The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-05-27

the last thing, everybody Is to Weal
her oldest dress. And, Ray, would
you be kind enough to bring hare
boiled eggs for your luncheon? Ont
apiece for US all around 2"
Now think it was just beautiful o.
Queenie to think of that. She knew
little Tinkham couldn't bring frosted
cake and French rolls as the rest of uf
did. mi rrc7f
So she spoke of the eggs. We all
remembered that Ray had wonderful
chickens. 1 am sure the word abOni
old dresses, too, was meant to help
her. IL.
The next morning Obed Tainter
came around with his uncovered ON
nibus and his two great horses and
picked us up. 7Vss' g
We went after Ray last, She was
standing in front of the old house, be-
side the tumble-down gate, with her
basket of eggs in her hand. su,
She looked perfectly happy, and her
dress was SO clean and smooth that
Kate whispered to me. r-.. ,-..5 -
"That dress has heen washed and
ironed since last night. just think
of it'll" i.A
1t was clear, warm morning, and
every one was in such glow of spirits.
l think we were all glad that we had
Rachel with US.
But if it hadn't been for Queenie,
Ray 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 a story-would never
have been told. sss.
1tis eight miles 10 the mountain and
there is carriage road to the top.
The last two miles are very hard and
steep, because you rise nearly one
| hundred feet above the Connecticut
river in that distance. aga .-1e
But Obed was steady, good driver
and his horses were steady, good
horses. -a4..- u g
We always drew lots for the seat
beside Obed, and it was one of our
treats to get him to talking about his
"team," as he called it. sf doid7
"What are their names?" asked
Queenie. ~ !Sa i.
"Well"-a pause. Obed was slow
talker, but he had great deal to say.
''The off one there is Cesar and the
nigh one he is Alexander" 90 ne.
IL.
Are they afraid of the cars 2"
"Ain't afraid O. nothin' in natur.,
Obed paused for US to think it oyer
and then went on: a
"know too mitch, them creeters do.
They have carried load to the noun
tains four times week all summer.
They'd take you bout as we'll eff ]
wasn't along. They know-well, beats
all what them animals know. Under
stand I'm taikln' about 'em this mint
as wells you do. They're used to be-
ing talked to. My wife, she thinks a
a sight of 'em. Beats all. She'll go
out to the barn and carry 'em apples
and she'll be all over 'em one week
when she was sick and KEEP in the
the house, you can believe it or not
it's a fact-that them creeturs lost flesh. i
She brsids up their front hair for the I'm
and ties it with red ribbon one day.
and then the next day she unbraids it
and it is crimped in the flashing, you'll
understand. As they was a.coming
to-day, they've got their hair crimped.
But alas for Cesar and alack for al,
exander. 1t was terrible piece of
work you came near doing that day,
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 Lou
called out that she had left her parasol
She must get out and run up to the
tower and get it. 1.a. uo.. lijgssi
"You just keep y'r sittin,," said
Obed " I'll fetch your umbrill," and
he started for the tower. 4I :
1t was about ten rods off. Tho tow
er and stable are built in clear space
at tho top Of the mountain. All arouud
and below are thick woods and great
rocks. G
Obed had just gone out of sight
when Queenie gave little scream and
put her hand to her eye. sls5 .bt
Something has stung me-" she said,
and then, that instant, while we were
looking at her, it happened. h. r5-
The horses both reared and gave q
plunge, the omnibus seemed to rise
from the ground with a great leap,
and, sooner than can tell it, we were
all being borne at an awful speed
down that narrow, rocky road. as
1 glanced toward Cesar and Alex.
ander and saw terrible pair of wild
animals. 1 looked toward the girls
and saw two rows of white, frightened
faces. -li IGA 1p5ni
The reins were dragging on the
ground. Some of us were shrieking
Whoa!' A few of us were getting
ready to jump. All this in an instant
and then suddenly, above the noise; of
the wheels and OF everything else, We ]
heard voice ring out clear. .-- - q.
{" Sit still, girls IL think can stop
the horses! I" s- 10 1olf.a 30 lso.i 1
1t was Ray Tinkham, of all people
in the world. ..., .,r..-zs t~ef'
She stood up with a steady look in
her eyes. .isv- t-. ii'i. p,
l must explain here that the road
from the tower runs dowd a gentle
slope for half a mile, and then comes a
short turn. Beyond that is a long hill.