American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-30

they knew II was tall fun for the girls and boys ;
aye, they kicked up hoice as high as they had
done In the morning, every time old John hit
them crack with an extravagant hickory stick
ne had got purposely "for the fun Of the
thing" And every time he jerked the reins
ana hallooed Hoo 0 0 Ikea professional jockey,
and ''lay back on 'em," as he called it, the
wags OF donkeys, as they were, would prickup
their ears, and make believe to run away in
downright earnest; while old John would bawl
out, every now and then IA s....
Awful papers awful papers! Go it, boots .
III never be able to stop 'em-l know won't I;
they're off now !"
But they were not and he always could stop
them. Ii he would only rink to those donkcys,
ten chances to one, they would understand him.
Al this headlong speed it didn't take long to
arrive at the Ford Of the Panther Bluff; and
the two giant figures upon the top looked lonely
and grand by the soft effect of the moons light.
But another thing than the subEmity Of this
effect engaged the attention Of the little party
at this moment. The violent rain had made
the ford all but impossible. The prediction of
the Witch of Golding Gorge flashed instantly
across the mind of all the party; and one pro-
posed to go back to the hamlet of Petersburg,
few miles distant, and to return in the morn
ing. There was nothing young Berry shrunk
from SO much as suspicion less an
lmputation-of cowardce, and consequently,
when Harry Lee called out to him
81 say, Ned, you'll 60 back for one certain .
The Witch, you know, old fellow the Witch .
Better not try the ford, guess ..
Pshaw - cried Berry, 81 was going to
cross, anyhow; but I'm bound to do it now, to
let you all see how much care for the old
hypocrite |" gys5 .a1rt at SAD Aan,s
"Never mind, Ned, boy don't think of it
don't try it we don't doubt your courage, but
it's no use, we can't get over--at least the girls
can't = exclaimed another of the party.
81 go over, if come back again. and return
to Petersburg with you then but I'm going to
try it now" He rode up to Annie who sat
like statue upon her horse, blanched white as
the lilies in her own little garden, before the
door at home, with the apprehensions that
filled her mind, and the prcscntiment she felt
but feared to impart. She could only whisper
to him earnestly, when he was near enough:
''Pray, don't go, dearest Eddy For my sake
don't attempt the Ford IL fear--'
And, burying her face in her handkerchief,
| she burst into tears.
"Poh! poh ! Annie, child don't be afraid
on my account warrant have gone across
as bad places before, in perfect safety, as this
bug-bear Ford of the Panther Bluff. Why, look
up there at him in the moonsbine he looks as
if he thought he could clear it himself with
such bound as that he seems prepared for !.
Good-by, love-" he added tenderly, and stoop,
ing over, unobserved by the rest, he pressed
her lips, saying
| "Good-by, dearest! it IL not be very long
before you're by my side again Good-by
good !" and dashing the spurs into his steed
he plunged into the boiling flood. His hors
stumbled once or twice, but regaincd his foot
| ing speedily again; though once he sank to til,
| thigh of his rider. The current was so over
| whelming, it was as much as the noble animal
could do to breast it; and he was kept with his
head up the stream as much as practicable.
| Conclusion in our ncxt)