The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-03-09


x WV tain TO the lower
~W,r- pasture, to see thu
.NGtsO fellows break II
broncos.
He was in no hurry; they would bt
at il all the afternoon. Besides, ht
was tired, and had eaten hearty din
nor. He had spent the morning chop
ping off chickens heads and dressing
the fowls for market, and he had eaten
a double portion of dumpling at din
ner because his uncle did not want his
This uncle, his mothers brother,
William Sanford, bad come up into
the Colorado mountains to be cured oi
lung trouble. He was hearty and
Jolly fellow, but unlearned in noun.
tain ways, and very restless. He had
made mp his mind TO drive down "a
Denver that afternoon, and since he
was bound to go, Sanny's mother had
decided to take advantage OF bis trip
and go with him, to sell her butter
and eggs aud chickens, although II
was only Friday, and her usual market
day was Saturday.
Sanny's father, who had lived in the
mountains all his life and knew the
weather signs, said TO her:
IL advise you 10 wait until the
drought is broken. It's likely to break
before many hours, in my opinion.
It's the closest day I've ever known in
these parts, and any one with ears can
hear trouble brewing over yonder
mountains. You may be caught by a
cloudburst."
William Sanford laughed. "See
here, john" he said, you've been
expecting this drought to break for
the last month, and it's still as dry as
ashes. There is no more sign of rain
to-day than there was yesterday. II
was just as sultry, and / heard the
same rumbling over the mountain.
I've business that / must attend to by
telegraph. / couldn't sleep last night
for thinking of it. II you can spare
the team I'm going this afternoon.
Iii he's going, I'm going, too" de-
elared Sanny's mother, whisking
around to get ready. "Of course the
HOINeN Nhl Nlt UP AO-AAbA lpN
if they are driven down to-day. Now,
don't you worry, John. II it rains
hard, well just stop somewhere over
night and go on tomorrow. I've done
so lots of times, you know. SAMMY,
don't forget to feed the chickens, and
help grandma with the dishes, now,
son."
Mrs. Lane twitched on her sunbon-
net, climbed into the wagon and took
tbs reins from her brother.
"I'm the best driver" she laughed.
Besides, / know the horses and |
know the mountains, and I'm not CO.
ing to risk having my eggs spilled
over q precipice. Get upl"
John Lane sat down on the step
and watched them as they drove down
the hill and out of sight. Then his
gaze turned to the green valley before
him. The house was backed securely
into hillside, halfway up spruce
ridge. In front, the ground sloped
away across the road and down TO the
spring, whence it swelled up again in
beautiful cultivated fields. Up the
valley to the right, down the valley
TO the left and climbing the opposlt,
mountain, green crops glinted and
waved in the sunshine.
Its the best crop I've raised since
! went 10 farming" remarked Johr
Lane, with satisfaction. 81 declare,
we've snapped mp the best farming
strip in the mountains, son.
II know it," said SAMMY, sitting ~
in the hammock. "But farming.
awfully hard work, pa. Why dom
you stick TO horses?'
"Iguess we'll stick TO both, " smiled
John Lane. You'd better tend I,
Prince; he's chatting himself with tha
natter. Now I'm going up the Woo
road - he added, rising and stretch
ing his long legs, "to see how th,
men are coming on with the timber
You had better wait here with grand
ma until l come back l tell you
don't like the way the weather is boil
ing around the mountain
SAMMY unwound his horse from tn
halter; then he went round the hous
and filed the woodbNx for grandma
He mixed corn.meal for The newes
chicks aud fed il 20 the downy littl
things from the tips of his fingers
Then he went down cellar and too
big drink Of buttermilk TO settle hi
dinner.
Stanford, Sanford called hi
grandmother TO him in irightene
voice.
SAMMY rushed up. stairs. Comm
ont OF the dark cellar, the whole worl
seemed ablaze. The storm. .brewin
mountain was hooded il black, bu
from beneath the seething cloud
burst a lurid light that burne
over the valley with portentou
glare. Chasing streaks Of lightnin
cracked the black cloud.mass, and tei
rife roars of thunder echoed frol
the mountains sides. But aboy
them the sky was blue. and the su
shone steadily on the aelds OF wavin
grain.
ibid you ever see the likel" gaspe
grandma. Its a cloudburst, as SUI
NJ you're born. Your mother an
that crazy Will Sanford--mercy {
usi Come in and shut the doc
The waters will-Sanford. Sanfor