Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-03
BATON ROUGE, LA, SATURDAY, JULY g. 1880

of my noighbors and for one OF them
to have passed me on the road, with an
even chance, would have made tho talk
ofthe country side for weeks.
The first grand sleigh.ride Of the
winter was projected for Christ mas Day,
and was to close with o party at Mr..
Warren's.
Christmas came, bright and beautiful
"A keen cir and sleighing like glass.
People and horses alike felt their feet
bounding. I think never saw such
exuberance of spirits.
Julia and were of the party; not in
one of the great double sleighs, crammed
among dozen people, but in u cutter,
drown By my own single gray. Msrrily
on we went to the appointed limit of the
ride, and were half way home again. l
was driving about midway Of the long
line of vehicles. Three or four Of the
young farmers who drove good horses
had purposely fallen in behind mo at
starting, that they might give me a
brush had noticed this, and was
keeping an eye ont. We had just GU
tered upon long reach Of level, broad
road-just the place to tempt q dash.
BY way Of signal that the fun was to
begin, u fellow just forward Of me, who
droye rather lazy horse, made feint
upon the team in front of him By turn
ing out 10 if to run by, and then foil
back into his place. At little rise in
the ground, gap was opened between
ne and the team in front, and alta point
where supposed no one would attempt
to pass, a fellow with quick horse and
light cutter lodged by me, and almost
before saw him occupied the gap in
front.
'rhis angered me- aud | resolved to
be avenged by passing him if possible
before We should reach home. We had
reached another long, level stretch of
road. Il was the last before reaching
home The fellow in front was watch.
ing me, and was prepared for a sudden
dash, Both sides Of the line were equally
clear and open. reined out upon his
right, and the gray sprang to his woY *
Quick as a squirrel the fellow turned
out OH the other side, aud was almost
abreast of me. Away we dashed, each
determined to come in first at the head
Of the knc. The eyes Of the crowd were
upon US, and shouts followingns. There
was o low slate cliff upon my right. |
was sitting upon the left side, which
gives the advantage in handling horse
to road cutter, by placing the driver
squarely behind him. My horse was at
full speed, and I felt sure of winning,
when my left runner some obstacle un
der the snow, aud quick as lightning
tho utter was dashed against the rock.
Both J ulia and myself were thrown out.
My horse ran on, but took no thought
of him. BY some strange chance I was
not so much stunned but that got upon
my feet Tho first object saw was
Julia, lying still in the snow. l lifted
her in my arms and spoke to her. She
did not answer nor open her eyes, and l
saw the blood drop from her temple into
the snow. She was dead
4 have never run horses since, and
never shall again.
Give us your hand, Squire exclaimed
Jones; earnestly. II always knew there
was somethin the matter; for ryou're no
coward, and as for hosses, why yo,'ve got
em. respect you, sir
1t was about three months after this
conservation tina. Jones and the 'widder'
beggan, together, to keep step to the
Wedding March. 'The Squire pitched
the tune for them. o.