The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-02-21
A MEMORABLE RIDE,

"Iladu't you better leave the door un.
fastened, Elem" said my husband, as |
turned the key i'll the lock, then dropped
ii into my pocket.
"I don't know" said, doubtfully;
then, after n moments hesitation: " No,
think it had better be fastened. The
children might get out and run down to
the gate ut the foot OF the meadow to
pay, and it is but n step from there to
the creek, you know"
He made no reply, but stopped down
aud locked ct some part OF the harness
with Il slightly porplexed mir.
"WhNt is the matter now & i nId,
with some aBpcrity.
The truth is, my husband belonged to
that numerous clnssof individuals whose
motto is, never to do to-day what they
eau pnt of until tomorrow; whiie |, on
tho contrary, WIS prompt and decided.
With me, to will and to do were synony.
nous, and / had little mercy for such a
failing. =,
81 fancy this little piece OF twiue will
bring us through this time, but l will
certainly mend it Tomorrow" he re-
piled, as l climbed into the clumsy, old
Fashioned phaeton.
The harness being adjusted to his sat
isfactiun, If not to mine, he seated him
uelf beside me; anil nodding last good,
bye to the little faces pressed against
the window pane, we drove Oft.
Our cottage was situated in the little
valley lying to tue southwest OF what
was at That time the village OF Ianoy, in
Cannda. A hill OF considerable height
stood between us md the village, OIL our
widc verdnre.crOwned, gently.rlslng
slope; oil the other more abrupt de-
scent, with rather circuitous road wind
ing past little cottages and tarmhouses
gilmore or less pretensiOn.
Our present GRAND was to the shop,
to which We carried onr produce rs it
accumulated from time to time, and re-
ccived in exchange groceries, clothes,
-tc. Our load consisted in part OF a
Jasket Of eggs; consequently We were
obliged TO drive rather more slowly than
usual. / left, rs | bad often done be.
fore, tho younger children to the care OF
Grace, who, though but eight years old,
Jlala mind far in advance OF her years,
and who 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 il he wakened,
or, il he would not sleep, to amuse him
with his playthings until our return.
It was lovely day in the latter part
Of September, copiOus showers OF rain
had Rlternated with midsummer's suns,
and the freshness o.. tho Terdure was still
undimmed. 1t was scarcely yet time
for the "sore and yellow Leaf" though
the naples hGd hung out their golden
banners rs il to try the effect OF contrast
with the living green Of the other forest
trees. The birds still sang cheerily rs
they tluttered TO and fro in the hedge.
rows, and numerous little ground squir.
rels skinned along the fence rails,
dropped suddenly aud disappeared mys-
tcrioEsly.
Old Whitley amblod along after his
usual monotonous fashion, aud We soon
reached our destination. had NUM-
Der Of articles TO purchase and examlne,
rs well MS the merits oil new ehl'rn lo
discuss; aud Just as we had settled all 10
our satisfaction n leighbor whom We had
not seen for some time came III, winch
detained us still longer, SO that when we
turned our horses head homeward ] saw
with some surprise, ns well us slight
feeling OF alarm, that the sun Ind al.
ready set, and the soft gny Of twilight
was stealing NJ the valley. Our load
was pretty heavy one, my husband
having purchased several agricultural
implements, OF no great weight indl'
viiually, but collectively making no
small load for one horse; so that though
We were necessarily anxious toget home,