Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-16

Slmcn's pen. Behind him was the sta
bic door; before him. just out of reach,
the bull. Simon was not paving now.
His fore feet were opened wide; his
nose touched the ground between
them. He was alternately mooing and
blowing, and his angry eyes We're
fixed not on the section boss, but on
the bottom of the door
Simon, Simon said Lancaster In a
wheedling tone. He could scarcely see
the animal, for the eastern window
was showed shut. The bull made no
move Presently the old man showed
the single bar aside and hoped for
the star between those glowing eyes.
Still the bull did not move.
80 Simon" purred the section boss.
He gave another hop forward and
raised the Ratchet. $50. Simon; nice
Simor!"
"Wo-o-o-ahw
1t was a roar that fairly shook the
lcanto. Simon flung up his head.
Fearful for his safety, Lancaster
lodged to the left. stumbled, overturn-
ed and went down, with cry. pal
las ''p,'
\ esq answered him. The mules
reared, Then out Of the gloom plung-
cd red bulk, head lowered tail
straight. There was a second roar, a
crash, as the stable door flew outward,
an thrush of frigid air and the swirl
Ing sound of wind and sleet And 81
mon, leaping something that was lying
at the entrance, shot on into the biz
zard
Early morning of the next day as the
L.ancasters were enjoying breakfast
of roasted pork cooked by scanting
of Simons manger they heard the
storm renew Its fury in strange noises
that We're like the human voice. The
warped door creakcd; the latch rat
tied.
They paid little attention to 1t, being
fairly content with the strange good
fortune that had left fat frozen pig
in the snow outside the lean-to. The
stable had been nailed tight again,
and there were enough scantllngs In
it to last out three or four days. Mary
lyn was better. having rallied swiftly
on diet of rich broth. Even Ben
and Betty We're not unhappy, for they
were greedily consuming the hay Of
the bedticks.
Sam Patch is shore Dustin loose" "
observed the section boss, selecting a
second juicy rib and sailing 1t from
end to end, The salt spilled. lie
tickered Il pinch over one shoulder,
Boot, boot, boot, bang, came the
mufied sounds from without.
The harder 1t bowls now the soon
er it'll get over It," answered Dallas,
piling on more wood.
Lancaster lit his pipe, DANCED glad
All got t'baccy."
Hey. hey! yelled the storm.
Marylyn looked up from book
Sounds as IL men are outside" she
said. Listen"
They listened, straining their ears.
Something thumped the warped door
They started up. A moment and n
thread Of light came through the gap
above the latch.
They Isl" cried the section boss.
A cheer replied. A sharp command
was sung out to them. Keep back
Out Of the way!"
Again the door was thumped; then
great pressure was put upon 1t. 1t
opened, letting in half dozen men
and a wide path Of warm sunlight.
"Hurrah, hurrah" Folks, you snow
ed in?" THANK God you're all right!'
1.-THE basket. boys the basket"
IVY, Lawd" cried the section boss,
winking against the light. Amt they
no bllzzard?"
A trooper with n chevroned sleeve
saluted them. His air was jaunty
His face beamed. There was, sir, last
night" he said gayly. but there hain't
none new. Clear has bell, SIR"
"Y' firm tn post?" demanded Ian
caster trying to look severe.
He Of the chevrons waved his COM
panions out. Him from Hingland,
sir" he answered. Sergeant Kippis
his my name. VIII you ave some sol.
dier's coffee. slr2"