The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-08-13
II Yankee Farmer .
zee in Florida.
BY X. G. ROBINSON.

y the pioneer days of South Florida
there came from Boston man
'.amed Dave, with his wife and two
children.
He came, he said, primarily for his
health. and incidentally to better his
fortune. which, never having beer.
great. had been wrecked in the financial
cyclone of '73.
III those days homesteadS donated by
patermal government to actual sc,-
tiers were plenty. and Tave soon found
one to his liking. on which hc built
a cabin and cleared land for IA small
orange grove.
With fine disregard for convention
alities and Boston prejudices, and with
determination To be ''of the Romans
"a Roman" he discarded shoes. stock
ings. and all superfluitics of dress. and
commenced work with magnificent
pluck and Yankee energy
Looking to bread supply for the
immediate future, he rented few
acres of arabic land from an 'old resi-
denter" To plant in corn and potatoes.
his new land being sour and unfit;
and he invested the remnant of his
The horse was an importation from
the broad plains of Texas, small, an
gular. slender of limb and wild of eve.
An animal with better training or an
cestors or habits of thought ought TO
have been selected. for Dave had never
owned a horse in his life. nor had he
ever mounted one or put his hands to
a plow.'
lie knew ii was all quite easy. though.
Did ever man come from Hosting
who couldn't do anything that any
other man had ever done?
The day after the purchase. in the
early, dS- Y morn. he took the horse
Plow and harness to the rented field
TO begin operations, and his wife and
children went along to see the imoep-
ti"n of that happy occupation called
farming"
Never having harnessed horse. Dave
omitted that useful article. collar,
and buckled on the names upside down:
but otherwise he got the gearing fixed
in pretty fair shape.
Then, taking the lines and grasping
the pillow handles with a grip of deter
mination. he uttered, with fine effect
and deep bass voice. Il formula he'd
read-in the encyclopedia. perhaps
Gee, Whoa! IIaw. Git up thar"
The formula WAS all right. and his
rendering perfect: but he hadn't taken
into account the moods and lenses. past
and present. of Texas pony. That s;i-
gacious animal, having taken Il slight
tug against the bare, upside-dovn
names, stood gazing in silent wonder
and expectancy.
Come up. there, l tell you!" said
the farmer. Cant YOU gee haw?''
The only answer was slight bob
binG of the head.
Come up, | tell you" again said
Dave, and at the same time raising his
right hand. he brought the hsavy rope
line down along the pony's back with
a resounding thwack.
His answer was a quart or so of earth
full in the face, thrown by the pony's
hind feet as they went sllyward. That
little performance ended, the pony re-
sumed his original position and look
of inquiry. while Dave took a seat OH
the ground to review the situation.
Il don't exactly know what's the
matter, Sadie" he said. The man |
got this beast from said he was AN
elegant pillow animal and would go
straight along"
well, Dave" said Sadie, Il don't
know, but seems to me horses may have
their regular habits just like people.
and maybe this horse amt used to
so early in the morning; you
know the people round here don't start
to work near So early as this. Let's
wait a bit. and maybe he'll 60
sadie" said Dave. IF were going to
make a crop this year we'll have to
start early in the mornings. All good
farmers do, and this horse had Just as
well begin now as another time. | tell
you what ! expect is the matter: He's
used to having boy lead him when
drawing a plow; that's the way lots
Of blowing is done. You try leading
him, Sadie, and I'll hold the plow.''
'Oh. Dave" she said, 81 really
couldn't. I'm afraid he'd bite me, he
looks so mad
"Shucks," said Dave. .He couldn't
bite you if he wanted TO. for the traces
md plow will hold him back You
really must, Sadie. just try it till we
get him started, then maybe he'll go
Ill right
Thus urged. Sadie took the bridIe-
reins as far in front rs she could. and
Dave resumed the handles of the pillow.
Now pull. Sadie" said Dave. land |
well start Get up there. YOU beast.''
In response the beast gave snor. |
and tug that made Sadie jump ten feet
Dr more and dragged the plow perhaps !
SIX inches; then he stopped resolutclv. |
"ill tell Won what's the matter
sadie. said Dave: ''hc amt used 10 vo,Ir
skirts iiere. YOU come noIu the pIow
and I'll lead him Bit
SO Sadie took the plow handles. and
Dave. taking hold of the bride. said.
Now come right along. you ugly beast.
YOU" at the same time giving him ,
kick
Thee was another start and sudden
-ug' the pillow catching on root. the
handles flew up and knocked the luck
ess Sadie into IA sitting position several