|
THE FAMILY WATCH-DOG—A
TRIP TO MARKET—AN AUCTION
SALE ON THE FARM.
EVERY farmer kept a watch-dog as a
matter of course. The names of the
different dogs on our grandfather's farm in the
order of their lives were more familiar to us
than the names of the kings of England or the
presidents of the United States. Commencing with
"Old Watch," then there was "Shep," "Jocko,"
"Skip" "Coley" and "Carlo." The dog seemed to be
one of the individual characteristics of the place, and on
our annual visit to the old farm, we were always glad
to see him and make friends with him, and
truth to tell, we imagined from the preposterous
wagging of his bushy tail, that he was equally
pleased to see us—at least, it took him but a
short time to renew acquaintance with us—and he
could soon be seen following us as we went from
house to barn, and from barn to house. I doubt
whether as much attention is paid to the farm
house-dog as formerly; he is now kept outside for fear
he may track the floor or soil the carpet. The moral to
be learned from this is that we should cultivate more regard for dumb
brutes than we do, for, like ourselves, they are God's creatures, and some
of them not much below the intelligence of some human beings., The family
watch-dog has always served a useful purpose on the farm, a good dog
easily earning his own living, for besides keeping the poultry out of the
garden and the cows out of the meadow, he would accompany the farmer's boy
every morning and evening when sent after the cows, and after the bars had
been let down would run into the field, round up the cattle and chase them
homeward, hurrying from one to another and starting them up as they lagged
behind to browse the herbage along the way. The sagacity and faithfulness
of the dog are as remarkable as they are well known and admired, and
although only a dumb brute he seems to be gifted with more reason than
most animals. Some may think it is instinct only; the writer believes that
the dog can reason in a way of his own. He can be taught many useful
tricks, and if properly trained soon gets to know what is expected of him.
He is affectionate, and if well treated will see that no harm comes to his
master's property. The children can safely be left in his charge. He is a
sworn enemy of tramps and vagrants, and seems to know by the sense of
smell whether a person is wanted on the premises or not. Some of the old
pioneers had dogs trained to do the churning. They were fastened to the
treadmills which operated the churn and after the churning was done were
rewarded with a piece of bread and butter. Some of them dreaded the work,
as did the old turnspit dogs of Old Country kitchens of former days. When
they saw preparations being made for churning or roasting, it is well
known that the dogs would run off and hide themselves, necessitating
oftentimes tying them up beforehand.
NOTE—It is said that a good dog knew all the cows and
horses, etc., on the farm, and if a stray animal came on the place would
single it out and chase it away.
A Trip to Market.
Years ago a trip to market meant a long drive through
the woods, over corduroy and muddy roads, for the market towns were then
few and far between. About the only commodity the farmer raised that he
could realize money for was wheat, and sixty years ago it sold for 35 and
40 cents a bushel. The towns did not have the population to demand much
farm produce, and the facilities for transportation were poor,
consequently the prices were low.
The writer's father remembers when butter sold for six
and eight cents a pound, and eggs for four and five cents a dozen in
trade, and sometimes merchants would not take his butter and eggs at any
price. What the farmer raised was chiefly for his own use, for by barter
and by making what he needed in the way of clothing, implements, etc., he
could live very well without outside assistance. Still he was always glad
to avail himself of any means by which to get some cash.
As a rule, the pioneers, when they first located on
their bush farms, did all their farm work with oxen, for they were cheaper
and could be used to better advantage in logging and other rough farm work
than horses. His trip to mill or market was usually made behind these
primitive steeds. It was, to be sure, a slow way of travelling, but he was
glad to possess such a team. Most of our prosperous farmers of that time
began life in this way. If we could take a backward glance at Toronto even
fifty or seventy-five years ago, we would, no doubt, see a great many ox
teams around the market. Later on, as the land became cleared and the
farmers more prosperous, horse teams became more common.
