Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1883-02-28
POINT, COUNTY,

tuck out here and adding bit of lace
there. wishing, for wonder, that
could have something new to wear. At
sight OF Ned and the team, however, all
my troubles vanished into air, and I
ran down stairs laughing.
"I do wish't you'd be little sober
minded said my father, in his fretful
way. 1T seems kinder hcartless to be
laughing when there amt cent in the
house, and nobody knows when there
will be.'
"Why. father, there's potatoes and
meal" was my merry rejoindor.
eyes, and there's always cares and
troubles he answered lugubriously. 4
don't seem to get ahead like other folks,
and I've pretty much about given up
trying. If you girls was only boys nowr
'"Ihink what you'd have to lay out
in boots alone I said, still laughing, at
which he frowned and tnrned impa-
tientiy away. while I ran out to be help
ed into the handsome carriage.
"What a glorious day it was! The
vines lining each side of the road all
seemed dripping with sunshine. The
shaded valleys, the dancing brooks and
the highways bordcred with naples and
elms and then my escort beguiled the
hour with odd and merry fancies, talked
about his farm, his hopes, his aspira-
tions, and if had not wiifully turned
the subject once or twice." said the
pretty old lady, with prim little gest-
ure, Il thing he might have proposed.
But wasn't ready for that yet. In the
quiet of the home going said to my
self. i will listen to him perhaps
''At last we reached the waterfall,
which. with its accompanying heights
and charming scenery, repaid us for the
long ride. 1t was hard to tear ourselves
away, and when we did turn the
heads of the spirited horses in the direc-
tion of home it was very late.
'"We shall never be in time for the
party l said, as the twilight deepened
into dusk. Must you pay at the toll
gate? The old man is half-blind, and
il will take him an hour to hunt up
change. Run the toll, just for the fun
of it-you can pay him afterwards
"That won't do, said Ned. .rllhave
to get a bill changed though. Just take
the reins second. by the way I
never heard the end of the sentence.
At that moment the spirit of mischief
seized me. snatched the whip and
touched the near horse. Then only
heard the thunder of hoofs and the
whirr of wheels, saw Ned's eyes fash
fire in the semi-darkness and his face
grow pale. Before he could take the
reins from my inexperienced hands, we
had run the toll in good earnest, and
the horses were flying over the bridge
as only frightened horses can. 1t was
as much as Ned could do to guide them,
and twice we were in deadly peril.
''On they sped, young Hamilton
standing without hat. his teeth set.
lips white, his frame rigid, while the
veins of his forehead stood out like
whip-cord. just sat back and held my
breath, too frighten to cry out, and
catching at whatever was nearest to
steady myself as they raced down the
long. billy street to the village, Mt the
foot of which they slackened their speed
and were soon under control.
"That WAS mad freak of yours
was all the young man said, as he help
ed me out at the door; and knew by
the expression of his countenance that
! never should be asked to ride behind
his grays again.
II went to the party. seemingly as
gay and light-hearted rs ever. If any
feeling of regret lurked under my care
less speech and manner, Ned should
never know it. In the midst of the fun,
when | was holding my little court, and
the laugh and the jest were again round,
who should appear upon the scene but
my father. in his homely. patched clothes,
quite regardless of the figure he cut in
the midst of that brilliant company. He
walked straight up to me, his hair in
disorder, his face as pale as death.
''Jack.' says be, did you run the
toll to-dayp'
1.-the horses ran.' l said, with
touch of leyity, though l tremblcd from
head to foot. What did they know
about tolla'
"Wcll. the bridge-keeper has been
to the house, Jack. He told me the
young man was getting the money
when you caught up the whip and set
the horses to running. Now, there's
6ne for that, an I've got to give him
five dollars; he won't let me ofi'-and l
amt got five cents to my name.' Tears
stood in his poor. weak eyes, and, re-
gardless of the surroundings, he took
out his handkerchief and wiped them
away. Imagine, if You can. how felt.
'"Ailow me to pay, SIR said Ned,
coming forward; and that capped the
climax. l could have screamed with
room, without waiting for wraps or any
thing else, and flew home SO shamed
that think hardly knew what was
doing. As you may suppose. l cried
pretty much all night, and it was a long
time before recovered my spirits.
II have no doubt it lost me Ned
Hamilton, too" said the old lady, with
queer little toss of the head: but that
didn't matter much. He left me and
took Mary Bean, old Deacon Beams
danghter--the pink of propriety. and
who would no more have dared to say
her soul was her own than she would
have dared to ride wild horses. 1t was
little mortifying at first. but after his
marriage folks said that he was miserly
almost beyond belief. and am positive
Molly Hamilton only has one new bon
net year. poor soul!-though by this
time she may have gone where they
don't need bonncts.
However / was cured from that
time Of my tionghtlcss pranks. went
to work and soon paid back the five
dollars, and more than that l paid of
the mortgage on our little home. in
time"
:.And then you married grandpa"
said Lily.
Eyes, dear. he was worth thousand
Ned Hamiltons-but poor father! how
often have heard him say that was
just as good as boy" Harry A. Dem