The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-08-21
FINDING A HUSBAND.
BY PEGGY MOREHEAD.

~ ncle, lndy L Tiue "ilo Saiu
ono bright June morning, as he sat at
the break fast table.
"Ride Milo ~
eyes (! It's such fine day."
: "But he'll throw you'll -...
"Throw me ~ and l laughed merrily
and incredulously. "Say yes, dear
uncle" l continued, coaxingly; "there's
no fear, and I'm dying for a canter.
you'll die on canter then" he re-
torted, with his grim wit, "for he'll
break your neck. The horse has only
been ridden three times--twice by my
self and once by Joe.''
"But you've often said | was better
rider than Joe." Joe was the stable
boy. "That's good uncle, now do."-
And l threw my arms about his neck
and kissed him.
knew, by experience. that when l
did this, | generally carried the day
M, uncle tried to look stern but saw
he was relenting He made last effort,
however, to deny me.
"Why not take Dobbin ?" he said.
"Dobbin p | cried "old snail-paccd
Dobbin on such morning as this
One might as well ride rocking-horsc
at once"
"Well, well," he said, elf must, l
must. You'll tease the life out Of me
if l don't let you have your way.
wish you'd 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 y
said my uncle but his smile belied his
words. you're as short as pie-crust
if you can't have your way. "There, y
seeing 1 was about to speak, ego and gel
ready, while l tell Joe to saddle Milo
You'll set the house afre if I don't send
you off," . ..-
Milo was soon at the door-a gay
mettlesome colt, who laid his ears back
as I mounted, and gave me vicious
look l did not quite like.
| "Take care," said my uncle. "It''
not too late yet to give it up"
| l was piqued.
II never gave up anything" l said.
"Not even the finding Of a husband
eh %
ono. I'lllide down to the poor-hous'
and ask old Tony. the octagenarian pau
per, to have me and you'll be forcet
:. 10 hire Poll Wilkes to cook your din
ners." And as | said this, my eye
twinkled mischicvously; for uncle wa
an old bachelor, who detested all strang
women, and held an especial aversion t.
Polly Wilkes, sour old maid Of forty
seven, because, years ago, she had plot
ted to entrap him into matrimony.-
! Before he could reply, gave Milo hi
head. sao@
i John Gilpin. we are told, went fast
but went faster 1t was not long befor
the colt had it all his own way. At frs
| tried to check his speed /; but he go
the bit in his mouth, and all | could d.
was to hold on and trust to firing hin
out. Trees, fences, and houses Wen
by us like wild pigeons on the wing
As long as the road was clear we di'
we'll enough; but suddenly coming to
blasted oak, that started out, spectre
, like, from the edge of a wood, Mil
SHE'D, twisted half round. and plante'
his fore feet stubbornly in the ground
l did not know l was falling, till fel
myself in a mud.hole, which lay at.on
side of the road. b: a,.
Here was a fine end to my boaste
horsemanship: But, as the mud wa
, soft, / was not hurt; and the ludicrou
) spectacle presented soon got the uppe
hand of my vexation. "a fine chanc
| have had of finding a husband. in thi
condition." I said to myself. recallin
Q my jest with my uncle. "lf coul
find some mud dryad now, and pas
: myself off for mud nymph, misl
: have chance" And began to pic
: myself up. @@'a @
4 "Shall help you, Miss 2" suddenl
5 said deep. rich, manly voice.
! | looked up, and saw = young mar
S the suppressed merrimens Of who's
a bright eyes brought the blood to m
cheek, and made me, for an instan
ashamed and angry. But. on glancin
: again at my dress, could not help laugl
!. ing. in spite Of myself. stood in tt
mud at least six inches above the tor
4 az mv sbces. Nv riding kirt was pla,