Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-07-31
For the Democrat.
A THREE DAYS TRIP.
ANONYMOUS. |

"Then," said Fan energetically, if
Fannie Liliman and Crete Lind have
done it summer after summer, and have
had perfectly delightful experiences, we
three can do the same. Let me see. 1t
will take only three or four days, and such
larks! Stopping at any farm house that
looks neat and has an old oaken bucket
hanging in moss-covered well, and fresh
butter and whey and lowing herds wind
ing slowly DER But that is an aside,
she added, as we laughed little. Lets
CO.
So we went.
We took Father Williams horse and
express" Father William is tall
picturesque Rip Van Wrinkle. He has
square, tangled white beard upon his
chin and his cheeks are covered with a
thick coarse growth of quarter of an
inch in length. His hair, gray and
curly, was covered by an immense broad
brimmed hat. He has the gruffest of
voices and kindest of hearts.
"Yaas," he said refectively, resting
one large foot upon the wheel Of the sex
press" He chewed meditatively, and
spat upon the ground, while he raised
his hat with one hand and scratched his
head with the other. "Yaas, yer kin
hev the boss and 'spress. Only be kin
o keerful abaout Susan, she's kin o
skittisa," We looked at Susan, and
promised dae caution.
"An' the 'spress now. The whiitietry
amt a bit too strong. An wimmin
folks is allus up to some foolery er
nuther."
"All but u.s." said Fan brightly. He
looked at her out of his sharp gray
eyes. "Yer'll do" he said Srimly.
'Git in"
We got in gaily. We were fairly
started on our trip " around the square
We were three; dressed as roughly as
our ingenuity could devise, handkerchiei'
about our necks, broad-brimmed hats,
apologies for gloves, and old boots. The
.'express" was an old long milk cart, I'M
painted, discolored by mud, creaking al
ways as if to protest against its frivolous
occupants. Susan carried us along, and
how do justice to Susan? A thin'
aged, melancholy, spotted gray beast
which dragged her slow length along
in defiance of lash. Susan has but one
vulnerable spot; this is not the end oil
the heel, but the tip Of the ear. hneei
in the wagon, grasp firmly the whip
stretch your arm to its greatest extent
describe a neat semi-circle in air with
the tip of Susans ear upon the circu'n :
ference, and 10 Susan gallops wildly ioi
a minute-and no longer. But this
method of producing speed we did not
discover unfortunately until the last day
Of our trip.
Behold us then started for Buckheld-
our first objective point. The road &c
this town is remarkable for its rough
ness, even in region Of rough and hlily
roads. But from this road as from al
we traversed, we had fine views OF the
White Mountains and the nearer hills
Through beautiful woods, over grassy
flats, we rode slowly, determined to ex'
perience unalloyed happiness. if such
thing were possible on this earth. W.
reached Buckfield at five o'clock, having
had one adventure. Fan is an indefatig
able and enthusiastic botanist indeed
her energy is sometimes uncomfortable
as in the present case. Haunting it
tall purple head, rose flower from &
marsh by the roadside. Something
haven't had Whoa! whoa, Susan
Don't let that animal run away with yo'
while get it J! a.,
She sprang over the wheel, and wa
out upon the marsh in an instant. Sh
gathered that flower and another, one Il
snalyze and one to press. Not conten
with this, however, she attempted to pic
a third blossom, holding by some tai
ferns-Alas The ferns were uproote
by her weight, and our charming frien
plunged into the mud up to her knees
A wretched spectacle she was. Tn
b lack mud bedaubed dress and hands a
well, and We were tempted to refuse he
s.dn,ittance to our company. SO gu
first call in BuckHeld was upon Mr.. A
who owns large store in the village. w
bought beautiful pair of peacock blu
stoc kings, which will bring pleasant II
membrance to Fan whenever she dor
them. Then we strolled leisurely abou
this pretty town; we peeped into tn
shops. looked at the fall of water, and wei
climbing knoll when
i JOHN d. LONG,