Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-05-23
tween the hedgerows, chatting pleas

antly.
"Tm sure 1 shall be able to manage
this animal" said Patty, timidly.
+" See how he tosses his head about"
"That's because you let him feel the
curb, dear /; I had it put up sharp on
purpose, Have power of punishment,
but seldom use it that's the real secret
of managing horses, dogs, and men.
There now, you see he goes quietly
enough on the snaffie. Now coax him
a little, and give and take more ; re-
he isn't phlegmatic donkey
with q mouth like deal board"
"Well, must say prefer horses
one feels so much more at ease"
Pshaw, my dear L wouldn't give
a guinea for horse that any one could
ride, that took no more notice of
steam engine than of haystack. They
have just the same level of Indifference
that is the ideal excellenceof the young
man of the period; who hears with
equal apathy of railway accident or a
revolution"
"Well, 1 suppose they only follow
the fashion, just as in their coats and
collars"
"But what an age it must be that
makes dead calm the acme of good
style, and substitutes Jack Poynts for
Ranger. or Charles Surface"
"Good Heavens, Diana you don't
mean to say you read those horrid old
plays Mamma would not let me
study such things on any account.
Nonsense AS if they were worse
than the French plays one sees now, or
half q dozen English ones I could
name. At least enjoy the male char
acters more than in ours. They were
infinitely more sparkling, and I don't
believe they were bit wickeder at
bottom"
"Gentlemen could now be quite as
witty if they cared to try"
"Oh, I don't doubt their abilities,
my dear I suppose the breed of male
animals produces about the same num-
ber of prodigies in every age but how
is one to know it? I certainly prefer
men who kept their wits and their
swords equally bright by daily use.
Here one is in equal uncertainty as to
their livers or their intellects."
"'Livers,' Diana What an ex-
preston"
"Strictly Shakesperian, I assure you.
"A lily-livered knave, see Macbeth.
| daresay you can find dusty copy of
Shakespeare on the top shelf in the
library"
"Ah, Di I'm afraid you never will
get married at this rate..'
loor A, y
Morris, Il shall die the serene martyr
of mean and melancholy time.'"
You must have had plenty of
offers ?"
"Oh, dozens d! all couched in the
condescending brevity with which the
preu1 chevalier of the day deigns to
express his wishes. Now just contrast
the men we have been talking about.
Worship commences by shower of
more or less readable verses, which you
have the option of reading or commit
ting to the flames. You casually drop
your handkerchief into a running
stream or down q precipice, and your
adorer throws himself after it, and re-
stores it at the risk of his life. After o
while he throws himself on his knees
both knees, mind-and begs you to
save him from destruction. You relent !;
on leaving you he meets his rival ; o
glance is enough swords flash out p
so did Diana's eye-"and woe to him
who finches."
Horrible |" said Patty.
"Will this suit you better Strephon
strolls lazily into the room remarks
on the weather allows himself to de-
cline into seat by your side, and sug-
gests that you should become Mrs
Strephon. En- sortdrt he meets his
rival; treads on his toes they ex-
change abusive epithets, light cigars,
and-oh bathos l-cut each other at the
club"
"Well, that's better than fighting"
said Patty.
"And infinitely safer. Well, my
dear, perhaps, after all, you are right.
We mustn't take our idea of the class
from Sir Harry Wildair-there's q dar-
ling name for you. They only show
what was considered the thing. I dare
say I am getting fearfully grabbed.
You see when a girl has money she be-
comes the centre of circle of decep-
tion. Let's change the subject. How
well that habit fits you."
cit feels rather strange. You see I
so seldom ride at home"
"Ah, of course. Now to me the habit
is second nature, as some one says.
feel infinitely more comfortable in one
than in low dress. I purposely lent
you my regular riding-hat, for I wanted
to see how I should feel in this new
tangled affair. Tn afraid it wouldn't
suit crashing through bullfnch one
wants something sitter for that. \
What's that?" she cried, as an indis-
tinct sound came down the wind, and
both horses pricked up their ears.
" The hounds they must have come
all the way from Marlford."
ooh, do look at this horse, Di He's
dancing up and down fearfully."
" Put him on the curb, dear, if he's
too troublesome. All, there they go /!
Look, Patty, there's a sight for you /!
See how close they run together /!
There's Mr.. Vane on Brown Bess. Well
tried at, Mr.. Vane All, the Major
does it-oh, the conceit of that man i
and here come the rest only two gaps
for all the poor creatures. There's my
little brother Bantry bringing up the
rear on his pony-a terrible hard fellow
is Bantry. Oh, Patty" said Diana,
trembling with excitement, "Pd give
anything to be with them
"Then do go, DEAR" said Patty, with
an effort of self-sacrifce that was
enormous. I shall be safe enough.
Withers will take care of me-"
"Well, he's just down in the road
there. Keep along it, and you'll just
cross the line they are taking. I really
must-come, Terry" and away went