1856.] Colonel Billy vs. Unch John. 347 



shucks laid carefully in one apartment of his crib. The cold, rainy, 

 chilling nights of November and December came to him too. The 

 milk cow lows as she approaches his gate. She is immediately put into 

 a dry, sheltered pen, and sufficiently protected from the piercing wind, 

 and "pelting of the pitiless storm ;" and in a large trough, a fine bas- 

 ketful of fresh shucks, sprinkled with salt and water, is placed, pulled 

 to pieces, for "Brownie" and "Lady," etc., for this injunction, was 

 given often and again, by the modest, pious matron whom it was 

 John's good fortune to have secured, " Think of the cow, my dear 

 children, and be good to her, for she it is that gives you sweet milk.'* 

 *' Pull her shucks to pieces, that she may soon fill herself, and lie down 

 to rest." The infant drinks in benevolence, feels its humanity roused, 

 and gratefully returns good for good. Here is the impression stamped 

 by a mother, and no time can efface those lessons that formed a Washing- 

 ton ! John smiles approbation, and as he inwardly congratulates him- 

 self on the possession of such a partner for his bosom — such a mother 

 for his offspring — he feels a full glow of the most refined happiness. The 

 calves, they have " some of the shucks, my children, and some oat straw 

 from the barn." The "good steers," they too are well supplied with the 

 roughest of the shuck, and some tops that were saved and laid by for 

 them. They have their warm, sheltered apartment. Providing such 

 little sources of comfort for his animals, occupies the time that the 

 Colonel is found settling military affairs, or going to the " store " on 

 Saturdays. John throws his corn from the carriage into the crib ; 

 economy makes it hold out ; Dobbin has his reserve of fodder laid up 

 in the " little stable loft " for winter use, and until plowing-time. The 

 stacks stand untouched ; a small neat stack of oats, to be cut occasionally 

 in the sheaf, aids Dobbin with his allowance of corn, who eats his meal 

 in a warm stable, and lies down to a refreshing rest, " after a hard day's 

 plowing or riding." John sells his two stacks, when such as the Colonel 

 are out on the hunt, and sold it is. The proceeds go to Xashville, and 

 lays in his sugar and coffee at a low price. The proceeds of the little 

 cotton-crop go to lay up a piece of good land for a child. John fre- 

 quently congratulates himself on being settled in a country where it is 

 " so easy to live and get along," and in speaking of him his neighbors 

 say, " He is a prudent, good man." 



' Absence of occupation is not rest ; 

 A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd." 



