The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-11-15
HOG KILLING TIME.

us hog killing time on the farm! II there arc
among our readers any to whom these words
do not bring fond recolloctons we pity them
from the bottom Of our heart, They have missed
somo of the high lights OF NE There are va
cant places on the wals Of their memory where
master pieces should hang
WIN tho morning star hanging brilliant In
the eastern sky there ia great activity re-
pressed enthusiasm for the orders OF the day
Just ahead. Down In tho swale by the spring
the great log heap is fired. the scaidlng barrel
set u neat selection OF hickory gambrels placed
hnndily by the scraplng platform. The knives
have been sharpened, the rifle cleaned and
loaded. Hard by the porkers are rising laziiy
from their Eteaining bed IN anticipation Of their
morning ration They were not fed yesterday
nor will they be again. The time haA come for
them to yield their sucoulent carcascs for their
masters benefit
All Is in readiness The haze In the east Ia
lifting over the mountain top the first nays
OF the rising sun are kissing the barren tree
tops. The air Is thin and frosty. Smoke from
the burning logs wreathcs steadily up into the
heavens without a,breath Of moving air TO give
II direction. From the kitchen door comes the
musical jingle OF the old dinner bell which has
called the family to meals since memory run
meth not 10 the contrary. And thcre, In the
ghostly light of the kerosene lamp, for the sun
has not yet dispelied the shadows In the val-
ley, the old patriarch at the head of the table
returns thanks for All Wiso Beings care
during the night. for the morning food. and
His blessing 10 asked on the actions OF all dur
Ing the day,
The mcal " quiet and hurried one. and by,
the time II III over tho hands are arriving.
Tho men are taken command Of by father while
mother marshals the coored women to thodr
posts Presently from down by the pens thero
comes the clear crack OF rifle. For a second
all stop TO listen. There iB no other sound: no
squell or gruut to herald the disgrace OF a
poorly placed shot. Then with n glow of pride
and a sigh OF satisfaction each to his or her
business again.
by late noon the long hanging pole Ia bend
ing beneath the load OF dozen great porkers,
The years meat" is ready for the final prep
aration. when the sun goes down It finds tho
task completed. There are huge plies Of Joints
and bellies in tho smoke house, stacked so that
they will drain nicely and cool thoroughly,
over In the a large table there ia n
pile OF sausage TO be ground The lard pots
are even sputterlng complanngly under
the ministrations OF dusky attendant who not
only knows her business but takes such pride
In her skill as tho honor student from, the Tgs.
cal conservatory is wont to boast
There are sparc-rlbs and backbones TO last
for many. many days, After tomorrow there
will he great pans OF liverwort and head cheese,
carefully prepared ana carefully preserved
for the winter 'snacks' when hurried meal In
necessary. The hands have been paid. given
their ration of the fresh meat and have gone
their way to their hut-abode with happy whistle
on their lips, oontentment In their hearts and
loyalty In their minds Amid such scenes and
customs radicallsm never found footing; class
consciousness could not be born,
Then. when the stars were beginning TO
break out their happy lights IN the heavens
above after the chores had all been carefully
attended 10. the bell again tlnl,led its assembly
call and the family foregathc ed about the
supper table. Always It supper dinner was
eaten at the noon hour and lunch meant
some other meal than either Of the three main
events Of the day.
Again thanks were returned 20 the Father
OF all" and His continued blessing sought" But
following that there was no silence, Far from
IT, Each member OF the family had quip and
jest Of the past days events. II hapleSs marks
man had failed to kill his hog without a squeal
he was panned numerically There fresh
pork sausage, sweet breads, brains with scram.
bled eggs and broiled melts; Tor there were
many tastes in the large family and at hog
killing time great latitude was given them.
Presently the family. gathered In the living
room tired but healthy and happy After a
season of very sweet companionship the great
man took down his Bible, read chapter and
then all knelt for the final act OF every day.
soon the tights were out and silence reigned
Outside the stars kept vigil. Ever and anon q
sog howled or the plaintive hoot OF an owi wal