The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-09-10


he ran around to The bank and wade,
into the almost iee-eold water; bu
his teeth did not chatter in his head
he only wished they could. QnIetl
he Waded along so as not TO stir VI
the mud, and when he goL to the Figh
place he dropped under the water an,
came up with his teeth in his hand
and replaced them in his mouth. Blu
bark What is that? A wagon aud
little dog barking with all his might
and his horse is starting. "Whoa
Whoa! Stop you brute, stopl" bu
stop he would not, but went off at I
spanking pace with the unfOPtunat'
bachelor after him and the little dog
yelping after the bachelor. Bill wa
certainlyin excellent running costume
and though he strained every nerve
he could not touch the buggy or reael
the lines that were dragging on the
ground.
After while his plug hat shook of
of the seat and the hind wheel went
oYersit. mashing it as Fat as pancake,
Bill snatched it as he ran, and after
iamming his fist into it, stuck it all
dusty and dimpled on his head. And
now he saw the widows house on the
hill, and what, oh what will he do
Then his coat fell out, he slipped it on,
and then making desperate squirt he
clutched the back of the seat and
scrambled in, and pulling the buffalo
robe over his legs, stuffed the other
things beneath. Now the horse hap
pened to be one he got from the widow
and he took it into his head to stop at
her gate, which Bill had no power to
prevent, as he had not possession of
the reins, besides he was too busy
buttoning his coat up to the chin to
think of anything else, The widow
heard the rattle of the wheels, and
looked ont, and seeing that it was
Smiley and that he didn't offer to get
out, she went out to the gate to see
what he wanted, and there she stood
chatting with her white arms on the
top of the gate, and her face right to-
ward him, while the cold chills ran
down lis shirtless back clear to his
feet beneath the buffalo robe, and the
water from his hair and the dust from
his hat had combined to make some
nice little streams of mud that came
down his face. She asked
him to come in. No, he was in hur-
L "
go. He did not like to ask her to pick
up the reinS for him, because he did
not know what excnse-to make for not
doing it himself Then he looked
down the road behind him and saw
white faced horse coming, and at
once surmised it was that of Gus Sack
rider. He resolved to do or die, and
hurriedly told his eFPand. The widow
would be delighted to go of course
she would. But wouldn't he come in.
No, he was in a hurry, he said, and
had to go to Mr.. Green's place.
"Oh," said the widow, ''you're GO
ing TO Green's, are you? Why, / was
Just going there myself to get one of
the girls to help me quilt some more.
Just wait minute while l get my
bonnet ana shawl, and I'll ride with
YOU" And away she skinned.
"Thunder and lightning what a
said Bill, and he hastily
his pants from betWeen his
Ieet when~a light wagon, with the
white faced horse driven by a boy
,ame along and stopped beside him.
The boy held up pair of boSts in
1ne hand, and pair of socks in the
,ther, and just as the widow reached
he gate, again he said
"Here's your boots and socks, Mr.. |
Smiley, that you left on the bridge
when you was in swimming"
You're mistaken" said Bill, "thev're |
lot mine.
why" said the boy, "ain't you the
nan who had the race after the horse
ust now ?"
stNo, sir, am not. You had better
70 about your business" Bill sighed |
It the loss of his Sunday boots, and |
nrning to the widow said:
.sJust pick up the lines, will you
Ilease; this brute of horse is for
.ver switching them out of my hands,
Fhe widow complied and then he |
pulled down one corner of the robe
nd she got in.
what lovely evening"" said she,
and so warm that l don't think we
iced the robe over US. do we?"
(You see she had on a nice dress
md pair of new CATERS, and she
to show them.)
'tQh, my I"saidBilI earnestly, ,"You1l
ind it chilly riding, and / wouldn't
ave you catch cold for the world"
She seemed pleased with his tender
are for her health, and contented her.
elf with sticking one of her feet out
With a long silk neck-tie over the end
fit.
"What is that Mr.. Smiley, a neck
lie ?"
EYES," said he, 81 bought it the 9TH
r day, and must have left it in the
'uggy. Never mind it."
But" she said, cit was so careless"
nd stopping oyer she picked it up
nd made a motion to stuff it between
hem.
Bill felt her hand going down, and
making a dive after it, he clutched it
y his and held it fast,
Then they went on quite distance,
e still holding her white soft hand in
is and wondering what he should do
Yhen they got to Greene's, and she
rendered why he did not say some
hing nice to her, as we'll as squeeze
er hand and why his coat was but
oned up so close on such a warm
Vening, and what made his face and
at so dirty, until as they were going
own hill one of the traces came un-
itched and they had to stop.
sOh, murder, what next ," said Bill.
''What Is the matter, Mr.. Smiley ?"
aid the widow with start that came
ear jerking the robe OFF his knees.
"Qae of the traces is off" said Bill.
"Well. why don't you get out and
ut it on?"
Il can't" said Bill, s1've got-that is
havn't got-oh dear Pm so sick
What shall do ?"
"Why, Willie," said she tenderly,
what's the matter? do tell me-" She
ave his hand a little squeeze, and
boxing into his pale face she thought
10 was going to faint, so she got her
melting bottle out with her left hand
nd pulling the stopper out with her
eeth, she stuck it to his nose.
Bill was just taking In breath for
mighty sigh, and the pungent odor
made him throw back his head so tar
hat he lost his balance, and went over
he low back buggy. The little wo-
nan gave scream as his bare feet flew
,ast her head and covering her face
With her hands gave way to tears or
ic korI ~ foil .ub;oh n;n