The Washington critic., 1885-05-29
THE WHITE PONY.

TO be so rich that diamonds flashed in her
ears and on her fingers-that her home is
palace, where she, her fathers only
daughter is the queen. All that ought TO
make her very happy, ought it not? She
never had trouble or care. you say!
Much you know
Don't Iremembcr the day they brought
me home and she came running down the
steps to see me?
. What beautyp She cried. What
love- what treasure! What shall /
name him2
:" He has a name already, miss, said
the man who brought me-
"'What is it p said She
'Mephistophelcs, miss, said he.
Papa, ! shall ride half the time, said
she.
AS much as you please, my dear said
the old gentleman, but not unattended.
One of you-Ah young Harker, you are
the steadiest. You will always be ready
to attend Miss Cheesborop
And then | saw Ben Harller for the
first time, as he stepped forward with a
Very well, sir He was q likely young
fellow, short and stout built, With fine
shoulders and fine limbs, and cheeks like
roses.
you've seen us often, know, Miss
Cheeseboro riding me far ahead until we
were out of the village, and then calling
her groom little nearer and talking to
him as she might to any servant about the
pony and the way they should go. She
always called him. He was never forward;
and he fell back as soon as she stopped
talking. But how he looked at her! 1t
did not dawn upon me that he was in love
for q long time.
"But it dawned on me one day. I'll tell
you how She always wore Il flower some
lRaH "a L. ll,,a l.,,v
she wore, a tea rose it was, dropped to the
ground as She rode. She did not know ii,
but in moment he was off his horse and
had it in his hand, and was mounted again
She did not look around, and after he had
held it moment he hid it in his bosom
What did do then? turned my head
toMrd home and fairly ran away from
him with her. We reached home first. and
he came flying after, and there was the
greatest wonderment.
$50 the rides went on, and YOU never
guessed, as the pretty lady rode ahead and
the handsome groom followed, what
Mcphstophcles knew.
you never guessed what he heard her
whisper one day, as she turned in her
saddle and looked at him. 1t was tins;
OH! what Il pity he isn't IL gentleman!
What Il pity! What pity! 1t was far
away from the village, on the white road.
1t was u quiet as Il place could be- but
sill as il was, she whispered too low for
him to hear Then she said aloud: Ben
iamin what sort of weather are we going
to have? Dare ride farther?
"He answered Il think it won'train to-
day, miss And then he was at her side,
and his bat was off in his hand, and he
was speaking. Miss he said, softly, If
you please, shall leave tomorrow
'Leaver she said. you leave u.s. WhyY
"'Id rather not tell why, miss, said he.
IaI 1into ttt,p gntI gI,n lIng
papa fund fault with youY
"'No, miss said he.
"'Is your work hard"
No miss
"'Its not mater of wages said he;
It's mat,er of duty
Then why Won you tellH said she. i
insist that you shall tell
Miss Chccscboro' said he, since YOU
ask me you must excuse me for telling
You. I've stepped out ofmy place. I've
done what ! should be kicked out of the
house for II it'were known. I've fallen in
love with you. Ofcourse I'm not a fool
| know Pm only servant to you but all
the same I've done it, and must go where
] need not see You any more
"lhen they were both silent. We stood
under the shadow of a grea5 tree. | don't
know what his horse thought-nothing,
perhaps; he was stupid beast--but |
listened with all my ears
II never minded being poor and ig-
norant before, he said soon, or that
came of common folks, | never wanted
book-learning and money, and to be q
gentleman, as have done lately; but if
you knew how respectful all my thoughts
have been you'd not be angry, Miss
"Ihen she spoke. j am only very,
very sorry, said she; and see that you
had better goa great deal better
~ felt her trcmblc.
IN
fast this time, and turning very pale, you
know ii isn't my fault that Pin poor
man and servant, and haven't been
taught much and you know feelings
amt to be managed. They'll have their
way, ! mean to ask question. If it
seems impudent to You shall be sorry;
| don't mean ii so. Fiji l.
"Well?'' she said,
"If I'd been gentleman and rich and
boOk-learncd and otherwise myself, might
you ever have liked me Just Il little?'
"And at that | felt her droop, and
knew her head was bent low and that her
tears fell.
benjamin, she said, if we had been
in the same rank Of life ! might not have
said: You had better go away. You are
gentleman enough not to presume ON that
in amy way, | know, OF on this that | tell
yoll--that it is not | so much rs papa 5
daughter who must say--must know-that
lhere Is nothing to be said but goodby and
forget me- There are many sweet, good
girls who will be glad to hear you say
what you have said to me, Benjamin
Harkern
~ shall ncycrsay that to any one again.
said he.
"Then they rode home, he far behind
from first to last When he left me that
night he kissed me on my forehead.
Good by, old Moph' said he, Iwish ]
were you.
And never saw him again.
"There's an old gray-headcd groom
behind us now when we ride, and he keeps
behind, But ] know why we ride so often
along the white road and stand quiet in
the shade Of the elm trees. Once az twice
| have felt her droop and bend her head
again as she did that day Chicago News.
Bring ON Your objeotionsi
Can't do it. No intelligent person who