Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1857-08-27
Il never give up anything" | said:
"Not even the finding Of a husband

''No. Til ride down to the poor-house
and ask old Toby, the octogenarian pauper,
to have me; and you'll be forced to hire
Poll Wilkes to cook your dinner" And as
[ said this my eyes twink1ed mischievous-
ly, for uncle was an old bachelor, who de-
tested all strange women, and had an espe-
cial aversion to Poll Wilkes, sour old
maid of forty-seven, because, years ago, she
had plotted to entrap him into matrimony.
Before he could reply, [ gave Milo his
head
John Gilpin, we are told, went fast; but
[ went faster. At first I tried to check his
speed; but he got the bit in his teeth; 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 we'll
enough, but suddenly coming to blasted
oak, that started out, spectre-like, from the
edge Of wood, Milo SHE'D, twisted half
around and planted his forefeet stubbornly
in the ground. I did not know was fall
ing till felt myself in mud hole, which
lay on one side of the road
Here was a fine end to my boasted horse
manship! But, as the mud was soft, [ was
not hurt, and the ludicrous spectacle pre-
sented soon got the upper hand of my vex-
alton. ga fine chance [ have of finding a
husband in this condition." said to myself,
recalling my jest with uncle. eff I could
see some mud dryad now, and pass myself
off for mud nymph, I might have a
chance" And began to pick myself up.
s'Shall help you, Miss p suddenly said
a deep, rich, mani voice.
[ looked up, and saw young man, the
suppressed merriment OF whose black eyes
brought the blood to my cheek, and made
me, for an instant, ashamed and angry
But on glancing again at my dress, could
not help laughing in spite Of myself. I
stood in the mud, at least six inches above
the tops Of my shoes. Ny riding skirt was
plastered all over so that it was impossible
to tell of what it was made My hands and
arms were mud to the elbows, for had in.
-,ssiirvtirvfy yrxrenueu rnem as 1e11 70 save
myself.
The young man, as he spoke, turned to
the neighboring fence, and taking off the
top rail, placed it across the puddle, then
putting his arm around my waist he lifted
me out, though not without leaving my shoes
behind. While he was fishing these out,
which he began Immediately to do, stole
behind the enormous old oak, to hide my
blushing face, and scrape the mnd off my
stockings and riding skirt. [ had managed
to get the first little cleaner, but the last
was still as thick with mud as ever, when
my companion made his appearance with
the missing shoes, which he had scraped till
they were quite presentable, and leading
Milo by the bride.
''Pray, let me see you home," he said
eff you will mount again, I'll lead the colt;
and there will be no chance>of his repeating
his tricks"
I could not answer for shame. But when
in the saddle muttered something about ''not
troubling him.
''It's no trouble not the least" he replied,
standing hat in hand like knightly cava-
lier, and still retaining his hold on the bri-
die, ssand really can't let you 60 alone for
the colt is as vicious as he can be to-day
Look at his ears and the red in his eyes
[ saw you coming down the road, and ex-
pected you to be thrown every minute, till
I saw how well you rode. Nor would it
have happened if he hadn't wheeled and
stopped like a trick horse in the circus"
I cannot tell how soothing was this
grateful way, of excusing my mishap. I
stole a glance under my eyelids, at the
speaker, and saw that he was very hand
some and gentlemanly, and apparently about
six and twenty, or several years older than
myself
I had hoped that uncle would be out in
the fields overlooking the men but as we
entered the gate I saw him sitting provok-
ingly at the open window; and by the time
[ had sprung to the ground, he had come
out, his eyes brim full of mischief. dared
not to stop, but turning to my escort, said,
MY uncle, sir; won't you walk in" and
then rushed up stairs.
In about an hour, just as had dressed,
there was knock at my door, my uncle's
knock I could not but open. He was
laughing a low, silent laugh, his portly
body shaking all over with suppressed mer-
riment
''Ah ready at last" he said. Il began
to despeir of you, you were so long. and
[ came to hasten you. He's waiting in the
parlor still" he said in malicious whisper.
you've my consent, for I like him huge
ly, only who'd have thought of finding a
husband in mud puddle"
[ slipt past my tormenter, preferring to
face even my escort than to run the gaunt-
let of uncle's wit; and was soon stammering
my thanks to Mr.. Tompleton, for as such
my uncle, who followed me down, introduce
ed me.
To make short of what else would be