Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-06-29
UNDER A
BUFFALO RUN

! SSSSNOSSGOW~0WS 2
n -ADYS laughed when Grandml
III Eunice told her that the little sill
yer milk-jug had been brought over
from France more than a century and a
half ago. To be sure, closer examina-
ton showed that it bore a coat-of-arms
presumptiye evidence that it had once
been beautiful and valued But now
how very sad and shabby it seemed!
"All these dents and pinches make it
look like a little goblin with his nose
askew!" Gladys said
Then Grandma Eunice told her how
The silver milk-iug had gained its scars
and become a souvenir Of an experience
that few persons would care TO undergo
| was born IN York state, but when !
was two years old father took the west
ern fever, and there was nothing to do
but % pull up stakes and 90 TO the north
/ west corner Of Iowa-he and his mar
ried brother and sister. and my grand
parents Decoster. the owners OF the
milk-iug.
They didn't make much by moving
but they stuck It out" In Iowa for six
years Then when | was eight years
old-that was along in the forties-
Uncle Zeruiah started the notion that
Kansas was the only place for a farmer.
50 of we all went again this time Joined
by two Of our neighhors. Mr.. Tucker and
Alr Dakes and their families.
We travelled In a train Of great wag-
ons or "prairle-schooners." MIR. Dakes'
was drawn by span Of large mules.
fuckers folks had a pair of horses.
Uncle zeruiah had an OK and a horse |
hitched tandem, father had mule and |
horse hitched together. and Ami |
Louisa's husband had two big spotted
horses--beauties!
IN the wagons we carried all the
household goods they would hold. To
the tail of almost every wagon a COW
was hitched Aunt Louisa's husband
mad big hog named Peleg and a sheep
named Bouncer that he couldn't be pre-
vailed upon TO part with, so he took them
along instead Of a COW.
our years wool was in canvas sacks
on the tops Of the wagons. The sides
ot the wagons were hung with copper
porringers, tin bakers. frying pans and
brass kettles II was as odd-lookinz
as ever was seen. 1 guess!
The milk-jug went with us. but not
among the kitchen ware. Il travelled in
an old sea-chest, and that was filed
with linen that mother had spun and !
woven and the quilts aud comfortables
hat we girls-even I-had helped 10
make
we got over the ground very slowly.
we used 10 start early In the morning
ana In the middle of the day we're al !
ways glad to find some water hole In l
dried-up creek, where we could picket I
our stock and halt for dinner II was !
ireadfully hot and dry and on DAYS of /
moonlight nights We made a long noon. U
ng and Travelled very late.
Adventures? Who ever crossed the J
Mains in the days before the railroad I
without having adventures?
One night We were attacked by wolves y
which came pretty near carrying 81 !
'eleg. the fat pig Another night our I
ent!nel aroused us to run from prai- p
lie fire that would surely have over
'helmed US In the end had not the wind
pportunely shifted. II was only two !,
avs after this that we had a narrower )
scape, that Of which the silver milk-jus :
] a reminder !,
We had set out at dawn that morning | q
,r IL was growing hotter every day a
hat meant that 1t was dryer. too, and Il
be difficulty of getting feed and water 4,
n animals was greater. Even the wa a
r holes in some Of the creeks had now a
isappeared. h
We had come upon a creek where there / T
as hole containing a little warm and | Il
uddy water Near the north bank os &
le creek We found a few punches Of =
rosewood for our campfire A half =.
3zen scraggy cottonwoods promised us Ct
lade. Altogether we were fortunate
"a we concluded TO make a long noon
e and get a good rest
CROSSWORD was soon hacked OF. a {.
-e was lighted, and several prairie. 1.
ans which had been taken IN the morn +.
+ were set TO cook for dinner re-
smber was playing with a homemade i
I'D under the cottouwood-trees when "a
~ rImbliug like deep far-distant +.
under attracted everyone attention. s.
The Sky was clear There were no In s.
cations a a shower approaching But r.
e rumble srew louder every instant. 81
ld soon the ground began 10 tremble =
Its an earthquake Tobias Tucker s
louted Truly the continuous 3arriuz n
ri rWwwn~t fhA arw~TuFh - ava anrfh- -.