Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-25
CHAPTER xxi.
WINTER.


WINTER.
The winter had settled down early,
o. the weather prophets had foretold.
The snow lay thick over all the ground,
and the roads bad packed and icy bed.
Carts disappeared, and sleighs, sleds and
cutters took their places. How lightly
the iron shoes skinned over the ground,
and the horses, stimulated by the crisp
air, flew az II they had no load at all.
And soon the heavy bobsleds, drawn
by double teams Of horses or oxen,
came from every direction loaded with
rough timber for the sawmill, or high
corded piles OF frewood which had been
waiting for the snow to DO hauled into
the farmyards, where it could be sawed
at leisure, when there no possibility Of
other work.
And how the sleds, loaded with rosy
faced boys and girls, went shooting
down the east hill and past the watering
trough and church and store, and then
down the ledge hill far along the forest
road. They came before school, and at
noon and after school, and sometimes in
the evening with bigger boys and girls
whose arms had good excuse for cling
ing closely about each other, and girls
hands had to be warmed in boys pock.
cts.
Every day the school children, as they
climbed the long hill back from their
ride, stopped at the store as at sort Of
half way house, to warm their numbed
hands and toes, for Alec always kept a
roaring fire in the big round wood stove
But winter was especially the time
for social gatherings aud lyceums and
entertainments in the hall by the ladies'
sewing society. Thanksgiving soon
came, and what family gatherings there
werel For full week beforehand the
women were engaged In making fat
mince dies and pumpkin pies and squash
pies and cranberry tarts, and then at tie
last chicken pies and cranberry sauce
and preparing the big turkey. No house
was 80 small or poor it didn't have o
feast Of some sort, and II there were any
brothers or sisters to come home, they
always came, and abandoned themselves
for one day to old country cheer, spiced
sometimes with clear hard cider.
For week just before Christmas
Alec had a grand sale Of holiday goods
in the big hall, and people came even
from the neighboring towns for miles
about, and the sales were really very
large. Alec decorated the store and
tavern plentifully with evergreens, and
they had little Christmas tree, with
all the pies and buildings and candles
the children, big and little, could pos
sibly eat.
Christmas evening was a clear, cold
starlit night. The day had been a glori.
ously joyful one, and Jim brought out
bis big new double runner and wanted
the whole family to go and slide down
hill with him. Alec was ready ut the
first word, and Maud soon consented,
and after awhile 'Lisbeth said she would
go. Only Mrs. Higgins held out, till
every one turned against her, and they
fairly carried her off, placing her on
the sled and pulling her up the hill.
When they were ready to make the de-
scent, Jim sat in front TO stesr, Mrs.
Higgins came next and took a firm
grasp Of her young son, while 'Lisbeth,
Immediately behind, did more to secure
her mother 8 welfare than her own safe.
ty. Then the little ones sat close up be-
tween 'Lisbeth and Maud, who was be.
hind them. Alec pushed the sled off.
How they did whistle through the air,
while fences and houses and church and
store and woods went scudding by them.
Even Alec caught his breath and held II
hard as they rounded a sharp corner,
leaning in to balance the veering sled.
What if they should all 90 rolling in the
snow, and what il there were broken
bones or cracked skullsl
But there was no casualty. The sled
came to the end Of its journey in lei
surely glide, and there was the long
tramp back again. When they reached
tho store, Mrs. Higgins wouldn't think
Of going again, and 'Lisbeth cried of
and took the little ones, though they
wept for more. But Jim said he was go
ing II he had to slide alone, and Alet
invited Maud to Join him in keeping
Jim company. So of they went, jim
Juggling at the sled in front. Alec ant
Maud following lsisurely behind. HI
slipped her arm into his and helpet
her CALAMITY. 1t was the first time h
had ever paid her any special attention
but tonight he helped her and tended
her as If she had been a child or younl
lady from the city. He sat close behint
her on the journeys downward and hell
her firmly with one hand about he
waist, while with the other he graspet
the side Of the sled. Once, indeed, the!
went rolling in the snow near the foo
Of the ledge hill, and Alec had to picl
her up and wipe the snow gently from
her face and eyes and brush her skirt
and cloak and warm her cold hands il