Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-08-08
SELECTIONS.
MILO AS A MATCHMAKER.
BY BLANCHE MYERS.

Uncle, may / ride Milo ~ l salt
one bright June morning, as he sa
at the breakfast table.
/" Ride Milo ~
eyes, it is such beautiful day.
" But he'll be sure to throw you.'
" Throw mer' And I laughed
merrlly and increduously. i" Sa,
yes, dear uncle," I continued, coax
ingl.y )" there's no fear, and I dying
for canter."
" You'll die on canter, them" he
retorted with his grim wit " fol
he'll break your neck. The horse
has been ridden only three times
twice by myself and once by joe"
But you have often said l was a
better rider than Joe doe was a sta
BILE boy. That's good uncle, do
And | threw my arms about his neck
and kissed him, for l knew by ex
perience that when | did this, gen.
orally carried the day. My uncle
tried to look stern, but | saw he was
relenting. He made a last effort,
however, to deny me.
Why not take Dobbin 7" he said
Dobbin !" | cried, old small
paced DObbin such morning as
this One might as we'll ride rock
ing-horse at once"
Well, well, he said, 81 must
| must. You'll tease the life out Of
me if don't let you have your way
I wish you'd get husband, you
mink +; you're growing beyond my
control"
Hump! "a husband, indeed
Well, since you say SO, I'll begin tc
look out for one to day"
He'll soon repent of his bargain,
said my uncle but his smile belied
his words. s YOU'RE as short as q
pie crust if you can't have your way
Then, seeing was about to speak
go and get ready while l tell Joe
to saddle Milo. You'll set the house
on fire if l don't send you off,"
Milo was soon at the door-a gray,
mettlesome colt, who laid his ears
back as l mounted, and gave me a
vicious look | did not quite like.
"Take carew said my uncle. It's
not too late to give it up yet"
was piqued. / never give up
anything, / said.
Not even the finding ola hus
band, eh ?"
No. I'll ride to the poor-house
and ask old Tony to have me and
you'll be forced to hire Poll Wilkes
to cook your dinners" And as
said this, my eyes twinkled mis-
chievOusly /; for uncle was an old
bachelor, who detested all strange
women, and held al especial aver
sion to Poll Wilkes, a sour old maid
OF forty-seven, because years ago she
had plotted to entrap him into matri
mony. Before he could reply gave
Milo the whip. It was not long be.
fore he had it all his own way. AT
first / tried to check his speed but
let the bride fall over his head, all
| could do was to hold on and trust
to tiring him out. Trees, fences and
houses went by us like wild pigeons
on the wing. As long as the road
was clear we did well enough but
suddenly coming to a blasted OAK
that started out, spectre-like, from
the edge of the road, Milo shield
twisted half round and planted his
fore-feet stubb0rnly I'D the ground.
dld not know was falling till II fell
myself in a mud hole which lay al
one side of the road. Here was a
fine end to my boasting, as the mud
was soft, | was not hurt, and the
indicrous spectacle | presented soon
got the upper hand of my vexation
A fine chance / have of finding a
husband in this condition, / said tl
myself, recalling my jests with my
uncle. If I could find some mud
dryed now, | could pass myself of
for a mud nymph. And | began q
get myself up.