Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-09-27


it's all the horses can DO to pull theil
load on level ground"
You'll have to get out and push
some Of you." shouted the boy
"'Twould make Uncle Jerry sickei
than ever If we got hung up
Casting aside whatever portion OF
dignity may have remained. the Ken
ton boys jumped out and sought to
relieve the overwerked horses.
With an easier load ard additional
power behind him, the boy again took
up the reins. He glanced confidently
up the hill as he started the horses
For fully fifteen minutes he struggled
to fill Uncle Jerry's place; then came
the surrender.
Its no use." he groaned. We're
stuck"
This is pretty note!" exclaimed
Marshall What are we going to do?'
The Kentcns were slow to adjust
themselves to the situation. They
had almost forgotten that at best
country roads are very uncertain.
"You wait here" volunteered Dam
tel, "and I'll go to the village for a
team"
mo-" cried Alice, Tets all walk. II
isn't far up over the hill. Our bag.
gage will come-sometime." And she
led the way out across the freshly
cut bayfield,.
There was fence to be scaled, and
then they were In the midst of in
| Vulnerable woodland voices and the
richly-blended fragrance Of the forest.
Clambering up the steep, uneven road
way, they came to the sugarhouse In
the clearing. Yet another climb. and
the end was in sight
There she is-just the same az
ever, bless her!" shouted Marshall,
nodding his head In silent approval.
mot much change. is thereT'
breathed Ellen.
Father must be setting the pace"
observed James. Cur house Is the
only one that's decorated"
challenged Daniel.
With a shout OF acceptance she
darted away, and the others followed
as best they could. They were all
troubled with a shortness of breath;
that was another thing which the
years had brought. On arriving at
the orchard not one OF them could
speak intelligibly.
Let me go and find them." painted
Ellen.
She stole around the corner Of the
house, only to reappear again straight
away.
They're on the front porch waiting
for the stage" she whispered. Come
on. Well, go In through the house
all together"
Quietly, they picked their way about
the familiar rooms-but not quietly
enough. Mrs. kenton heard the muf-
fed click Of a latch, and turned to
look. Five smiling faces were peer.
Ing at her from the doorway.
"Why-why-" she mumbled.
Then the storm of their greeting
burst forth.
Where did you come from?" ques-
toned Mr.. Kenton, wonderingly, as
soon as he could make himself heard.
"Up through the woods-stage Is
stranded over at Harrington HILL"
babbled Alice. Flows the celebra.
tion?"
There, father. you see," moaned
Mrs. Kenton. II told you how 1t
would be. Here they've all come, and
we've got to tell them. Oh, why did
we make up that story about the cello
bration?"
"You see, your mother has been try
ing to get some Of you home this
good while" interceded Mr.. Kenton,
"and we finally took rather question
able way to bring 1t about. Yet there
was no lie in 1t. We said in the let
ter that there was going to be a big
celebration If you decided to come
home-it wasn't necessary to add that
there wouldn't be any II you didn't
come"
"You poor, dear, old mother. you'"
exclaimed Ellen. 'T didn't care a rap
about the celebration"
"Nor II" shouted the others in uni
son.
Somehow, they got the old people
together and formed ring about
them. Nor did they separate until
everyone in the ring had thrown out
a reassuring word
"You won't have to go to all that
trouble next time" asserted James.
you'll have a visit from one Of us
every year after this" stated Ellen.
"It's all arranged" declared Daniel.
1--WE talked 1t over on the way"
"That Is what should have been
done before" interposed Alice.
"And now" cried Marshall. I've
are all going to have just the biggest
kind of celebration"
| TransvaaI Gold