Litchfield enquirer., 1829-12-10

Vu' 'eCo"eCuoh thRt we mad reserved tor such time
 one Uf John Neal's best written tales, 7he SleisA
 Rtde." It is quaint and characteristic. For broad
 humor, and fancy, and deliMcation Of character no
 one exeels Nral We do not, and probably never
 shall, make it u point to publsh-or love, or murder,
 or gossip, or any.,hingolsc-a tale every week; but
 when we come across one which strikes our own fam
 cy and think 1t will afford our readers, our fair read
 e's especially, amusement in winter eve, or sUmmc,
 afternoon, we shall not hesitate about transpan,inr
 into our columns. There is or late so much trashy stuF under the head of "Popular Tales," that we
 have become almost sick of the whole oc Ihrm.
 A SLEIGH RIDE.
 As I was going past Mr. Josh Carter's tavern the other day, heard a terrible noise in the bar-room, and thinks l, I'll just put my head in and see what is the matter. Whoorah,' roarcd a heap of tcl- lows, here's Johnny Riddle, he'll %, aud that makes ten'-'the occasion!' says l. o sleigh-rde over 10 Shaw's, ,(every body goes to Shaw's that goes Sleigh-riding) with gals, fiddle and trolic. Whoorah, says l. motion, says Dr.. Partridge, that every gentleman go right straight now, and get his sleigh and lady and meet at Hanks corner; and with another whoorah we burst out fdoors and scattered.
 ran, full split, to the widow Beams. Her daughter Patty is the handsomest girl on Casco bay. had given her some pret- ty broad hints, and only waited for good chance to pop the question. And out it shall come this very night says I.
 I bounced into widow Beans, out of breath, and was near catching Patty in the studs. Sho had just done washing and was wringing out, standing in the midst of tubs, pals, mops, and kettles. Sho was struck all of a heap at the sight of her spark, and would have blushed nicely, guess, if she hadn't been as rcd as she could be already. A word in your ear, Patty says l, giving her wink, and stepping aside into corn- er-I told her what was brewing. 'Ill rnn and borrow the Deacon's sleigh, and come back for you right away,' saysI I. o you needn't be in such tearin' hurry, says she, for have got to shift from top to toe. You sec what pickle am in. An, Patty says I, beauty when adorned is adorned VOW, says Patty, says she. And olf I shot, for how was to follow up such a bold speech; but l couldn't help staggering all the way to the Deacon's, to think how swimmingly matters were going on. was so full of this, that entirely forgot to make up story to fob of upon the Deacon, till got almost to tho door; for the Deacon is sworn enemy to all frolicking, and so is his mare. 'I'll toll him, says I-I'll tell him want to carry grist to mill. But that will be found out no matter so 'lis not till after 'lecticn, as Inc politicians say.'
 The Deacon gave mortal squint at my face, when did my errand but was safe behind shirt-collar. He then fell to chewing his cud and considering. Mother is clean out, says I-bolh rye and injunn. Tho Deacon spit. Well, ncighbor, ifI you are afeard to trust fellow, here's your two shillings aforchand.' "Poh, poh, John," says be, walking up and pockc,ing the money, "not trust you; hear that, now. Joshua tackle up Sukey. You'll drive the crittur slow, John,-and now think of it, you may bring back my grist, that is now at the mill |; and look sharp at the miller, John, when he strikes the toll It was too late to stick at lies now, so I promised every thing, jumped luIO JUG SICISU dUu StSClSu 'o 'HS "IuO" - with flying colors.
 It is the height of gcntility, you must know, for lady to make her beau wait as long as possible, on such an important occasion. l sat over heap of warm ash- es in widow Bean's barbour, listening to Patty stamping about in her stocking feet, in the chamber over head for one good hour. Then I stood up to the looking glass and frizzled up my hair, changed my shirt pin to a new place thought over some speeches to make under the buffalo skin, and finally laid a plot to lug in the awful in a sort of slantn' fashion.
 At last Patty appeared in all her glory and I was just crOoking my elbow to lead her out, when in came mother Bean.- "Where are you gwyin' to, Patty ?" "A mother. "What and leave your cousin Dolly all alone, to suck her fingers! A pretty how dye do that, af- ter coming all the way from Saco to see you" Here was knock down argument. All my plans of courting and comfort melt cd down and ran off in m"mont. saw directly that the widow was resolved to push big Dolly Fisher into my sleigh, whether or no; and there was no remedy; for widow Bean is a stump that is neither to be got round nor moved ont of tho way I made some mention about the small size
 -h IT.