How the squirrels scampered to the woods and to the business of
storing away the hickory nuts that we could hear rattling down
every frosty morning! We hurried with the corn; because as soon
as the last shock was in, we might take the horses, wagon, and
our dinner, and go all day to the woods, where we gathered our
winter store of nuts. Leander would take a gun along, and shoot
one of those saucy squirrels for the little sick mother.
Last came the November night, when the cold had shut us in. Then
selected ears that had been dried in the garret were brought down,
white for `rivel' and to roll things in to fry, and yellow for
corn bread and mush. A tub full of each was shelled, and sacked
to carry to the mill the following day. I sat on the floor while
father and the boys worked, listening to their talk, as I built
corncob castles so high they toppled from their many stories.
Sometimes father made cornstock fiddles that would play a real
tune. Oh! the pity of it that every little child cannot grow,
live, learn and love among the corn.
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