Smyrna times., 1857-08-19

Uncle, may ride Milo!' | said one brigh
June morning, as he sat at the breakfast table
Ride Milo!
Yes It's such beautiful day.
But he'll throw your
Throw mer and laughed merrily and in
creduIousy. Say yes, dear uncle l cOntin.
ued, coaxingIy, there's no fear, and I'm dying
for canter.'
you'll die on canter, ihen,' he retOrted.
with his grim wit, for he'll break your neck.
The horse has only been ridden three times
twice by myself and once by Joe.'
But you've often said | was better rider
than Joe Joe was stable boy. That's a
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 sad
.Dobbin , cried 'old snai-paced Dobbn
on such morning as this One might as well
ride a rocking-horse at once
well. wen,' he said, if must, must
You'll tease the life out of me if | don't let
YOU have your way. | wish you would get
husband, YOU mink; you're growing beyond my
CONTROL
Humph! A husband! Well, since you say
so, I'll begin to look out for one to-day
He'll soon repent of his bargain,' said my
uncle. but his S nile brlied his words. You're
as short as ple-crust if you can't have your
way. There seeing was about to speak, 60
and get ready, while tell Joe to saddle Milo.
You'll set the house aire if don't send you
off,"
Milo was soon at the door-a gay, mettle-
some colt who laid his ears back as mounted,
and gave me vicious look did not quite like.
Take care said my uncle. It's not too
late to give up.
was Plqued.
j never gave up anything | said.
Not even the finding of husband, eh =
No. I'll ride down to the poor house and
ask old Tony, octogenarian pauder, to have me,
and you'll be forced to hire Poll Wilkes to cook
your dinners And as | said this my eyes
twinkled mischievousy; for uncle was an old
bachelor, who detested all strange women, and
held an especial aversion to Pol! Wilkes, sour
old maid OF forty-seven, because years age, she
had plotted to entrap him into matrmony.-
Before he could reply, gave Milo his head.
John Gipn, we are told, went fast but
went faster. 1t was not long before the colt
had 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 firing him
out. Trees, fences and houses went by us like
wild pigeons on the wing. AS long as the road
was clear we did well enough, but suddenly
coming to blasted oak, that started, old spec
ire like, from the edge of a wood, Milo SHE'D,
twisted half around, and planted his forefeet
ubbornly in the ground. | did not know
was falling, till felt myself in mud hole,
which Law at one side of the road.
Here was a fine end TO my boasted horseman-
ship! But, as the mud was soft, | was not
hurt; and the ludicrous spectacle presented
soon got the upperhand Of my vexation. "A
fine chance have of finding husband in this
condition. | said to myself, recalling my jest
with my uncle. If could find some mud
dryad now and pass myselfoff for mud nymph,
might have a chance And began to pick
myself up.
"shall help you, Miss!' said deep, rich,
manly voice.
looked up, and saw young man, the sup
pressed merriment of whose bright eyes brought
the blood to my cheek, and made me for an in
slant ashamed and angry. But on glancing
again at my dress, could not help laughing,
in spite of myself. | stood in the mud at least
six inches above the tops of my shoes. My
rding-skirt was plastered all ever, sc that it
was almost impossible to tell of what it was
made. My hands and arms were mud to the
elbow, for had instinctively extended them as
lell, in order to protect myself
The young man, as he spoke, turned to the
neighboring fence. and taking top rail, he
placed it across the puddle; then putting his
arm around my waist, be lifted me out-leav-
ing my shoes behind. While he was fishing
these out, which he began Immediately TO do, |
stole behind the enormous oak TO hide my blush