The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-14
In A Mud Puddle.
"Uncle, may ride AIilo2' said, one
bright Juue morning, as he sat at the break
faaf table

fast-table.
''Ride Milol" said he.
EYES, said l. ''It's such fine day."
''But he'll thow yoal" said my uncle.
"rhrow mel" and l laughed merrily
and incrcdulously. Say yes, dear uncle. "
continued, coaxingly; "Therc's no fear,
and am dying for canter."
''Youll die On a canter, then," he re-
tortcd, with his grim wit, ''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 Il better
rider than JOe." Joe was the stable-boy.
threw my arm, about his neck and kissed
him.
l knew by experience that when I did
this general carried the day. My uncle
tried to look stern, but saw he was re-
lenting. Ho made last effort to DENY
me.
"Why not take Dobbin 2" said he.
t'Dobbinl" l cried; '.old ail-paced
Dobbln, on such morning as this2 One
might as well ride rocking horse at
once"
"Well, WE'LL" said lie, eff I must
must You'll tease the life out of me ii
don't let you have your own way.
wish you'd get a husband, you mink!
You're growing beyond my control"
''Humph Ia husband! Well, since you
say so, III begin to look out for one to-
day"
'He'll soon repent of his bargaln," said
my uncle; but his smile belled 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
tell Joe to saddle Milo. You'll set the
house aflre if don't send you Off"
Milo was soon at the door--s gay met
tlesome colt, that laid his cars back rs
mounted and gave me vicious look that
did not quite like.
"Take care" said my uncle. "It's not
TOO late yet to giyesit up
was p,qled. y,
81 never gave up Anything" said.
Mot even the finding of husband,
eh9"
'No," said I. "rll ride down to the
poorhonsc and ask old Tony, the octoge.
marian pauper, to have me; and you'll DO
forced 70 hire Polly Wilkes to cook your
dinners''
And as | said this my eyes twinked
mischicvousy for uncle was an old bach
clor, who detested all strange women, and
al an especial aversion to Polly Wilkes, a
sour old maid of forty-seven, because years
ago she had plotted to entrap him into ma
trlmony. Before lie could reply 1 gave
Milo his head. :,
John Gilpin, we are told, went fast, but
went faster. 1t was not long before tho
colt had 1t all his own way. At first l
tried to check his speed, but he got the bit
In his mouth, and oil could do was to hold
on, and trust to tirlng him out. Trees,
fences and houses went by like wild pigeons
on the wing. AS long as the road was
clearwc did well enough, but suddenly
coming to an old oak tree that started out
spectre-like from the edge of wood, Milo
SHE'D, twisted half round, and planted his
forefeet stubbornly In the ground. did
not know I was falling till felt myself in
mud.liole, which lay at one side of tho
road.
Here was fine end to my boasted
horsemanship! But as the mud was soft
was not hurt, and the ludicrous spectacle
presented soon got tho upper hand of my
vocation.
"a fine chance have of finding hus-
band In this condition." said to myself,
recalling my jest with my uncle. eff I
tolld lind some mud dry now, and pass
myself of for q mud nymph, might have
chance, and began to pick myself up
Shall help you, miss ?" suddenly said
. rich, manly voice. i,
looked mp. and saw young man, tho
suppressed merrlment of whose bright eyes