The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-01-18


desperate spurt he clutched the back of the
seat and scrambled in and pulling the bufIa
10 robe over his legs, stuffed the other things
beneath, Now the horse happened to be one
he got of Squire Moore, and he got it from
the widow, and he took il into his head to
stop at her gate, which Bill had no power to
prevent, as he was too busy huttoning his
coat up to his chin to think of doing much
else.
The widow heard the rat ling Of the wheels
and looked out, and seeing that it was Smi.
ley and that he didn't offer to get out she
went out to see what he wanted, and there
she stood chatting, with her white arms on
the top of the gate and her face towards
him, while the chils ran down his shirtless
back clear to his bare feet beneath the buff
'alo robe, and the water from his hair and
the dust from his hat had combined to make
some nice little streams of mud that came
trickling down his face.
She asked him to come in. No, he was in
urry. he laid. Still he did not offer to
go. He did not ask her to pick up his reins
for him, because ne did not know what
| excuse t make for not doing so himself
| Then he looked down the road behind him
| and saw white-taced horse coming, and at
| once surmiscd it was that of Gus Sockrider
| He resolved to do or die, and hurriedly told
! his errand The widow would be delighted
to go, of course she would. But wouldn't
he come in No, he was in hurry, he
said and he would go on to Green's place.
oh, said the widow, you're going to
Green's are you? Why, I'm going there
myself to get one of the girls to help me
quilt to morrow. Just wait a second while
get my bonnet and shawl, and I'll ride
with you And away she skipped.
Thunder and lightning what scrape !!
aid Bill, and he hastily clutched his pants
from between his feet, aud was preparing to
wuggie into them, when light wagon
irawn by the white faced horse, driven by
Il boy, came along and stopped beside him
The boy held up Il pair of boo,s in one HAND
aud pair OF socks in the other, and just a'
tae widow reached the gate again, he said
Here's your boots and socks, Mr.. Smiley,
that you left ON the bridge when you were
III there swimming
You're mistaken said Bill they are no
mine
Why said the boy, 'aint you the mar
nat had the race after the horse, just now?
No, sir, AM not You had better go OF
about your business
Bill sighed at the loss of his Sunda,
ooots, and turning to the widow, said
just pick up those lines, will you, please
This butte of horse is always swltchin,
them out of my hands
The widow complied he pulled ON
corner of the robe cautiously down as sh,
got in.
u What lovely evening, said She; and S
e warm don't think we want the robe owe
us, do we?'
You see she had on nice new dress an
pair of new CATERS, and she wanted t
show them.
On, my, said Bill, earnestly you'll fin
It chilly riding, and | wouldn't have yo
:alch cold for the world
NJ She seemed pleased at this tender care ft
ner health, and conlented herself with sticl
ng one of her little feet out with long sil
l,cktie over the end Of it.
j What is that, Mr.. Smiley, neckte?'
Yes, said he. 4 bought it the other da
J.; and must have left it in the buggy. New
mind it
J, But, said she, it was careless : and stoo
Ins over she picked it up and made motto
Il to stuff it in between them.
If Bin felt her hand going down and, ma
b ing dive after it, cutched it in his hat
's aud held it hard and fast
el Then they went on quite distance,
still holding her hand in his and wonderi,
It; what he should do when they got to Green
d. aud she wondered why be did no, say som
IS, thing nice to her as well as squeeze her han
nd why his coat was buttoned up so tightly
III such a warm evening, and what made i
4, face and hat 50 dirty, until they we're goi'
V. down a little hill aud one Of the traces cal
pd unhitcheI and Trey had to stop.
II 'Oh, murder ! exclaimed Bill, 'wh
Ne next?'
IS what is the matter, Mr.. Smiley?' ss
he the widow, with a start which came ne
IL jerking the robe off his knees.
u 'One of the traces is off, answered he.
NJ 'Wel', why don't you get out and put
OF on aeainS'
a i can't said Bill. Eve got-that is
haven't got-oh, dear, I'm so sick WI
ar shall dor
'ar why, Willie said she, tenderly, wi
zee ia the mstJerH Do tell me 7
oi She gave his hand little squeeze, a
I'd, Iouked into his pale face; she thought
r.. was going to faint, so she got out her sme
Nu ing bottle with her left hand, and pulli
rs he stopper out with her teeth.stuck it to
hi, nose.
lu- Bill WAS just taking in breath for migl
lie sigh, and the pungent udor made him thr
ier back his head so far that he lost his balal
ri and went over the low back buggy.
The little woman gave low scream as
NV bare feet flew past her head, and covert
,ht her face with her hands gave way to tears
,g smiIes--it is hard to tell which. Bill '
or right eide up in a moment, and lean
on, over the back OF the seat was humbly apo
co riz ng and explaining when Ed Wilbur &
,ok his wife and baby drove up behind I
,,o stopped
,ed Poor Bin felt that he would rather h
to been shot than bad Ed Wilbur catch him
he such n sctape, but there was no help fo
I'D now, 50 he called Ell to him and whispe c
his in hi- ear. Ed was likely to burst with $
tly pressed laughter, but he beckoned to
lp, wife to draw up, and, after saying ,ometh
,ed to her, he helped the widow out of Bi
eth buggy and into his, and the two won
, is went on, leaving the men behind.