Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-01-03


out the sacks and blankets which had
been hung against them for protection,
while the in-driven snow lay in oddly
assorted mounds on the floor.
Both were reflective, the man be-
cause he realized the gravity of the
situation, the boy because he had so
recently left a home y the east.
1t was the first day ii the p4w year,
and possibly he was rictaring to him
self what they were doing at that iden-
teal time.
Presently the man looked up. did
you hear that?" he said.
No" replied the boy. What was
1.-THE waits?"
Listen again" said the man, and
just then above the shrek of the biz
zard was heard a muffled chorus Of
deep bellows.
IF those cattle don't have water
they'l tear the stable to pieces. They
get extra thirsty feeding on straw, and
it's three days since they bad drop.
Why in h. that we'll wanted to give
out [ can't think"
Yes" said tho boy. thlrsts a shock
ing thing, Used to have one myself
in days gone by. Now, if We could only
do the Widows cruise OF oil business
we might make this lot go round" indi-
eating 2 got which stood on the stove
Can't yoH ever be serious?" protest
ed the man. We've got to fetch some
water"
by all means, replied the boy. "Just
touch the bell for the waiter"
Don't be a FOOL retorted the luan.
'lf you'd been il. this country three
years, instead of three months, you'd
know what blizzard means, and
wouldn't be SO mighty cheerful over
ii"
Aren't you a fool to suggest fetch.
ing water?" said the boy. "Why, you
got lost walking to the stable not an
hour ago"
The man did not reply until the boy
asked him whether he really
considered his suggestion possible.
Yes, said the man slowly, lit is
possible"
Il suppose" remarked the boy, you
are aware it viii take four barrels at
least, that the nearest well is old
man Reds, which is three miles away,
and that you can't see six feet in
front of your"
Il know all that" said the man,
"and more. can tell you that the
horses will go like the wind, and
when they have had their fill Of cold
water there1l be no holding them
while the barrels are filled. OF course
the trails obliterated, but they'll find
their way like blue streak"
Sounds inviting" said the boy with
his ridiculous laugh. I'D offer to toss
as TO who goes II had a coin, but as
haven't (more injustice), Wen draw
straws."
IT'S the only way" replied the man.
Those cattle are our all. II they
break loose they'll be frozen stiff. The
one that wins harnesses the horse, and
divides the water round when the loser
gets back. Is Il a hargain?
The boy cut two straws of unequal
length. put them in basin. covered 1t
with a cloth and shook it about
you draw FIRST" said he. Long one
gets the water, short one bitches
the horses"
When they came to measure the
boy had drawn the long one. MY luck
again" remarked he.
Without q word the man passed
through the door. which The boy closed
behind him, but not quickly enough to
escape a cloud Of snow which swirled
round the room. Silently he pulled on
his moccasins and wrapped himself
in such outer clothes as he possessed. /
cursing luck generally that he had no
furs.
BY and by there was a tlnkle OF
sleigh-bells outside, and the man ap-
peared with the team ready harnessed
to the bob-sled, on which four empty
barrels could dimly be discerned.
"Have you put the pail and rope in?'
asked the boy
The man nodded as they solemnly
shook hands, while the boy shielded
his eyes with the crook OF his arm
and gave the horses their heads He
tried from time TO time 10 peer into
the storm. but the snow made wFaiths
round him and froze his eyelashes to
gether.
How the horses got there the boy
aever knew, but get there they did. and
whilst the icy blast prsSed remorse-
lessly amongst his eicshss for The