Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-12
GaIes and Sketfbfs.
From Lippincott's Magazine.
PRIHCLR'6 FLAT.

miringly first at her son Dick, who was
driving mp to the door in his new buggy.
then at her daughter-in-law, Mary Hope,
whose honeymoon was at its full.
II am 50 gladr' said the Young wife
What lovely weather we have had ever
since came here, not at all like what
some Of my friends predicted when they
said we ought to spend our honeymoon
in the East
Dick Hope at that moment sprang out
Of his buggy lightly. and CALAMITY extern
ded hand to his wife.
Nonsense 80 exclaimed Mary Hope.
II am not such helpless creature that |
can't get in myself" and she stepped
lightly into the buggy with merry laugh.
Mrs. Hope the elder gave an approving
nod: "It's Just az well 10 let Dick know
you can help yourself These Western
men,"
Need managing like other men," inter-
rupted her daughter-in-law with another
laugh.
Old Mr.. Hope, coming down from the
stables at that moment. eyed the horse,
buggy. and harness Dick had expended
seven hundred dollars on that turn-out) !,
then stood patting the horses neck kindly.
lie was an admirer Of fine horses, and his
judgment was sought far and wide on all
points of hOrse-fcsh There's fine meftle
here Dick"
Il know it." said Dick proudly.
Cheap Mt four hundred" said Mr..
Hope" Have you tried her yet?''
II think she's good for two-twenty-one
without much OF an effort"
"Why. isn't that n fast horse, Dick ?.
nak nI HE n,yncff,
aroused.
Just middling. d" answered her husband.
1--WE have them out here faster than that
ut 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. lfit
was anybody else's, I'd"
Come now, what would you give, IA
ther ?" said Dick banteringly.
ats all in the family. so I'm saved a
hundred dollars at least
"a hundred more wouldn't buy her,
father. Just say to anybody who covets
my new mare won't take a cent less than
seven hundred dollars. Why she goes
like wind"
THAT reminds me, Dick; you'd best
take the road round by brakes"
''And loose good half-hour,h said
Dick.
That's long way round father"
said the elder Mrs. Hope.
"You take my advice" said her hus-
band. IL mean coming back. 1t doesn't
matter going. If it should blow you will
find it safest"
Dick, who was adjusting a strap. looked
off east and west. smiled in satisfied
way. and observed. II don't see any signs
Of storm"
"Nor l." said his father; 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.
Dick?" Mrs. Dick Hope looked the least
trifle anxious as she turned to her hus-
band. WAS it so bad, Mr. Hope ?"
bad 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
That must have been terrible said
Mary Hope.
Don't let him brighten you" said Dick
smilingly; lightning never strikes
twice in the same place. I'm all right,
you see. The only time was blown away
was when went East for you Are we
all ready now? Basket in. mother?"
Mrs. Hope nodded gaily. Dick lifted the
reins lightly, and away the new buggy
with its happy occupants sped over the
prairie.
II was early morning. The fingers of
the dawn stretched upward, dissolving the
shadOwy mist that hung over the prairie
and the thin line of woodland that lay
away of to the west like fringe on a
neatly-cut garment. The young wife in
hailed the perfumes exhaled from the
flowers, filling the atmosphere with rich
odors. There were lines upon lines of
variegated tints above the horizon. Such
u 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 maies-
tically.-palaces more magnificent and
stately than any that the human mind
could conceive.
..How grand" she said. as Dick looked
smilingly at her.
1.-The mind of man cannot measure all
its beauties" said Dick rs he lighted a
cigar and settled himself down for some
"solid enjoyment"
As the red and golden glories stretched
above the horizon, a light breeze sprang
up. tanning Mary Hopes cheeks. caress-
ing her hair lightly. and signing through
the thin selvage of trees which Dicks
father had planted along the roadway be-
fore his son WAS born. The god OF day
wheeled his chariot ;.loft. radiating. as
only the summer sun can. the r.,rest tints
OF amber. and crimson and gold. until the
purple glories, rolling aloit like great
pillows. gradually arched themselves into
the semblance of gateway; through
which Mary Hope caught. in fancy.
glimpscs of the celestial city. She did not
speak. but sat perfectly quiet. drinking in
the beauties of the most beautiful morn
ing Dick Hope had ever witnessed in the
West.
There is Pringlc's Flat said Dick
suddenly, pointing ahead.
'.Surely we have not come seven miles,
Dick ?"
Scarcely. How far is that ahead ~
us il mile. Dick ?''
Dick laughed loudly .'It's nearer four
II don't understand it,"
That's what the smart hunters from
the East say when they shoot and miss
their game. It's the atmosphere, Mary"
Its small place." said his wife as
Il T. T. IL. - -