St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1859-09-15

applied my rustic whip. Such a start
and look of astonishment as he fa-
vored US with A second applica-
ton, and away he sped with more ell
ergy than we gave him credit for pos
sessing.
Thanks to my Invaluable whip, we
arrived much sooner than we expect
ed, and drove up to the post-oilice in
tolerable style, amid the wondering
gaze Of the quiet villagers, who
rushed to the doors and windows to
admire our leafy equipagc. The smil-
ing clerk came out and received our
thanking us for our trouble.
Then prepared to execute a grace
ful turn after the most approved meth
cd but my plan was frustrated by
the superior instincts of the horse.
He pressed perseveringly forward, and
never stopped till he had made cir
cult round the hotel, and brought us
to the reservoir in the rear.
Here was new subject for mcrri-
ment, and we laughed heartily while
he partook of his accustomed refresh
ment. Finally, he signiiied his readi-
ness to return by shaking his plumed
head and turning abruptly to retracc
his steps.
BY this time the sun was entirely
obscurcd by the lowering clouds, and
there was quivering in the air, and
a sighing among the trees, that made
us fear an approaching storm. We
hurried on, but had not reached our
rcsting-placc, the oak, ere the rain
descended in forests. Our light sum-
,ner clothing was instantancously wet
through, and we looked rather dole
fully into each others faces, for there
was no house in sight. The thunder
became louder and more frequent ;
the lightning flashed necessarily,
while the moaning of the wind among
the trees sounded like the wall of hu'
man agony.
It was grand and terrific scene ;
but we were not in mood to enjoy
its terrible sublmity for our horse
became so frightened and restive, we
could hardly control him. We passed
row of poplars, their tall and ghost
" forms swaycd to and fro in a weird
like manner, and our poor horse gre"
perfectly unmanageable and plungec
madly forward. AS we approached
his favoritc oak, he dashed uncerlmo
niously under it's friendly shelter, ant
stood painting and trembling.
There was momentary lull in th'
storm but the deadly stilness-th,
absence of all life and motion seemed
if possible, more frightful than tn
pealing thunder. The birds had tle'
to their leafy homes and we, poo
frightened things, seemed the only ami
mate beings exposed to the roar o
the clements. We looked around to1
aid, and saw with joy a man comlnE
toward us from an adjoining field
For mercy's sake, young ladies
do not remain here !" he cried. "Thi
tree has several times been scathe
by lightning, and the storm is not "
over
"What shall we do then ?" we ru
fully inquired, "therc are no house
. near here"
There is house behind thi
grove" he answered, 60 will sho'
, you the way )" and scizing the brldl
, he hurried us on.
, There was lane branching off froI
! the main road that we had not noticed
{ and behind the grove was hidden
! prettv farm house. Thankfully We C
tered the hospitabc door just as ii
storm burst forth with renewed fur
The good lady lifted up both hands
q wonder at our abrupt entrance al
| miserable plight but she quickly II
+. derstood the matter, and exerted he
u self to make us more comtortabl
!. Calling her daughters she bade the
:. provide us with dry clothing imm
+, diately.
Now that we were in safety, "
- were ready to laugh at our ridiculo,
appearance. No one who had see
I us in the morning would have recoI
nized us then for the dust and RAJ
o combined had effectually mingled a
!. colors into one-that one was decide
It iy dirty.
:. Half an hour made a great chang
IS for the better in our appearance, al
a. we descended to the cool parl
dressed in borrowed plumes, viii
4, our own drcnched garments we
=. hung up to dry. Unfortunately f
II me. both of the young ladies we
/, yery tall, and my tiny figure was {
n rayed in one of their dresses, viii
- 70 fell to the floor in long and sweepil
II train. | was obliged to sustain
~ with both hands, while Louise m
70 chievously pre' ended to help me.
to 1t was nearly noon, and the r;
is still continued but we passed
to time agreeably, conversing with
ed kind entertainers, whom we found b'
sensible and intelligent. Soon
il were summoned to dinner-and ST
Mt dinner as it was +! 1t would be
en- ficult to tell what was not on the
,r. BILE for they seemed to think
IS. must be famished in addition to
a other misfortunes. After dinner
alf returned to the parlor. As res
ch on the settee, listened dream'ly
ri the falling rain, and the quiet IN
in mur of voiccs-soon everything gr
ef. indistinct, and | slept. ;.
ire When awoke the sun was shln'
he brightly, and the birds singing, wi
nit the fragrance of summer roses v
en-. waited through the open wlnd'
us Hearing voices in an adjoining roc
es, | found my way there, and discove
mt the girls preparing to return.
MT were soon ready, and thanking
ed kind friends for their hospitality st
mt, ed homeward.
To The whole earth was radiant "
off beauty the rain-drops sparkled
ar every leaf and flower ; and the bl
ng seemed pouring forth a joyful than
me giving, so full and glorious was Il
of harmony. The storm had left 81
ng traces Of its power. The hop-ht