Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-03-14
Singing for Life.

Some years ago spent o summer
with pleasant family in small village
in one Of the iron districts of New Jer-
sey. The family consisted of Mr.. Grey,
his invalid wife, and two daughters !;
and while Mr.. Grey attended to his
business in the iron works, which
formed the chief support Of the inhab-
itants, and of which he was part owner,
our time was agreeably occupied in
attending to the lighter household du-
ties-music, walking, driving. and the
like.
It was Mr.. Grey's custom to ride out
twice week tc visit some iron mines
about eight miles distant in which he
had an interest. On these occasions he
would take one or other of the ladies of
the family with him, and on a fine Sat
urday afternoon in July it came to be
my turn to be the companion of his
short journey. We started in high
spirits, had merry ride, and arrived
safely at the point in the road where
Mr.. Grey usually left his horse and car
riage, some fields near the entrance of
the mines. 1 had taken book with
me Zone of the volumes of " Hawadji")
to occupy the time while sitting alone,
and prepared myself for the enjoyment
of coy comfortable half-hour with o
favorite author, under the shade of q
large tree, beneath which Mr.. Grey
drove the horse before leaving me. On
the opposite side of the road was deep
clay pit, banked up high at the back
with mixture OF earth and rock which
formed the soil, and with dim con-
seriousness that it would be an ugly
place to fall into, in case the horse
proved refractory, I had suggested to
Mr.. Grey the propriety of tying him to
the tree aforementioned. Mr.. Grey
only laughed, however, at the idea of
Charley's moving from the place where
he left him-and SO Charley and were
both left free to follow the dictates of
fancy or inclination.
It was very warm, and partly from
the heat, and partly under the influence
of the low, murmuring summer sounds,
became drowsy, and let the reins slip
from my hands. / was reused by
violent movement on the part of the
horse, which was rearing, kicking and
plunging in frightful manner-prob-
ably under the influence of the bite or
! sting of an insect. tried to seize the
reins, but could not at first reach them,
and in the meantime Charlie had COM
menced backing into the road, in spite
of my utmost endeavors to prevent him.
I essayed the whip, but sudden back
ward movement Of the carriage nearly
threw me from my seat, and at the same
instant the hind wheels caught in some
projection, and the horse came to q sud-
den standstill.
comprehended my situation at once.
The carriage had backed into the clay
pit, over which j. was partly suspended,
and only sustained in its stationary POI
sition by one of the wheels having
caught in some projecting stone. upon
which it rested. The slightest move
ment, and We should be precipitated
into the pit, involving general and
irremediable wreck. The only hope of
safety was in keeping perfectly quiet.
dared not attempt to leave the car
riage as the slightest pressure would
cause loss OF balance, and even if I
succeeded in saving myself, the horse
and carriage would be destroyed.
Somehow, with the rapidity of light
ming, the thought entered my brain to
commence singing, as the only way of
keeping Charley still until Mr.. Grey
should arrive. I did so at once, my
very heart almost suspending its beat.
ings in that hour of mortal suspense.
I sang all the sweet low songs that !
could remember, not pausing between
them one instant, so that the impress
sion might not be disturbed, and all
the time watched and listened with the
intense agony of one to whom life and
\ death seemed to hang upon chance.
How long this continued know not.
It might have been half an hour of time
it seemed an age Of torture but the
horse moved not, and no sound had
come to mar the rapport which the mu-
sic had established between us. My
songs, however, were coming to an end,
when my strained ear detected the dis
tant sound Of approaching horses feet.
Would not this create q diversion in
Charles brain, bring him back to a
consciousness of merely animal life,
and destroy the last chance OF ultimate
safety? The cold perspiration broke
out upon my forehead, my last song
was o wail--a prayer-and before it
was ended I saw, obi joy, Mr.. Grey and
one of his workmen walking leisurely
along from the direction of the mines.
7 dared not raise my voice, but I waved
my handkerchief eagerly, and still kept
on singing so as not to break the spell.
A horse and wagon were now in sight,
and fear became terror lest this should
reach us before Mr.. Grey became aware
Of our situation. Fortunately, while
yet at some distance. the Gathering trot
subsidized into slow walk, and the at
tention Of Mr.. Grey was called by the
man who accompanied him, to some
singularity in our position. The fences
were cleared at bound, both came up
silent and breathless, and with great
effort, one holding the body OF the car
riage, while the other guided the wheel
We were extricated from our perilou.
dilemma. Relieved from the terrible
sense of danger and the reins placed in
safe hands. found woman's consola-
ton in q good cry )" but have never
liked to be left alone in o carriage with
an united horse, since that time, and
have no desire to try over again sing.