Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1867-09-11
THE TEST:
LOVE IN A HoGsHEAD.

"They put everything on .a1g rgqnsrs lS. while
larry long. Buggy seats. carriage tops,
crockery crates-all are in the question.
And even saw one of the finest horses
in the city drawing hogshead on wooden
runners, in which were seated gentleman
and lady. They were fine looking
couple and bore off the palm for fast dri-
wing, as well as the ludicrous looking
sleigh conveyance."-Leiter from Chicago.
All reader AMI thereby hangs tale.
1t was New Years day in that far
famed city of the West--even in the
New Years day of sc. Since Christmas,
winter had set in, in good old fashioned
earnestness. Snow had fallen to the depth
of several inches, and being firm and hard,
made excellent sleighing-a rare thing in
the city. e..
Indeed our winters seem sadly degener
ated of late being much more mild and
free from snow than in the days of our
fathers; perhaps TO accommodate them
selves to our failing health and strength :
for this latter fact is but too apparent.
Yet this New years day seemed more a
type of the old time. 1t was cold, yet not
too cold, and the sleighing was excellent,
Everybody who had a suitable convey
ance, or could get one, even at any price.
was out enjoying the rare sport; only the
more keenly to be enjoyed for its very
rarity 1t was indeed gala day; bright
and beautiful still in the human hearts
beating so joyously beneath!
Earnest Hammond sat in his counting
room busily engaged in attending to the
reception of large quantity of goods just
arrived. lie was Young yet; but fast ris'
ing in wealth and position. Born in the
East, he had brought with him all the hab-
its of strict attention, pleasure must be
waived. Therefore, when he did give
himself TO its enjoyments, it was with
double zeal. Naturally warm hearted
and impulsive, and social wlthal as snch q
person must always be, he keenly enjoyed
society. And when he entered it, he wa:
ever q welcome companion, both with hi:
own and oppositeSex. And now closing
his books with look of satisfaction and
relief, he determined to give himself tc
the pleasure of this annual gala day.
While business was pending he hac
closed his ears and eyes to all else; bu'
now he could not fail TO hear the unusual
stir in the streets. and to feel that while be
had been engaged within doors, all had
been life and commotion without. Wher
he car forth the street presented mos
novel scene. A more molly, incongruou'
lot of vehicles it were not not easy to i'm
agine. Such life and hilarity are always
infectious, and Earnest soon caught the
spirit He, too, would join the sledgers
but how? .....
He inquired at several stages for
sleigh. None were to be had. Yet b
was not ea.iIy daunted, and, moreover
had an unusual share of perseverance, -
He owned one of the finest horses In the
city; fthat be felt sure He remem
bered, too, that in a remote part of the
stable where he had usually kept him. hi
| had one day noticed a pair Of wooden run
ners. He would see If 10 some way con
yeyance might not be planned. His Yam
kee ingenuity must be brought to the ser
vice.
He soon reached the stable. The run
ners were found, and in good order. Blu
now for the other part. a hogshead tha'