The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-10-27
Mr.. coville Takes his wife Riding
lpanbury Ncws.l

Mr.. Coville hired livery establish
ment TO take ride with Mrs. Covill,
a few weeks ago. 1t is very rarely in
deed that Mr., Coville deals with horse
/ but then that was not much matter, a.
any body can drive one. Mr.. Covillt
took the horse at the stable and drove
around to the house for his wife. He
got the establishment up to the curb by
a laborious effort at the reins, but APP.
peared to be unable to do anything be.
yond that He sat there and waited for
his wife to come out. He did not sec
her, nor could he detect from the APP.
pearance of the front of the house that
she was seeing him, but she ought
to be. She knew he had gone after the
horse and might reasonably be expected
every moment, so she ought to be on
the watch for him. 1t suggested itself
TO him that the horse could be hitched,
but there was nothing but tree to hitch
to, besides, Mr.. Coville had never
hitehed a horse. Now while the most
inexperienced person can drive horse
on a straight road, he scarcely dares
venture into any Of the little offices per-
tanning to itsmanagement, having a fear
understand. Mr.. Covile could have
tied this animal, undoubtedly, had there
been strap suspended from its neck for
that purpose He had vague idea of
a hitch line, but he could not see any
such article in sight, and he did not like
to undertake performance with which
he was ,Inacquainted in full sight of the
neighbors. Their natural powers of OBJ
seryation would be quickened by his I'M
usual advent with horse. So he sat
there, and said "Whoaw and waited for
his wife to appear. And while he sat
there he tried to look as unconcerned as
If it was daily occurrence to HIN, but
he had the. inward consciousness that he
was making decided failure Of it, 1t
was singular she did not come. Five,
ten minutes passed. Not long period
of time, but sufficient to enable a man
who has been married number of years
to think of great variety of topics inn
mediately affecting the companion of
his joys and SORROWS. What would
the neighbors think p appeared to be the
golden thread which ran through and
held those topics together.
Halo, is that your" she inquired, in
surprise.
1t appeared to be, and he as much as
admitted the same by observing
Where on earth have you kept your
self?"
Mrs. Coville was ready in moment,
and came to the carriage. 1t was natural
that she should cast an apprehensive
glance at the horse, and take the preeau-
ton to inquire, before getting into the
carriage, il he was sure it was not vi
ciousanimal. Mrs. Covillewas very much
Illustrated by her hurry and by the
novelty of the occasion, and spoke
with agitation. 1t occurred to Mr..
Coyille that he should get out and help
his wife in, but being under an impress
sion that the animal was simply waiting
for such an opportunity to dash away
and smash the carriage, if not TO break
some of its legs, be kept his place, and
told her (this in answer TO her nervous
inquiry that he guessed he was no child
about horse. BY dint of some stout
clambering on her part and extraordi-
nary pulling on his, she was safely
seated by his side A moment or more
of time was then consumed in righting
herself, and then they started.
1t was pleasant day for ride, and
the horse logged along in a highly re-
spectacle way. Mr.. Coville pointed out
the scenery to his wife, all of which she
showed an appreciation Of by keeping
close eye on the horse, and hanging onto
the carriage with both hands. Mr..
Coville discreetly kept on broad high
ways, little travelled, and carefully
avoided turning sharp corners.
They were returning from Brookfield,
and approaching the railroad track on a
down grade, when a locomotive whistle
sounded.
The animal pricked up its ears. Mrs.
Coville shrieked. Mr.. Coville, with a
dreadful sensation of sinking in the
pit of his stomach, sternly rebuked her.
The horse was alarmed, and evidently
scented the full extent of the danger.
1t backed up the hill, cramping the car
riage to degree that threatened to over
turn it. Mrs. Coville emitted series
of half-suppresed screams.
"Shut up! there's no danger" cried
Mr.. Covillc, as he felt the hair on his
head starting up.
He sprang out of the carriage, and
caught the nervous animal by the head.
This movement was prompted by the
purest of motives, but it had an unhappy
effecton the horse, Itdanced around more
frantically than before, whipping Mr..
Coville, about in an exceedingly active
manner. -- e
+" Whoa, whoa, horsey," cried Mr.. Co
vile, in soothing voice and very red
face while his unhappy wife added to
the excitement by her cries.
The rumble of the coming train could
be heard. The horse pranced up and
down, and swung his head in an alarming
manner. Mr.. Coville was in an agony
of fear, and dripping with perspiration.
".Whoa, whoa p he shouted, as he felt
himself being whipped through the
dust.
Hold him, hold him!' cried the
frightened woman.
Mr.. Coville was too frightened and too
much engaged to frame suitable re-
Spouse to this senseless appeal.
A happy thought struck him. Mr..
Coville caught his breath at the shock.
He would direct the animals attention
from the cause of its fright. For this
purpose he took out his pocket Knife
very neat looking article with four
blades, and held it up so the horse could
see it, and think on its qualities. To
Mr.. Coville's surprise the dreadful beast
paid no attention to itst all. He shook
the article in its face, but it mad no APP
peasing effect. Then he took out his
cigar-case with German-silver band all
aroupd ~ and held IL I'm tn the animal