The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-09-12
THE SLEIGH RIDE;
OR TWO WAYS OF TELLING STORY.

Young people commit more faults from thought
lessness than from an intent TO do wrong, and
want Of reflection leads children astray much
o!tener than want OF principle. Indifference to
the feelings ofthe aged, proneness to make light
ofi's pecuiiari'ies, are, however, occasionally in
dulged in by the young; and the excitement OF
the momenary qualification which such merTi-
neht may produce, all thought Of the wrong, and
sense OF the right, afe equally forgotten. Tie
provefh OF the wisest man saith: ssFhe glory OF
1 the young men is IN their strength, and the bean-
| ~ OF old men is in the gray head.n The strength
| OF the Young man should protect and defend the
beauty ofthe old. The hoary head should ever
| be respected, whatever may be the outward CON
dition Of is possessor, and neither sport nor r-
cnle should be thrown on him whose enteebled
strength scarce sutices 10 bear the weight Of all
| the Years with which time has burthened him.
| The following narrative which is strictly true,
| illustrates what has been observed, and proves
| that the Just reeofnpense of thoughtless faut
may be much more speedily repaid TO those who
commit il, than may be either expected or desired
By them. The common saying of sswakiny up
The wrong passenger seems particularly aPpi-
cable 10 the case.
In one Of the most populous cities Of New Eng
land, a few years since. party Of lads. all mem
bers OF the school, got up grand sleigh ride,
There we're about twenty-iv or thirty boys en-
gagged in the frolic. The sleigh was very large
ard splendid establishment, drawn by six grey
horses. The a.tern66n was as pleasant as any
one could desire, and the merry group enjoyed
themselves in the highest degree. |, was com
mon custom Of the school TO which they belong
ed, and on previous occasions their teachers had
accompanied them. Some engagement on in
poftant business, however, occupying him, he
was not at this time with them. It squite like
ly, had il been otherwise and that the restraining
influence OF his presence would have prevented
the scene which is the main feature oi the present
story.
On the day following the ride, as he entered the
school room, he found his pupils grouped about
the stove, and in high merriment as they chat
ted about the fun and frolic OF their excursion -
| He stopped awhile to listen, and in answer 70
some Inquiries which he made about the matter,
one OF The lads, a fine, frank, and manly boy,
whose heart was in the right place, though his
| love Of sport sometimes led him astray, volnn-
teered 10 give narrative OF the trip and IT'S var!-
ons incidents. As he drew near the end OF his
story, lie exclaimed, go, sir, there was one little
circumstance which had almost forgotten to tell
YOU. Toward the latter part OF the afternoon, as
! we were coming home, we saw at some distance
ahead Of MS a queer looking affair in the road
/ We could not exactly make out what It was. i
| appeared TO be sort OF half and half monsrosity
| As we approached il proved TO be a rusty ole
sleigh, fastened behind covered wagon, proceed
a
road Finding that the owner was not disposed
10 turn out, we determined on a volley OF snow
balls and good hurrah. These were giver
with relish and they produced the right ei
feet, and little more for the crazy machine turn
ed out into the deep snow, by the side OF the road
and the skinny old pony started on iull trot.-
As we passed, some one who had the whip, gavs
the old gilt of horse agood crack, which mad'
him run faster than he ever did before, Ill war
rant And so, with another volley OF snow ball
i pitched into the front of the wagon, and thre
times three cheers, we rushed by. With that, al
old fellow in the wagon, who was halt buried uI
under an old hat, and beneath rusty coat, an'
who had dropped the reins bawled ont, "Wh,
do you frishien my horse.' ssWhy don't yo'
turn out then!" says the driver. So we CAV
three rousing cheers more; his horse was frIghten
ted again, and ran up against loaded team' ana
believe almost capsized the old creature-and $
we left him.
Well, boys, replied the intruc'or that is quill
an incident. But take your seats, and after ou
morning service is ended, will take my turn an
tell yon story, and all about sleigh ride too.
Having finished reading chapter in the bible
and altci all had Joined in the Lords Prayer, n
commenced as follows:
tYesterday afternoon, a very venerable and re
spectacle old man, and clergyman by profession
was on his way from Boston TO Salem, to PASS IN
residue OF the winter at the house OF his son. =
Tha, be might be prepared for journey ing, as y
proposed to do in the spring, he took with h'n
his light wagon aud for the winter his sleigh
+ which he fastened behind The wagon. lie wa
lust as have told you, very old and inirm, hi
iemn,es were covered with thiLned locks, whic
The tros,s of eighty years had whtened; his sight
and benrinp toos were somewhat blunted by age
as yours will he. should you live to be as old
lie was proceeding very slowly and quietly, TO
his horse was CID and feeble. like his owner