WHEN THE WOLF WAS AT THE DOOR.
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When Mother was sick and Dad's time was mostly taken up nursing her; when there was nothing, scarcely, in the house; when, in fact, the wolf was at the very door;—Dan came home with a pocket full of money and swag full of greasy clothes. How Dad shook him by the hand and welcomed him back! And how Dan talked of "tallies," "belly-wool," and "ringers," and implored Dad, over and over again, to go shearing, or rolling up, or branding—anything rather than work and starve on the selection.
That's fifteen years ago, and Dad is still on the farm.
