Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1880-05-05

across the pasture and bounding
foot in the air at every jump.
The mare made straight for the
bars, went over them, and finally
came to a halt in the captains
dooryard. The captain slipped of
In an exhausted condition, and
drove his new purchase into the
barn.
The operation of Harvesting was
one acquiring all the seamanship OF
both the captain and Bill Tyke to
successfully perform. The uses OF
the various straps, buckles, and
"belaying-pins" were the subject OF
several animated discussions before
the harness was finally adjusted.
When all was complete, Bill Tyke
cruised round the wagon several
times, and observed that "the darn
ed thing was all right, anyhow"
"Then," said the. captain, 'just
put that old anchor into the buggy.
with about three fathoms of stout
line, an you git in behind. Darn
ye," he continued, addressing the
mare, if eye play trick like that
agin, III fix ye."
Bill marched off to the Toulouse
and returned, carrying an iron
keelock and coil Of inch MANILA
rope. To one end of the line he
fastened the anchor. The other,
by the captains direction, he tied
by double hitch to the rear axle
of the wagon.
"Now,' said the captain, 'jump
in, Bill. I'll make the old vixen
hum when we get the widow in"
To the captains great delight the
widow was at home, and surveyed
his new turnout with admiration.
The harness, she thought, looked
somewhat peculiar, but she didn't
know much about such things. OF
course she would go to ride. How
kind of the captain What
beautiful horse?
She was not long in getting ready,
for expedition at such times was
one of widows virtues. The cap
tain helped her in, and the mare
trotted placidly off, while Bill Tyke
sat behind, with his legs hanging
over the "stern" of the wagon.
1t was a delightful drive. The
mares head was turned away from
home, and she behaved much bet
ter than the captain had expected.
The sun was setting as they turn
ed about to go home, and as the
evening shadows began to fall
the captain began to grow tender.
Gradually his arm slipped about
the widows waist. Promptly she
removed it.
"Capt. Todd" she exclaimed,
"you must not, l cannot allow it,"
She glanced backward at Bill
Tyke, who still sat, dangling his
heels over the tailboard, in the
blissful Inconsistencies.
"Oh, don't mind him." said the
captain. "He don't see nothing"
at isn't that" said the widow,
blushing, butt suppose l ought
to tell you-in fact don't know
that / ought to come to ride with
you at all-because-because-"
"Cause whatp asked the cap
tain.
because / am engaged to be
married"
Engaged I" roared the captain.
"Blast my top-lights! Who tot"
"To Mr.. Samuel Bliss"
"Heavens and yearth !" yelled
the captain, giving the mare a saw
ag cut with the whip; but he 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 shrieked, and grasp
ed the captain by the arm.
"Oh, don't, don't y she cried.
"Let her ripp" exclaimed the
captain, more forcible than polite
| ly. 81 want to get hum. Engag.
ed to Sam Bliss Good Lord !"
The captain gave the mare
another slash with the whip, and
Bill Tyke rose up on his knees and
held on for dear life. 1t was get.
ting dark rapidly. The road wa:
full of deep holes, and the side of the
road was bordered with clumps o
bushes and large rocks, over some
of which the carriage bounded
! lilo n rnhher hall The mara haf