Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-11-25
A NEEDED CHANGE.
BY WILLISTON FISH.

4 horse and buggy stood at thefront
gate. The horse, though high-checked
and fairly well groomed, had still q
certain heaviness of form and move
ment that indicated the drudge of
every day, the roadster only for occa-
sion. The harness was dulled by per-
haps two years of age and frightened
again by oil and polish. The buggy
had q, top-it was called carriage"
by its owner-and seemed of equal date
with the harness. 1t was high, mar
row seated, comfortless, without an
element of beauty, but plentifully COW
cred with varnish. On each side of the
''cofin-box" was highly-colored de-
sign which appeared, at first glance, to
be q coat of arms, but, which, in reah-
ty, was only the amblazonment of the
makers name. From the gate ran a
path to q spot little in front of
neat farmhouse and there divided in
to two parts, one of which, broad but
grass,grown, continued to the front
entrance, while the other, narrow but
deeply worn, led, under lilacs and
struggling roses IN bloom, to q porch
in the rear. The side path was the
one pursued by a young man who, by
his dress and manner, was evidently
the proprietor of the equipage at the
gate as the latter was evidently the
property Of one of the weather. class
of country lovers. Like all lovers, he
wore tight boots. His coat was a
ready made Prince Albert, too long
in the sleeves and waist, too amply
r 81, IL
his attire he wore dogskin gloves, but
the fingers were too long and their ex-
tremities had become crippled and de-
jected. Theyoungm mans eyes were clear
and bright, his head we'll formed, and he
had an air as if he had already made
life success. As for his age, one might
have guessed that from the age of the
harness and buggy: Theson of a we'll
TODD farmer has what he calls a. ''rig"
for himself at 90 The "rig" was two
years old; Mr.. George Morris, %.
The horse started off at a good trot
Mr.. Morris sat squarely in the middle
of the seat. He seemed happy and
triumphant. Occasionally he gave a
complacent glance at either of his
bro&d shoulders and corrected their
positions by some rule apparently
ovC wed from = his own knowledge
When he had adjusted each shoulder
satisfactorily he leaned back and TOOK
limited but pleased view of both at
once. Occasionally, too, he critically
examined little, struggling pair of
side-whiskers, or looked approvingly
at his length of limb. Indeed, so well
did ne beguile the time that he was
quite unconscious that the long drive
was over when be arrived at his desti-
nation. Well knowing the way, the
horse had turned off from the main
road, and, entering IN a graceful but
neglected drive, had drawn up in front
of O. rambling weather beaten villa.
TIL ere was no servant to take the
horse-the time OF footmen in that
place had gone by-but the absence
might have been considered well COM
pensated for by the appearance of a.
little feminine world In muslin who,
with an exclamation of delight, had
tripped around from the side veranda.
81 knew you would come" she re-
peated, when Mr. Morris, after having
slowly alighted and fastened the horse,
had joined her.
Eyes; I thought I wc-id come over.
It's nice afternoon, and ! thought
you might like a ride. Besides, |
wanted to say good-by."
"Of course | want to ride, but you
must come around here first. and let
them congratulate you. Remember, [
congratulate you first. You'll remem-
Der that ?" she cried, looking back at
her heavy companion, 'sand said
you'd get it when you first thought of
It,"
In this way George was conveyed to
the side veranda where were the family
of the house.
$50 you are going to West Point ?"
said a. weary-looking gentleman in
loose black. ''Very good place for an
energetic young man, " and more weary