The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-09-19
man tried to quiet the lond hilarit,

young feller' indeed That was
on account of the gar.looking We
hicle Mr. johnson had let 10 his amia.
BILE minister My husband had to ask
again, with greater dignity, the direc-
ton of Mr.. Mayberry's house before
any one would answer.
Our animal resembled the so-callod
steam-horse in two ways--he could not
attain any rate of speed without water
ing up, and once his steam was up
there was no stopping him. AT least
clergyman could have az easily brought
a locomotive to a standstill rs the horse
Deacon. AS we whirled away from
the hotel steps every one shouted after
us, exciting the horse to yet greater
speed, Couple of runaways f. mo
cake, no cards y Going to get hitch
ed by the parson! "Well all come
no ceremony" A small boy on
gate took up the cries, and proclaimed
us as the ''runaways trying to git mar.
ried, and as such we were observed
as we dashed through the elm shaded
street.
| was indignant. "Charles Mason,
what a ridiculous situation They
think you are running away with me-
"Should think they might see at a
glance the horse is the guilty one"
Charles found breath to answer
"That Mr.. Johnson ought to be
ashamed of himself If he only went
to church, you ought to preach to him
about the sin he has committed in
sending us such horse"
"They're a-coming! Hi there they
go!' cried small boy, waving his hat
from the roadside.
"Charles, dear Charles, that's the
house, where all those women are
going in the door Stop here, oh, do
stop, for my hair | know he tried
to comply with my cntreaty, but the
horse saw no cooling spring in sight,
and kept up his speed round short
corner, our carriage touching but two
wheels, on up long shady lane, and
when / saw destruction ahead of us in
the shape of large stable wall, the
horse came to a stop. Charles jumped
out and seized the animals head
"Iou run round aud see if he's at
home"
l had hoped for few minutes when l
could coil up my hair, and dust myself
before meeting the clergyman, but just
then the horse began kicking again,
and showing sigus of much impatience,
and l ran for help as fast as l could. I
pulled the door-bell, but then walked
in without waiting.
SIS the minister at home p | gasp
ed, looking distractedly about the
room filled with women for some one
to send out to Charles. Cant some
one speak to him' want him imme-
diately-immediately!"
"Oh, he knows you're coming, and
he's gone to get ready" woman an
swered, calmly, as if to quiet my I'M
patience.
"Oh, dear, dear, can't some one tell
him We are here, and want his help at
once Won't you go and tell him to
come at once = turned to the wo-
man who had spoken before. My
voice was tragic and my appearance
theatrical, but my anguish was gen
uine.
"I'd rather not, We are all stran-
gers. We Just come in a minute ago,
hearing as how you were coming to
see the minister He's putting on his
best clothes, | guess" The woman
looked really sorry for me, and the
line of spectators opened their mouths
wider as my distress increased. The
door opened softly behind me.
thought no more of my peculiar garb
or of Mr.. Mayberry's impression |
thought only of the kicking demon
had left Charles alone with.
"Oh, please-,1leose. Mr.. Mayberry,
want your assistance at once. !
don't know that you are in the habit OF
doing ANYTHING of the kind, but -
Just then / saw whom was address
ing, and the unusual dignity and age
of the new minister made me stammer
and hesitate, realizing the awkward
ness of my situation.
"Yes, | understood you wanted my
aid to-day. It's of course a very seri.
GUS state you are thinking of entering
but we will talk little. Sit down un-
til your companion comes to Join us. u
He spoke kindly, and cautiously
placed a chair for me. The women
one and all looked glad they had come,
and as though my behavior was as en-
tertaining as anything they had ever
seen.
"Oh, no, no, l can't sit down till he
comes in. Won't you please excuse
me for asking, but can't you help him ?
l have left him all alone with a horse. "
beckoned from the window to
Charles that some one was going to
help him.
Mr.. Mayberry rose deliberately. Il
really know nothing of horses myself,
but will see what can be done. Is
he's your companion not used TO
horses p lie was slowly putting on
his hat, and | saw he looked regretful-
ly at his spotless black broadcloth,
and that he would have preferred to
keep far away from the brute
used to horses-Charles Oh no !
he has always driven cows before Oh,