Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-23

| ttlS.
/ Why should continue my narrative IN
the third persona My readers know that
Lswley is the charioieer, and Fibbins, the
/ groom, is |.
Sir Thomas came out to welcome our
arrival, and l caught sight of ladies faces
in the hall. The former seemed quite
taken aback with establishment as he sur
veyed the equipment and figure of my
friend. "G0d bless meln he said, ga few
years ago you were placed, a little baby,
on my knee! Come in, Mr.. Lawley. A
few years. Let NE see; how many years
is itf -ten-fOurteen-why bless my
heart alive, it is over twenty! So it isl
how time flies!n
"Take the horses round to the stables,
Fibbins, was Lawley's order, as the hall
door closed upon him; and touched my
hat in response.
But though touched my hat 10 re
spouse, a moments consideration con-
WINGED me l was in an awkward predica-
ment. To mount the box and drive
them into the stable-yard would result,
felt assured, in suicide to myself and de-
struction to the equipage IN toto. To
lead them in was not much, easier, as the
the wheeler showed signs of impotence;
seemed disposed to be playful with his
forelSgs, and inclined to make meal off
the tail of the leader, which he il his
turn naturally enough resented by kick
ing up behind. The horses must be taken
to the stable, however, and that without
delay; so Selling moment when the
leader was quiet, l hastily unb6ckled the
rens and undid the traces from the bar
| lis that the technical term for it2) which
connected him with the trap, and then
led away each by the head--the leader
| with the left hand, and the wheeler in
the cart with the right.
| In this order we entered the stable
yard. 1t might have belonged to the en-
chsnted castles of the fairy tales. Not q
soul to be seen; not the neigh of horse
| to be heard. This was perhaps provi-
dental, for the reins and other straps
had become in very tangled and con-
fused state. My first business was to tie
the leader up to ring in the wall; and
having got him of my hands, fell to
embarrassing the one in the shafts. This
appeared to be an easier task than proved
| to be the case. / knew that in the har-
ness certain straps were to be undone,
while others remained unbuckled continu-
ally like the standing" and running"
rigging of ship; but which was which
l did not know. After unbuckling seVe-
raj, and finding the animal still firmly
connected with the trap, l resolved to
undo all; and at the end of my labors
| tangled straps, traces, curb chains, bri-
dies, ETC., lay in one great heap on the
ground in hopeless confusion. l had
taken off the harness, it is true. Alasl |
had taken it off too effectually; for the
horse, finding himself free, walked from
between the shafts, and, unrestrained by
bit or bride, careeTed al leisure round
the yard.
At this juncture groom appeared on
the scene. l was not in the best of tenn
pers. | had come here to amuse myself,
aud was not going to begin by rendering
myself contemplate in the eyes of the
groom, who would discover me to the |
rest of the servants, in whose society l |
was to spend my Christmas Lawley was |
happy in the house before yule log, |
while l was shiVering here with fingers |
numb by Juggling at the straps. would |
lay the blame on some one else; and why |
not on Lawley2
''C0me," l said, pretending to be angry,
az can find no one about, and my yOueg |
master wants me. Look, land here 1 |
pointed to my own handiwork,) che has |
been helping me, as he calls it; and see
what pretty piece of work he hasmade!
Just put all this to rights, will you, aud |
make the horses ComtCr .ablel"
said this in a nonchalent tone, as if l |
had been Just about to make them com
Portable myself, as in fact l suppose l
should Gf l could have caught them); for
| should have turned them into the best
stable l could have found, with unlimited
corn. thought it well before leaving
to smile coaxingly, as though would say,
''You and l understand each Otner, l can
see" (Which am quite sure was not
the case); Sand l viii make il all right
with you before go away"
found my way to the servants hall, and |
was Hospitality welcomed by the butler,
who had assisted a. our arrival. After
declining his offer of a glass of beer after
my drive, was presented to some of the
'huppers," among whom a very stout
hOusekeeper and q pretty French msid
seemed to hold precedence. They re.
ceived me with courtseys, which l re-
turned with a bow of such elegance as to
give me q status at once with the foot
men. To the latter ! was not introduced
q suppose it is not etiquetto). In
word, every one was most 'Ehaff'ble" to
me; and was feeling very comfortable
as | thawed before the huge fire, when
the butler babe a page bring some hot
water, saying, he supposed it was nearly
time to dress for dinner.
('Late dinner, by J0veln l sOlilo
quzed; this is capital Inever knew be-
fore that servants were INDUCED to that
extent. However, one learns a good
deal by being behind the scenes I'm
not sorry to hear. it, replied aloud,
as followed the page, 'ifor l am very
hungry"
"Oh, l mean dinner in the dining
ROOM" said the butler; eve shall take
something afterward.n
1t then flashed upon me that was ex-
pected to helpwai at table!
l had not bsrgained for this; but how
could | get out of the dilemma2 What
excuse could l make2 l was racking my
brains to find one, when the butler, point
ing to a bell which was ringing, said,
''Thst is your masters room; perhaps
you would like TO put cut his evening
things first"
l thanked him for reminding me, and l
FASTENED mp stairs, where l found Law.
ley lying on the sofa in his listless way.
''Fibbins," he said with a smile, 'tput
out my things, will you, and bring me
some hot wateI2n
'tMay 1 die f1rsti" l replied in hot
anger; "And tell you what, Lawley,
I'm going back"
"Hayen't they been civil to you9"
"Oh, yes; but-but they want me to
wait at dinner"
"Is chat all 2" replied Lawley; "why,
of course you must do that. 1t will be
the greatest fun in the world, my dear
fellow. You won't have to do much
those fellows never do. By-the-by," he
said suddenly, catching me by gilt but
ton, GIVE a surprise for you"
"a surprised"
eyes. There is to be q servants ball
tonight. All the people go down to the
servants hall and dance quite 'prOuiscu