Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-26
Tales aud Sketthes.
A SLEIGH.RIDE EXTRAORDINARY.


gloves already on, heard the tinkle of the
sleigh bells and arose to go down, but
when he reached the door, he felt light
touch upon his arm and heard the we'll
known voice of his daughter:
"Pa, may go?"
but / am only going to the bank,
Grace"
"After that, father will go there and
wait for you. 1t will not take me five
minutes to get ready"
"Well-well! Be spry, and I'll watt"
said the old gentleman, quite merrily, "and
I'll give you such sleigh-ride as you never
had--a sleigh ride extraordinary. You
know have the black before the cutter.n
$50 much the BETTER" said Grace; and
she ran away to dress, but little dreaming.
how well the promise would be kept.
John Normandy stood by the window
looking up the busy street, ever and anon
looking at his watch as though impatient
for the time to pass. And indeed he was.
He had no thoughts for what was passing
in the street below. He saw Jonas
Blenchford and his daughter as they drove
up to the bank, but forgot them the mo-
ment they had passed from sight within
the entrance. He had weighty thoughts
upon his mind that could not be east aside
by an ordinary occurrence.
He was somewhere about thirty years OF
age, tall, erect, dignified, and very plain
OF feature. He had battled with discour-
agements and poverty until his very face
bore marks of the terrible struggles, but
he had conquered. His motto had ever
been Coward and upward" and never
flinching, never giving way, he had at last
become cashier OF the bank of F., II po-
sition both honorable and lucrative.
Only a twelve-month had he held the
position, but in that short time, he had won
the confidence of the officers of the bank,
the regard of his fellow employees, and
was generally liked by those doing bust
ness with him.
Still he wasunsocial. He asked no COM
panions, wanted none. When the bank
closed for the day he hurried away to his
lodgings and was seen no more until the
hour OF business on the following day.
Business was his only pleasure. He talk
ed little, worked much; he was poor
companion but good friend.
'Day-dreaming, Normandy?"
81 have encountered so much reality
that there is little of the imaginary left"
said he turning toward them half reluc-
family.
'Oh, fie, Normandy. Not quite thirtys
i should judge, and settling down into an
older man than lam. What are you think
ing aboutp 1t must not be. Grace, can you
do anything to show this practical old gen.
tleman the error of his ways? I'll leave
you with him to try, while devote few
minutes to business"
Don't forget the ride, father"
Never fear; you shall have it."
Normandy was really vexed to see the
old gentleman trot away, and leave him
to entertain the peerless Grace Blenehford
Grace suspected it, and she led him pretty
race of words that brought smile to his
face in spite of himself, and dprovoked some
almost merry replies that sounded strange
ly from his lips. When Blenchford re-
turned, he found them quite sociable ;
Normandy leaning over the desk, listening
to Grace's merry talk, and occasionally
putting in a merry word that showed how
well he was enjoying it.
f'Thawing, by--smoke ?" exclaimed
Blenchford in surprise, but his manner
changed Immediately; ''Grace, we must
postpone the ride. Some very urgent
business keeps me here. Wait Nor
mandy can take my place"
II should be pleased" said he.
Every good, Normandy and remember
that | promised her "a ride such as she
never had before"
"a ride extraordinary, father"
''Yes, yes; that was it. Do not disap-
point her."
"Assuredly not.'
While Normandy was drawing on his
great coat, gentleman stepped to his
side and spoke to him in very low tone.
NormandSs face blanched whittier than the
snow, but he recovered instantly.
"Thank you, Ganson for this proof of
your friendship. but have known it for
some hours. Please to let it rest where it
is if you can, and will make it all right
in the morning. There is some mistake"
With buoyancy of manner that surpris-
ed Grace, after what she had seen, he
conducted her to the sleigh, and with a
gallantry little expected from one SO prac-
teal, he handed her in. arranging the
robes about her more skillfuliy than ever
her old father could have done. Then he
took a seat by her side and off they went.
Almost tenderly he wrapped the robes
around her, yet uttering no word. Then
gathering the reins, he gave the horse a
light blow, and away they went at a pace
that soon left the city far out of sight.
"An extraordinary ride surely" thought
Grace as they sped over the crisp snow;
and then there was wondering how it
would end. But she felt no fear, no re-
gret that she had placed herself in his
hands.
For hours they rode, he doing all in his
power TO entertain her, succeeding so well
that she almost forgot the singular position
in listening to the brilliant talk and varied
experience. About dark, they drew up
at a farmhouse, where Normandy order
cd supper. While it was preparing, he
looked after the comfort of his horse, rub
bing him down with his own hand and
feeding him, for the ride was not yet over
"We have four hours yet to ride" said
he to Grace. "Shall we go on?"
II trust you, Mr.. Normandy. Let me
help you ifI can.n
THANK you! Thank you. Miss Blench-
ford" he said greatefully. You shall
not repent it."
Out into the night they started again.
He procured additional robes at farm
house, and wrapped his companion so
closely that she did not feel the biting cold