The new enterprise., 1905-06-15

9 Gl penetrate into the forests
of Southern New Hamp-
I-O--l shire was Jacob Tyler, n
E.5N lllI good specimen of the early
pioneers, the men who car
ried the boundary lines Of the country
in their hands MS It were. On the east
bank Of the MelTlmac he built a cabin
for his wife and two children, the
youngest toddler Of three years.
In spite Of the lack Of friends and
neighbors the family lived contentedly
if simply until an episode bcfell them
that for many years afterward dis
turbed Mrs Tyler's peace OF mind,
New Hampshire was then an un-
broken stretch of forest, traversed only
at rare intervals by wandering parties
of Indians Game of all kinds was
abundant 1t was no trouble for the
pioneer to keep his larder stocked with
grouse and fat venson, for the birds
could be Knocked down from their
roosts with poles, and deer came to the
very dooryard.
If the harmless creatures had hardly
aNhlhN he SNl " lfll man, llt khlut
was equally and unpleasantly true Of
such beasts of prey as the wolf and the
panther. 1t was not until they had had
a long experience with the deadly rife
that these animals realized how hope
lessly the odds were in fcvor Of the
hunter. After they had once mastered
the lesson they seldom forgot it. The
mere smell Of n human being became
associated with imminent danger.
The incident referred to happened in
the spring Of the Tylers' second year in
their new home. The pioneer had de-
parted early one morning fer the house
of a neighbor ten miles away, to bor-
row a mattock. He had broken his
own while at work in the field, and
was anxious to have everything in
readiness for the spring planting as
soon as possible. 1t was n clear,
fragrant day, with little wsps Of clouds
floating lightly across the sky. There
was a smell of pollen and soft earth
in the air. A few birds, the advance
guard of the migratory hordes, had be-
gun to appear about the cabin, and
their gentle, twittering notes were in.
ezpressibly pleasant to Mrs, Tyler.
She had grown very tired of the long
white winter, although she had never
told Jacob so. The children, too, had
fretted and lost some of Their color un-
der the confinement, for the snow had
been too deep and the cold too bitter
to allow them to be much cut-Of.doors
1t was n great relief TO them, MS well
as to their mother, to be able once
more to run about the clearing in free
dom.
1t was soap-making time with Mrs
Tyler. The big tubs stood on n wooden
bench in the angle formed by the cabin
and the log barn, AS she worked, hum
ming little tune TO herself, she could
see through the open window at the
rear Of the house the sun-hecked in.
terror, and the front door which little
Farley was driving"
The boy had fastened a pair Of old
reins to the handle, and with n birch
whip to enforce his authority, was put
ting the heavy, refractory door through
all the PAGES Of which it was capable.
Mrs. Tyler smiled with a mothers
partiality at the sound of his sturdy
baby voice. He was a strong, fearless
little chap, his father in miniature.
She was certainly fortunate in her
children. There was ten-year-old
Mercy, already help about the house.
Soap-making is hard work, but the
hardest tasks can be lightened if the
spirits of the worker are singing with
thanksgiving. There were so many
things to be grateful for! Neither of
the children had been sick a day since
they had left the settlements, and she
and Jacob were both well. Spring
had come early. Jacob hoped to raise
good crop of vegetables. for there
were rumors that other families were
coming out to make their homes neal
them, and the newcomers would be
ready purchasers. That would mean
visits and the social amenities so deal
to women. Perhaps if enough settlers
came there would be a schoolhouse.
The hummlng had almost broken
into a low song when suddenly Mrs
Tylers heart gave leap, as a fright
ened cry came from the cabin loft. II
was Mercy's voice. There was feal
In It, and a new note that the mother