Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-22

fast the reapers cut what was called q
Through" that is one end of the field
to the other. The Glands" were prepared
either for four reapers or two. The har
vesters were called from the field by the
loud toot of horn. One of the rules
was to take drink of whisky on the
first round with the reapers. The
whisky was kept in a large brown jug
and lay in the cool shade of tree or of
wheat shock, The men would be
about three-quarters of an hour at
breakfast. They started out in the field
beginning work with another swig at
the whisky jug and as likely, the sun
being high by that time, the wheat that
had been cut was then ready to bind.
They bound 1t with halfdOZen wheat
straws. The rule was to reap through
and bind back. The same men did both.
THEN CAME THE Tue.oF-wAR.
Now came the tug-of-war to see who
was the best man to reap through and
come back first. There was a great diff
ference in men, l tell you. All reapers
were not the same. Some men would
cut twice as much as others and do it
with more ease You might hear the
regular tinkling sing of the reaper who
knew his business when he made the
cut, as his sickle rung In the clear morn
ing air. The old gentleman lived with
was an expert.
The sickles used in those days are the
same as you will see sometimes in the
hands Of weed cutters. suppose they
have improved something on them. The
blade of the sickle was bent with fair
sweep and had teeth to suit the cut SO
as the sickle would not slip on the
wheat and cut the reaper's hands. Il is
no doubt the same instrument used in
the fields of Boaz, in Bible story, of
thousands of years ago. II seems to be
the one machine that has outlasted all
| others.
BRIDGING OVER 40 YEARS.
remember we'll old Colonel William
Elliott, fine old gentleman "a years of
age, who was present one day in the
harvest field. Accompanying him was
little boy years old, who is now
living in the town here. / can see them
both in my mind so well since that long
gone day, the picture of the very old
man and the little boy
The old colonel WAS very tall and
stout, with a fine military presence. He
was with Washington OF Braddock's
defeat on the bloody field OF Monon-
| gahela in 1855, and was oae of those
who aided Washington on that occasion
ia saving the British regulars from ami
| hilation by the Indians. He was also a
| think colonel in the Continental
army.
IN WILLIAM sHARPLEy's FIELDS.
These two visitors were received
pleasantly by the reapers that day in
the harvest field Of William Sharpley of
Brandywine hundred.
Isaac Elliott, who died the other day,
was, think, nephew of the old coll
onel. | have frequently talked with
MIR. Elliott on the subject. Isaac Elliott,
who always spoke of him as "uncle,"
told me that the old gentleman was at
times quite irascible. One day in the
harvest field the reaping seemed to be
going too slow for the colonel.
"Why," he called out to the men, 81
can go get dinner knife sharpened UP,
and beat any one OF you cutting graiEp'
The old patriot claimed that he could
get ahead of any of the reapers with
their sickles and he to use only a sharp
dinner knife.
Although say it myself, when was
but IA or Is years of age,SI could beat
some of the men reaping. have been
in the line with'a dozen and come out
ahead. ~
In these days the women folks would
come out occasionally nd'help to shock
up the wheat.
They would also prepare repast at l
o'clock and spread it out under tree
for the workmen who would work al
that also to very good effect. This refresh
ment was always called "four o'clock.
The harvesters might be seen lookins
over their shoulders for the flour o'clock
with expectation and it always appeared
exactly at that time.
The gathering of the wheat and oat
and the threshing of it was done il
those days, although it took more time
did not cost very much more than
does now in wages. The only differenc
is that it is now done so much NOR
quickly and then gotten out of the way
The threshing floors as described in til
Scriptures were used here 80 years age
That is horses were used 10 tread out tn
grain in places prepared for the purpose
, But the fail was used also. This wa
done in the barn and was slow method
l