The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-06
A YOKE AND A JOKE.

town in the big wagon 70 meet the after
noon express train on the Kansas Pacific
railroad and bring homo Bruce and Jer-
rys consin, Efie, whO WAS coming alone
Al the way from Kansas City to visit
them. Bruce and Jerry Were left alone
on the claim to look after things.
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 en- affection Of
the spine. which kept him bent over Hike
q 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 60
through life with the humiliating ap-
pearance OF having chronic case Of
collie.
Bruce and Jerry were great friends.
which is not always the case with broth
sers 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 busy
making q small yoke, modelled after the
one 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 Df his workmanship.
.sIt's dandy nh no mistake, he re-
marked. with satisfaction. We'll have
some fun. Jerry. I've been thinkin for
Z n long time that the calves are big
em0ggh to break. an there's no time like
the present. Won't it be joke on pa
and ma, thought
..W'at'il be i joker asked Jerry
why. to break Bell an Nancy while
they're gone. Won't they be s'prised to
find MS driving 'em ground like Tom an
Red? Won't it be JONI, thought
sUm." Jerry assented.
After the pie had all been washed
down with 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,
so there was no difficulty in approaching
them. They were pretty animals; Bell
was a spot" Of red and white, and
Nancy was deep red
well, girlies, Bruce merrily saluted
the heifers, 'show do you find yourselves
this fine, large day2 Nice day, isn't its--
incest in the neighborhood Get up,
now, and act your prettiest; there's
company comm, and we want You to
show off. Tie the string around Nancy's
neck. Jerry"
While Jerry obeyed this instruction
Bruce secured Bell. and then the heifers
were led out of the COW lot to little old
cart that stood by the front yard fence.
IAN well take Effie a-ridin along BY
the cornteld, an let her see the big tas-
sells. I'll tell you what we'll do, Jerry.
wen 60 down the road an meet pc an
ma, an wen bring Effie home in our
wagon. How's thaty"
First rate" said the little cripple"
"Well. it's DONE" Bruce announced
presently. Lets eat our pie first, and
then well yoke 'em up"
They had been too busy to notice that
\ it 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 mp 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 MOI
for beasts Of burden, but it did not &C,
/ cur to the boys that he would object.
The little animals were docile and
tractable enough; indeed, they were pro.
vokingly slow and sleepy IN their move
ments.
You'll get walked up very soon,
Bruce remarked. half angry that Nancy
would not stand around.
It took some time to get them yoked
satisfactorily to the cart, but at last
Bruce announced that the arrangement
for the start were complete. Jerry stood
on one side, next to Bell, and Bruce OF
Z the other, by the side Of Nancy.
''Get up. Bellr' called Jerry.
Both boys slapped the TANKS of tn
heifers vigorously, and they moved on 1
few PAGES, in mild eyed wonder at thi
new situation. Still they evidentl,
thought this e new way of petting them
and that it was all right.
The boys laughed delightfully."-.
They're jest as easy goin as old Ton
n and Red Bruce declared ''Get up
Nancy! Get up. Bellr
There was some backing on the part o
the team, and a mild inclination to tur1
around and inspect the arrangements
but the boys, urging them ON, succeeds
in getting them to advance few NOR
PAGES.
"WeH get in an ride Bruce decided
They'll go better If they are talked t
from behind.
He got stick and sharpened the en-
,of it for goad and then the two clam
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