The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-02-17
A MEMORABLE RIDE.

"Hadn't you better leave the door un-
fastened, Ellen2" said my husband, as /
turned the key in the lock, then dropped
it into my pocket.
"I don't know" said, doubtfully;
then, after moments hesitation: /" No,
1 think it had better be fastened. The
children might get out and run down to
the gate at the foot of the meadow to
play, and it is but step from there to
the creek, you know"
He made no reply, but stopped down
and looked at some part OF the harness
with a slightly perplexed air.
"What is the matter now9" l 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 1, on
the contrary, was prompt and decided.
With me, to will and to do were synony-
nous, and l had little mercy for such q
failing.
81 fancy this little piece of twine will
bring us through this time, but l will
certainly mend it tomorrow" he re-
piled, as I climbed into the clumsy, old
fashioned phaeton.
The harness being adjusted to his sat-
isfaction, if not to mine, he seated him
self beside me; ana nodding O last good
bye 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, in
Canada. A hill of considerable height
stood between us and the village, on our
side a verdure- crowned, gently-rising
slope; on the other more abrupt de-
scent, with rather circuitous road wind
ing past little cottages and farmhouses
gilmore or less pretension.
Our present erraud was to the shop,
to which we carried our produce as it
accumulated 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. / left, az / had often done be-
fore, the 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 more pleased than
when intrusted with some similar duty
or responsibility. charged her not to
take the baby from the cradle, but to
rock him gently to sleep if he wakened,
or, if he would not sleep, to amuse him
with his playthings until our return.
1t was lovely day in the latter part
of September, copious showers Of rain
had alternated with midsummer's suns,
and the freshness of the verdure was still
undimmed. 1t was scarcely yet time
for the "sere and yellow Leaf" though
the naples had hung out their golden
banners as if to try the effect of contrast
with the living green of the other forest
trees. The birds still sang cheerily as
they futtered to and fro in the hedge
rows, and numerous little ground squir-
rels SKINNED along the fence rails,
dropped suddenly and disappeared mys-
teriously.
Old Whitley ambled along after his
usual monotonous fashion, and we soon
reached our destination. had num-
Der of articles to purchase and examine,
as well as the merits of new churn to
discuss; and just as we had settled all to
our satisfaction O neighbor whom we had
not seen for some time came in, which
detained us still longer, SO that when we
turned our horses head homeward I saw
with some surprise, as well as a slight
feeling of alarm, that the sun had al
ready set, and the soft gray of twilight
was stealing up the valley. Our load
was pretty heavy one, my husband
having purchased several agricultural
implements, of no great weight indi-
vidually, but collectively making no
small load for one horse; so that though
we were necessarily anxious toget home,
we were obliged still to drive moderate
ly, 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 change
come over his face which struck me with
a sudden terror. He was pale as a
corpse.
"Lookl" he said, in voice hoarse
with emotion, pointing in the direction
of our home.
My 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 treetops. Itried to speak,
but could not utter a word. At last
/ said, steadying my voice: 81 think it
must be Morrison's. Isn't it to the left
of our house2"
"No," he said, quickly, as he seized
his whip and urged old Whitley to his
utmost speed. "Don't you remember