Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-09


EQ&kASM Bill. :" Fathers farm five miles
ME&W@M%N south of here Blue River.
I1M74Al/.AgJ Balser bought the forty acres just
ln&XS@ north of this Our first task was
N&N%7NTN1 to build log cabin. We erected
NS>>@sS it on the little patch of raised
ground close to the river just below the barn You
have all PLAYED in it-yOu, and two Or three other
generations 1t stands there yet and will stand
there long as live if have my way concerning IT.
After cabin was built, Balser and moved in
and began clearing the land. 1t was big undertaking
for two boys seventeen years old; but we went at 1t
with determination, and made fair progress from the
start You have idea of the magnitude of the task
The ground almost covered with great trees,
many of them four feet in diameter. and between
the trees fourished underground that would
make the hair on dog back look thin by com,
parison 1t hard slow work but Baser and
took time at it, and for the first three or four
years contented with small clearing
The house nearest down the river was Raster S,
three miles away East of u.s. three four miles dis
tant lived few families; but they did not belong to
the Blue River settlement and we did not know them.
In our cabin had floor made of logs
smoothed with adj on three sides and fitting
snugy together. There ceiling overhead un-
der the clapboard roof. and of course we had fine
large fireplace. Our cabin on Brandywlne had been
too we'll ventilated to protect us against cold wind:
but our new cabin Blue defense against
both the wind and the frost. We also built log
stable for Solomon, and when winter approached
we were prepared to live sumptuously. Mother gave
me a cow. and late in the fall we brought up corn
and oats for feed We had chickens also, and after
we were fairly installed for the winter we lived
royalty We took school books and histories with
u.s. and during the long winter evenings we acted as
each others teacher, and learned as much as II we
had been in school.
After the cold weather set in. principal work
of course, was trapping. though we also did good
bit of clearing We didn't have many adventures
worth narrating but we spent a grand happy,
profitable winter Oh, how happy we were! l see
the little events of that winter more distinctly
than the great Of recent years. We had built
long oak table that placed in front of the fire.
and the picture of two boys sitting at the table,
cphering by the freight, is to me like peep back
into Paradise. My! how coy we We're! And what a
sweet zest life had for us. We had real bed-a
featherbed-over in the and the walls OF the
cabin were covered with shelves, handy for storing
our arms, ammunition tools, provisions, and uten-
sis We had dishes too, and pots and pans 50
numerous that they often in our way.
Usually went home every second Sunday;
but as Christmas approached we skipped Sunday,
intending to be home to meet Santa Claus
"A day two before Christmas we killed a tat
wild turkey and intended to take it home for Christ
mas dinner. The weather at that time, well re-
member, beautiful. heavy snow covered the
ground and it was very cold The trees about
cabin were festooned with garlands of crystal and
snow and the bright sun, loath to spoil the exquisite
picture gentle in the matter OF heat but mighty
in brilliance. We lived in a fairyland.
CHRISTMAS morning Balser and l awakened at
- the usual early hour; but, remembering the
day concluded to make ourselves a present OF
morning nap, rolled over and went to sleep
again. We did not sleep long, however; for we were
awakened by peas of laughter and cries of Balser.
Balseri' and Tom Andy Bill! outside the door.
One voice l recognized instantly 1t was Nab and
you may safely wager everything YOU have that |
got out of bed pretty quickly:
Our toilets made while you could count
hundred and when l opened the door there my
Each girl carried basket, and they all laughing
and screaming and calling for help. What sight
it was! Their cheeks like une roses, their eyes
danced and gstened like the brightest star in all the
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