Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-03-23
\ NOVEL RIDE.
The Lover who Determined to keep his Promi Sc
At all Hazards.
TAME STEER HARNESsED INTO AN
IMPROVISED SLEIGH.

IMPROVISED SLEIGH.
halo. Harry, old fellow, how are
you? l am glad to see you. Wher
did you get to town?'
How are you, Phil" my old friend
responded, grasping both of my
bands. Il got here yesterday, but
really scarcely know old jefferson,
it has SO improved. 1t has almost
grown out of my knowledge. But
let us get out of the way of these fine
sleighs. and I am reminded, Phil, of
the first sleigh ride 1 ever had in this
city. Oh, it was too funny"
We'll, how was it?" I asked.
--You must know" he replied, that
nearly forty years ago | was an hon
ored employe of Brown l. Richmond,
lessees of the penitentiary. 1 boarded
with MIR. Brown, and a strong mutual
attachment between his family and
Inc soon sprang up. OF course I fell
Ill love with one of the best and
prettiest girls in town. One night
there fell deep snow, and / posted
off at once to ask Miss Lucy to take
a sleighride that night. She con
sented and l went back to make all
the needful preparations for the JOY
Gus trip. made pair of runners
from hickory pole and nailed a large
goods box Oh it, and my sleigh was
done. 1t wasn't quite SO expensive,
nor SO fashy as that one that just
passed, but believe me, Phil, that
gorgeous affair there does not contain
two hearts that beat SO joyously and
SO truly as the two that, within that
rugged turnout, would in few hours
enjoy tho bright moonlight and the
crisp snow. that is SO forcibly brought
to my memory by tho scene of to-
night in Jefferson City.
'.As i'll luck would have it, couldn't
keep my trip a secret from Mr.. Brown.
l was to take his fine bay horse for
the occasion; but the fates determined
otherwise. BY way of having little
fun at my expense, he locked and
barred the stable door. OF course l
was like one thunder struck, and was
at my wits end to know what to do.
1 loved Lucy madly, and she was
waiting for me, l knew-and it
wouldn't do to disappoint her, even
if 1 had to draw the sleigh myself.
Turning around, l saw in the moon
light old Broad, one Ct the prison
steers, and l fairly jumped for joy.
l had no trouble in catching him, for
he and l were great cronies, as 1 bad
to feed him very often. So l fixed
up sort of gearing, put the bride
on his head, leaving out the bit, tied
a rope to his horns, fastened him to
the shafts, and old Broad and 1
started down Main street. We didn't
make railroad speed, but we got to
Lucy s house in due time. Old Broad
preferred walking, but in going down
hill he enjoyed the run as much as
did, and was in glorious humor
when we stopped at the gate. 1
hitched him to the fence, patted him
on the neck and said aloud, "Old
fellow, We went it that time" and 1
shall ever believe that my old friend
turned his large eyes kindly on me
Is if to say, 1 think we did, sir
1T didn't take much persuasion to
get Lucy into the sleigh, but We had
a time to get her mothers consent.
LIT is so ridiculous to go through
town that way she said.
1--WE are not going through town.
was the answer; we are going the
other way
"'But what enjoyment can you
have behind slow, stupid ox?' was
another objection.
"'Old Broad, my dear madam. is
neither slow nor stupid said / at
once in eager defence Of my old
friend. who could not be present to
defend himself.
but when do You expect to get
back?' was again objected.
"'Sometime shortly said 1. not
caring if we didn't get back until
the middle of the next week, or even
the Fourth of July.
"'Well, at last we started-buffalo
robe, hot bricks. straw, blankets, and
the two lovers. Patting old Broad
on his neck said to him. Now, old
fellow, spread yourself, and with an
other kindly roll of his eyes, he
seemed to say, I'll spread, sir
"We left the house amid shouts of
laughter and kindly ordinations,
Don't go too FAST Don't let your
steed run away with YOU We'll
pray for your safe deliverance.' etc.
"Old Broad proved himself a true
friend. On dead level, he was
rather slow, l admit, but up hill he
was grand, and down hill he was
simply superb. In about an hour
we reached Judge Tompkins' farm,
about mile distant, and concluded
then to return. My steed would not
be persuaded to go out of the beaten
track, so, in consequence, one of the
runners was in rut the whole way,
and our seat was not a perfect level,
but what of that; we didn't care, but
laughed the more. Oh, Phil, that
was the grandest ride l ever had in
my life. Well, in turning old Broad
for the return trip. the runner hung
in the rut and Lucy and 1 found
ourselves in the snow, fairly upset.
l picked up my fair comrade, brushed
her up as we'll as l could, and with
the aid of Lewis Tompkins Ia colored
mani I righted the sleigh. Just as 1
was about to start l gave the darkey
a quarter and said, Look here, Lewis,
don't say anything about this OK ride.
He promised, but I had good
reason to believe that he failed to get
his breakfast next morning, in his
anxiety to spread the news all over
town.
I'VE got back safely in another
hour, and found the family awaiting
lis, and it was merry household for
| had left old Broad in the street un-
hitched and had gone in. And then
l heard Lucy's mother say land the
words 1 have never forgotten), Harry,
you deserve praise for keeping your
DrOmiSe Tho bov who will oyor-