Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-09-05
IN Il MUD-PUDDLE.

"Uncle, may I ride Milo?" said,
one bright June morning, as he sat at
the breakfast-table.
"Ride Milo 7" said he.
eyes," said I. cts such fine day. :"
"But he'll throw you'll" said my
uncle
"Throw me! I" and I laughed merrily
and incredulously. Say yes, dear
uncle, I continued, coaxingly "there's
no fear, and I'm dying for canter."
"Youll die on a canter, then," he re-
torted, with his grim wit, "for he'll
break your neck. The horse has only
been ridden three times-twice by my
self, and once by joe"
"But you've often said I was asbetter
rider than joe" Joe was the stable
boy. "That's good uncle, now do. ;"
And I threw my arms about his neck
and kissed him.
knew by experience that when I did
this I generally carried the day. My
uncle tried to look stern, but I saw he
was relenting. He made last effort to
deny me.
"Why not take Dobbin ?" said be
"Dobbip % I cried, old pale-faced
Dohbin, on such morning as this !!
One might as well ride a rocking-horse
at once"
"Well, WELL" said he, eff I must, I
must. You'll tease the life out of me if
Idon't let you have your own way. I
wish you'd get husband, you mink
You're growing beyond my control"
s'Humph la husbandi Well, since
you say SO, I'll begin to look out for one
to-day"
"Hen soon repent of his bargain,
said my uncle; but his smile belied his
words. 'tYou're as short as pie-crust if
you can't have your Own way. There"
seeing I was about to speak, "go and
get ready,<while I tell Joe to saddle
Milo. You'll set the house afire if I
don't send you off. -
Milo was soon at the door-a gay,
lnettlesome colt, that laid his ears back
as I mounted, and gave me vicious
look that I did not quite like.
Stake care" said my uncle. "It's
not too late to give it up
Twas piqued.
"I never give up anything, I said.
"Not even the finding of a husband,
chip
"No," said I. "Tn ride down to the
poor-house and ask old Tony, the octo-
genarian pauper, to have me and you'll
be forced to hire Polly Wilkes to cook
your dinners"
And as I said this, my eyes twinkled
mischievously, for uncle was an old
bachelor, who detested all strange wom-
en-, and had an especial aversion to Polly
Wilkes, a sour old maid of AZ, because
years ago she had plotted to intrap him
into matrimony. Before he could reply
gave Milo his head.
John Gilpin, we are told, went fast,
but went faster. It was not long be-
fore the colt had it all his own way. At
first I tried to check his speed, but he
got the bit IN his mouth, and all I could
do was to hold on and trust to firing him
out. Trees, fences and houses went by
like wild pigeons on the wing. AS long
as the road was clear we did well enough,
but, suddenly coming to an old oak
that started out specter-ike from the
edge of wood. Milo SHE'D, twisted half
round, and planted his fore feet stub
bornly In the ground. I did not know
Iwas falling till felt myself in mud
hole which lay at one side of the road.
Here was fine end to my boosted
horsemanship! But as the mud was
soft was not hurt, and the ludicrous
spectacle presented soon got the upper
hand of my vexaHon.
GA fine chance I have of finding a
husband in this condition." I said to
myself, recalling my jest with my uncle.
"If I could find. some mud dryad, now,
and pass myself off for a mud nymph, I
might have chance" and I began to
pick myself up.
"Shall I help you, MISS" suddenly
said rich, manly voice.
I looked up and saw young man,