Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-07-11
The Bowsers' Troubles.

didn't make howltng success OF the
operation. After thinking the matter
over he decided that |. would be better
to plow up the yard than to NOV the
grass, and he made his arrangements
without saying anything to Mrs. Bowser.
After breakfast a day or two later a
neighbor made his appearadce with a
yoke of oxen and a pillow, and as Mrs.
Bowser caught sight of the outfit she
asked:
"Why, are you going to have blowing
done this time o'year2"
~ am going to do a little blowing,
Mrs. Bowser, and don't know the time
o. year has anything to do with 1t.
want to get this yard in shape and have
some needed exercise at the same time "
"But what did YOU ever plow2"
"BefOre you cut your eye teeth"
And you can manage oxen2"
II need to plow with Eve yoke of oxen
ahead of the plow and guess can
manage one pair. You must keep out
of my way and ri rip up the clay
around here In way To astoniah the
natives. The gamboling farmer VIII
now go forth to hold the warbling pillow
and manage the patient OK"
"Look here, naybur," said the farmer
as Mr.. Bowser went out to him, "shan't
DO this bit O. work fur you3 Mebbe
you amt used to oxen and plowss"
II was driving oxen and holding
plcws when was six years oidw replied
Mr.. Bowser with his usual modesty.
"Oh, you wasl Then you must know
all about 'em. What you want is the
exercise, chr"
off about SO pounds of fat and get a
healthy color. Yelling at the oxen will
also strengthen my voice, II you'll
send boy up in about half an hour he
can take the outfit home"
"lf you pillow all this yard in half an
hour you'll beat the whole caboodle of
u.s." said the farmer as he looked the
ground over. "NVaIl, I'll send the boy
up. OF course, you know all about
'haw' and 'gee'3"
"My dear old man, smiled MIR. Bowser,
81 used the words before | had cut six
teeth, and you needn't worry in the
slightest. Dror over this evening aud
see II you can find any fault with my
work"
When the neighbor had gone Mrs.
Bowser came out and said:
"It you'll wait till | hunt up an old
dress I'll drive the oxen for you"
"Never you mind about driving any
oxen for me-" ne replied as he removed
his coat and vest. aft | had as many
dollars as acres of ground I've plowed
with oxen we'd go to Europe this fall.
Who'd thought two months ago that
we'd be out here In the country today
turning up the golden soil and bathing
In the glorious sunshinei Say! what
painting that landscape would make
down there across the Meadow
"Y-e-s," replied Mrs. Bowser, as her
eyes took in an old straw stack, two rail
fences and cornfeld gone to weeds.
"And the merry hearted plowman is
now ready to pillow. If you don't want
to be buried under the mellow soil you'd
better stand back. Where's the boy
Here, young man, get out O that! These
oxen look to me to be a little frisky, and
when we start we may go eighteen miles
around the yard without stopping. All
ready now-haw over gee up"
Mr.. bewser fourished the"gad" about
MS head and brought it down on the
backs OF the waiting oxen to start off
with enthusiasm. They started No
fanit cauld be found with their enthu.
siasm. He dropped the "gad" and seized
the pillow handles, and the next minute
the oxen were on the run Tor H.. COMO
site fence, and Mr.. Bowser was pIayina
circus behind them.
sometimes he was on one foot-some
times on two Sometimes he bounded
into the air like high jumper-some.
times ne seemed to be sailing after the
pillow, which ripped through the grass
and did not enter the soil at all. When
the oxen brought up against the fence
with crash, Mr.. Bowser was flung to
the lett into patch of pigweeds, and he
lay there blinking at the sun when Mrs
bowser came up and said:
Il thought you knew all about driv.
ng oxen and piowingp
"And why don't II" shouted Mr.
bowser, as he got up with few hairs
on his head standing an end. 1You've
got to strike furrow before Won can
'lo"' haven't your was simply getting
start told you these oxen looked
risky, but I'll tame 'em down after
IT."
Hadn't you better let the man do the
lowing, and you can follow on behind
nd pick up the stones and sods9"
"Never! What am ! out here on a
.rm tori You just keep away and III
all right. The oxen are probably