Middletown transcript., 1904-11-26

| - aluer DusneS, Wnlcn IN place
DV grew nearly TO the whee
= tracks, ascended Ion
hill, and then stretches
away like yellow ribbon, till it was los
In the distance. .
The alder bushes grew thinner toward
the summit of the hill, and finally dis
appeared altogether, disclosing a strag
Cling board fence, in which was a pal
of bars. Beyond the fence a rugge'
pasture, overgrown with sweet fern, bay
berry and running juniper, sloped down
warI to little stream, which cut it Of
from the shady pine woods on the oppo
site bank.
The air was still and sultry. The sui
hung like a golden ball in the sky, ant
there was that soft, amber haze in tn,
atmosphere, peculiar to August after
Moons.
For weeks not drop of rain had faller
and the ground was dry and parched.
AS the day advanced, the stiffness be
came more and more oppressive. Ths
hot, sandy road was deserted-no, no
quite, for in the distance solitary female
figure could be seen llodding wearily
along it.
Reaching the foot OF the hill, the
woman paused moment as If to gather
strength, and then resumed her way with
more vigor and determination, till she
gained the summit. Then, turning aside
from the road, she took down the bars
and entered the pasture. Ascending a
little knoll, she stood shading her eyes
with one large, bOny hand, while she
scanned the barren area below her.
A tall, gaunt figure she appeared, with
STOPPING shoulders, outlined against the
yellow sky. Her gown, of faded brown
print, was short in the waist and narrow
in the skirt. A blue checked gingham
apron, and ''log- cabin" sunbonnet
completed her costume.
Her face, with its large, irregular fea-
trues, was brown by constant exposure
to the elements, and had weary, care
worn look. The eyes, however, were
dark and bright. having pathetic, ap-
pealing expression in their depths, as if
the owner herself had heen denied that
sympathy which she was always ready
to extend to others. Altogether, it was
a plain face, but kindly and honest, and
aged more by toll and hardship than by
years.
After brief survey of the pasture, her
search was evidently rewarded by sight
of the objects of her quest,
She descended from her elevated posi-
tion and made her way to the banks
of the stream. where two sleek cows were
calmly chewing their cuds in the shade
of stunted pine. Rousing her charges,
she marshalled them before her, and
proceeded to the highroad upon her
homewsrd way.
She had traversed perhaps half of the
iiissttsafHe distance which lay between the hilly
pasture and the little brown farmhouse
where she and her mather lived, when
she heard a elattering OF hoofs, accom-
panied by the roll of wheels and the
rattle Of loose spokes.
Presently, an antiguated vehicle came
into view around a curve in the road.
The motire-power of the conveyance was
furnished by an ancient white horse,
afflicted with that equine dis
order known as ospring halt"
At sight of the tall figure and Tapping
the driver gave sonorous,
"Whoa, Jenerwary p to which the horse
responded with remarkable promptness.
In fact, SO abruptly did he stop that,
to the uninitiated, it would seem almost
incredible that the occupant OF the seat
should not be precipitated upon the floor
of the wagon by the suddenness of the
shock,
Long years Of familiarity with all
"Jeneswary's" caprices, however. had
enabled his owner to maintain a sitting
posture, and that with dignifed COM
posure.
The animal Immediately assumed an
attitude of calm repose, head dropping,
and one hind loot held up and supported
by resting the front edge of the shoe
upon the ground. Nor did he even
whisk his abbreviated tail at the swarms
OF flies which at once settled upon him.
"How'd do, I4urindy ?'' called the
driver.
I.urinda, who had continued her walk
without so much as a glance at the ap-
preaching equipage, looked up at finding
herself thus addressed. and exclaimed
"Oh is that you, Ike? How'd do ?"
't'Tarnal hot weather we're having,
amt it?' observed the first speaker, by
way of opening conversation.
"Yes, 'tis.'' agreed Furinda. IF we
don't have some rain before long, don't
know what the poor critters will do. The
feeds gettin' terrible thin"
"That's SO. But how's your mother,
Lurindy ?'' inquired the other, changing
the subject.
''She's kind of ailin', marin is" was
the reply. "She had touch of the
neuralagy the other day, and she's been
feeling miser bic ever since"
"Wall, it's the weather." announced
tue other with conviction. "It's terrible
sickly all around. Now, I've just been
down to see how they're a-gittin' on with
that railroad they're a-puttip' through,
and l tell you it must be mighty hard
on them fellers workih' out there in this
blazin' sun from mornin' till night
Mighty hard, Lurindy,s" he repeated .ena'
phatically, land there's one of 'sm. down
SICK, toe. But, Lord Ha ain't got nc
business to be there, anyway. He AIM
like the resi- Of EN-. They're used to it
but pears Ike be was more Of dandy
sort Of chap-yeller hair, and kind oI
salIer skin. and his hand is all blistered