Middletown transcript., 1875-01-09

4
her. But / had been dancing attend
ance all summer, and wanted the thing
settled so, although etiquette says you
must never propose to lady while ou'
driving. l determined to seize the op.
portunity while we were having our
cream in the grove attached to the
house and come to the point.
Well. she made some little bother
about getting iu the wagon-yoa know
dog cart is rather up 10 the air--but
finally she was safely settled on the
cushion. BY my side. and We drove
along very rapidly. Indeed. she made
herself so charming, l should have
proposed to her then and there had it
not been for the presence Of my groom,
who, Of course. sat cooked up behind.
Things went on very we'll till we
reached the Halfway House, which
was situated in grove Of trees, with
little tables scattered around in al sorts
Of shady nooks-little arbors aud bow
ers that seemed made on purpose for
lovers. OF course it was very popular.
and late in the afternoon was always
crowded with visitors but had pur-
possly come early. and as We drove up
was gratified to see that not many had
yet arrived. and among them but few
people We knew. All who we're there,
however, were collected on tho piasza,
and looked to see the new vehicle.
which had already made quite sensa-
tion in the town; and all the walters
and attaches Of the establishment also
came to the doors to get peep At the
cart"
my groom leaped down and took
the horses head. while l sprang out to
help Louise. As she stood up ] saw
she looked mp rather perplexed. and
laughed to think she was puszed to
know how she should get down. Little
did guess how she would solve tho
- Il
. Here Larry sat upright. his eyes
sparkling with excitement. and used
bis fors6sgers to point the moral, If not
to adorn the tale.
"The very instant raised my arms
before | had chance to touch her
waist-by Jove + she made bolt right /
It me, took short fight through the
.ir, and came to roost on top Of my
head! And there she lay, Charley.
padding like huge turtle. and scream
ng, oh Oh!-my!--goodness !-grasa-a-
,ious T e tieil# se
"She nearly knocked me down. my
BOY, and she almost broke my neck. /
vas in utter darkness, on account Of
ny new beaver being crammed down
'ver my eyes. and her struggles we're
o frantic ! thought every minute she'd
ip Us both over together. All. you
'eedn't laugh! It was very serious
natter, and came nsar being my death,
nd hers, too. Even to this day I'm
lot quite sure my neck is sound. In
hat minute I think had every sensa-
ion Of hanging. }F
II ran backward several stsps with
'er still balanced on my head and not
er shrieks. nor the hat, which by this
ime had worked down to my chin.
ould prevent the howls and rosrs Of
aughter with which our performances I
'ere greeted from reaching my morti-
ed ears. Ny groom was paralysed
'ith laughter. and Of course no one 4
u
lss came to our assistance. But finally II
remembered Samson and the Philis-
mes. and with one mighty effort |
ounesd myself forward and planted !
or on her feet before me. h
"What became Of her after that I did I
OF see, for it took the combined efforts
myself and groom to extricate me
'om my hat. While We were still 1
'ruggling with it | heard invisible :,
usstioners ask him whether .thsm I
ere circus folks r and whether I
eant TO psss round that hat when / 9
ot out Of iti' When I finally emsrged I
encountered the grinning visagss Of .
'ery guest and knife-boy on the prem I
es, and. catching the contagion,
'uld not help joining in the general :
lout. ts taais. b
"Aftsr while Louise reappeared in o
'e parlor. and We had our cream there Il
stead Of in enc Of the lovers nooks Y
ltside. What on earth wsuld do Il
ith wife who got ont Of wagons in p
at stylef At that time I thought. b
e loss Of her would break my heart, il
It / was sure if married her she q
ould break my neck. tg
"After all, life's sweet and while / Y
as hesitating what to do. she settled b
e question Sof me By leaving New {.
'rt the next day. The poor girl was 2
~ much mortified, l think. and ri
uldn't bear to face me again. She al
t me farewell note. however. thank Il
y mo for al ha1 DON. 20 ,n.L. L.. a,