The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1898-03-05

Green country peoplel Hulking sim
pletoa." be groaned 10 himself, and
cursed his folly.
lie had reached the orchard IN safety
however. and was breathing easier,
when the nigh" wheels dropped heaF-
liz into a rut and the entire left-hand
side Of the load. with Henry on top of IT.
sla into the ditch. Then Uncle John
and the fiead Bill and We two vide
moufhed imps came and looked at the
rum and at Henry sprawling ignomini-
cusly in the midst oft; and Uncle John
offered him irenieal coincidence. Bits
face vas iudeseribable
Blu you should have seen Henry IN
Ioad uhen The wreck, under the jury
ussfs. as Il we're. finally reached the
barn. Il is easy enough 70 pitch the
hay off a properly loaded wagon-ii
vou know how. One Of Uncle John 5
rare boasts was that be could pitch of
one Of his own loads as clean as If the
har were bound and laid on in bundles
like barley. But a greenhofn, working
al greenhorn's load-well. as ehaaeer
would have said: 1T was jofe for TO
seen him sweie."
One time be would pluage bis fork
into the chaotic mass and sweat and
tug al bunch with all his strength
without budging il an inch, not pereeiF-
ing In his bewilderment that IT was
oserlapped by the bunch he stood on
He might S well lave tried to lift him
self by his boofstraps. At the next
plunge he would bring away a little
pitiful handful thai a baby could lift.
II took him over IS long minutes,
working desperately, TO pitch out two
thirds Of a ton-35 minutes Of iniermin-
able dust. perspiration and aching
muscle: IS age-l0ng minutes OF smart
ing under a steady fire Of ironical en-
eouragement from Uncle John. and OF
winnings and chueklings from the de-
lighted Bill.
Al last the rack was clear. Uncle
John took out his watch.
"Thirty-fiYe minutes-iwo-thirds OF
ton-pooty hefty Teller, amt ye2'
Henry smiled as before, but his smile
was sickly, not nonchalant.
Guess they don't each haydn at
your college. Well, well teach ye.
Yen do pooty well after the city out
side gifts rubbed off'n ye;" and he
glanced approvingly al Henry's fine
chest and shoulders. why, at your
age pitched off many ton in five min
uteg."
Henry looked neredulous.
"Ye think not? I'll bet can do it to-
day in four" said Uncle John.
1T can't be done!" cried Henry, ex-
citedly. Il may be from The city, but
I'm not so green as TO believe that"
ct kin be DONE" said Uncle John, de-
eisisely, "and I'll prove it this very
afternoon"
Teddy's eyes opened wide with Won
der. So did mine. Bill, down on the
floor unhitching the horses, shook his
head obviously. He had seen some
"husky haydn" in his day, but never
such feat as Uncle John proposed.
1t was three o'clock in the afternoon,
and the hot July sunshine was SHIN
mering over the dusty road, when the
momentous ton, drawn by a pair OF
qnick-stepping black horses, turned
into the yard and swept on toward the
white farmhouse and the green level
beyond, where the big barn lifted up
its new "enpaloe' proudly against the
western sky.
Bill the burly drove; Uncle John
stepped rapidly along behind rough,
stout, sunburned. athletic figure. Henry
walked beside him. Teddy and |, 10 a
tune OF whoops, halloos and yells
danced n barefoot hornpipe on the
grass in honor of the occasion.
Look here, Youngsters" called Uncle
John. Don't you yell afore we're out
o. the woods. Up with We onto the NOW!
] want ye TO tread the hay back under
the caves"
Teddy gave war-whoop in reply, and
led the way TO the barn ut double
quick. We charged up the great NOW
like the union line at Missionary Ridge
scattering the swallows in wild fright
out Of their clay nests along the rafters
There WAS loud trampe of heofs OH
the planks below and the hay-wagon
swept in. Then followed silence.
"Twenty-three hundred pounds" II
was Uncle Johns voice, from the hay.
scales outside, speaking TO Henry.
''Never mind the extra 300 A few
forlSfuls II fall off in unloadin'." Then,
aftera pause; dispose that new.fangled
stop-watch o. your'n II keep the time
all right?"
"lll guarantee the watch"
We lay down on our stomachs and
peered over the edge of the NOW. Uncle
John was just climbing upon the load
his brown eyes glowing with energy
Bill's had caught their fire. He sprang
up the NOW as II his 200 pounds had
been 20.
Then, taking paper of fine-eut from
his hip pocket, he selected fresh chew
with uncommon care and earnestness.
Then he frightened his belt, swabbed
the sweat-beads off his forehead with
his shirt-sleeve, and looked anxiously
at Uncle John. The honor of the farm
was at stake.
Teddy and ! gazed down at he big
load and grew excited. That huge mass
pitched up such height in four min.
utes! 1t couldn't be done. Then we
looked Mt Uncle John, felt the glow OF
his spirit, and knew that IL must be
done, could be done, would be done.
His shirt was open at the front to
give free play and fresh air to the big
neck and swelling chest; the sleeves