Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-12-25
"oh, Hairy, what win Aunt say2o

: "Come, Katie, we shall take oil
stand just here"
Strange coincidence, but the
stood Immediately before the griI
dowager. They are dancing nov
curveting through the quadriIlt
Who does notlovet theold-fashioned
generous quadrille? There all ca
enter and caper to their hearts cor
tent. The polka, waltz and redowa
not unlike some other of our mod
ern customs, are too ndrro,oly ex
elusive.
Later, as the two friends stroll
down the street in the early light o
the winter morning, young EfielC
is saying, excitedly:
'The whole arrangement is sounC
as top. / will ask the party Il
drive with me down to the bend
and l will go around alone and ge
Jessie. will have the parson wait
ing at the 'Immanuel.' We will bt
married, then off down Lagtor
road"
"Don't be too certain. Have you
forgotten what became of those we'll
laid plans of men and mice, and the
tricky little slip between the kiss
and the lips?"
"But, you see, it is so sudden"
Christmas day comes forth as a
bride. Out here in the country her
robe is not much damaged. AS
nine red cutters scud past the fields
of Cedar-wood, the snow lies in un-
broken stretches. One young man
in the foremost sleigh is humming
softly to himself:
f'The gentle breezes kiss ner hair,
She is SO fair"
In the broad, smooth road a horse
runs alongside his own, and a merry
voice says:
eff she happens to give you the
slip, Effield, don't commit suicide !;
it would be pity 70 break in on
our fun in that STYLE"
'Don't be alarmed"
"If such a thing should happen,
Mr.. Effield, the world is full of com
forters," says a soft voice.
"Well spoken, Miss Anna; and if
1 do not find Jessie waiting, l shall
pull Phil out of that sleigh, and ap-
peal to you"
They are at the bend at last. A
young man is leaning out of his
sleigh, making tragic adieux to the
party.
"Do you feel faint, Ef1eld ?" comes
from rear cutter.
"Don't forget to kiss the oldlady,"
from another direction.
"Whatever you do, bring the girl
back" says Phil Randall. 'I say,
E6ield, if she don't happen to be at
the gate, don't hang around the
premises like a tramp; you might
get warmed up with a shotgun.
"No danger. But, friends" he
goes on with mock solemnity," if l
do not return in twenty minutes
with Miss Jessie Burrows, you may
put me down as the worse Tilted
fellow in the state"
A moment more and the sharp
bend has hid his stylish trap. There
is a low murmur of "GOod luck"
"God speed" and other well-wishes
from his friends, and they sit
silently expectant. On goes the
light sleigh, 50 noiselessly that the
sound could not possibly reach the
dwelling. He has gained the gate,
but-,ao Jessie. He aIights and
steals through, looking right and
left for a signal, but none comes.
He does not dare approach the
house through fear of detection, so
he stands in silent suspense. At
length he gives long, low whistle,
and steps within the shadow Of the
gate to await the issue. A minute
passes; then he sees a little figure
running swiftly down the carriage
drive, aud steps forth to meet her.
ooh, Harry, l did not think you
were coming l waited here half an
hour"
"How could you doubt me, sweet
heart? But hurry up, little girl, we
must be off," He tucks the robe
around her, takes up the lines and
the spirited horse dashes down the
road. "Hurrah for Eff1eld !" is the
glad general shout as he comes in
sight. No thought of care now
they know the poor, duped old
woman can do nothing against their
fleet horses and light sleighs. On,
on back to the city. The cleaning
lights have come in view; a few
more minutes and the tired horses
stand before the Emmanuel" The
couples dismount and enter four to
each aisle, and Harry Effield fol-
lows with his lovely stolen prize.
How warm and bright and still the
church is; how unique the cos
TUNES. Furs and scarlet hoods and
warm wraps make up the ladies'
toilette, and the gentlemen in great
coats and muff1ers. No need to lay
them aside, for they are to start inn
for the race down Laxton
road. The ceremony ends and they
file slowly out. In the vestibule
there is much kissing and hand
shaking and giving good wishes
Out again into the wintry night
Now for the sport. The prize is
won, doubt is settled and only pure
beckons ahead. Down
the white Laxton road the merry
party go. Snatches of song and
cheer ring out on the clear air.
Over slope and level, upland and
dale the red cutters fly. AS the
moon mounts higher, the eve can