Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-06-23
SrltttrO allistrIINnlI.
MY SLEIGII-RIDE.

Now, when man comes down stairs on
iiplOe, and essays to open the front door
with the least possible amount OF Obscrva-
lion, il isn't particularly agreeable to have
:, whole broadside of female tongues upon
him, the instant he crosses the thrcsh
aid. However, not to seem daunted, L
tihpped and confronted them, doggedy,
PAINFULLY conscious, tho WHILE of extra
pear's grease on my hair, borrowed ring
ON my little finger, and n shirt whose gloss
Night have reminded one of awholestarch
sactoy Need mention, after onumerat-
lng these particulars, that was i'll love?
"Whero are you going, George asked
sny mother
ii am going slcigh-ridiuG with theparty
from Judge Bacre's," l answered, fitting
Sln pair of lemOn-cOlored, kid glover,
which considering the night was pitch
alark, and the thermometer stood ut zero,
was piece of idiocy well bcftting young
man in love.
What lady do You take with you'"
None"
"Why, interrupted Dolly, ''wherc's Miss
Aspendae?" felt myself grow hot all over,
as stroyc to answer indifl'erently and es-
Gaping to my little cutter, ] soon jingledup
to the line of equipages III front OF Judge
DaCre'S door.
Just in time" observed Harry Spicer,
roigning mp his vicious, little, gray horse,
rs that sagacious animal was about to try
thc edible qualities of my ear; "the girls
are coming ont. They ran in to have a
warm while Patty Dacre was getting her
things on. Whewl how cold ii is. i say
old fellow" as the light of passing Ian
tcrn FELL ON my iom ensemble, --'am't those
T.; 4 ihnn
Iguess you've taken up your next quarters
SALARY for "
fo stopped abruptly, and the next min
ute heard him whisper to some one be-
yond.
.Hallo, Judson, I've been and gone and
done il nOw.s / mstook old Barnwell for
George Wildwood, and I've been chatting
him like fire Their traps are as likeas two
peas wonder what he Thought of me?
Crusty old chap, never to answer word
though
IIugging myself (mentally, of course)
at this dolusion of Spicer's, took care not
to dsnluse linn of the idea, II was q re-
lief to he rid of the clack of his ceaseess
tongue.
As these reflections passed hurriedly
through my mind, there was sonnd of
merry, bird-ikc voices intcrmixcd with
musical laughter, and the tripping of many
feet.
Tho girls, dozen or so in number, were
coming ont, hooded cloakod and furTed. --
Just as was about to guide my horse away
from the gate to make way for some en-
viahlc misCcant who claimed proprietor
ship of one or more of this glanciDg bGyy
Of female lovcness, light foot was placed
on the lower rail of The cutter, and Kate
Aspendac spmng in beside me, nesting
down among the fur robes as ifit was her
place by right
81 hope | haven't kept you waiting,
Bruce, dear, she SAIL adjusting the folds
OF her veil
The words of glad greeting which had
risen 10 my lips seemed frozen on the very
portals OF speech. "Bruce" indeed! So
she mistOOk me for the man of mOneybags,
did she? Well, considering that she des-
pissed Nh Barnwell SO heartily (as she had
assured mcl, her voice was attuncd to very
coaXingacccnts.
"Only Think" she went on, rs obedient
TO the calls of $50 ahead, from behind, |
lo0sened the reins, and touched my fleet
little horse with the whip, George Whit
wood is here, tonight, alone ] suppose
lie couldn't get any girl to accompany him.
do think that young man is the greatest
fool - Oh, my gracious" for Sultan, my
spirited horse, gave plunge just then. j
lad unConsciously given him n mercicss |
cut with the whip, and it required all my
strength and seli-possesson to calm him
down again. Still, never spoke; my teeth
were SET tightly together, and could feel
n burning red spot in the centre of each
cheek, which seemed as if they must glow
in the dark like live Goals; but | waited,
instincIivcly to hear moro.
"Now, you're ycXed with me Bruce,
muImmcd Kate, "just because mentioned
George Whitwood's namo2 You know I
don't care two straws lorhim, aconceited,
silly blockhcNd, That flucies q girl in love
with him just because she happens occa-
sionally to smile at his foolish speeches. I
assure you, Bruce, I've never seriously on
cnuraged him, but girl must have some
thing TO amuse herself with, in dull coun- |
try place like tllis. George Wildwood, in.
deed, rs if ! could care for him when you
We're near, Bucc How we will stare
when he gets om wedding cards next
week kp
She Broke ont laughing that merry,
melodious laugh, which had been music to |
my ears SO many n timcin ourloncly wood |
land home nmblesand twilight gossips be-
meath the vine draped porch. How dif |
tcronLly it sounded now The hollow re-
Gonnnce of somo tuncless instrument how |
could lever have fancicd il sweet
'Iye worn my engagement ring Tonight |
Bruce" she went on coaxinglN "Thcro's
no use keeping tho matter secret any long.
er and ! wnnt TO see what the girls will
say. You've no objections havc you, Bruce
for - Dear me, what is the matter We
can't have reached Slopevillo yet I'm suro"
The long line of sleighs had como TO n
stmd-still One not unlike my own, dc.
acbed itself from the rest, and jingled mp
TO our own.
"Why, she's hero What on earth does
this jngglcry mean2' demanded the voice
not n particularly melodous ono Of Mr..
Bruce Iiarnwell, Kate started up with a
slight shriek,
"Whcro am II Who Is this in the
sleigh y she cried.
"Pny, don't disturb yourself. Miss AS
pendaIe, satirically growlcd Mr.. Barnwell. |
Evidently there was abundant spice of tho
grim 0thello IN his temperament "If you
prefer Mr.. Whitwood's company TO mine
tn all right"
MIR. Whitwoodr T. repeated Fate, wild
y; "oh, mercy il can't bo possiblep
Some one held up lantern. looked |
full into Kate Aspendalo's splendid, dark
eyes.
Now, IL had been woman, what vol
eys of satire / could have fired into the |
enemys camp; whnt red-hot Goals Of taunt.
ing jacosity i could havo heaped upon
Kates defenseoss head Butr being q |.
man, loft her to the punishment of her
H.. 4 4 a.