Plymouth weekly banner. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1856, 1856-03-27

the horse took, til 1 felt ms if flesh anc
bones were beaten 10 n jolly.
Sometimes my right hand, sometimes
my left. sometimes both hands were en-
ployed to hold in my tormentor. He
seemed to have vicious desire TO keer
half length ahead of every other horse
Of the party.
If he would only canter it would be
easier, but he WON'T said Phil, coming
to my side.
Il feel that replied l. grasping at my
bodice again. 1t was very kind in you
TO procure me so fine hackney con
tinueG bitterly.
i am very sorry; but you decided 10 go
at so late an hour. that every decent
horse In the place was engaged.
Ali this was said wiiit the comforta BILE
feelings of person who knew that be
was riding splendedly. and locking su-
premely handsome. Brown Tom was in
the best Of spirits. and went along in q
slow, stately gait, his mouth so ligh, that
the tension Of the rein did not make a
cresse in his masters glove. Phil's jock
ey cap wss set jauntily on the top OF his
brown curls, and his velvet riding coat
was OF the most unexceptionable fit.
What contrast | presented With
what pins | could find, had managed 10
stick one here and there in my bod1Ice.
between the bounces OF Old Nick, but
now it was requiring whichever hand |
was not using TO keep my hat straight
and the hair out OF my eyes. The very
hair that had been SO proud of. in il.
length and abundance, nearly drove me
wild. A last down it came, aud | went
along bounce. bounce, thump, ,hump, ill
1t enveloped me like the Lady Godiva's.
After an eternity. it seemed to me. we
reached Silver Spring. Never was poor
soul as glad OF respite from torture es
was. lattempled to jump from my horse
ss saw others do. but was so stiff and
bruised that | pitched headiong. for the
second time that morning, into Phil Oar
rah's aims.
Mrs. Jones. who had expected US. had
5reakfas, ready, and after binding up my
hair, determined not to think of the re-
turn. but 10 enjoy myself as much as pos.
SIble.
As for that Addy Looms. she dropped
around like hisd. pitying me. and talk
ing OF the delights of riding on horse
back at the same tia1e. Phil asked me
TO De helped to second saucer OF straw
berries. but insisted upon her taking
more. felt ,ha, my kingdom had de-
parted.
How | dreaded the return home only
the unini,ialed victim Of hard trot,ing
horse can tell. When once seated,
again.
/ did not trust 10 my skill in mounting
from Phil's hand this time. but got on Old
Nick's back in the good old orthodox
fnshion--from q chair.
My return commenced with the old
bounce, bounce. enivened occasion ally
with a clap ot the arms, very much like
that OF the wings of rooster before he
crows.
At last / got out Of all patience, and
taking the whip, which | had hung or
the cru,ch of the saddle, not knowing
how to hold it and my horse too. gave
Old Nick half dozen cuts, as hard al
my strength and temper would let me lay
on.
The beast gave n spring. put his heat
down between his four legs, thought
and was off.
was charmed with the experiment
the gait was SO easy; and shouted back il
my triumphant delight to those had lef;
neve. looked around. but heard the
clatier of horses feet behind me for awhil,
and then | pleased myself with the ide
that had distanced them all.
On and on went Old Nick and myself
l occasionally laughing in my deligh, a
the rapid motion and easy pace, and Civ
ing the animal cut if / found any in
dicalion of tagging.
Women and children rushed out OF cot
tages at our sprroscd. and the men work
ing in the fields threw down their imple
ments and hurried to the roadside. Blu
what cared Old Nick and for their nd
mir.;ion? How we gloried in our wild
huntsman gallop. end how slirrngly tn,
fresh morning air whizzed through ou
ears. took no heed of the way, for
philosophically concluded thst my horse
knew ii better than myself. and on we
went.
At last noticed that we had left the
high road, and turned up narrow lane
| had not time TO wonder al our where
abouis. when. in the midst of his full
career. Old Nick stopped. with his head
over a fence.
He nearly had me over, too. The
shock was awful. and | found myself en-
tirely off the saddle. on the top of the
pommel, with both arms around the horses
neck. After the frst moment of bewil.
derment was over. l cautiously made my
way bach 10 the seat of the saddle.
Then came the tug Of war with the
beast. Take his heod from over the
fence. or his eyes off that green field. be
would not.
My ride had given me courage. Ipull.
ed and whipped. and coaxed, ell TO nc
purpose. The horse was as immovable,
aud as deaf TO. my tones Of endearment
as tae bronze one in the equestrian statue
of Washington. @-
| Presently prolonged .'whinney" and
a frightful shaking OF the animals whole
body. nearly startled me from my seat.
looked across the field. and answering
| ,bo eslutot;nv fbara ,.c,. c,.at hla 4