Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-04-17

persuade her out Of her prejudiccs. II was
useless. Miss NOrmaL's ancestors had one and
all expressed a very decided opinion against
stage coaches by never getting into one, and
''she did not feel disposed to disgrace line
longer than common by riding in any carriage
but her owe.
Sir Vincent bowed and retired. So did Jem
Wade. The stage ratified away at an indignant
gsllOP. By way of passing the time, thrice
repeated my offers to the Obdurate old maiden,
and endured as many rebufs. / was contem-
lplatiug fourth trial when signal was made
from the carriage window, and Humphrey,
with his hat in his hand. opened the door.
Procure me post chsise.'
"A po-shayP echoed Humphrey, but, like
an Irish echo, with some variation from the
original. Bless yeI ma'am, there beant such
thing to be had ten miles round--no, not for
love nor money, Why, bless you it be election
time. and there bsaut coach, cart. nor dog bar
row, but what be gone to it!'
No NATTER said the mistress, drawing her
self up with an air Of lofty resignation, Il re.
woke my order, for it is far, very, from the
kind of riding that l prefer. And Humph-
rey-"
"Yes, ma'am."
':Anothsr time"
Yes, ma am"
Remember. once for all,
"Yes, ma'am."
III do not choose to be best,
Another pause in our proceedings, during
which company Ofragged boys, who had been
backberrying, came up, and planted them
selves, with every symptom of vulgar curiosi-
ty, around the carriage. ... ......
Miss Norman had now no single glass through
which she could look without encountering a
group Of low life faces staring at her with all
their might. Still the pride of the NOrman's
sustained her. She sat more rigidly erect than
ever, occasionally favoring the circle with a
most awful threatening look, accompanied ever
by the same Eve words
"I choose to be alone"
1t is easy to say choose. but more difficult
to have ones choice The blackberry boys
chose to remain. confess took pity On the
pangs, even Of unwarrantable pride. and urged
my proposal again with some warmth; but it
was repelled with absolute scorn.
"FellOw, you are insOlent."
After tedious interval, in which her mind
had doubtless looked abroad as well as inwerd,
fresh tapping at her window, she summoned
the obsequious Humphrey to receive orders.
"present my compliments at the Grove-and
the lsAn of the chariot will be esteemed fa-
VOL" ..
"By your leave ma'am, il l may speak"
you may not"
Humphrey closed the door, but remained
minute gazing on the panel. If he meitated
and expostulation he gave it up and proceeded
10 drive away the boys, one of whom was as
trlde of the dead Plantageuet, second grin
ming through his collar, and two more Prepar-
ing to play al horse with the reins.
Then away Humphrey went, and found the
time grow tedious in his absence. l had al
most made up my mind to follow bis example,
when hope revived at the sound of wheels; and
up came a tax cart, carrying four inside, name
ly, two well.grown porkers, Master Bardell, !
The pig butcher, and his foreman, Samuel
Stark, or as be was commonly called, Sam the
stcker. They inquired, and I explained in
few words, the lady's dilemma, taking care to
forewarn them, by relating the issue ofmy own
attempts in her behalf .....-
"Mayhap you warn't half polite enough"
observed Sam, with a side wink at his master,
ut amt bit Of scrape and civil word as
will get strange lady up into strange gem
mans gig. It wants warmth like, and max
ing on ber feel at home. Only let me alone
with her for persuader. and I'll have her up !
in our cart-my masters that is to Uay-afore
you can see whether she has feet or hoofs."
In a moment the speaker was at the carriage
door, smoothing down his sleek iorelOcks, bow
ing, and using his utmost eloquence, even to
the repeating most of his arguments, twice O.
YER. ..a f-.
b 1t was quite unnecessary tor Miss Norman
to say she had never ridden in cart with two
pigs and two butchers; and she did not say it.
She merely turned away her head from the
man, to be addressed by the master, at the 9TH
er window, the glass of which she had just let
down for a little air. "a tax cart. madam"
be said, ''mayn't be exactly the vehicle accus-
toned to, and SO forth, but thereby, consider
ing respective ranks of life, Why the more
honor done to your humbles, which, as ] said
afore, will take every care, and observe the res
pectrul. likewise in dis tancing the two pigs"