Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-08-25
In A Mud Puddle.

ldel-ldDlt.
s'Ride Milo," said ne.
"les," said /. ''It's such fine day.
"But he'll thow you'll" said my uncle.
Throw mel" and l laughed merrily
and incredulously. ''Say yes, dear uncle"
l continued, coaxingly; "There's no fear.
and am dying for canter."
you'll die on canter, then" he re-
torted, with his grim VIII, '.for he'll break
YOUR neck. The horse has only been rid
den three times-twice by myself, and
once by Joe"
''But you've often said was better
rider than joe Joe was the stable-boy.
That's good uncle, now do" And ]
threw my arms about his neck and kissed
him
knew by experience that when | did
this l general carried the day. My uncle
tried to look stern, but l saw he was re-
lenting. He made last effort TO deny
me.
why not take Dobbin ?" said he.
sDobbin.n l cried "old snail-paced
Dobbin, on such morning as thisl One
might as well ride a rocking-horse at
once"
.sWell, well" said he, ''if | must, |
must. You'll tease the life out Of me if
l don't let you have your own way. l
wish you'd get a husband, you mink
You're growing beyond my control. "
sHumph IA husband. Well, since you
saw so, I'll begin to look out for one to-
day."
Hell soon repent of his bargain said
nv uncle: but his smile belied his words.
You're as short as pie-crust if you can't
have your own way. There, seeing was
about to speak, go and get ready, while
1 tell Joe to saddle Milo. You'll set the
house afire if don't send you OF.
Milo was soon at the door-a gay met
tlesome colt, that laid his ears back as
mounted, and gave me vicious look that
did not quite like
Take care" sald my uncle Its not
too late yet to give it up.
was plqued.
Il never gave up anything, | said.
Not even the finding Of husband,
ehi"
No, said |. -'rll ride down to the
poorhouse and ask old Tony, the octoge-
marian pauper, to have me; and you'll be
forced to hire Polly Wilkes to cook your
dinners"
And as l said this my eyes twinkled
mischievously; for uncle was an old bach
elor. who detested all strange women, and
had an especial aversion to Polly Wilkes,
sour old maid of forty-seven, because years
ago she had plotted to entrap him into ma
.rlmony. Before he could reply | gave
Milo his head.
John Gilpin, we are told, went fast, but
went faster. 1t was not long before ,he
coli had il all his own way At first l
tried to check his speed, but he got the bit
in his mouth, and all could do was to hold
on, and trust to tirIng him out. 1rees'
fences and houses went by like wild pigeons
ON the wing. AS long as the road was
clea we did well enough, but suddenly
coming to an old oak tree that started ou'
spec,re-likc from the edge of q wood, MILO
SHE'D. twisted half round, and planted ms
forefeet stubbornly in the ground dio
not know was falling till l felt myself II
a mud-hole, which lay at one side oil th'
road.
Here was a fine end to my boosted
horsemanshipl But as the mud was sol
was not hurt, and the ludicrous spectacit
presented soon got the upper hand OF my
vexation.
"A fine chance l have of finding nus
hand in this condition" said to mysen
recalling my Jest with my uncle. III
could find some mud dry now, and pas
myself off for mud nymph, might haV'
a chance" and began to pick myseif up
..shall help you, missf" suddenly san
a rich, manly voice.
l looked up. and saw young man. IN
suppressed merriment of whose Drign' eye
broupbt the blood to my cheeks and mao
mo for an instant ashamed and angry bu
on glancing again at my dress | could nc
help laughing in spite OF myself. l s'oo
in the mud at least six inches ABOVE u
tops of nv shoes Ny riding skif. wa
plssered all over, SO that 1t was aiinv, :.
;mposs;ble to tell of what it was MADE N
hands and arms were mud TO lne e'Do'
for had instinctively extended them as
fell in order to break the fall.
The vouno man rs he spoke, tufnso