The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-11
Finding a Husband.

fear; and I'm dying for n cantcr."
"You'll die Of canter, them" leSrctort-
ed, with bis grim wit, "ior 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 RI
der than Joe." Joe was tho stable boy.
"That's good uncle, now DO" And
threw my arms about his neck and kissed
linn.
| knew, by experience, that, when did
: this generally. carried the day. Ny uncle
tried to look stern, but saw lie was relcnt-
ing. lie made a last effort, however To de-
ny me:
"lVhy not take Dobbina" he said.
.Dobbin" l cried. "OId, snail-paccd
Dobbin, on such morning rs this. One
mightaas well ride n rocking horse at once"
"Well, well" said he, "if must, must
Iou'llieasc the life out of me if don't let
you have your way. I wish you would get
a husband, yoaminx, you're growing be-
yond my control"
"Humph! A husband. Well, since You
say SO, I'll begin TO look out for one to-day"
Hell soon repent Of his barga in," said
my uncle; but his smile belicd his words.
'"Iou're rs cross rs pie crust if you can't
have your way. There" seeing ! was about
! to speak, ego and get ready, while tell
Joe to. saddle Milo. You'll set the house
afire # | don't send you off,"
Milo was soon at the door, a gay met
tlesome coll, who laid his ears back as
mounted, and gave Inc vicious look did
not quite like.
"rake carcr",saiL my uncle. "It's not
too Into yet to give it up"
was piqued.
II never give up anything" said.
mot even the finding Of husband, ell 2"
'No. III ride down to the poor.Louse
anfask old Toby, the octogenarian pau
fer, to have me and you'll be forced to
hire Poll Wilkes to cook your dinner"
And as I said this, my eyes twinklcd mis-
chievously, for uncle was an old bachelor,
whoTdetested all strange women, and had
hp espechlaversion to Poll Wilkes a sour
old maid of forty-sevcn, because, years ago
she lad plotted to cntrap him into matri-
mony. Before he could reply,I gave Milo
his head.
John Gilpin, we are told, went fast but
went faster. At first tried 10 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 an the wing.
AS long as the road was clear, we did well
enough, but suddenly coming to blasted
oak, chat started out, spcctre-lkc, from the
b edge Of the wood, Milo SHED, twisted half
round and planted his forcfcet stubornly in
the ground. / did not know was falling
till felt myself in a mud hole, which Law
at,one side Of the road.
Here was fine end to my boastcd horse
fnanship But, as the mud was soft, was
not hurt, and the ludicrous spectacle l pre-
sented soon got the upper hand of my vex-
alton. "a fine chance have of fin ring a
husband in this condition." / said to my
sell, recalling my jest with uncle. "If
could see same mud dryad now. and pass
myself off for amud nymph, might lave
> Il chance" And began to pick myself
up.
Shall Iahelp you miss ?" suddenly said
!, deep, rich, manly voice:
/ looked up, and saw young man, the
suppressed merrment Of whose black eyes
/, brought the Glood to my check, and made
/, me for an instant, ashamed" and angry.
! But on glahcing. again at my dress, I'could
s not helRlaughiug in spite of myself ]
! stood in'the mud, at least six inches above
fthe.tops of my shoes. My riding skirt was
spiastered all over, 80 that it was almost i'm.
possible to tell Of what it was made. My
hagds and arms were mud TO the elbows,
= for had instinctiveIy extended them as l
fel, in order to save myself.
= The young man, as he spoke, turned to
&ahe neighboring fence, and taking off the
top raj, placed it across the puddle, then
.aputting his arm around my waist, he lifted
me out, though not without leaving my
sises behind. While he was fishing these
oss,Ewbich he began Immediately TO do,
stole behind, the enormous old oak, to
hide my blushing face, and scrape the mud
from, my,stockinks and riding skirt. ! had
managed to get the first little cleaner, but
ehe last was still as thick with mud as ever,
when my companion made his appearance
= with thasAmissing shoes, which he lrad
!. scsaped liIl they were quite prssentable and
Q loading Milo by the Bride.
Pray let me see you home," ho said.
: .Ifyou will mount again, I'll lead the colt,
!, and there will be NO chance ofhis repeat
ing shis tricks"
IscsRla not answer for shame. But
wheniih the saddle muttered something
about "hot troubling him."
It's 10 trouble, not the lcast,n hc repli.
elfstandingilat in bandlike tue knighitly
cavalier, and still retaining his hold on the
thEidsess:and 1 really can't lot you 60 alone,
fbfthe COLTS as vicious rs he can be TO-DAY.
look at his ears and the red IN his ewes.
kNaM sa coming down the road, and ex-
q pUtedFouto be thrown every minsso, till
saw low we'll you rode. Nor would it have
HAPPENED II he hadn't wheeled and stop
like a trick horse in the circus"
csnsottslL how soothing was this grace
1.g fal way. ofeycasiug my mishap. stole
s. ssanc ssndsr my eyelids, at tho speaker,
! and N fhat de 'was very handsome and
geatl atasniy, snda apparently abont six and
;tw6nty ,W asSsFalyeas older than mvself
lM liePed tb6t. uncle would be ont in
..s tue feias ofetiookiRg sae mon; but Ms We
q Aim sitting p.oyok. W.