Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-11-19
Jhe Storg Teller.
[rRoM LIppINcorr's MAaAzlNE.l
MAHALA'S DRIVE.
HARNKssINa UP.


II wish, said the widow Bruce, fretful
ly, 'that VIII wasn't SO headstrong ant
careless. s.'s, s'59es ''e
"What has he done now ?" said her daugh
ter Mahala, looking quickly up from the
zephyr hood she was knitting.
at isn't what he does, but what he dom
| do, that's the matter"
"And what hasn't he done, then 2"
II told him last night that was cutting
my last loaf of bread, and that there wasn't
dust of flour in the barrel; and now he has
gone to the raising, and taken Mike with
him (as if VIC hired men to go off a whole
3 Jay frollcking), and not thought has he
eiyen to the flour barrel"
well, he is only boy-scarcely twenty,
you know. II would have been better il
you had spoken of it again this morning"
II can't say thing a thousand times
over, Mahaly; and, besides, hearing this
morning of Sallie Peyton's being engaged ia
be married put the flour out of my head. =
Mahala knew that her brother Will was
consuming with hopeless passion for Sallie
pcy,on (six years his senior), and was not
Eurprised at his forgetfulness.
But all that don't put flour in the barrel, y
laid Mrs. Bruce, peeyishly; ''and they wont
be back till dark, and know folks will come
lcre from the 'reising, and only corn meal
axes to give them"
'.Ill tell you what, mother, said Mahala,
starting up from he seat "I'll go to How
Ills mill myself, and get bag of flour for
rou.'
"And what will you go in, I'd like to
know ?" said Mrs. Bruce, in an injured tone.
'Wil has got the carriage and the little sor-
rlr
u will harness old Blackey to the wa
ln.
Goodness gracious, Mahaly you must
Pcas crazy as the wagon, and that is just to
hl 10 pieces"
Nonsense, mother! it is used every day,
ndis sound enough"
And what splendid turnout you will
lyc to be sure And tho Howells and the
parkeses live on the Harmony road; and
ben there's Mr.. Carey boards at Sparkeses'!
IND Bessie Jones is for ever driving her bay
Ony and basket-carriage on that raod."
What do l care for all those people,
paher. They know we have better horse
ll carriage; SO, if you don't forbid me,
iii 60
"oh don't forbid you, if you amt too
roul, said Mrs. Bruce, very much relieved
the subject of the supper, but looking in
pred nevertheless.
Nlahala ran quickly to the carriage-house,
Ed, giving one regretful look 10 the empty
pace usually occupied by the little light car
|asc she was in the habit of driving, seized
be shafts of the old wagon and pushed it
into the yard, where she surveyed it with
ell distlain. No rheumatic rag-man could
more knock-kneed, loose jointed and lop-
led than was this vehicle. The colors
i which it had anciently been picked out
nd lnn together in the most distracted man
T board was laid across it for seat,
lh an old, half-worn cushion ON it.
When have made up my mind to do q
ling, do it," was the result OF Mahala's
nedilatiuns, and she walked quickly to thu
Fable, where old Blackey had at that mo
heHt finished his measure of oats, and was
camily thinking what nice thing 1t was
maven holiday. He attempted u feeble
cigh when Mahala cnterad the stable, bu
opped suddenly, for he read IN her eyes
You have got to work !" and he immedi
ely planted himself firmly and squarely, 81
a' it was utterly impossible for any one t.
q INTO his STALL
Stand back old fellowl" said Mahala
lteiy, and giving him light slap.
Blackey did not mean to do it at all, bu
lch creatures of habit are we-beast ant
feA-that he moves without thinking any
Ains about it, and thus Mahala got the bet
Of him in the first encounter, and unfas
fned the halter. Blaclcy was tall, pow
llal creature, who was gradually retirin!
rom public life on account of his age. I'll
uld have crushed Mahala with sligh
t!i, but, like good many old gentlemen
'e have knowa, he was very aimable, al
orsh as obstinate as pig. He rubbed hi
He over the hands that had fed him man
time.
You need not be trying any of you
.t..t.
oAlng ways with me, !" said Nlahala "yo
ll have business on hand"
She led him 10 the door of the carriage
Ouse, just inside of which the harness wa
|ilging, and she reached it down and drag
~ il forth very unceremoniously, and eye
with no more pride than she had the WI
On.
Hold down your head !" she seid, gi1
. Blackey smart tap on the neck wit
ne collar. Down went the head, and Nah,
proceeded to slip the collar over 1t, bl
sooner had it touched him than Blacke
iddcnly remembered that he was not NAL
ps much Of a stand for his rights, and thre
his head so high that 1t seemed to Nah
as she looked hopelessly up at IL, that
as about to be promoted to the position
eathercock on church -steeple. Blacke
poklng furtively down to see how she toe
spied a tuft of misunderstanding gras
PoWn came the head in a twinkling, al
ven it went the collar, Mahala chucklil
eeiully as she dexterously twisted it ov
Als neck, while Blackey chewed his gra
au pretended he did not care. She laug
aloud as her bright young eyes look
no his old, dim ones.
What wee-begone look you have 6
y 10 be sure! If you had your way, ,
l0uld eat corn-bread for supper, you u
'a'elul creature But you just won't ha
our way"
que picked up the harness, but it W
SaVy, and Blackey had got his back up
y occasion, and it was high enough at a
le. She came near falling headforem'
uNer his heels; but she was resolute, a
r"aus her white teeth firmly on her rc
auer lip, she gave the harness such
'sa'y throw that 1t went flying clear o'
= horses back and fell Gathering to
'ouad on the other side of him. IfBlack
Su'a have laughed, he would have don,
s'n' as he turned his head to critically