Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-05-15
AN INTERESTING STORY.
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TIL Z T Z 8 T.
Or ~ h
LOVE N x H0GSHEAD.


Or
LOVE W x H0GSHEAD,
They put everything on runners
while the snow lasts; for it does not
tarry long. Buggy seats, carriage
Ups, crockery crates-all are in ques-
ltion. And l even saw one OF the
finest horses in the city drawing q
hogshead on wooden runners, in which
were seated gentleman and lady
They were fine looking couple, and
bore of the palm for fast driving, as
well as the most ludicrous sleigh con-
vsyance. Letter from Chicago.
All, readeri and thereby hangs a
Itale.
Itwas New Years day in that far
famed city Of the West-even the
New Years day of '56. Since Christ
mas, winter had set in, in good old
fashioned earnestness. Snow had
fallen to the depth of several inches,
and being firm and hard, made excel
lent sleighing-a rare thing in the
tcity.
Indeed our winters seem sadly de-
generated Of late, being much more
mild and free from snow than in the
days of our fathers; perhaps to ac-
commodate them to our failing health
and strength; for this latter fact is
but too apparent.
Yet this New Years day seemed
more type of the old time. 1t was
cold, yet not too cold, and the sleigh
ing was excellent. Everybody that
had suitable conveyance, or could
get one, even at any price, was out
enjoying the sport; only the more
keenly to be enjoyed for its rarity
1t was indeed gala day; bright and
beautiful overhead, brighter and more
beautiful still in the human hearts
beating so joyously beneathl
Earnest Hammond sat in his count
ing-room, busily engaged in attend
ing to the reception OF large guam
tity Of goods, just arrived. He was
young yet, but fast rising in wealth
and position. Born in the East, he
had brought with him all the habits
Of strict attention to business which
they generated. While there was
aught Of that to claim his attention,
pleasure must be waived. Therefore,
when he did give himself up to en-
joyments it was with double zeal.
Naturally warm hearted and impul-
lsiye, and social withal, as such per-
sons must be, he keenly enjoyed So
eiety. And when he entered it, he
was ever a welcome companion, both
with his own and the opposite sex
And now, closing his books with a
look Of satisfaction and relief, he de-
termined to give himself up TO the
pleasures Of this annual gala day.
While business was pending he had
closed his ears and eyes to all else;
but now he could not fail to hear the
unusual stir in the streets, and feel
that while he had been engaged with
in doors, all had been life and CON-
motion without. When he came forth
the streets presented most novel
scene. A more motely incongruous
lot of vehicles it were not easy to
imagine. Such life and hilarity, are
always infectious, and Earnest soon
caught the spirit. He, too, would
ljoin the sledgers but how? .a a
He inquired at several stable for a
sleigh. Not one to be had. Yet he
was not easily daunted, and, more
over, had an unusual share of perse-
verance. He owned one OF tie finest
horses in the city; of that he was
sure. He remembered, too, that in q
remote part of the stable, where he
had usually kept him, he had one day
noticed a pair of wooden runners
lie would see if in some way con.
veyance could not be planned. His
Yankee ingenuity must be brought tc
the service. .I
He soon reached the stable. The
runners were found, and in good or
der. But now for the other part. A
hogshead that had for some reason OF
other been sawed apart and nicely
cleaned, stood before him, Instantly
. part Of it was upon the runners
In few minutes q comfortable sea
was added, and he was ready for I
drive. -
But now arose another difficulty
unthought Of before. He must hav,
q companion--a lady of course els
half the enjoyment would be lost
But who would it be? Who would b
seen, even with him, in such q convey
anceas that. Excuse his vanity ,reade
mine. He knew he was favorite
Indeed, he could not help knowing il
But this was q special occasion. Gal
the world" was out. Who could h
find brave enough to dare it9 IL
must see.
There were two or three young la
dies who had long claimed his specia
regard, and he felt sure no was no
entirely indifferent TO them. He ha,
oven been observing them Of late
striving to learn the true character Q
each. This he found, as gentlemel
and ladies usually meet in city Life
difficult matter, How he yearne
TO see through the false surrounding
into the true and inner life beneath
He was rather old fashioned in hi
notions, it must be confessed: but b
did care moro for the real than tn
artifcial--more for tho mind an
20 heart than for the outer adorning--
But how would II end? Would he B
wiser than his sex? II was indeed
" difficult question; but he did nc
quite despair.
Ella Campbell Had long boen one
Is the first in his esteem. But recent
" he had thought her vain superficial
y caring more for the outer than th
I'd inner man, and had been cautious !
N his attentions to her. He would tel
r her now.
r Driving briskly to the door an
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