The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1857-10-08


cry. But on glancing again at my dress,
| could Not help laughing in spite of my
self stood in the mud at least six iii
ches above the tops of nay shoes. My
riding skirt was plastered all over, so that
it was almost impossible to tell Of what
it was made. Nj hands and arms were
mud to the elbows, for had instructive
ly extended them as / fell, in order 10
protect myself.
The young man, as he spoke turned
to the neighboring fence, and taking the
top rail he placed it across the puddle;
then putting his arm around my waist,
he lifted me out, though not without lea
wing my shoes behind. While he was
fishing these out, which he began imne-
diately to DO, stole behind the enormous
oak to hide my blushing face and scrapo
the mud from my riding skirt.
pray let me see YOU home" he said
"If you will mount again, III lead the
colt, and there will be no chance ofhis re-
peating his trick"
could not answer for shame; but
when in the saddle murmued something
about mot troubling him."
Its no trouble, not the least, he re-
piled, standing hat in hand like a knight
ly cavalier, and still retaining his hold on
the bride; .'and can't really let you go
alone, for the colt is as vicious as he can
be to-day. Look at his ears, and the red
in his eyes. Isaw you coming down the
road, and I expected you to be thrown
every minute, till [ saw how well you
rode. Nor would it have happened If he
had not wheeled and stopped, like trick
horse in a circus"
Icannot tell how soothing was this
graceful way Of excylsing my mishap. |
stole q glance under my eyehds at the
speaker, and saw that he was very hand
some and gentlenlanly, and apparently
about six and twenty, or several years Oh
der than myself.
had hoped that uncle would be in thc
fields, overlooking his men; but as we ell
tered the gate, saw him sitting, provo
kingly, at the open window; and by the
time had sprung to the ground, he came
out, his eyes briinful of mischief. did
net dare to stop, but turning to my es-
cogt, | said, ''My uncle, sir; won't you
walk in ~ and then rushed up stairs.
In about half an hour, Just as 7 had
dressed, there was knock at my door
aany uncle's knocked could not but
open. lie was laughing low, 81
lent laugh, his pogtly body shaking all
over with suppressed nerriment.
"Ah ready at last" he said. II be-
gan to despair Of you, you were so long,
and came to hastea you. He's waiting
in the parlcr atiI, he said in malicious
whisper You have my consent, for l
like him hugely only who'd have
thought Of finding q husband in q mud
puddle"
/ slipped past my tormentor, proferring
to face even my. escort than to run the
gauntlet Of my unolo's wit; and was soon
stammering my thanks TO Mr. Temploton
for such my uncle who followed me
down introduced him.
Tomalc short Of what else would be
long story, what was said in Jest turned
out to be III earnest; for in less than six
months in that very room, | stood up to
become Mrs Tonpleton How it all came
about | hardly know, but / certainly did
find a husband on that day. Harry, for
that is the name by which / call Mr.
Iempleton, says that | entered the parlor
50 transformed, my light blue tissue fout-
ING about me so like cloud wreath, nay
check 50 rosy, my eyes So bright, my curls
playing such hide and seek about my face,
that, interpreting such an apparii N, he
lost his heart at once, lie adts--for he d.
VOWS how to complement, as wei rs ever
that my gay Intelligent talk, SO different
from the demure miss he had expected =,
completed the business
Harry was the son of an Old neighbor,
who had been abroad for three years, and
before that had been at college SO chat |
had never seen him; but uncle remember
cd him at once, and had insisted on his
staying until ! came down though Harry,
from delicacy, would have LETT after he
inquired about my health My uncle
was one Of those who will not be put off,
and 50 Harry remained tho luclicst
thing" he says he ever did"
Milo is now my favorito stoed for Harry
broke him for me, and we are all as happy
as tee day is long,mclo included; tor uncle
insisted on our living with him, and I told
him, at last, | would consent, IF only to
keep Poll Wilkes from cooking his din
ner." To which he answered, looking at
Harry, "You see what a spittiye it is, and
you may bless your stars If You don't rue
the day you went out 10 find q husband