The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-04-28
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(SQ I!slI good specimen OF the early
pioneers, the men who car
ried the boundary lines Of the country
bank Of the Merrlmac he built cablr
for his wife and two children, th,
youngest n toddler Of three years.
In spite Of the lack OF friends and
neighbors the family lived contentedly
IL simply until an episode befell them
that for many years afterward dis
turbed Mrs. Tyler's peace OF mind.
New Hampshire was then an I'M
broken stretch Of forest, traversed only
at rare intervals by wandering parties
OF Indians. Game OF all kinds was
abundant. II 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.
III the harmless creatures had hardly
learned as yet 10 fear man, the same
was equally and unpleasantly true Of
such beasts OF prey as the wolf and the
panther. II was not until they had had
long experience with the deadly rifle
that these animals realized how hope.
lessly the odds were In favor OF the
hunter. After they had once mastered
the lesson they seldom forgot il. The
mere smell of human being became
associated with imminent danger.
The incident referred to happened in
the spring OF the Tylers' second year I'm
their new home. The pioneer had de
parted early one morning for the house
OF neighbor ten miles away, TO Dor
row 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. It was n clear.
fragrant day, with little wisps OF clouds
floating lightly across the sky. There
was 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, twitterlng notes were in.
expressibly 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 he much out-of-doors.
IL was a great relief to them, as we'll
as to their mother, 10 be able once
more 10 run about the clearing in free
dom.
1t was soap-making time with Mrs.
Tyler. The big tubs stood on 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-nccked in
terior, and the front door which little
Parley was driving"
The boy had fastened 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 il was capable.
Mrs. Tyler smiled with 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 tcn-year-old
Mercy, already help about the house.
Soap-making is hard work. but the
hardest tasks can be lightencd 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 sicl; a day since
they had left the settlements, and she
and Jacob were both well. Spring
had come early. Jacob hoped TO raise
q good crop of vegetables. for there
were rumors that other families were
coming out TO make their homes near
them, and the newcomers would be
ready purchasers. That would mean
visits ard the social amenities so dear
60 women. Perhaps IL enough settlers
came there would be schoolhouse.
The humming had almost broken
into low song when suddenly Mrs
Tyler's heart gave a leap. as a fright.
ened cry came from the cabin loft. II
was Mercy's voice. There was fear
in il, and new note that the mother
had never heard there before. II
someed to come from an older person
than her little Mercy.
20 Farley, come in quick. Quick
q motherw
The door Of thc cabin had swun.
open, flooding the slab floor with yellow
light On the broad step outside stood
Farley, one arm outstrciched as q
beckoning, pleased interest In hi
smiling eyes and lips. Mrs. Tyler
gaze rested on the little fellow. an,
somewhat reassureo, sought the rough
thip-littered turf beyond.
At the first casual glance she say
nothing unusual In the pattern Of pal
greens and browns. II looked prosal
enough and familiar, only she had foi
gotten that Jacob had left that shor
log lying in the patch Of last year
dead grass. Her eyes returned 10
and remained caught by somethin
curiously suggestive Of life about /
something virile and menaclng.
II moved slightly. ever so silghtl,
as she looked, and she saw the play
tense muscles ripple over 1t in a kin
OF expectant CULVER What she ha
taken for bark was skin covered wit
sleek, brown hair. She distinguishes
III An N ,rco,apt the o,,ttt,n. - "A