Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-04-28
HOMEWARD BOUND.
BY EDWARD ABBOTT.

g was horse-ear homeward bound,
~ ihe close of a bnsy day. By the
time it had swung round IFS circle
through a side quarter of the city,
and had dutifully made it's pause at
the waiting room on the corner, it
had gathered its fill of passengers,
Who crowded the seats within and
Patked the standing room between,
and were now overiowing the rear
platform. and even hanging on to the
steps thereof by the ratings.
The front platform was un6ccupi-
ed, for the day had been cold and the
night promised to be colder, and no
body quite cared to face the keen
wind from a position so exposed.
Nevertheless, before we were fairly
under way the crush inside had be-
-eswe 30 dense and tile air so sitting
that thought nothing could be
worse. So. though not without some
difficulty, made my way to the front
door, passed it, and attained both
elbow room and oxygen by the dnv-
er's side.
It was a stimulating hour. The
air was sharp and cutting. The frost
had begun to gather thickly on the
shop windows. The western sky,
towards which we were riding, was
still aglow with the lingering. ra-
dance of the sunset; but overhead
the stars were shining forth and all
around the street lamps were burst
ineinto flame.
Pretty full in there, l observed to
the driver, as placing myself by his
side, | turned up my coat-collar, but
toned the chin strap, pulled my cap
down over my ears, plunged nv nit
tened hands deep into my side pock-
ets, and settled myself generally for
q long, cold ride. An explanation
Of such a move as mine seemed to
be In order, if not an apology for it.
Yes, was the drivers quick reply,
ma tone which betokened friend
ly and communicative disposition.
We're always full, pretty much,
this trip. Folks going home. Plenty
Mem to start, though it amt long
fore they begin to drop off. = 3
Fact is, he continued, after a
mepent's pause, that's about the
wey It's in this world. There's lots
e kgin, but few to hold out.
Yes? rejoined, with the infec-
ton of inquiry, little at loss to
know what bottom thought in the
mans mind could have suggested
such remark as that. lie continu-
ed:
l am forty-eight years old, and I've
been on this read twenty-three of it,
and Pve seen a good mony fall off in
that time.
Even yet l did not see exactly
what this driver was driving at. But
with his next words light came in a
flash.
Be you a Christian man? he asked,
suddenly, leaning over trifie, the
better to look me in the face and get
my answer.
That's not exactly for me to say,
| replied, taken a little in the flank
by this unexpected onset, and for the
moment disposed to make change
of front.
Well, said he, not waiting for a
further answer-perhaps taking it
for granted hope am, though !
don't suppose Pm much to brag Of.
But its thirty years now since l put
on the Lords harness, and, If l
haven't always gone the steadiest
gait, I've KEEP agoing somehow.
That's good idea of yours, here
put in, about Gods service being a
harness.
Amt it? he replied, giving the
reins an emphasizing slap and his
head an approving nod. Only, taint
my idea exactly. You know what
it says about the yoke's being easy.
Yoke and harness is pretty much the
same thing. One for cattle and
t'other for horses. And ther. amt
no holdbacks on car-harnesses, Meth
err. The brakes here land he gave
the handle turn). Its all collar
and traces. That means pull, don't
it; and leave the holding to the one
that's DRIVING. Eh?
That's it, I should think, Ireplied.
And now l guess I see what You
mean by falling off.
of course, rejuined the driver
Don't you see? There was four of
US started out at the same time, and,
so far as ! know, we all had like
chance; but / believe I'm the only
one that's still agoing. All the
others have inmned off. LIS too