The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-12

Bill. I'll make the old vixin hum when we
git the widow in.
TO the captains great delight the widow
was at home, and surveyed his new turn
out with admiration. The harness, she
thought, looked somewhat peculiar, but she
didn't know much about such things. OF
course sho would 60 to ride. How kind OF
the captain! What beautiful horseI
She was not long in getting ready, for cx-
pedition at such times was one Of the
widows many virtnes. The captain helped
her In, and the mare trotted placidly of,
while Bill Tyke sat behind, with his legs
hanging over the ''stcrn" of the wagon.
1t was delightful drive. The mares
head was turned away from home, and she
behaved much better than the captain had
expected. The sun was setting az they
turned about to go home, and as the even
ing shadows began to fall the captain began
to grow tender. Gradually his arm clipped
about tho widows waist. Promptly she re-
moved II.
"Capt. Todd" she exclaimed, "you must
not; I cannot allow it,
She glanced backward at Bill Tykc, who
still sat dangling his heels over the tail.
board, in blssful Inconsistencies
'Oh, don't mind him." said tho captain.
''Ite don't see nothing
sItisn't that" said the widow, bushing,
"but--l suppose ought to tell you--in fact
l dent know that ought to have come to
"Cause what2" asked the captain
'Becauso am engaged to be married. 1"
"Engagedl" roarcd the captain. "Blast
my top-lightst Who to2"
''To Mr.. Samuel Bliss"
''Heavens and yearth |" yelled the cap
tain, giving the mare a savage cut with the
whip; but Ire had no opportunity to add
more, for the mare made bolt as though
about to jump out Of her skin, and tore
along the road like mad.
The widow shrickcd and graspcd the
captain by the arm.
ooh, don't, don't !" she cried.
''Let her rip |" exclaimed the captain.
more forcibly than politely. "G want to
get h:m. Engaged to Sam Bliss Good
Lordl"
The captain gave the mare another slash
with the whip, and Bill Tykc rose up on
his knees and held on for dear life. 1t was
getting dark rapidly. The road was full of
deep holes, and the side of the road was
bordered with clumps Of BUSHES and large
rocks, over some of which the carriage
bounced like rubber ball. The mare had
II all her own way now, for she had the bit
betw cen her teeth, and was on a dead run.
"Hold her up, Cap'n, hold her up" ex.
claimed Bill Tyke, in evident alarm.
'Port your hellum an lay to-"
''aon up your grandmother, replied
the captain, aavagely. ~ can't hold her
any more than could hold a three -masted
schooner In hurricane.
The widow relieved herself of series of
piercing screams, and threw her arms
around tho captains neck.
81 shall be killed !" she cried. '.Oh,
captain dear captain! For Heavens sake,
stop the horse and let me get out"
Capt. Todd gave quick jerk to tho
reins The bride gave way, and both he
and the widow went over backward in the
bottom of tho wagon. The mare increased
her speed, if that was possible, and the
occupants Of the vehicle devoted all their
attention TO keeping on board the craft,
which touched the groundapparcntly about
oncs In fifty feet.
The captain surmisod that the mare
would make straight for DR.. BragQ's corn
crib, and If the wagon held together long
enough they might hope to come to a halt
there, though as for stopping right side no,
1t was scarcely to be hoped for. The
mare was evidently not that kind of a
horse.
''We're almost to the long hill," shouted
Bill Tyke.
The road thus far had been straight but
at the foot of the long hill was the lane that
led to the doctors barn, and the captain
surmiscd that at their present rate of speed
the entire party would get out about the
time the mare turned the corner.
The captain extricated himself from the
widows embrace and threw his arms
around tho wagon seat.
'All hands on deck 2" shouted the can.
tain.
SAY, ay, sir" responded Bill Tyke.
'Lct 60 the anchor,' screamed the CAP
tain.
Bill Tyke raised the kcelock in his arms
and flung it overheard. 1t bounded along
the road from side to side for lew yards,
and then caught under large rock among
the bushes. The mare dashed hcndlong on
wart; the stout rope Strengthened in a Sec
ond; there was crash like the report of a
cannon the mare went forward on her
knees, tearing up the ground as she went,
while the widow, the captain and Bill Tyke
shot up into the air about six feet and
aligllted in scmi.uncoascious condition
amid tho wreck and debris Of what had
been tho wagon.
1t was the end of Capt. Todd's courtship.
The wagon was an undistinguishablc mass
OF kindlng-wood; the mare had broken
both fore legs and required TO be shot, and
c'widow kept her bed for three weeks af-
tcrward. The captain still follows the sea,
for, as he often remarks to his first mate:
''Fhe sea, Bill, Is our proper sphere. We
know more about sailin' vessels than we do
about drivin' horses"
'Speak for yourself, cap'n," Bill always
replies. "At my end of the wagon | did
my dooty.
There are 1000 Indians still living
In Mtoc,oofn,,{ -