Jonas on a Farm in Winter

he farm, in the employment of Oliver's father, he came

ar it. The room was used both for kitchen and parlor, and there was a great variety of furniture in different parts of it. There were chairs and tables, a bookcase with a desk below, a loom in one corner by a window, and a spinning-wheel near

came from the fireplace. There was a log there, which had been buried in the ashes the night before. It had burned slowly, through the

Jonas had prepared the night before, to be ready for his fire. On the other side was a black cat asleep, with her chin upon her paws. When th

o," said Jonas. "It

s name w

gan to brighten and crackle, until, in a few minutes, there was before him a large heap of glowing and burning coals. He put a log on behind, then placed the andirons up to the log, and a great forestick upon the andirons. He placed the forestick so far out as to leave a considerable space betwee

lantern,"

de of tin, with holes punched through it on all sides, so as to allow the light to shine

candle from the socket within. Just as he was

he, "you are bef

nd makes the fire, of

e Oliver," said Amo

ed to wake Olive

re coming down. They have found ou

uch snow?"

pretty well covered. If there is enough to ma

you going to d

e pines to get out the

followed by Josey shivering with the col

iver, "that he was going with me to-day,

barn next summer. But I'm going up into the woods

id Josey, "if it

woods," said Jonas. "Ther

ot his lantern ready, and had gone to the doo

y, "are you going

said

for me, just till I

ing to Josey's request, and t

o the barn. They had to go through a gate, which led them into the barn-yard. F

ugh the barn to the back side. This was called the barn floor. On one side was a place divided off for stables for the horses, and on the other side was the tie-up, a place for the oxen and cows. There was also the bay, and the lofts for hay and gra

had lain down, began to get up, and the horses neighed in their stalls; for the shini

wed him; while Amos remained below to "feed out" the hay, as he called it, as fast as they pitched it d

angerous for you to be up he

iver, and he be

"I don't think th

d is worse than almost any other. It

a wound is tha

don't stay up here. You don't obey so well as Ol

, but of great strength. When he was younger, he belonged to a general, w

ay over into the old General's crib. He then went round into the General's s

came into the barn. Josey got a shovel, and went out to help Oliver. After they had shoveled away the snow from the great barn doors, they went to the house, and began to clear the steps before the doors, and to make paths in the yards. They worked in this way for half an

ace, to see what they were

she was turning her cakes, "go and cal

Oliver,"

Amos and Jonas at work in a shed beyond, getting down a sled which had been stowed away there d

ing out that sled

're going to haul wood after break

nd Jonas had taken it off. This smaller sled had two shafts to draw it by, instead of a tongue. Jonas k

od plan for you and Josey to take this sled and

ver, "I should l

he horse-sled, while I load the ox-sled, and then we can d

iver, "I mean t

for the oxen, and Josey can drive the horse, and s

, "because we can

nas; "I had f

liver, "to let me have the old Genera

g beautifully upon the fresh snow, making it sparkle in every direction, a

wider?" said Amos. "This isn'

do very well. I can widen it a litt

and the breaths of the boys were visible by the vapor which was condensed by the cold. The pond was one great level field of dazzling white. All was silent-nothing was seen of life or motion, except that Darco