Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1864-02-11

o"Sh SopiSu u iouS ~" VI StdHuluS
grain on either side of my new-mown
swath. "Turn to the right" shouted
the same voice. Had he bid me con-
troll the movements Of the universe,
it would have been quite as much to
the point,--for, remembering my in
structions, l pulled with all my
strength on the left rein. TO my dis
may the horses walked farther and
farther into the grain, and finally stop
ped altogether. In vain l jerked and
pulled d,-not one step would those re-
fractory animals move.
No one likes to be ridiculed, and l
am no exception to the rule; still, l
felt immensely indebted to Mike, in
spite of his laughter, as he led the
team to the edge of the field, at the
same time explaining the manner of
guiding them, till it was plain even
to my confused perceptions. With a
slight diminution of sclf-esteem, l
thanked him, and started on again.
This time it was better. The horses
paced quietly along, and the smooth,
even swaths testified to the skill of
the teamster. Depending fully now
upon the docility of the animals,
glanced across to the field, where Lu.
under her fathers tuition, was making
rapid progress. Unwary glance |!
While satisfied my curiosity, un-
guardedly loosed my grasp upon the
reins, when that intractable team
turned again iuto the standing grain.
This time succeeded in guiding them
into the proper path, but beheld, with
rueful visage, the huge crescent wav-
ing triumphantly where the reaper
should have gone.
lam not naturally dull, and after
great many attempts, succeeded even
IN what have since considered the
acme of human perfection, viz, turning
corners. 1t was verging toward noon,
and hungry, dusty and tired, | was
impatiently listening for the sound of
the dinnerhorn, when | espied TWO gen.
tlemen making their way across the
adjoining field, and after a few mo.
ments' conversation with Judge Es-
tel, pursuing, in company with him,
their way toward the spot where un-
fortunate Ireigned queen over a pair of
reins, and one of Nanny & Co.'s best.
| am not timid, but in the present case
will frankly confess, could | have re-
signed those lines, and taken "Jee-
line" for the house, the rest of this
chronicle would have remained un-
written.
In one of my encounters with the
team, sudden breeze had carried off
my hat, and ere | could recover it, it
was crushed beneath the reaper's
wheels. l had also, in some unac-
countable manner, covered my hands
with tar, which had been unconscious
ly transferred TO my face, until it
shone with true African blackness.
My white apron was soiled,-my col
lar hung limp and starchless, and the
glossy curls, my especial pride, were
in terrible state of disorder, there.
fore it may be easily imagined, l was
not exactly prepared to receive callers,
Miss lansing" said the Judge,
gravely, as they approached, allow
me to introduce my friends, Mr.. Blair
and DR.. Gordon of NJ. Heavens |!
Girl, what ails your face 2"
! could no longer restrain my risi-
bles, and my shout Of laughter was
echoed by the gentlemen. Mr.. Blair
was the editor of well-known period
ical in the neighboring village, to
whose paper | had contributed fire.
quently. | knew that he was expect
ed at my hosts residence, and intend
ed to astonish him by my lady-like
grace aud intelligence. l had aston
ished him, evidently, although not ex-
actly in the proposed manner.
Fortunately, the Judge succeeded
in procuring other help for the after.
noon, so we made our way home as
speedily as possible, and leaving the
gentlemen in the vine-covered piazza,
repaired to our own room. Through
the open easement came the tones of
their voices in earnest conversation
beneath. My own name attracted
my attention, and Lu, dropping the
heavy braid of hair which she was
winding in classical style around her
head, enjoined silence, with playful
shake of her finger. l am not in the
habit of playing eaves-dropper, but
what girl could have resisted the
temptation of hearing her character
discussed under such peculiar circum-
stances.
Yes, Miss Lansing is witty and
intelligent" said Mr.. Blair, in reply
to his companion bat what fright
Why, her ebony-colored visage
would not be ont of place on a planta-
ton down in Dixie. And then her at
tire / wonder if Mrs. Noah brought
that hat pattern over in the ark. That
dress, so admirably mended with pins,
was a miracle of art, and her sooty
apron and collar attracted my first
glance of admiration. Leave me to
the tender mercies of fiends, if ye will
of Fates. but deliver me, pray, from
the blue-stocking proper |"
Laugh away, gentlemen" l ejacu'
lated, with significant toss of my
head, as their clear tones rang agar
through the room. II ! don't teaci
you lesson, my name is not Sue Ian
sing"
! Mr.. Blair SO far forgot himsclfas t.