The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1857-08-05
FINDING A HUSBAND.
BY PEGGY MoREHEAD.

BY PEGGY M0REHEAD.
"Uncle, may ride Milo?" | said one
bright June morning, as he sat at the break
fast table.
"Ride Milo"
Yes It's such beautiful day.
:" But he'll throw you! !'
"Throw me-! and laughed merrly and
incredulousy. "Say yes. dear uncle, con.
tinued, coaxingiy;" there's no fear. and I'm
dying for canter."
5" You'll die on a canter, them" he rotor.
ted, with his grim wit, for he'll break your
neck. The hourse has only been ridden
,hree, times-twice by myself and once by
joe"
But you've often said was hettar rider
than Joc." Joe was the stable-boy. That's
good uncle. now do" And | threw my
arms about his neck and kissed him.
knew by experience, that when did
this generally carried the day. My uncle
tried TO look stern but saw he was relenting.
He made last effort, however, to deny me.
"Why not take Dobbin :" he said.
"Dobbin!" cried I" old a-pace Dob>
bin on such morning as this! One might
as well ride rocking.lorse at once"
" Well, WELL" he said, it must, must
You'll tease the lite out Of me il don't let
you have your way. ! wish you'd get
+ a husband, you mink; you're growing hey ond
my control"
!" Hump! A husband! Well. since you
say so, III begin to look out for one to-day"
!" He'll soon repent Of his bargain" said my
uncle; but his smile belied his words.
I. You're as short as a pe-crust if you can't
: srharn ~ I .k,
to speak, ego and get ready. while tell Joe
to saddle Milo. You'll set the house afire if
don't send you Off,
Milo was soon at the duor--a gay, mettle-
some colt, who laid his ears back as | noun
ted, and gave me vicious look | did not
quite like.
"Take care" said my uncle. "lt's not
too late yet to give itup."
was piqued.
"I never give up anything" said.
"Not even the finding Of husband, eli :"
"No. I'll ride down to the poor-house
and ask old Tony, the octogenarian pauper,
to have me and You'll be forced to hire Poll
; Wilkes to cook your dinners" And as
said this, my eyes twinkled mischieyousIy; /;
FOR uncle was an old bachelor, who detcsted
all strange women, and held an especial
aversion 10 Poll Wilkes, sour old maid Of
forty seven, because, years ago, she had
plotted to entrap him into matrlmOny. Be-
fore he could reply, gave Milo his head
John Gilpin, we are told, went fast; but |
went faster. IL was not long before the colt
had il all his own way. At first tried to
check his speed, but he got the bit in his
mouth. and all | could do WAS TO hold on and
trust to tirinig him out. Trees, fences, and
houses went by US like wild pigeons on the
wing. As long as the road was clear we did
we'll enough but suddenly coming to blast
ed oak, that started out, spectre'like, from
the edge Of wood. Milo SHE'D, twisted halt
round, and planted his fore feet stubbornly
in the ground. did not know was falling,
till felt myself in mud.hole, which lay al
one side Of the road.
Here was fine end to nv bOasted horses
manship But, as the mud was soft. | was
not hurt; and tile ludicrous spectacle ! pre-.
sented soon got the upper hand Of my yexa.
ti0n. g A fine chance have had OF finding
husband, in this condition." ! said TO my.
self. recalling my jest with my uncle. l
| could find some mud dryad now, and pass
myself of for mud nymPh, | might have
chance" And began to pick myself up.
"Shall | help you, Miss" suddenly salt
4 deep, rich, manly voice.
looked up and sawa young man, the sup
pressed merriment Of whose bright eyes
brought the blood 10 nv cheek, and made me
for an instant, ashamed aud angry. But, on
glancing again at my dress, could not help
laughing, IN spite ii myself. ! stoud in the
mud at least six inches above the tops of m'
shoes. Nv riding.skirt was plaslercd al
over, so that il was almost impossible to tel
of what it was made. My hands and arm:
were mud 10 the elbows, Tor had instinctiSe'
" extended them as fell, in order to pro-
tcct myself.
The young man, as he spoke. turned to the
neighboring fence, and takiug the top rail
: lie placed Il across the puddle ther, putin:
! his arm around ms waist, he lifted me out
tiiuG-li not without leaving ny shoes behind
While he was fishing these out, which lic be-
gan Immediately tp do, ! stole behind u.
enormous oak 10 hide ms blushing tdce. and
serapc the mud from my stockings aad riding
skirt. had managed to get the first ttttlt
cleaner, but the last was slillas thick as ever
when INV companion made his appcaranc'
with the missing shoes. which he bad scrap
ed TIL they we're quite presentablc, aud lead
ing Milo by the bridle.
q Pray let nc see YOU home." he said
=" II you will mount again, Ill lead the colt
and there will be no chance oi his repcatin.
bis trick"
1! could not answer. for shame. but whet
in the saddle murmured something abon
"nut troubling him.
"lts no trouble, not the least" he replied
standing hat in hand like kaishtiy enaitrr
aud still retaining his hold vn tile brtiis
and cant really let you g alone. Tor ~,
colt Is AZ vicious as he can be to-day lap"k
at his ears, and the red III his eyes. saw
you coming dawn the road, aud expected sor
10 be thrown every minute, OIL ! saw how
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