St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1880-10-30


things beneath.
Now the horse happened to be
the ole he got from Capt. Moore
and he got it from the widow, and
he took it into his head to stop al
the gate, wlich Bill had no power
to prevent, as he had no possessi,, III
of the reins; besides he VAS too
busy buttoning his coat up to his
chin, to think of doing anything
else. The widow heard the rattle
of the wheels ,nd looked out, and
seeing it was Smiley, and that he
didn't offer to get out. she went
out te see what was wanted. and
there she stood chatting, with her
arms on the gate, and her face right
towards him, while the cold eLills
ram down his shiltless back clear to
bis bare fee. under the buffalo robe,
and the water from his hair, and
the dust from his hat, had COM
bined to make nice little streams of
mud, that came trickling down his
face. She asked him to come in.
mo, he WAS in great hurry" +"
he said.
Still he did not offer to go. He
did not like to ask her to pick up
the reins for him, because he did
not know What excuse to make for
not doing it himself. Then he
looked down the road behind and
saw white-faced horse coming.
and at once sur:nised that it was
Gus Sackrider.
He ut once resolved to do or die,
and hurriedly told his errand. The
widow would be delighted to 60, of
course she would. But wouldn't he
come in2 No-he was in a hurry,
he said; he had to go to MIR.
Green's place.
Oh said the widow. "you're
going to Green's. are yon? Why, 1
was just going there myself, to get
one of the girls to help me quilt.
Just wait a second, while I get my
bonnet and shawl, and I'll ride with
you!" And away she skipped.
Thunder and Gghtning!" said
Bill, What scrapel" and he has
tily clutched his pats from be-
meath his feet, ana was preparing
to wiggle into them, when IL light
wagon, drawn by a VIII te-faced
horse, driven by boy, came along
and stopped beside him. The boy
held up pair of boots in one hand
aud a pair of socks IN the other.
and just as the widow reached the
gate again he said:
Here's your boots and socks,
Mr.. Smiley, that you left on the
BRIDGE while you was in swimming"
You're mistaken" said Bill,
they're not mine"
"Why." said the boy, faint yon
the man that had race after
horse just now?"
No, sir, / am mott You had
hetter go on about your business"
Bill sighed at the loss of his aood
Sunday boots, and turning around
to the widow, said:
"Just pick up the lines, will you,
please, this brute of a horse Is for
ever switching them ont of my
hands" The widow complied, and
then he pulled one corner of the
robe cautiously down and she got
in.
"What lovely evening"" said
she, land SO warm I don't think
we need the robe over US, do we?"
You see she had on nice dress
and new pair of gaiters, and she
wanted to show them.
"Oh, N.Y." said Bill, earnestly,
you'll find it chilly riding, and l
wouldn't have you catch cold for
tie world"
She seemed pleased a his tender
care for her health, an. contented
herself with sticking one of her lit
tie feet oct, with long sllken neck
tie over the end of it.
What is that Mr.. Smiley? A
necktie?"
Yes" said he, "I bought it the
other day. and l must have left it
in the buggy. Never mind it."
But" she said, 1T WIS so care
less" and STOPPING over she picked
it up, aud made n movement as If
to stuff it between them.
Bill felt her hand going down,
and MAXIM a sudden dive after it,
clutched it firmly in his. and held it
hard and fast.
They then went on quite u dis
tance, he still holding her hand