The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-12-10

"Ihat dress has been washed and iron.
ed since last night. Just think ofitl"
1t was clear, warm morning and every
one was in such glow of good spirits.
think we were all glad that we had
Rachel with us. -. 80.
But If it hadn't been for Queeny Raw
would never have gone, and if Ray hadn't
gone the rest of us would never have
come home, and this story-for there is
story would never have been told.
1t is eight miles to the mountain and
there is carriage-road to the top. The
last two miles are very hard and steep.
because you rise nearly a thousand feet
above the Connecticut river in that dis
lance.
But Obed was steady, good driver
and his horses were steady, good horses.
We always drew lots for the seat beside
Obed, and it was one of our treats to get
him talking about his ''team," as he call
ed it.
"What are their names? asked Queeny.
3 "Well'-a pause. Obed was slow
talker, but he had great deal to say.
''The off one there Is Caesar an the nigh
one he is Alexander"
care they afraid OF the cars9"
Saint afeared o nothin' in nature.''
Obed paused for US to think it over.
and then went on:
"know too much, them creeturs do.
They've carried load to the mountain
four times week all summer. Thev'd
take ye bout 8 we'll eff I want along.
They know-well- beats all what them
animals know. Understand It I'm talk
in about 'em this mint as we'll as you
do: They're used to being talked to. MY
wife she thinks a sight of 'em. Beats
all! She'll 60 out to the barn, and she'll
carry them apples, and she'll be all over
EN-; and one week when she was sick, an
KEEP in the house, you en- believe it or
not, but it's fact them creatures lost
flesh. She bralds up their front hair for
'em, and ties it with q red ribbon one
day, and then the next day she upbraids
it, and it's crimped, all in the fashion,
you'll understand. As they was comm
to party to-day they've got their hairs
crimped." -.
Bnt alas for Caesar, and alack for Alex
ander. TWAS terrible piece of work
that you came near doing that dav.
though we girls never shall feel that YOU
were much to blame.
You see this was what happened.
We were all tucked into the wagon as
tight as figs in box, that afternoon,
ready to start for home, when Loua call
ed out that she had left her parasol. She
must get out: and run up to the tower to
get It,, .r...:u
:" "You just keep y'r sitting" said Obed.
cpl fetch yer umberill;" and he started
for the tower. a.s .~'a5aF.....
Is e 1t was abont ten rods off. The tower
and stable are built in small cleared
space at the top of the mountain. All
around and below are thick old woods and
great rocks. r's ..,.... 49,.
Obed had just gone out OF sight when
Queeny gave little scream, and put her
hand to her eyes. "Something has stung
me-" she SAID, and then that instant while
we were all looking at her it happened.
The horses both reared, then gave
plunge, the omnibus seemed to rise from
the ground with great leap, and sooner
than can tellit, we were all being borne,
at an awful speed, down that narrow
rocky road. ...- .. 80. j..
l glanced toward Caesar and Alexander,
and saw terrible pair Of wild animals.
[ looked toward the girls, and saw two
rows of white, frightful faces. ..s
The reins we're drag cling on the ground.
Some Of us were shr1eking, "Whoa!" A
few were getting ready to jump All
this in al instant, and then, suddenly,
above the noise of the wheels and of ey-
erything else, we heard voice ring out
clear: ..-. a.-4-, ...a
"Sit still, girls think can stop the
horses" .1449.
1t was Ray Tinkham, of all people in
the world. .~. rs $3.50 -.
She stood up with steady look in her
eyes, s ".'~ g--. .. .@a@f
I must explain here that the road from
the tower runs down gentle slope for
half mile, and there comes short turn.
Beyond that's Long hill, the steepest,
most dangerous part of the way. Kate
seized my hand and whispered:
IF the horses are not stopped bofore
we get to the turn, we shall all be killed."
Ray was climbing over the drivers
seat. She always could climb anywhere,
like a cat. She didn't pause an instant.
but she called back to me: IL
s'Natty Brock, put on the brakes. The
rest of you sit still, only pray as hard as
you cam" , saa, I'D s4
1 sprang to the drivers seat, and
jammed down the handle of the brakes.
prayed, too. Ibelieved I should never
pray again.
! saw and thought hundred things at
once. l saw the great tree trunks and the
huge black rocks close upon us. I re-
membered the clematis over the front
door at home, and wondered who would
tell my father that was dead.
Meanwhile Ray was over the dashboard.
md down with her feet over the whif41e-
rec. s-4 B-&
How she did it l shall never know, but