Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-21

their horses were there, they might en-
deavor to recover them. 1t was there
fore agreed that they should be driven
over at once to Mr.. Percy's, there to re-
main until purchaser was obtained for
them. In the afternoon the party dis
persed, with many thanks from the Har-
dys for their prompt assistance.
CHAPTER X.
After a storm comes calm" saying
true in the case Of the Hardys, as in that
Of most others. The settlers were now,
therefore, able to give their whole atten-
tion to the farm. The first operation
was the sheep-shearing. 1t was an anus
ing sight to see 300 or 400 sheep driven
into an inclosure, and then dragged out
by the shearers. Men were paid accord
ing to the number shorn, and were very
expert, a good hand getting through 100
day. They were rather rough, though,
in their work, and the girls soon went
away from the shearing place with feel
ing Of pity and disgust, for the shearers
often cut the sheep badly. Each man
had a pot Of tar by his side, with which
he smeared over any wound. A certain
sum was stopped from their pay for each
sheep upon which they made a cut Of
over a certain length; but although this
made them careful to certain extent,
they still wounded great many of the
poor creatures.
much more exciting amusement was
seeing the branding of the cattle, which
took place after the shearing was over
The animals were let out one by one
from their inclosure, and, as they passed
along a sort of lane formed of hurdles,
they were lassoed and thrown on to the
ground. The hot branding iron was then
clapped against their shoulder, and was
received by roar Of rage and pain. The
lasso was then loosened, and the animal
went off at gallop to join his compan-
ions on the plain. Some caution was re-
quired in this process, for sometimes the
animals, upon being released, would
charge their tormentors who then had
to make a hasty leap over the hurdles;
Terence, who stood behind them, being in
readiness to thrust goad against the
animals rear, and this always had the
effect of turning them. For few days
after this the cattle were rather wild,
but they soon forgot their fright and pain
and returned to their usual ways.
Mr.. Hardy had by this time been long
enough in the country to feel sure of his
position. He therefore determined to en-
bark the rest of his capital in agricul-
tural operations. He engaged ten ma
tive poems, and set to to extend the land
under tillage. The water courses from
the dam were deepened and heightened
and side channels cut, so that the work
of irrigation could be effectually carried
on over the whole of the low-lying land,
the water being sufficient for the purpose
for nearly ten months in the year. -Four
plows were kept steadily at work and
the ground was sown with alfalfa or lu-
Germ as fast as it was got into condi.
tion. Patches of Indian corn, pumpkins
and other vegetables were also planted.
Mr.. Hardy resolved that uutil the country
beyond him became so settled that there
could be little danger from Indian in
cursions, he would not increase his stock
of sheep and cattle, but would each year
sell off the increase.
He also decided upon entering extern
sively upon dairy operations. He had al.
ready ascertained that ready sale could
be obtained, among the European resi-
dents of Rosario and Buenos Ayres. of
any amount of butter and fresh cheese
that he could produce, and that Euro
pean prices would be readily given for
them.
Their household had received an in
crease. a young Englshman named Fitz-
gerald, the son of some very old friend
of the Hardys, had written expressing a
very strong desire to come out, and ask
ing their advice in the matter. Several
letters had been exchanged, and AT
length, at Mr.. Fitzgerald's earnest re-
quest, Mr.. Hardy agreed to receive his
son for year to learn the business of
pampas farmer, before he embarked up.
on his own account. A small room was
accordingly cleared out for him, and Mr..
Hardy never had any reason to regret
having received him. He was a plea,
ant, light hearted young fellow Of about
20 years of age.
Terence and Sarah had two days. holi
day, and went down to Buenos Ayres
where there was an English church. and
came back again man aud wife. After
that each went back 70 work as usual.
and the only change was that Terence
now took his meals and lived in the
house instead of down in the mems huts.
Go be continued.)
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