The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-19
Jhe gerala aua Melrs
FARMER BILLY.

eaE2, and drew on a stout pair Of
mittens. You might think that he
was starting for long journey in
stead OF only to the barn, but the
weather was cold, aud where Billy
lives people must look out for
frosted ears and fingers.
Billy's father had left home for
a day or two, and Billy was to do
the "chores' meanwhile. So, Of
course, he was very proud as he
hung the lantern over his arm and
trudged along the path that was
shoveled from the house to the
barnyard, between two banks Of
snow so high that only his little
smiling face could be seen over the
top.
1t was very early in the morning.
Not even a chicken was stirring in
the yard. Billy could hear Miles
Standish, his Plymouth Rock
rooster, growing in the hen-house.
The lazy old fellow!' laughed
Billy. "He is afraid to come out
in the cold.' He peeped in at the
window and saw the hens huddled
close together on the perch, trying
t. keep one another warm. When
they saw Billy they hoped down
all in n flutter, and came busting
oat for their breakfast.
Then Billy must feed the COWS,
White Rose and Red Rose, and Mrs.
Hooker, the cross black heifer.
Billy was half afraid of her, she
s.ared at him so queerly, but Daisy,
the spotted calf, poked her petty
head through the bars and licked
his hand with her little rough
tongue, as if to say, "Thanks for
your morning cal! ~
Billy took his father long pitch
fork, and prepared to toss down
some hay for the hungry creatures.
When he went round the barn to
the other door he saw that it was
partly open. "Guess l forgot to
shut it last night" he thought.
"Father would say | was careless,
but'--Here he suddenly stopped,
for he heard something moving
about in the barn.
Billy's heart gave a great thump.
This was a new experience for him.
lie had been the first to enter the
barn for n great many mornings,
and at this time Of the year it was
always; dark. But he had never
thought Of danger, although he
knew that in very cold weather
when food was scarce, bears had
sometimes come down from the
mountains behind the house, to
make hasty dinner from some
farmers sheep or pigs. Ono of
their neighbors had shot a bear not
long before, so it was no wonder
Billy opened his eyes very wide
when he heard this strange noise.
He held his lantern up high over
his head and peeped in. There was
very little light in the barn, for all
the windows were covered with hay,
but Billy could see that there really
was n large animal Of some kind in
the furthest corner. 1t raised its
head and stared.
In fact, the strange beast, what
ever it might be, was good deal
more frightened than Billy. 1t had
never before seen such a queer sight
rs boy with a lantern, and to get
away from him it dashe q across the
barn ard leaped into dc ep bay
where nay had been stored, but
which was now empty.
Then Billy knew it was caught.
Nothing, however, spry, could
Jump ont Of this place. He hold
the lantern over the edge and look
cd down. How delighted he was
to see not n bear, but beautiful
deer, with long, graceful horns and
big bright eyes, looking up at him
with such wonder!
The poor creature had been driven
from the woods by hunger, for the
deep snow covered the bushes and
sprouts which he usually gnawed
during the winter. Finding the
barn,door open he ventured in and
had fine feast Of hay all night.
ROt he stpya6 a l;ttlo too ,,tu ~ !