Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-03-28
MIsCELLAHEO GUS.
A MEMORABLE RIDE.

"51ADN'T you better leave the door un>
fastened, Ellen 7" said my husband, as
| turned the key in tho lock, then dropped it
into my pocket.
IL cont know, said, doubtfully; then, af-
ter = moment's hesitation: mo, | think it
had better be fastened. The children might
get ont and run down to tho gate at the foot
of tho meadow to play, and it is but step
from there to the creek, you knew"
He made no reply, but stopped down and
looked at some part of the harness with
slightly perplexed air.
"What is the meter now 7" I said, with
some asperity.
- The truth is, my husband Lslopgsdto4lat
ni'IneIenlel1 e iaaiRidnsls'S epse MOTORS.
7lIsVor TO 90 to- DAY That they Gao pat On uBtii-
to- morrow; while on the contrary, was
prompt and decided. With me, to will and
to do were synonymous, and had little mercy
for such a failing.
81 fancy that this little p:eco OF twino will
bring us through this time, but will Ger.
tHinly mend it Tomorrow" be replied, as ]
climbed into the clumsy, oldfashioned pbaeton.
The harness being adjusted to his satisfac-
ton, If not to mine, he seated himself, be-
side me; and nodding last goodbye to the
little faces pressed against tho 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, in Carada. a hill
OF considerable height stood between US and
the village, on our side yerdure. crowned,
gently rising slope; on tho other more nb-
ruPt descent, with 4 rather eircuitoua read
| winding past lttlo cottages and ia1mhouSes
Of more or less pretension.
Our present GRAND was to tho shop, to
which We carried our projucs as it accumu>
lated from time to time, and received in ex-
change groceries, clothes. etc. Our load con,
| sisted in part Of basket Of eggs ; couse>
quently We were obliged to drive rrther moro
! slowly than usual. l left, as l had often
done before, tho younger children to the care
| OF Grace, who, though but eight years old, had
mind far in advance of her years, and who
was never better pleased than when intrusted
with some similar duty or responsibility.
charged her not to take the baby from the
cradle, but to rock hin gently to sleep, TO
amuse him with his playthings until our re.
turn.
II was a lovely day in the latter part of
September, copious showers OF rain had al.
ternated with nidsummer's suns, and the
freshness OF the verdure was still undimmed.
1t was scarcely yet time for the "sere and vel
their golden baouers as if to try the effect of
contrast with TIE living green of tho other
forest trees, The birds still sang ciieerily as
| they futtered to and fro in the hedgerows,
and numerous little ground squirrels skinned
along the fence rails, dropped suddenly and
di.appeared nysteriously.
Old Whitley smbled along after his usual
mOnotonous fashion, and we soon reached our
destination. l had a number of articles to
purchase and examine, as we'll az the merits
of new churn to discuss and Just a. We
had settled all to our satisfaction 4 neighbor
whom We had not seen for some time came 10,
which detained Us still longer, so that when
We turned our horses head homsward saw
with some surprise, as we'll a. a slight feeling
of alarm, that tho sun had ALREADY set, and
the soft gray of twilight was stealing up the
valley. Our load was a pretty heavy one. nv
husband having purchased several agricultural
implements, of no great weight individually,
but collectively making no small load Cor enc
horse 1; SO that though We were necessarily
anxious to get hone, We were obliged still to
drive moderately, particularly as the road was
not only hilly 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 10 nv
husband, saw a change come over his face
which struck me with a sudden terror. He
Was pale ~ q corpse.
"LOok r. he said. in a voice hoarse with
emotion, pointing in the direction Of our
home.
Ny heart gave Sudden bound, then fell
Ike lump of lead IN my bosom. A cloud
Of thick. dense smoke. distinctly defined
against the clear SKY beyond. rose above the
treetOps- ] trisd to speak, but I could not