I had two large sacks gathered every day for my cattle; his went hungry. One by one the cows and young calves died, not being accustomed to range like the woods cattle.
Some time after he finished ploughing for me he drove his son up to see a doctor fifteen miles from here in a very bitter spell of weather—drove the creatures up without feed, and after consulting the doctor turned right back. One ox dropped and died two miles from home, the other managed to get back, but lay down about 100 yards from my front gate, under the trees laden with food which would have saved its life, if given in time. I used to take the lantern and go out at night to carry food to it, knowing that if Elihu saw me feeding it he would cease giving the little care which he expended on it.
It struggled on a week and then died. One month before he had been offered $60 for the yoke.
At last he had not an animal left. Then he came to me and said he would like to take service with my neighbor by the month as ploughman, as he would no longer give him work unless he hired to him by the month. I was very sorry, for I let him work there all the time when I had no work for him. He is a splendid boatman, and I always called on him to row me across the river and did not mind wind or waves with Elihu at the oars.
However, I told him he could do so if he paid $1 a month for his house—now he has gone, owing me for eight months rent besides his tax. Several years ago he was double taxed, having neglected to pay at the right time, and since then I have always paid his tax when I paid my own.
He owns some land with timber. When I went to pay the tax, I saw two buildings and twenty-five acres and the tax was $4. I saw Elihu, I showed him the paper, and asked:—
"Have you any buildings on the land?"
"No, miss, I ent build no house, I ruther stay here, en if I sick you ten' me."
"But, Elihu, the tax paper calls for two houses."
"Well, miss, ent you know, look like I ought to had house by now!"