Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-07-15

''Just middling, answered her husband.
"We have them out here faster than that -
''It is fast, - said his father. 1--WE used
to think it impossible. but we have got so
far on now there's no telling what's in a
horse. like this mare very much. If it
was ANYBODY else's, I'd
''Come now. what would you give, faith.
err" said Dick, banteringly.
Its all in the family, so I'll say five
hundred dollars at least.''
"a hundred more wouldn't buy her. faith
er. Just say to anybody that covets my
seven hundred dollars. Why she goes like
wind"
"That reminds me, Dick, you'd best
take the road round by Brakes.
''And lose good half-hour," said Dick.
''That's long way round father" said
the elder Mrs. Hope.
"You take my advice,o said Der hus-
band. 81 mean coming back. 1t doesn't
matter going. If it should blow you will
find it safest.''
Dick. who was adj listing strap, looked
off east and west, smiled in satisfied way
and observed: Il don't see any signs Of a
storm.''
''Nor l." said his father; s'but no one
knows anything about the wind here. I'll
never forget the sweep got twenty years
ago coming over Pringle's Flat"
THAT is where we are going, isn't it.,
| iDEy Mrs no OF
trifie anxious as she turned to her hus-
band. ''Was it so bad, Mr.. Hope?"
! ''Badl Bad's no name for it. Why, it
blew my wagon as far as from here to the
barn, blew the horses off their feet. tore
up trees and lodged me against rock that
saved my life.'
sThat must have been TERRIBLE" said
Mary Hope.
''Don't let him brighten you," said Dick;
smilingly; lightning never strikes twice
in the same place. Pm all right, you see.
The only time was blown away was when
I went East for you. Are we all ready
now? Basket in, mother?"
Mrs. Hope nodded gayly, Dick lifted the
reins lightly and away the new buggy with
its happy occupants sped over the prairie.
1t was early morning. The fingers of
the dew stretched upward, dissolving the
shadowy mist that hung over the prairie
and the thin line of woodland that lay
away off to the west like fringe on a
neatly-cut garment. The young wife in
hailed the perfumes exhaled from the flow
ers, filing the atmosphere with rich odors.
There were lines upon lines of variegated
tints above the horizon. Such sunrise
Mary Hope had never looked on except
among the mountains. There were tints
of crimson, amber and gold; and above all
white pillars rolled majestically, palaces
more magnificent and stately than any
that the human mind could conceive.
"How grand" she said, as Dick looked
smilingly at her.
ssThe mind of man cannot measure all
it's beauties" said Dick, as he lighted a
cigar and settled himself down for some
''solid enjoyment
AS the red and golden glories stretched
above the horizon light breeze sprang up
tanning Mary Hopes cheeks, caressing
her hair lightly, and signing through the
thin selvage of trees which Dicks father
had planted along the roadway before his
son was born. The god Of day wheeled his
chariot aloft, radiating, as only the sum-
mer can, the rarest tints of amber, and
crimson and gold, until the purple glories,
rolling aloft like great pillows, gradually
arched themselves into semblance of a
gateway; through which Mary Hope
caught, in fancy, glimpses of the celestial
city. She did not speak, but sat perfectly
quiet, drinking in the beauties of the most
beautiful morning Dick Hope had ever
witnessed in the West.
''There is Pringle's Flat" said Dick,
suddenly, pointing ahead.
"Surely we have not come seven miles,
Dick?"
Scarcely. How far is that ahead?"
Ifs it mile, Dick?'
"That's what the smart hunters from
the East say when they shoot and miss
their game. It's the atmosphere, Mary"
cts a small place. said his wife. as
she looked forward to Pringles Flat. lying
little below them Beyond it there was
ribbon of molten gold, made by the suns
slanting rays falling upon the river.
"We'll be there in twenty minutes"
said Dick Hope, 'swhen | want to intro
duce you to some of the incest people in
this end of the State.''
The people Dick referred to received the
young couple in manner that made Mary
Hopes cheeks glow with qualification.
Her husband was a man universally ad-
mired-as fine specimen of his kind as
was ever produced west of Pringle's Flat
I The bride during the two hours they re-
manned in the town created a ripple of
talk. There was something about Dick
and his wife that made people turn to look
at them. When they drove away score
of friends waved good wishes and tossed
kisses after them.
''Now for Dams Rock," said Dick, as
he gave his mare the rein and cast a back
ward glance at Pringle's Flat. Pretty,
isn't it?''
''Pretty!" said his wife. "Why, Dick,
IL 5 lovely! Seo Ino llgut ou CHo cnuTcn
windows; it looks as though it were really
on fire. The houses are so pretty, too,
the streets so wide, and there is such an
air of peace and comfort about it! Why,
it's like town that has grown up in a
night, it is so wonderfully clean and neat
just what painter would make if he
were painting towns to please people,"
''I'm glad you like it. That reminds
me; do you see that house. above the