Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-08-10

coutrol myself. Inc thought OF John
riding about the little city with the
wealthiest lady in that section Of the
State, while I, tired out and lonely,
was fairly wearing out my life In our
humble home looking after the meager
surroundings because loved him SO.
! had practiced the entire creed Of
love-sacrifce. 1 had given up all Of
Joy and sscompanionship for him.
And how had he repaid it9 ] re-
membered now that he had been some.
what retlcent regarding his employ.
mont In the city. did not know what
he was doing. To be sure, nothing
was neglected OF home-but his wife
for there was little OF the claim cul.
tivated or even plowed.
Bitter thoughts came to me and I
half uttered, half sobbed them to the
window. shaken walls of the cabin. I
vowed that I would go back to mother,
and soothing memories Of the old
homo set deep ID orchards of apple
and cherry, with its wide porches and
cool parlor, thronged my brain. The
roaring OF the south wind changed to
the humming of honey-bees about tho
morning-glories and clicking Of o
loose board was tho rattle OF now
ing machine in the neighborlng clover
field. Sweet breaths, soft cooings and
tender pictures that were once COM
mon enough, but now seemed glimpses
Of paradise, bewildered me and soon I
was far. far into dreamland.
/ was aroused by voices outside the
house Stealing to the window, saw
two rough, cowboy-like plainsmen
watering their saddle ponies at the
trough.
They wero typical Westerners Wide
sombreros sheltered their long looks
and huge spurs glistened at their
heels, while their costumes were
fringed and braided after true frontier
style.
"Mighty soft snap fer somebody"
said one Of the men, shipping of the
top Of swaying sunaower with the
Josh OF long. sinuous "snako whip"
he carried In his hand. "He'd ought
ter dev thought ferther'n that"
"Probably clean forgot the date"
was the comrades reply.
"Mighty likely place he's got
here"
"Ya.a-s. not ter be proved upon"
''Lived on it long enough, ain't
her"
"Yes. squatted long enough, but
amt plowed enough sod."
"Is that the way of iii" with q Wig
orous cut Of the whip. ''The time fer
breakin' is up to-day"
"Air yeh sure?"
"Know it. Was around by McClar-
ems yesterday an he entered th' same
time this feller did an his time was
out ter-day. ccHe was worlsin' his
horses ter death glttin' enough sod
broke by tor night"
Who were they talking OFF A sus-
picion that they might moan our place
came over me and it was made GER
tainty by the next word:
"If he don't get her done tonight
we'll be ter work bright an early in
tn mornin'. You go to tho land Of
fee an enter the claim an I'll start
the plow."
"How much breakin' is lacklng?s
"Oh, not much about half an acro,
] guess. That strip yender behind th'
house'll make 1t. The margins small
but it'll do ter throw him out"
The men tightered the saddle-girths
and remarking that big storm was
coming up mounted and went canter-
ing easily away through the prairie
grass and soon were lost to view.
How could John have been 80 caro-
less? After all our work aud homo
sickness and trouble we were to lose
our home.
Then in rushing wave oame over
me the thoughts which had filled my
mind as I went to sleep and I was for
q moment undecided how to act. But
then 1t was Johnl Perhaps I was mis-
taken In my surmises. ! loved him In
spite OF all and we must save our
claim.
There was but one way to do 1t and
that was to plow the halt acre.
But howS had never plowed o
foot In my life, nor did / have any
means for doing 1t even If knew how.
Then 1 thought of old Major In the
shed. He was big and strong; would
he pull the plow for meP
Drawing on o pair Of Johns boots
and tying my hat upon my head l
started on my self-appointed task. II
was no easy one. Tho harness was go
heavy and Major would step in the
wrong direction. But at last II was
done, and had attached the sturdy
animal to the lightest plow on the
place.
As wo started for tho strip / was
nearly taken off my feet, and saw
that dark masses of cloud were arising
in tho west, while feathery advance
couriers scurried ahead OF them, feck.
ing tho blue skies
I lifted the plow into place and
spoke to Major. Would he mind me
and pull the heavy loadp 1t needed
two horses. but perhaps the one could
stand 1t little while. Major shook his
head and did not start Trembling
with nervousness, went to his hoad
and almost pleaded with him 10 help