The Portland daily press., 1877-02-10

hay. We clambered in between the bars and
started for the field in the merriest mood
The oxen labored slowly along, and 1 fancy
Harding did not guide them over the smooth.
est part of the road, for we found it very con-
venient TO grasp the rail firmly with both
hands, The forks and rakes were humping
the bottom of the rack at our feet, causing
those appendages of ours to dance a lively
hornpipe to their music. Miss May was en-
joying hearty laugh at the situation; at
that moment one of the wheels, at the in
stance of Harding, firmly believe, leaped
large stone, and, alas! o, woe is me! what
shipwreck was there, my countrymen.
Miss Nays hilarity had already loosened her
hold upon the rail somewhat and doubtless
occasioned something of Generalization
among her hat fastenings, for that benevolent
tnatch broke from its moorings and f1uttered
to the ground. /, fool that was, attempted
to leap gracefully from the rack and
calamity restore it! But Bradwell was
wiser :han I. Instead of troubling himself
about the hat he paid attention to its owner
uilCCLs liz JOuuCC udu oil uub luIOWu Q6r
a complete shipwreck in the bottom of the
rack when Bradwell grasped her around the
waist. Yes, by all that is pure and beautiful,
around the waist, and was supporting her
disheveled self at the instant reached the
hat and ground, for l struck both about the
same time. Harding had stopped the team
to allow time for repairs as soon as he had
accomplished the stone, and just as was
leaping the rail the oxen plunged their noses
into the grass, which movement suddenly
elevated the hind end of the hay cart and
tossed me into the air very much as a bow
losses bean upon the end of rattan. NV
arrangements for landing were undone and
was at the mercy of the elements. Oh that
Mr.. Newton had never discovered the law of
gravitation! 1t was cruel thing to inflict
upon rising humanity. OF course the hat
was demolished, and myself suffered both in
mind and body. 1t was humilating to be
laughed at; it was notifying to return that
hat in so sadly mangled condition to its fair
owner, and then, to feel thu had been so
completely outwitted by Bradwel. Why I
could have--I don't know what. What I
did do was to hand Miss Mary her unfortu-
nate straw and tell her in as light manner
as could, ard with an abortive smile, worthy
the occasion, that had been "pressing it
for her.
''She declared ''it was an ugly old hat'' and
she ''never did like it' and now she s'could
have new one." Then she asked me ssf I
was hurt?'
told her ''it did jar me somewhat and
there was slight twinge in my wrist that
would probably pass off in moment"
By this time Mrs. Edwards was on the
ground fourishing her salts bottle and "won-
dering that had not been killed.. She per-
sisted in bathing my wrist, questioning me as
to every bone in my body, if it was not brok-
en-, or sprung or something, and if she had
not better send for the doctor?
Iassured her nothing had happened that
needed treatment and I should be as good as
new in five minutes. 1t was of no use re-
sisting her however, and rather than have
more trouble I allowed her to swathe nv
wrist-and altogether felt like a great baby
who had fallen out OF his crib.
The remainder Of our stay at Sugar Hill
dragged more or less with me after this affair.
accepted the situation as best I could and
acknowledged myself vanquished. Ny case
was not desperate one, to be sure, but I
fancy under different circumstances 1t might
have become so. There was no one to whom
was more willing to surrender than Brad
well. So quietly Whistled to myself and
tried to appear unconcerned.
II was part of our plan that Harding and
myself should make Bradwell a visit at his
home during the summer and as Bradwell
could remain no longer away, he desired me
10 accompany him home and let Harding
follow at his convenience. So we babe
our friends farewell. With many pleasant re-
marks about our enjoyment of each others
company, and kind wishes about health and
happiness, and that we should meet again,
we were of.
And we have met again and often. MI.
and Mrs. Bradwell are pleasant people to
number among ones friends. I consider it
an honor to be numbered among theirs; and
since fate has decided that should not be
called father, find considerable consolation
in being called uncle.