The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-05-17

been gradually Increasing, on account
of the soreness on Selim's back, and the
equal soreness of the young parsons
body, had arrived at their maximum,
which together with the stiffened limbs
ofthe young parsons, audthe stiff saddle"
bags, made every attempt at mounting
the steed fruitless. A chair was brought
by Miss Annie aud held by her and her
sister, but what good was chair with
dancing horse! The old gentleman
came out aud lent assistance. The three
ladies did all they could. Tom the
hostler held the horse By the bride,
but Selim seemed to think it was a
grand frolic, he danced round, reared,
kicked, ran forward, whirled round, and
to tell the truth without exposing the
young parson too much, he did not
know how to mount a horse, having
never done enough Of it to learn how,
aud ander the most favorable circum-
stances, it were an awkward job, but
now with those saddle bags, straight out,
coming in contact with his leg at every
attempt to throw it over, his stiffness,
soreness, and the incorrigible restless
ness of the horse, made it matter out
of the question. But it must be done
and no mistake, so here goes for another
trial. The saddle is adjusted by the
old gentleman. Tom the hostler, in a
broad grin in which every tooth in his
head shines, holds the horse, the fair
lady stands beside her husband Oh the
right ard Miss Annie and Miss Mary
on the left, and DOW one more desperate
effort is TO be made, but Selim throws
his head up, whirls round, Miss Auuie's
dress skirt is nearly torn of, and Miss
Marys foot is badly hurt. The old gentle
man, whose patience has been suffering
for some time, with loud and half
angry voice cries out, Tim, Harry, Ben,
Joe, Peter, come here. They all appear.
Then in voice accustomed to command
he says, "Boys hold that colt, aud put
this young man On him." The gerdian
knot is cut, for no sooncr said than
done. In moment the young parson
finds himself uncerimouiously lifted
higher than he was want to be, aud
while some hold the horse, the others
pat him over the difficulty of stiff saddle.
bags aud all, aud he is landed safely in
the saddle. He feels rather cheap, his
face burns with bushes, the girls seem
half sorry and half amused, and lifting
his hat, he gracefully bows -adieu to the
ladies, the old gentleman grumblcs out
good bye, the ladies wave their banker
chiefs aud our young hero is fairly on
his way to spend bis first rest day at
Mrs. US.
The directions are plaiu-ten miles
up the big road, and then two miles to
the left, aud the twelve miles will make
the journey. The prospect Of relief
trom the incessaut srituration of the
saddle, and pleasant days rest with
an agreeable family, cheers the heart Of
our young parsou, aud though he suffers
at every movement Of the horse he
hopefully moves forward, until his eyes
rest upon the ten mile post. A gentle
man approaches, "Sir, can you tell ne
the neighborhood road which leads
from this to the house CT Mrs. US.
"Mrs. U! Mrs. U! Do you mean the
widow W" eyes" responds the parson."
Why, she does not i've on this road at
all. You should have turned square off
to the left, mile from the village
With heavy heart the young parson
asks, "How shall I best get thereY"
Go right back until you come to the
fork one mile from the village, then go
nine miles, aud two miles to the left of
that road, lives the widow" "Then l
will have to travel twenty miles before /
get there" "Yes," he replies, "unless
you are good haud to follow the direc
,ion." "lf so, you can take this road"
pointing to a dull read; TO the Jeff,
(which sill bring you opt st COL Ra,
aud you will save six or seven miles."
"Well sir, I'll try it," In quiss gloomy
state Of mind the parson starts Of BE
takes the road TO she. left, which seems
to do very we'll for about foar milea,
when suddenly he.is confronted by set
of draw bars, the road stops thers-ridss
back mile and finds fork xhicb he
did not notice, tries shat, but ~ soon
gives out, rides bask.,f '., further. tries "a.
sher a dubsoua ~ path Which b,ls leads bin into
y
Il. pllaiaer road, vEhiishi be follows, and
! than ha arrives at n mint 1Ehers .raada