Bridgeton pioneer., 1884-12-18

ldlu waiter unuer contribution eVery
day. She was very active, and he had
to take her for walk in the morning,
and ride in the afternoon. He WINGED
little under this at first; it kept him so
much from Mary. But there was some
compensation. Julia Clifford was a
lady-like rider, and also bold and skill
full one.
The first time he rode with her he
asked her beforehand what sort of a
horse she would like.
."Oh, anything" said she, "that is not
| vicious nor SLOW"
"A hack or hunter?"
"Oh, a hunter, if may"
Perhaps you will do me the honor to
look at them and select"
You are very kind, and I will"
He took her to the stables, and she
selected beautiful black mare, with a
coat like satin.
There" said Walter, despondingly.
u was afraid you would fix on her. She
is impossible. can't ride her myself"
"Vicious?"
"Not in the least"
"Well, then"
Here an old groom touched his hat.
and said, curtly, "Too hot and fidgety'
miss. I'd as lieve ride of boiling ket-,
tle."
Walter explained: "The poor thing
is the victim of nervousness"
(which | call them as rides her the
victims" suggested the ancient groom.
She wants soothing" suggested Miss
Clifford.
NAY, miss. She wants bleeding DER
Sundays, and sweating over the falloWs
till she drops O. weekdays. But if she
was mine I'd put her to work in coal
cart for six months; that would larn
her."
II will ride her." said Miss Clifford,
calmly; cher or none"
Saddle her, George" said Walter,
reSignedly. I'D ride Goliah. Black
Bess sha'n't plead a bad example. Co
llah is as meek as Moses, Miss Clifford.
He is gigantic mouse"
When Black Bess was ready, Miss
Clifford asked leave to hold the bride.
and walk her out of the premises. AS
she walked her she patted and caressed
her, and talked to her all the time-told
her they all misunderstood her because
she was female; but now she was not
to be tormented and teased, but to have
her own way.
Then she asked Georg to hold the
mares head as gently as h could, and
Walter to put her up. She was in the
saddle in a moment. The mare fidgeted
and pranced, but did not rear. Julia
slackened the reins, and patted and
praised her, and let her go. She made
a run, but was checked by degrees with
the snaffle. She had a beautifulmouth,
and it was in good hands at last.
When they had ridden a few miles
they came to very open country, and
Julia asked demurely if she might be
allowed to try her off the road. "All
right" said Walter; and Miss Julia with
smart decision that contrasted greatly
with the meekness of her proposal, put
her straight at the bank, and cleared it
Like bird. They had a famous gallop,
but this judicious rider neither urged
the mare nor greatly checked her. She
moderated her. Black Bess came home
that day sweating properly, but with
marked diminution of lather and foam.
Miss Clifford asked leave to ride her in
to the stable-yard, and after dismount-
ing talked to her, and patted her, and
praised her. An hour later the perti-
nacious beauty asked for carrot from
the garden, and fed Black Bess with it
it in the stable.
BY these arts, very light hand, and
tact in riding, she soOthed Black Bess's
nerves, so that at last the very touch of
her habit skirt, or her hand, or the
sound of her voice, seemed to soothe
the poor nervous creature; and at last
one day in the stable Bess protruded
her great lips and kissed her fair rider
on the shoulder after her manner.
AL this interested and amused Wal
ter Clifford, but still he was beginning
to chafe at being kept from Miss Bart
ley, when one morning her servant rode
over with note.
DEAR COUSIN WALTER,-Will YOU kind
IN otrloC I
see what Is going on at Clifford Hall.
Yours affectionately,
"MARY BARTLEY."
Walter wrote back directly that he
would bring it himself, and tell her
what was going on at Clifford Hall.
50 he rode over and told her of Julia
Clitford's arrival, and how his father
mad deputed him to attend on her, and
she took up his time. 1t was beginning
to be bore.
"On the contrary" said Mary, Il dare
say she is very handsome"
THAT she is" said Walter
please describe her"
"A very tall, dark girl, with wonder
1ul eyebrows; and she has broken i'm
Black Bess, that some of us men could
not ride in comfort"
Mary changed color. She murmured
NO wonder the Hall is more attractive
than the farm~ and the tears shone in
her eyes.
"Oh, Mary" said Walter reproachful-
y, how can you say that? What is
Julia Clifford to me?"
Il can't tell" said Mary, drylv. 81
never saw you together thT0ugb ny glass,
you knou." '''''
Walter laughed at this innuendo.
You Shall see us together tomorrow.
if you vii! bless one of us with your
company"
Il might be in the way"
That is not very likely. Will YOU
ride to Hammond Church Tomorrow
at about ten. and finish your sketch of
the tower? / will bring Miss Clifford
there, and introduce you to each other"
This was settled, and Mary was ap-
parent!y quite intent ON her sketch
When Walter and Julia rode up, and
Walter said:
."This is my cousin, Mary BARLEY.
May | introduce her to your"
OF course. What a sweet facet"
So the ladies were introduced. and
Julia praised Mary's sketch, and Mary
asked leave to add her to it, hanging.
pensive figure, over tombstone. Julia
took an admirable pose, and Mary. with
lN<N.,