Year: 1875




"Oh. that's all right" replied,
coolly. "Of course you will not shear
as many sheep in the spring as IN the
fall" And here L commenced to whistle
an unknown melody.


"Young man" said my companion
savagely, "did you ever hear of shearing
sheep in the fall Z"


Without paying any attention to this
pointed question, asked


"How much will you a month pay for
farm hand, generally ?"


"We1, I'll give you about eight dol
lars month, and feed"


gave prolonged whistle, wondering
what would have to feed, but not dar-
ing to ask.


"What do you say, young man, do
you hirel"


1 didn't exactly understand him, but
said eyes at once.


We arrived at the farm a little after
dark, and at ten o'clock got into bed
between two burly farm hands, and soon
dropped to sleep to the music of quacking
geese, barking dogs, and my two bed
fellows snoring All accompaniment. In
the morning, or rather i'll the night, Mt
half-past three, l was aroused from shear
ing sheep by the man behind me rolling
over me and standing on the floor. When
1 was able to speak said


"Who's sickl"
No reply.


Where's the fre9"


"No foolin', young man. was the
grlff reply. "You'd better be tumbhn'
out, or you'll miss your breakfast. "


During this speech the speaker was
jumping hurriedly into his pants and his
boots.


"Well, you're hungrier than / ever
was, although I've often been in need
of square meal. But 1 thiuk would
have to be pretty bad off before l would
hurry as you do"


But ere / had finished my audience
was half way down stairs. 1 rose and
leisurely put on my clothes and went
down stairs, guided by piece of tallow
candle sputtering in an old dirty lantern.
When landed in the kitchen 1 found
the farmer, his son, and two hired men
standing before bench, oD which was
about half dozen lanterns similar to
the one in my bed-chamber. / was as
tonished. Could it be possible that these
dirty lanterns were productions OF the
FARM


Here's your lantern, young feller, "
said the "boss," as L heard the two men
call him.


took the proffered production, and
in solemn silence we marched through
the back door in single file, and wended
our way in the direction of the barn;
the boss taking the lead, the two hired
men next, and the author gallantly bring
ing up the rear.


1 thought this strange way of going
to breakfast, but said nothing. l was
not thoroughly awake, and, as we were
thus marching along, fell into sort of
a doze, and dreamed l was on railroad
train and the men beforeme were my
brakemen.


"All aboard !" Ishouted, swinging my
lantern above my head.


suddenly became aware of my mis-
take. / had struck the next man in
front of me on the nose, and, strange as
it may seem, he was without doubt
dreaming the same thing as was, think
ing himself a conductor also, for he
turned toward me and said something.
1 could not tell whether it was "all
aboard or not; anyhow, he swung his
lantern in such way that it struck my
head, and the lantern was smashed to
atoms.


"What's up2" said. care we off
the track 2"


He made some remark about uncoup-
ling me, but as was no hand to debate,
turned and followed the train, while
my brother conductor went back to the
station to procure another. lantern and
return on the next train.


will not relate what transpired while
at the barn, but let the reader guess we
did something by saying that after two
hours work We returned to breakfast,
which consisted chiefly Of cold turnips
and fat salt pork, with nothing to drink
but black coffee without milk or sugar.
When breakfast was over we again re-
paired to the barn-this time to shear
sheep. They were all huddled together
in small pen near the barn, where they
had been put the night previous. The
boss and / got into the pen for the pur
pose of catching and handing out to the
two men, who were to carry them to the
barn.


On getting in, L was cautioned 10 look
out for the old ram. But L was not
afraid. / determined not to catch the
old ram, and thus remain unhurt. But,
alas for human nature, how sadly was
1 deceived. For wonder, my first at
tempt to catch sickly looking lamb was
q success. L picked him up in triumph
and started to where the man was wait
ing, but on the way my burden became
restive. So put it down in the center
of the pen, and stopped fondly over it to
rest myself. 1 was thus standing over
the helpless sheep, when voice called
out:


"Look ont for the ram I"


The next thing L knew was flying
through the air over the fence. L struck
the ground, face downward, of course.
Presently arose, and finding no bones
broken, struck out into the open country
beyond. The farmer laughed, the hired
men ditto, the sheep bleated, the dogs
barked, and I,-well, never mind that.


Before was out of hearing the farmer
made some remark about paying for my
meals and lodging; but, without needing
his plaintive appeal, rushed bravely on,
vowing never to look on Granger again.