The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-15
For the National Era.
LIFE ON PRAIRIE DE La FLEUR.-EO IS.
BY MARY IRVING.
CHAP. UI-Continued

"Plag6e on this dormouse of beast!"
Henley sprang to the ground, and began to
belabor the over-wearied ANIMAL mnghng with
his rash blows words which must not soil our
page.
Hout, mon! dinna wax unmercfu' to the
beast!n exclaimed an old Scotchman from
the group of laborers which the little scene
had attracted toward the fence.
"Confound your canting, old codger Step
over here and attend to him, by -"
The Scotchman drew back in silent, but de-
cisiye dignity; but when Henley turned from
his horse, who, quiyering in every limb, had
lain down in the harness. to abuse him for q
"mean-souled Covenanter," he was arrested by
a deep clear voice, close to his ear "
"Can assist you, sir 2"
The tone and air were almost naughty, but
the words were kind and civil and Henley
was too much excited to remark, as did his
companion, the evident superiority of the mans
cOuntenance to his striped working frock. He
accordingly snatched a coin from his pocket
aud held it ont, with hasty thank you J"
for the profercd aid
"Put it back, young gentleman !" returned
the other, with courteous waive of the hand !;
ttf pence were fewer, and poiise words more
frequent. the world would be much more ready
to obligel"
Henley bit his lip and drew back, while the
stout man drew the collar OF the reeking neck
of the horse, and by u few encouraging pats
and cheering tones reused him to his feet
"The beast has been badly wind-broken be-
fore this" he said, regarding his painting frame
with the eye of n connoisseur, and wont
brook over-urging. How far have you driven
him since dining"
From s. sir" replied the younger
good humorcdly and respectfully, awhere we
bargained for the rare animal, to our cost as
it seems"
g" thought 50 twenty-odd miles" he NUT
tered aside. ooh, noW he replied, he needs
but fair rubbing down, and nights batting,
and he will speed you many mile yetV
"Thank you, sir Can you favor us with q
direction 10 the nearest hotel ~
A smile seemed to curl the mans calm lip
as he glanced over the youths fashionable ex-
terror, and thought of the clog tavern"
" 1t is more miles away than you or your
beast will like to count tonight" he answer
ed but if you will accept of such lodging
and fare as plain farmer can Offer you shall
be most heartily welcome to it.p
Henley and his friend exchanged glance
of mute consultation, and then, with bow of
graceful formality, the former accepted the in
vitation.
Bob called the stranger to wide-mouth-
ed Irish boy gaping over the rail fence, I" take
this gentleman's beast up to the stall, rub him
down with sponge, and give him-(bere fol-
lowed divers directions most interesting to a
horse, Jockey or stable tender)
Excuse my leaving you, to make your way
alaup " ba addad turntpu abont u az
tend to this job in hand. Bob will guide you
to the house and you will be made welcome
until | come. You spy the roof directly you
turn by the red oak on yonder knoll"
{" An Englishman thought us much, said
to the summit of the knoll, and caught sight
Of a plain but tasteful cottage, with n high,
sloping roof In front was n halfgrown hedge,
protected by white washed rails and a bit of
lawn, as smooth and clean as a Turkey car
pet-rug, led up TO the door. Across the road
from this, the great barn lowered among n
host Of out-houses matched with bundles of
straw crossed by poles, in true English fashion.
A porch, yelled by a carefully traned eglan-
tine, as neat as its surroundings, screened the
front door, in whose open passage lady arose
as they approached Her courtesied acknowl-
edgment Of their best ballroom bow was cour-
teous enough but her dark eyes seemed to
demand the errand Of the intruders.
"Plase We, man, suffered the boy Bob,
with desperate clutch at his grass hst-brim,
ats the jintlemen that's TO bide for the haste
that's wary and the miSther bid INC for to
walk the jintlemen up, 20 lave themselves in
yer kaping for the night that is to be J"
"Walk in, gentlemen !" invited the lady,
with cordial self.possesson.
The little paror which they entered was
simply furnished, but elegant in its tasteful
neatness A brace of branching horns sur.
mounted the mantel, graced on zach side by q
small white porcelain vase, filed with prairie
roses.
Sinking upon the chintz-coyercd lounge,
Henley commenced nonchaIantly tanning his
flushed face while his companion explained
their calamitous circumstances in few words.
Make yourselves perfectly at your ease,
young gentlemen replied their hostess, gra-
ciously. ave are most happy 10 welcome
YOU. wish we had as much ~ ofer for your
amusement a. for your comfort that your de-
Law might not prove dull, she added, smiling.
"Is there game hcreaboutsip asked Henley,
with a glance at the antlers
"Abundance Of squirrels and wood-bird in
the grove" she replied "This season gives
only small game TO the Sportsman. But you
will certainly take lunch before you try your
luck in that Iine?D
The guests assented and rs she moved with
dignided step from the room, Henley signih-
cantly tapped the arm of his friend.
"A rare prairie bird, that Juno! but what
head II she were ten years on the sunny
sids, she might make an impression, decidedly ~
and the young man complseently laid his hand
where his heart physiOIegiealIy ought to have