In order to reach market early, the farmers who had
long distances to go, say from fifteen to thirty miles or more, were
obliged to travel all night or to start very early in the morning, perhaps
as early as two or three o'clock, on their journey. Of course, they traded
off some of their produce, as butter and eggs, at the country store, but
in order to get a fair price it was necessary to go to town. On his trip
to market it was customary for the farmer's wife to accompany him, so as
to get rid of her share of the produce, viz., the butter and eggs, and to
make purchases for their home. The ride, especially in the winter, was a
cold one, but well wrapped up in blankets, buffalo robes, and quilts from
the bed, they succeeded in making themselves comfortable. It was not
unusual for them to travel on a cold frosty morning with hot bricks
wrapped in cloth placed at their feet.
Preparations for the trip were always made the day
beforehand—the butter and eggs packed, the grain bagged and placed in the
wagon or sleigh box, or the hay loaded up on the rack. This trip to market
was a pleasant change to the farmer and his wife from the daily drudgery
and monotony of farm life; and with many it meant the uncorking of bottles
and a temporary little jollification. As farmer met farmer they clinked
their glasses together over the bar and talked of their cattle, sheep,
calves, colts, etc. It was considered a necessary duty to call at the
different inns on their way home, and while the good wife waited the
farmer would have a glass of toddy to warm him and a talk with the tavern
keeper.
An Auction Sale on the Farm.
If a farmer wished to sell out and retire, or go to
another part of the country, he would dispose of his stock and other
property by auction. The sale was advertised in the country town
newspaper, if there was one, as well as by auction bills on the fences, in
the barrooms of the hotels, blacksmith shops, stores and other conspicuous
places. It was usually headed "Auction Sale," "on the farm of ______, on
the concession of ______ in large type. Following this, in smaller type,
was a list of the animals and articles to be sold, every article of any
importance being enumerated, as, for instance, so many head of cattle, so
many horses, sheep, pigs, etc.; also farm implements, such as wagons,
ploughs, etc. After this came the terms of payment, which were usually
joint note for nine months or a year, with so much percentage off for
cash. The auctioneer had to be on the ground early to value the stuff.
Besides being a good valuator, it was necessary for him to be good-natured
and able to crack a joke. He usually had a stock of jokes for such
occasions, and would spring them as required, for it was necessary to keep
the crowd in good humor in order to get them to bid. He would take his
stand on a box or barrel, or other elevated place, from which temporary
rostrum he harangued the crowd. He usually started the sale with the
smaller articles, such as hoes, rakes, etc., and left the most important
articles until the last, so as to keep the crowd on the ground. As the
different articles were put up by him, he could be heard calling out
loudly something like this: "How much am I bid for this fine muley cow?
Fifteen dollars, Mr. Smith. Fifteen, fifteen, fifteen; anybody bid
sixteen? [A nod from some one in the crowd.] Sixteen! Mr. Jones. Sixteen,
sixteen, sixteen. Surely you are not going to let this cow go for sixteen
dollars? Seventeen dollars, do I hear? Seventeen, seventeen, seventeen.
Going at seventeen. Sold to Mr. Brown for seventeen dollars." The farmers
would come for miles around to attend an auction sale. And there was lots
of fun at these sales, and even if they did not go to buy anything, they
were sure to meet a number of their acquaintances there, and farmers, the
same as other people, like a change now and then. At these sales were to
be seen all sorts and conditions of men. There was the jolly fat man, the
tall, slim man, the little man, the homely man, and the handsome man. They
could be seen standing around in groups here and there, discussing
politics, and municipal matters, talking over local news, such as the
crops, the roads, examining the different articles offered for sale, and
giving their opinion as to their merits. Liquor was generally plentifully
supplied by the party having the sale. It was policy on his part to
furnish it, for usually after the farmers became a little "merry," they
would be likely to bid things up a smart figure and would also be more
easily tempted to buy many things they could have done just as well
without. Many of the farmers, by buying articles because they were cheap,
contracted debts thy were not able to pay at maturity of the notes given
and so ruined themselves. Experience has made the farmers wiser, they do
not now buy useless stuff at auction sales as did some formerly. They have
come to the proper and sensible conclusion that if an article is not
needed it is dear at any price.
|
