over
the State, but they do right hereI
They're got up for my special benefit
just hundred rods wide, SOS to rake
my farm lengthwise. Durn my old butes
but I'm a-gt tim tired of 'em!
Joseph. how dare yon complain of the
Lords doin's, exclaimed the wife. as she
gave the squalling baby a shake thai
nearly broke it's neck.
If the Lord is a hingin' them cyclones
at me then I've right to complain. hi
answered. This is our third house il
! three years. The other two are scattered
all over America. We've lost crops ant
cattle and pigs and hens and 'twon't take
| more'n one more cyclone to make I
| mighty homesick man of me.
Joseph. The Lord hears you.
Can't help 1t if He does. I'm gttin
| powerfully discouraged over SIGH biz
ness.
l say to you to put your trust in thu
| Lord. she exclaimed. You haven't full,
done it, or we wouldn't hev had then
cyclones. Shouldn't he do it, stranger
| | think so.
OF course he should, but he's bin stiff
necked about it and brupg calamities OF
this family.
| Well, | hev bin leetle mulish, CUES
said Joseph, but I'll quit right off and g
to trustin'.
We went to bed soon after, and it wal
just at daylight that l was awakened b!
the man getting up and looking gu
doors and saying to his wife:
| can't say fur sure but guess you't
better git them young 'uns into the dug
out. bod rot my hide, but it would bt
| just my luck.
She soused up the children and left by
the back door, and the husband wen,
| with them. got up off the floor, where
| was sleeping, and was just pulling or
| my clothes when he came rushing in.
Is anything the matter? | asked.
| should somewha at insinuate that there
be, he excitedly exclaimed. There's &
gaul burned cyclone Citing ready fur
bizness down thar towards Ellsworth
and you can't git into our hole in the
ground any too fast!
He had constructed rude out door
cellar against the hill behind the house,
and followed him and crowded in.
He stood by the door moment to
watch the storm, and when he entered
he groweld out:
She's a comm head fust in this direc
ton and jest exactly a hundred rods wide
to an inch!
she came. She came with roar and
shrek, and with such force as to teal
up the grass by the roots. In three
minutes it had passed and the farmer and
l crept out. The house was not to be
seen, while chicken coop and pig pen
and sod stable had vanished and left no
trace behind. We stood gazing about u.
in silence, when the wife called out:
Joseph, has she passed?
She has.
Aud didn't tell you to trust in the
Lord?
You did, and now you crawl up and
see what trustin' the Lord in the State o.
Kansas amounts to! Durn my good ful
nothin' old hide, but this Is the last
straw an we start back for Illinoy inside
of one hour!