The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-02-01
WHOLE NO. l72.
over without difficulty. Hannah, also, tho
more slowly, made the muddy passage safe
w fingered behind


more slowly, made the muddy passage safe
ly. : fingered behind.
"Now, girls" said Mrs. Grant, THAT
place looks suspicious, and, fat as am, I'm
afraid of begging! but shall, begging you
to excuse me, ride man fashion. Now, sum-
mer and winter, Mrs. Grant wore Il suppose
YOU will be shocked, fastidious readerD but
she actually wore red flannel drawers, made
somewhat after the manner Of a gentleman's
unmentionables; and when she drew her
right leg over the mule and braced herself
in the saddle, she presented such truly re-
markable and unique appearance, that, sick
as felt, joined Lena and Hannah in
scream of laughter. Just behind US there
was a short turn in the road which hid the
view, but heard the sound of horses
feet, and in moment 'Hilloa! Of the most
perfect astonishment ever listened to.
looked around, and at my side stood fine
horse whose rider was remarkably good
looking man, with eyes unnaturally large
from wonder and mischief. looked again
at Mrs. Grant; she cast glance over her
shoulder, blushed scarlet, and gave her
skirts, including her hoop, sudden flirt,
throwing them over the mule, thereby near
ly covering him, except his long, rat-llke tail,
his ears and legs, and giving him the ap-
pearance Of having very large bell, or open
umbrella, on his back,-bclow which, on ei-
ther side, could be seen two very robust
calves, enveloped in flannel; and below those,
two feet tritle smaller than valise, in the
stirrups. Mrs. Grant whipped the mule,
and said "Go on, Rock p but Rock was
pleased with his position, or possibly he was
stubborn; at all events he did not go on but
regardless of Mrs. G.'s words and blows, he
stood stock still. l stole another look at
the unexpected witness Of this scene. His
face was crimson, and his eyes filled with
tears of suppressed laughter. He inter.
cepted my stolen glance, and we simulta-
neously burst into shout Of merrime mt,
joined by Lena, and hearty negro suffaw
from Hannah.
Now, Mrs. Grant loved joke, when not
at her own expense, and was in the main
good-natured; but when reused she was a
very Xantippc, as her Socrates of a hus-
band could testify when he did not "walk a
chalk line;" and she called in rather louder
tones than the occasion demanded, consid-
ering we were all within few yards of each
other, Hannah, you confounded black huz-
zy! if you don't quit laughing at me, as
soon as get out Of this hole (if ever do,
she said, sotto roce,) I'll wear you to frizzle
with my riding-whip, and choke you with
mud, besides! AS for you two FOOLS" she
continued, looking over at Lena, then back
at myself, nothing better could be expect
ed Of you. You are always giggling like
two ll-bred monkeysr'
The young gentleman now commanded his
risibles enough to say, "My dear Madam,
Cha, haD really Cha, ha y you must excuse
my Cha, haD laughing, Cha, ha y and allow
me to assist you;" which he rode forward
to do.
now crossed to the other side and rode
up to Lena-"Oh, Jennie!' she exclaimed,
in low tone, her face brilliant crimson
and wearing comical expression, between
fun and modification; show could Ma make
herself so ridiculous before Dr. Tom Green,
the incest young man in the country He
has but few weeks since returned from
Philadelphia with his diploma, and is so
rich and intelligent! All the girls loved
him before he went away; used to hear
Sis and the other girls talk about him, and
now to think Ma looked so scandalous be-
fore him! What aciU he think of us all ?"
and the little sylph almost wept.
thought to myself that think what he
might OF the balance Of US, he must think
Miss Lena G. a very pretty girl, as she sat
so gracefully on her little white pony, her
brown curls clustering round her sweet,
fresh, piquant, seventeen-ye old face.
By this time the vicious brute, bestrode,
for the nonce, by Mrs. Grant, was induced
by repeated blows from Dr. Green, assisted
by Mrs. Grants spiteful kicks, to make an
effort such as Mrs. Chick would have ap-
proved, which, with divers plunges and
switches of his tail, finally landed her on
terra .frmd. DR.. Green now rode up to us,
giving Mrs. Grant an opportunity, with
Hannah's assistance, to arrange her disor-
dered drapery and seat herself, a Ia femme,
in the saddle.
Miss Lena Grant, if l am not mistaken"
said he, with bow Of courtly grace, as he
raised his hat and gave Lena look Of in
tense admiration. Lena bent her blushing
face in assent, and he continued-"I Indeed,
Miss Grant, l can scarcely realize the fact
that see you as a young lady. When l
last saw you, some two years since, you
seemed mere child; but your face once
seen is not easily forgotten" -.
Lena now presented this good-looking,
flattering young man to myself, and truth
compels me to say that his long stare in my
face could not be attributed to admiration
Of my beauty. He rode nearer and said,
Excuse me, Miss Vernon, but allow me to
feel your pulse; think you a.e sick" |
was, indeed, very sick; l felt every moment
as if should fall to the ground. "Yes,"
he continued, ''you have high fever; but
fortunately it is but short distance to Mr.
Smiths house."
We were now joined by Mrs. Grant and
her black attendant, and we all rode to Mr.
Smiths. l have an indistinct impression
of heinu assisted from the mule bv DR.