The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-08-12
CHAPTER I.
THE SLEIGH-RIDE.

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AS was going past Mr.. Josh Carter's tav
en the other day, heard terrible noise il
The bar.room, and thinks l, I'll Just put my
head in and see what's the matter. "Whoo
rah," roared heap offellows, "here's John
ny Biddle, he'll 60, and that makes ten,"-
and hauled me in among them. "What'.
the occasion?" says 10 sleigh-ride owe
to Shaw's (every body goes to Shaw's tina
goes sleigh-riding) with gals-fddles ant
frolic. Whoorah, says l. motion, says Dr.
Partridge, that every gentleman go righ
straight, now, and get his sleigh and LADY
and meet at Hanks corner; and with anoth.
er whoorah, we burst out Of doors and scat
tered.
ran full split to the widow Beans. Hel
daughter Patty is the handsomest girl or
Casco bay. I had given her some pretty
broad hints, and only waited for a good
chance TO pop the question. "And ont il
shall come this very night" says /.
bounced into the Widow Beams out oi
breath, und was near catching Patty in the
suds. She had just done washing, and was
ringing out, standing in the midst of tubs,
pals, mops and kettles. She was struck all
of heap at the sight of her spark, and
would have blushed nicely, guess, if she
hadn't been as red as she could be already.
"A word in your ear, Patty" says l, giving
her wink, and stepping aside into corner,
told her what was brewing. iii run and
borrow the Deacon's sleigh, and come back
for you right away" says I. o, you needn't
be in such a tearin' hurry, says she, for l
have got to shift from top to toe. You see
what pickle am in. All, Patty, says l.,
beauty when unadorned is adorned the
Well, l VOW, says Patty says she. And off
shot, for how was I to follow up such bold
speech; but couldn't help staggering all
the way to the Deacon's 10 think how swim
mingly matters were going on. | was so
full of this, that entirely forgot to make up
a story to fob off upon the Deacon, till got
almost to the door: for the Deacon is a sworn
enemy to all frolicking, and so is his mare.
"I'll tell him, says I-T'll tell hm--I want
to carry grist to mill. But that will be
found out-no matter; so it's not till after
lection, as the politicians say"
The Deacon gave mortal squint at my
face, when | did my errand; but was safe
behind shirt-collar. He then fell to chew
ing his cud and considering. "Mother's
clean out, says both rye and injunn."-
The Deacon spit. "Well, neighbor, if you
are afeard 10 trust fellow, here's your two
shllings aforehand." "Poh, poh, John, says
he, waking up and pocketing the money, not
trust you; hear that now. Joshua tackle up
Sukey. You'll drive the crittur slow, John
and, now think oft, you may bring back
my grist, that is now at the mill-and look
sharp at the miller, John, when he stricks the
toll measure" 1t was too late to stick at
lies now. so I promised every thing, and
jumped into the sleigh and steered to the
widows, with flying colors.
1t is the height of gentility, you must
know, for lady 10 make her beau wait as
long as possible, on such an occasion. sat
over a heap of ashes in widow Beans par
lor, listening 10 Patty stamping about in
her stocking feet, in the chamber over head
for one good hour. Then | stood up TO The
looking glass and flizzled up my hair, chang
ed my shirt pin to new place; thought over
some speeches to make under the buffalo
skin, and finally laia plot to lug in the aw-
ful question in a sort of slantin' fashion.
AT last Patty appeared in all her glory;
and was just crooking my elbow TO lead
her out, when in came mother Bean
f" Where are you gwyin' to Patty" "a
sleigh-riding mother" "What! and leave
your cousin Dolly all alone. to suck her fin
gers? A pretty how dye do that, after COM
ming all the way from Saco to see you."-
Here was knock-down argument. All my
plans of courtng and comfort melted down
and ran off in a moment. l saw directly
that the widow was resolved to push big Dol
ly Fisher into my sleigh, whether or no; and
there was no remedy; for the widow Bean
is stump that is neither to be got round
nor moved out of the way. made some
mention about the small size Of the sleigh,
but she instantly shut my mouth. "Let me
alone," says she, "I went sleigh-riding
afore you was born, youngster. And if
don't know how to pack sleigh, who does?
Patty Bean, stow yourself away here, and
stink yourself up small. Ifthere isn't room
we must make room, as the fellows used TO
'ay. Now Dolly hoist yourself in there."-
And she tumbled her into the sleigh, like
,hot from a shovel, or a cart-load of pump
Tins into gondola: 1t was chuck full of
,er. o, she is Wrapper, | tell ye. "Why, !
Johnny Biddle, in my day, they used to pack
IS layer upon layer" At this hint / sneak
ID round TO find Patty and begin the second
ayer upon her lap But the widow was
ride awake. She clenched me by the col
ar, and patting upon Dolly's knees, "here's