Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-05-19
PRINGLES FLAT.

You viii have beautiful day, my
DEAR" said Mrs. Hope, as she looked ad-
miringly first at her son Dick, who was
driving up to the door in his new buggy,
then at her daughter-in-law, Mary Hope.
whose honeymoon was at its full.
" am SO glad r. said the young wife.
What lovely weather we have had
ever since I came here not at all like
what some of my friends predicted when
they said we ought to spend our honey
moon in the East
Dick Hope at that moment sprang
out of his buggy lightly, and gallantly
extended hand to his wife.
Nonsense r. exclaimed Mary Hope.
am not such helpless creature that
/ can't get in myself; !" and she stepped
lightly into the buggy, with a merry
laugh.
Mrs. Hope the elder gave an approx
ing nod: " It's just as well to let Dick
know you can help yourself. These
Western men -"
ss Need managing like other men, !"
interrupted 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. He was an admirer of fine
horses, and his judgment was sought
far and wide on all points of horse
flesh: " "There's fine mettle here, Dick. !"
l know it" said Dick, proudly.
"Cheap at four hundred" said Mr..
Hope. Have you tried her yet ?"
81 think she's go cd for two-twenty
one without much of an effort"
Why, isn't that fast horse, Dick p
asked his wife, whose curiosity was
aroused.
"Just middling," answered her hus-
band. "We have them out here faster
than that"
cit is FAST" said his father. eve
used to think it impossible, but we have
got so far on now there's no telling
what's in horse. I like this mare very
much. If it was anybody else's, I'd
"Come, now, what would you give,
father?" said Dick, bantering1y.
Its all in the family, so Pm saved
ahundred dollars at least"
"A hundred more wouldn't buy her,
father. just say to anybody that covets
my new mare I won't take cent less
than seven hundred dollars. Why she
goes like wind.
"That reminds me, Dick, you'd best
take the road round by brakes"
T" And lose good half-hour," said
Dick.
" That's a long way round, father, :"
said the elder Mrs. Hope.
You take my advice" said her hus-
band. 81 mean coming back. 1t
doesn't matter going. If it should blow
you will find it safest"
Dick, who was adjusting strap,
looked off east and west, smiled in a
satisfied way and observed: "I don't
see any signs Of storm"
"Nor T." 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,
Dick?" Mrs. Dick Hope looked the
least trife anxious as she turned to her
husband. Was it so bad, Mr.. Hope 2"
sBadl 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 a
rock that saved my hfe."
g That must have been terrible" said
Mary Hope.
"Don't let him frighten you," said
Dick, smilingly; " lightning never
strikes twice in the same place. I'm all
right, you see. The only time 1 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 reius lightly and away the new
buggy with its happy occupants sped
over the prairie.
It was early morning. The fingers of
the dew stretched upward, dissolying
the shadowy mist that hung over the
prairie and the thin line of woodland
that lay away off to the west like a
fringe on d neatly-cut garment. The
young wife inhaled the perfumes ex-
hailed from the flowers, filing the at
mosphere with rich odors. There were
lines upon lines of variegated tints
above the horizon. Such a 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 maiestically,
palaces more magnifcently and stately
than any that the human mind could
conceive.
q How grand p she. sail, as Dick
looked smilingly at her.
The mind Of man cannot measure
all It's beauties, said Dick, as he lighted
cigar and settled himself down fol
some solid enjoyment
As the red and golden glories stretch
ed above the horizon light breeze
sprang up, tanning Mary Hopes cheeks
caressing her hair lightly, and sighiuf
the thin selvage Of trees which
Ilau1ekss father had planted along thl
e1p0n <vay before his son was born. Th'
Say wheeled his chariot aloft. ra
5. 4 a. H Ir|