The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-03-11
A MEMORABLE RIDE.
BY A FARMERS WIFE.

| 4 MEMORABLE RIDE.
BY FARMERS WIFE
HADN'T you better leave the door un-
fastened, Eliza!" said my husband, as
turned the key in the door and dropped
it in my pocket.
II don't KNOW" said, doubtfully then
after moments hesitation, "no, think
it had better be fastened. The children
get out and run down to the gate at the
foot of the meadow, and it is but step
from there to the creek, you know"
y He made no reply, but stopped down
and looked at some part of the harness
with slightly perplexed air.
"What is the matter now?" / said,
with some asperity.
The truth is, my husband belonged to
that numerous class of individuals whose
motto is never to do to-day what they can
put off until tomorrow, while /, on the
contrary, was prompt and decided. With
me to will and to do were synonymous,
and l had little mercy fer such fail.
ing.
81 fancy this little piece of twine will
carry us through this time, but will GER
tainly mend it tomorrow" he replied, as
climbed into the Qld-fashioned phaeton.
isfaction, if not to mine, he seated him.
self beside me, and nodding last good
by to the little faces pressed against the
window-pane we drove off.
Our cottage was situated in the little
valley lying to the southwest of what
was at that time the village of Lanoy,
Canada. A hill of considerable height
stood between us and the village; on
one side vcrdure-crowned, gently-rising
slope, on the other more abrupt de-
scent with rather circuitous road wind
ing past little cottages and farm-houses
of more or less pretensions.
Our present errand was to the shop to
which we carried our produce as it ac-
cumulated from time to time, and re-
ceived in exchange groceries, clothes,
etc. Our load consisted in part of q
basket of eggs; consequently we were
obliged to drive rather more slowly than
usual.
Ileft, as l had often done before, the
younger children in the care of Grace,
who, though but eight years of age, was
never more pleased than when intrusted
with some similar duty or responsibility.
l charged her not to take the baby from
the cradle, but to rock him gently to
sleep if he awakened, or if he would not
sleep to amuse him with his playthings
until our return.
1t was a lovely day in the latter part
of September-copious showers of rain
had alternated with midsummer suns,
and the freshness of the verdure was
undimmed. 1t was scarcely yet time for
the "sere and yellow leaf" though the
naples had hung out their contrast with
the living green of the other forest trees.
The birds sang cheerily as they fluttered
to and fro in the hedge-rows, and numer
GUS ground-squirrels SKINNED along the
fence trails and dropped and disappeared
mysteriously.
Old Whitley ambled along in his usual
monotonous fashion and we soon reached
our destination. had number of ar
ticles to purchase and examine, as well
the merits of new churn to discuss,
and Just as we had settled all to our sat
isfaction q neighbor whom we had not
seen for some time came in, which de-
tanned US longer, SO that when we
turned our horses head homeward saw
with some surprise, as well as slight
feeling of alarm, that the sun had already
set and the soft gray twilight was steal
ing up the valley.
Our load was heavy one, my husband
having purchased several agricultural
implements, Of no great weight individu-
ally, but collectively making no small
weight for one horse, so that, though we
were necessarily anxious to get home,
we were obliged to drive moderately,
particularly as the road was not only
billy but rough.
Chatting upon the various little items
of gossip which we had heard we drove
on until we had nearly reached the top
of the hill, when, turning to make some
remark to my husband, saw q change
come over his face, which struck me
with sudden terror. He was as pele As
q corpse.
"Looki" he said, with voice hoarse
with emotion, pointing in the direction
of our home.
Ny heart gave . sudden bound, then
fell like lump Of lead in my bosom. A
cloud Of thick, dense smoke, distinctly
defined against the clear sky beyond
rose above the tree-t0ps. l tried tc
speak, but could not utter word.
At last said, steadying my voice:
"I think it must be the Morrisoni
Isn't 1t to the left Of our housei"
| "No," he said quickly, as he seized thu
| whip and urged old Whitley to his utmost
| speed. . Don't you remember that when
we are at the top Of the hill the smoke
| from our chimney rises Just over the cen
i ter Of that little group Of cedarsi"
!! Alasl ] did remsmbes; and - hs
smoke we reached tho summit and SAN
/ enough 10 change our fesrs to certainty
Neither spoke, but ssch TUNED ant