Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-03-12
A Lesson for Young Men.

Mamie Houston stood patting the hearth ner-
vousy with the pretty foot she had put out to
warm, her red lips tightly compressed, and II
spark of fire in her brown eyes, which was not "A
reflection from the blazing hearth before her.
Father, you don't know Wallace Myles."
"Don't want to, daughter" responded Mr..
Houston.
"But how can you Judge him unless you know
him ?"
"The names enough, never knew a Myles
yet that was worth the powder it would take to
kill him. No use talking, | won't have him
fooling about here"
"And won't have Tom Ogden fooling about
me, pettishy responded the daughter.
Very we'll. Do as you please. Pm not go-
ing to make you marry Tom Ogden. But the'
Ogden 5 sare rich, aristocradc city family and
'!sn't every little country girl can get hold of
rich city fellow like him. .5
81 don't care a copper for him or his money
either, " snapped Mamie
"We well, we won't quarrel over 'em,
pussy. Have your beaux, or let em alone, just
as you please. Only don't send that Myes fell
low to me with any questions, for he'll sure to
get no for an answer. There, now, give me "A
kiss and go off to bed, and so will |. You know
must be off early in the morning"
Mamie went up stairs, but she did not go
directly to bed. She turned down the lamp and
frightened the fire in her room and then she
took from her pocket bid Of pasteboard, which
bore the shadow of IA manly face, and sat down
beside her window, holding it in her hand, in
the moonlight, for long time. And once or
twice something brighter than moonlight spar
kled upon Nannes round red cheek, and fell
down upon the bit Of pasteboard in her lap
Next morning there was very heavy snow
upon the ground. Mr.. Houston proposed to go
to the city that day, and the manner of his con
veyance became a question. His own buggy
was too light for such snow, the little sleigh
was lent to a neighbor and he did not want to
drive the big one, all by himself. So he settled
the matter by taking an old buggy which stood
in the barn and was seldom used. 1t was a
rusty looking old concern, must confess but
Mr.. IIoustons business was important, so he
mounted into the crazy old thing and rode away.
With his affairs in the city we have nothing to
do Suffice 1t to say, he arranged them success
fully and late in the evening started for home
again. 1t had been showing nearly all day.
The roads were very heavy and tedious, but Mr.
Houston plodded bravely on until he was
scarcely two miles from home.
Suddenly, distant behind him but rapidly APP
preaching, he heard the merry jingle of sleigh
bells and the shouts of gay voices. He turned
his head and looked through the little fanlight
in the back OF his buggy. A sleigh containing
three young men, drawn by a span of strong
bays, was driving up with speed and reckless
ness which threatened his crazy old buggy with
total demolition.
Mr.. Houston spoke to his horse, but before he
could turn out the sleigh dashed bYa striking
the old buggy and carrying off one wheel.
The well-traned horse stopped at word and
in instant Mr.. Houston was upon his feet
among the ruins. The sleigh stopped too, but
instead of springing to the old mans help the
half-tipsy set burst into shouts of half mnudlin
laughter at the smartness Of the feat they had
performed and the young fellow who held the
reins called out:
Sorry we've spoiled your fine turnout, old
codger but really we couldn't stop for trifies.
Reckon you can foot it home to your roost.
High, up here, beauties Get along !"
And With that he guve his horses a cut with
his whip, and they dashed on, leaving the old
gentleman alone, with the gathering darkness,
the heavy snow and his useless carriage.
While he stood considering what was best to
do, the jingle of sleigh-bells sounded again, and
"a light sleigh, driven by solitary young man,
came up from the same direction as the preced-
ing one The moment the stranger drew near to
Mr., Houston he stopped his horse, sprang from
his sleigh, and touching his hat to the old gen
tleman, said respectfully;
g Good evening" sir. You seem to be in some
trouble here Can be of service2"
Trouba, sir Yes, sir | call it troubls
lot of rascally scamps-half drunk, I've no
doubt-dashed by in big sleigh with bay
horses, just now and took OIL my buggy-wheel."
" But surely they stopped to assist you, srT'
Surely they didn't The paused long enough
for young chap on the front seat TO call out
some insulting words, and then off they went, at
full speed. ..tt
"What a cowardly trick ~ cried the young
fellow, his manly face flushing Indignantly.
'Stay-I'll bet know who they were u
"Wel, ! should like to know, remarked Mr..
Houston, dryly 81 don't think | shall forget
them very soon"
GA large sleigh, with bay horses, was itF'
asked the stranger.
ayes sir; and young rascal, in gray fur
overcoat on the front seat"
"Yes yes the same They passed me about
half mile above here. That was Tom Ogden
driving, and the others are fellow clerks of mine,