The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-12-04

courteous refusal at band, and / consent
ed to go with him. Indeed | had half
promised him some days ago. There
was New York friend of ours staying
at the Falls, who had with him a favor
lite horse-a frey, handsome animal-and
Mr.. Willis had repeatedly invited me to
ride behind him. I could put off the
ride no longer, of course.
I did not like the vicious manner in
which the horse, at starting, laid back
his ears and bounded away; but I said
nothing. We had not been riding many
minutes, ere the animal chose to take
fright at the tapping of line of newly
washed clothing; in door-yard of a.
house near the river bank: and taking
the bit in his teeth, he ran away. Our
road lay along the banE-safe enough,
certainly, for aride with a horse under
control, but decidedly not the best place
for a runaway, because there was spot
not over half mile distant where the
chances were frightfully great that we
should be thrown over the precipice and
killed. At the rate We were now going,
we should reach that dangerous place
very soon. William Willis looking
ahead comprehended the danger, and his
face blanched.
Good God" he cried, "its deathl''
With that he threw up the rein and
jumped out of the buggy, striking rock
and breaking his collar bone-as / found
afterward.
AS for me, kept my seat. If it
should become necessary for me to jump
then would jump; but was determined
not to take the venture till it was imper-
atively demanded by the imminency of
the danger at hand. So long as there
was possibility that the horses prog
ress might be arrested, I held to that
hope; because, when horse is running
furiously down smooth road, there is no
choice between jumping-spots till the
crisis is at hand
While / sas, clinging firmly to the seat
and looking out sharply ahead, for the
dangerous place must now be drawing
near, man--itss was Mr.. Harrison
sprung with astonishing agility at the
horses head from among some trees at
tho roadside, caught the bit. jerked it
back, and out Of the horses teeth, and
actually tore the animal s lips so that
the blood flowed, SO energetic was the ac:
ton. There was no resisting the iron
will, backed by the iron nerve. The run
away came to a stop. Mr.. Harrison
drew him to the side Of the road, and ex-
anime the harness and buggy carefully
tsNothing broken" said he. ga
very narrow escape. Miss Monroe. 4
saw you coming aud just had time to get
my wits in order. There, don't thank
me; 1 didn't know it was you, and should
have done the same for any one else. p
"But you are hurt, said I, noticing
that he limped.
I 'Yes. the horse trod on my foot.
Oh, how unfortunatel Shall /, get
out?" %
/ "No," said he;,sehat is, it is unnecessa-
ry that you should. Sit still and get rest
ed. He will run no more to day, I
promise you" He come around, and
placed his lame foot carelessly on the
wheel Of the buggy, and spoke in his
usual calm tone. "When a horse has a
fine lively run like that, he is inclined to
be quiet the rest of the day. You can
drive him back in perfect sefety. But,
I did not know you were SO fond of Ia
king drives all alone by yourself, Miss
Monroe"
II was not riding alone, said I, amy
dryier jumped out"
"And left you?" said he, astonished.
"Yes."
"He ought to be horsewhippsd. May
| ask the towards name?"
'His name, said 1, "is William Will.
lis"
Mr. Harrison started, amazed.
"Willisl / beg your pardon, Miss
Monroe" This very coldly. II should
not have spoken in these terms if I had
known your companion was your"
He stopped and bit his lip.
"My fance, you would say" I made
quick response. "But be is not my
faace, Mr.. Harrison, l would sooner
marry woman than such coward"
I spoke with some heat, and he look
up at my excited face with his dry
smile
"Will you marry me, Miss Monroe?"
"Yes," said /.
And I did.
1t was queer place for proposal,
was it not? But my husband is not like
other men! He always has hts ,sits about
him.
Here I had finished; but my husband
reading what 1 had written made his
comment: (which few men do when
they pop the question, my dear, aich
aoahrP'-Beadle's Monthly, Ne,o York.
An Eagles Nest.