Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-12

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be eating your ILL.,"
They looked at him earnestly. where
Is your horse coming FROM" they asked
You surely must have horse to fetch
the food to u.s.
Leave that to me-" he replied.
ITS long, hard tramp this grim win
ter from here to Burlington" they con-
tinucd, as IL testing his resolution. you'll
freeze footing IT,"
Capt. Jed scowled. "Think you which
is the warmer; to ride or walk in this
weather from the north pole?"
That's So" they assented, otis warmer
to walk
Sure IL is" he responded and with
such cheerincss of tone that they felt far
less starved as they went back to their
homes with the great news that Capt. Jed
was OFF for Burlington early the next day
to buy them food
How do you know he is going?" asked
woman grown querulous from the force
Of long drawn hunger, you are fooling
us"
Not n bit. Down yonder Capt. Jed told
us he was going and he will do it. When
has he ever broke his word to us?''
Ii was In the pitch darkness of Il sulen
December morning that Capt. Jed, or more
FULLY Capt Jedediah Hyde. started on his
journey to Burlington. Thrusting his feet
into thick cow-hide boots and knottirg a
mufiler under his chin. nc was equipped
iof MS IOOu-Sdt nerlnS eITanu,
Just one moment he glanced at the scant
breakfast set out for him. but with "Tll
leave II to the others, he hurried away
into the black morning with the stride Of
a younger man.
Soon the highway, such as it was in
that early day. was left for a shorter
trail through the woods and noon found
him many miles on his way.
Keeping him company over snow banks
and through frozen gulles. occupying his
mind SO that he failed to note tho gnnw-
ing hunger or the fight of time. was this
question Of how TO secure a horse to take
the provisions he would procure to the
settlers.
Nibbling few grains of parched corn
which he found by chance in his pocket
he FASTENED on with tho unanswered ques-
ton still his companion. The sun was al
ready sinking from sight in its chariot of
gold leaving r dash Of primrose and
rnauve to tint the short twilight lie
flung back his shoulders and fastened on,
scarcely noticing the decline Of day.
When at length he came within Burling-
ton limits his brow cleared. and many a
speculative glance was cast by him at the
horses passing him on the snow niarbled
streets. Not a moment was lost in find
ing food for his starving settlers. Sacks
| of grain were added to the heap of pork,
beans and potatoes. and with firm lips he
paid his last penny for his purchases
Now ! must have a horse he said to
the dealer. sinking his hand into his emp
| ~ pockets.
A horse was brought and he examined
| 1t.
What is your price," he asked. Tho
rse-seller mentioned sum that cloud
ed the cheerful expression in Capt jed s
fine eyes.
| Horses are scarce they come high this
| winter" added tho dealer explanatorily.
"Ill give good land for the horse" bar
gained capt jed, land this is the best
can do
II sell only for cash down" responded
| the horse-seller. there are plenty willing
to buy at any price"
Capt. Jed's face darkened and he
rubbed his hand across his brow
II will give you one hundred and twenty
acres of farm land for your horse" he
| said.
Instantly the horse dealer turned about
and led the horse to Capt Jed. saying
Il guess he's yours. Capt. Hyde put
| the bargain on paper"
| "On paper, Yes; yes rejoined Capt.
led and in as scholarly a hand as that
Of his father, the Rev. Jedediah Hyde. he
duly drew UP and signed the paper that
gave hundred and twenty acres Of La
noble county for one horse.
| Tho horse, however did no discredit to
his fancy cost. He stood patiently while
food stuffs and grain we're strapped to his
| saddle and started off at brisk pace
| when Capt. Jed mounted and turned his
head from Burlington toward Hyde Park.
Here's your antidote 'gainst starva-
| ton" Capt. Jed called when he came near
enough to be heard by the hungry settlers
as they assembled at his approach.
1.-The horse goes heavily: 1t carries a
good load" they commented, running TO
meet him yet drawing back. for hunger
gnawing at their vitals and dzzying their
heads made their steps clumsy and their
feet slow.
Here's 70 your good health cried
Capt. Jed again to them, land also grain
for next springs planting"
"Three cheers to Capt. Jed" they called
ouaverinGly. when there's more inside
us we'll call louder to ye.'
1t was woman. the querulGus woman
who was the first to stumble from The
group and help him to unload.
The Green mountains wrapped IN theiI
winter ermne whispered the weather te
bring an early grain growing spring.
| From that time to this abundance has
beer the lot OF Hyde Park village. W he
shall say that Capt Jed paid high for his
horse,
MARY CAROLINE HYDE.