Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-29
Two Ways of Telling a Story.

In one of the most popuous cities of New
England, few years since, party of lads, all
members of the same school, got up grand
sleigh ride. Tho sleigh was large and splendid
one, drawn by six grey horses.
| On the day following the ride, as the teacher
entered the school-roonl, he found his pupils in
high merriment, as they chatted about the fun
and frolic of their excursion. In answer to
some inquiries which he made about the matter
one of the lads volunteered to give an account OF
their trip and its incidents.
AS he drew near the end of his story, he OK
claimed: "Oh, sir! there was one little circum-
stance that had almost forgotten. AS we were
coming home, we saw queer looking affair in
the road. 1t proved to be arusty old sleigh,
fastened behind covered wagon, proceeding at
very slow rate, and taking up nearly the whole
road
Finding the owner was notadisposed to turn
out, we determined upon volley OF snow-balls
and good hurrah. They produced a right cf-
feet, for the crazy machine turned ou: in the
deep snow, and the skinny old pony started on
full trot.
AS we passed, some one gave tic old gilt of
horse good crack, which made him run faster
than he ever did before, III warrant And so
with another voley of snow-balls pitched into
the front part of the wagon, and three times
three cheers, we rushed by.
With that an old tslloW In the wagon, who
was buried up under an old hat and who had
dropped the reins, bawled out, "Why do you
frighten my horse2" why don't you turn out
thenI" says the driver. So we gave him three
rousing cheers more. His horse was frightened
again and ran up against loaded team, and |
believe almost capsized the old creature-and so
we left him."
"Well boys" replied the instructor, stake
your seats, and will take my turn and tell you
story, and all about sleigh.ride, too. Yester-
day afternoon, q very venerable old clergyman
was on his way from Boston to Salem to pass
the residue of the winter at the house OF his SON.
That he might be prepared forjourneying in the
spring he took with him his wagon and for the
winter his sleigh, which he fastened behind the
wagon.
His sight and hearing was somewhat blunt by
age, and he was proceeding very slowly and
quietly, for his horse was old and feeble, like
his owner. His thoughts reverted to the scenes
of his youth-ot his manhood, and of his ripper
years Almost forgetting himself in the multi
tude of his thoughts, he was suddenly disturbed
and terrified, by loud hurrahs from behind,
and BY q furious pelting and Gathering of balls
of snow and ice upon the top of his wagon.
In his trepidation he dropped his reins and
as his aged and feeble hands were quite be-
numbed with cold he could not gather them up
and his horse began to run away. In the midst
of the old mans troubles, there rushed by him,
with loud shouts, a large party of boys, in
sleigh drawn by six horses. Turn out! turn
out, old fellow! Give US the road, old boy!-
What will you take for your pony, old daddyl
Go it fruzen-nose. What's the price OF oats 7"
were the various cries that met his ear.
"Pray do not frighten my horse !" exclaimed
the infrm driver. Turn out, then turn out !"
was the answer, which was followed by repeat
ed cracks and blows from the long whip of the
''grand sleigh" with showers of snow-halls, and
three tremendous cheers from the boys that
were in it, The terror of the old man and his
horse was increased and the latter ran away
with him, to the imminent danger of his life
He contrived, however, to secure his reins, and
TO stop his horse just in season to prevent his
being. dashed against loaded team.
| A short distance brought him to his journeys
end the house of his son. His old horse was
comfortably housed and fed, and he himself a.
bundantly provided for. That son, boys, is your
instructor and that old tsllOar and old boy, (who
did not turn out for you, but who would gladly
have given you the whole roud, had he heard
your approach that old daddy and old Frozen
nose, was your masters father !"
Some of the boys buried their heads behind
their desks; some cried, and many fastened to
the teacher with apologies and regrets without
end. All were freely pardoned, but were eau
toned that they should he more civil, for the
future to inotfensive travellers, aud more res
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