The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-11
Two Ways of Telling a Stor,

land, few years since, party of lads all
members OF the same school, got up a grand
sleigh ride. The sleigh was large and
splendid one, drawn by six grey horses.
On the day following the ride, as the
teacher entered the school-room, he found
his pupils in high merriment, as they chat
ted about the 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 in
cidents.
AS he drew near the end of his story, he
exclaimed; ooh, sir! there was one little
circumstance that had almost forgotten.
AS VIC were coming home, we saw queer
looking affair in the road. 1t proved to be
rusty old sleigh, fastened behind covered
wagon, proceeding at very slow rate, and
taking up nearly the whole road.
Finding the owner was not disposed to
turn out, we determined upon volley of snow
balls and good hurrah. The yproduced
right effect, for the machine turned out in
the deep snow, and tho skinny old pony
started on Ell trot.
As we passed, some one gave the old jilt
of n horse a crack, which made him run
faster than he ever did before, I'll warrant.
And so with another volley of snow balls
pitched into the front part of the wagon,
and with three times three cheers, we rush
cd by.
With that an old .tcllow in the wagon,
who was buried up under an old hat, and
who had dropped the reins bawlcd out,
"Why do you frighten my horse :" "Why
don't you turn out then e. says the driver
So we gave him three rousing cheers more.
His horse was frightened again and run
against loaded team, and believe almost
capsizcd the old creaturc-and so we left
him"
"Nell, boys" replied the instructor, "talsc
your seats and will take my turn and tell
You a story, and all about a slcighriIe, too.
Yesterday afternoon, 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 for journcying in tho spring he
took with him his wagon and for the winter
his sleigh, which lie fastened behind the
wagon.
Ills sight and hearing was somewhat
blunt 10y age, and lie was proceeding very
slowly and quietly, for his horse was old
and feeble, like his owner. His thoughts
reverted to the scenes Of his youtll-of his
manhood, and Of his riper years. Almost
forgetting himself in the multitude of his
thoughts, lie was suddenly disturbed and
by furious pclting and pa,tcring of balls
OF snow and ice upon the top of his wagon.
In his trepidation lie dropped his reins,
and as his aged and feeble hands were uuitc
benumbed with cold, lie couN not gather
them up as his horse began to run away.
In the midst of the old mans troubles, there
rushed hy him, with loud shouts, 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 daddy9 Go it
frozen.nosc. What's the price of oats 2"
were the various cries that met his car.
Pray do not frighten my horse r. cxclairn-
ed the intirm driver. "Turn out, then turn
out!' was the answer, which was followed
ny repeated cracks and blows from the long
whip ofthe "grand sIeigh," with showers Of
snow balls, 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 run away with him, to the
lnincnt danger of his life. lie contrived.
however, to secure his reins, and to stop his
horse just in season to prevent his being
dashed against loaded tenn.
A short distance brought him to his Jour
ney's end, at the house of his son. His old
horse was comfortly housed and fed, and he
himselfw abundantly provided for. That
son, boys, is your instructor, and that old
Jellow and old boy, (wlo did not turn out
for you, but who would gladly have given
you the whole road, had he heard your ap-
proacl',) that old daddy and old frozen
nose, was your masters father" .
Some Of the boys buried their heads be-
hind their desks; some cried, and many
hastened to the teacher with apologies and
regrets without end. All were freely par
doned, but were cautioned that they should
be more civil, for the future to inoffensive
travellers, and more respectful to the aged
and infirn.