Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-09-03

some colt, who laid his ears back as
j, mounted, and gave ne vicious look | die
5 not like.
Take care;;' said my uncle It's not to,
, late yet to give it up
was piqued.
Il never give up anything, said.
Not even The finding of a husband, eh?
said he.
No, I'll ride down TO the poor house and
ask old Toby, the octogenarian pauper, tc
have me- and you'll be forced to hire Pol
Wilkes to cook your dinner AS | said
this, my eyes twinkled mischievously, for
uncle was an old bachelor, who detested
all strange women, and had an especial
aversion to Pol Wilkes, sour old maid OF
forty seven, because, years ago, she had
plotted to entrap him into matrimony Be
fore be could reply. had given Milo the
rein.
John Gilpin, We are told, went fast; but |
went faster. At first l tried to check his
speed; but he got the bit in his teeth, and
all l could do was to hold on and trust to
tiring him out. Trees, fences and houses
went by us like wild pigeons on the wing.
As long as the road was clear he did well
enough, but suddenly coming to a blasted
oak, that started out. spectre like, from the
edge of wood, Milo shied twisted half
around and planted his forefeet stubborn!y
in the ground. | did not know | was fall
ing till felt myself in mud hole which
lay at one side of the road.
Here was an 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. y fine chance have Of finding a
husband in this condition., said to my
self, recalling my jest with uncle. If
could see some mud dried now, and pass
myself off for mud nymph, Nigh: have
a chance And then began to pick my
self up.
Shall help you?' said deep, manly
voice.
looked up and say young man, the
suppressed merriment of whose black eyes
brought the blood to my check, and made
me. for an instant, ashamed and ANGRY
But on glancing again at my dress. could
not help laughing in spite of myself |
stood in the mud at least six inches above
the tops of my shoes. My riding skirt
was plastered all over, so that it was almost
impossible to tell of what it WAS made Ny
hands and arms were mud TO the elbows,
for l had instinctively extended them and
fell. in order to save myself.
The young man, as he spoke, turned to
the neighboring feHce, 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 them
out, which he began Immediately TO do, |
stole behind the enormous old oak, to hide
my blnshing face, and scrape the mud from
my stockings and riding skirt. | had man
aged to get the first a 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 scraped
till they were dry, and leading Milo by the
bride.
pray, let me see you home he said. III
you will mount again, I'll lead the colt; and
there will be no chance of his repeating his
tricks
| could not answer for shame. When
in the saddle muttered something about
not troubling him.
Its no trouble, not in the least he re-
piled, standing hat in hand like a kni lightly
cavalier, and stili retaining his hold on the
bride, 'and | really can't let you go alone
for the colt is as vicious as he can be to-
dav. Look at his ears and the red in his
eyes. | saw you coming down the road
and expected you to be thrown every min
ute till saw how well you rode. MOI
, would it have happened if he he had'n
wheeled and stopped like trick horse ii
the circus
cannot tell how soothing was the grace
full way of excusing my mishap. stole
glance, under my eyelids, at the speaker
and saw that he was very handsome an,
.yentlemanIy. and about twenty six, or sew
eral years older than myself.
| had hoped that uncle would be out il
the fields overlooking the men; but as W
entered the gate. saw him sitting provo
kingly at the open window, and by the tim
| had sprung to the ground. he had com
out, his eyes brim full of mischief. dar
ed not stop. but turning to my escort. said
my uncle. sir, won't you walk in, AM
rushed up stairs.
a l. L