Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-04-29
Rapid Transit.

| u not July uay ludl luo h"A"Sio hC"
turnout arrived at the door for trial
trip. Mrs. Maxwell had prevailed up.
on her husband to invest in horse and
carriage upon the plea that their stand
ing In society demanded it.
But the expense, my dear y he OPP
posed.
'Respectabilty is always more or less
expensive; but in this case it is a ques'
tion whether we are To be nobody or
somebody she retorted. So he reluct-
antly yielded.
1t was to Flickem, the livery man,
they were indebted for the solution of
the problem OF how to get reliable
horse for small outlay OF money. The
horse was guaranteed to have spirt-a
"sine quo non" with the lady herself
and to 60 at a good clip when warmed
up. ......
sWhy didn't you buy q cow, George?'
she said, looking over the animals
points, and mentally sizing him up.
He is feayfully and wonderfully made
she added.
Mr.. Maxwell rubbed his smooth chin
and smlllngly quoted the horseman's
proverb :: Appearances are deceitful,
you know, Mary, and he may be great
deal better than he looks.
Mrs Maxwe II was critically examin-
ing his points from her own view of
such matters; the arched neck and dis
tended nostrils, and eager eye were all
missing. Her eye followed along the
hollow of his camel shaped back and
rested in disgust upon the rough,
stumpy tail. The legs. without which
in good shape horse is nothing, were
his redeeming possessions. They were
clean and slender. terminating in we'll
built and small hoois.
NO spirit no speed. He'll have to
be clubbed every step of ths way. But,
as he is here, we'll try him, George
They started off at walk, the horse
refusing to be urged into trot by the
gentle persuasion of chirrup or the
shaking of the lines over his back.
'I would not do that demonstrated
Mr.. Maxwell, as his wife took out the
whip; at least not till we've sized him
up little
Il sized him up some time ago. said
the wife, emphasizing her statement
by a quick cut across his flanks.
Dexter responded simply by wagging
his stumpy tail as though fly had
alighted upon him.
This is exhilerating,' said Mrs. Max
well. frowning at her husband.
'Flickem said he would go at a good
clip when he got warmed up observed
Mr.. Maxwell, consoliugly.
'Oh, is that it Then I'll warm him
up, for he is evidently not the horse of
the psalmist, that must be held in by
bit and bridle.' And the irate woman
proceeded to warm him with the whip.
A very gentle sort of dog trot was
| the maximum result Of these atten-
tions.
That is his ''good clip" suppose
said Mrs. Maxwell, scornfully. Let's
60 home and get goat
perhaps he will do better after a
while,' suggested the husband. Give
him chance
! The couple had proceeded about a
mile from home when at this juncture
a sound of wheels was heard coming
from behind at rapid rate. Old D1x-
ter was alert in moment his ears
were laid back, his head raised high,
and a sort of tremor seemed to pass
from his head all the way down to his
heels. AS the light buggy drawn by a
livery trotter came abreast Of the Max
wells, old Dexter made a spring for
ward and was paving the ground at a
rate that caused the Maxwells to hold
their breath. Mr.. Maxwell reached
for the lines, but his wife waved him
off. She Strengthened up, and leaning
back, braced her feet firmly against the
iron foot.rest, and with good grip
upon the lines, they were off like the
wind. Her eyes splrkled with excite
ment and her face flushed with pleas
ure; she seemed to enjoy the brush full
as we'll as Dexter did. 1t was only a
short spurt, however the buggy drew
up at saloon, while the driver, a
young man, smiled at the Maxwells.
But, as the sleek bay horse slackened
speed, so did black Dexter, and in spite
of Mrs. Maxwell's urging, he resumed
his former dog trot.
sWhew y exclaimed Mr.. Maxwell
The man was right. after all. Flickem
said he could 60 at good clip
He has some spirit said the wife
arranging her disordered hair and hat
.but a horse without spirit is no better
than a woman without any. I like g
horse that can 60 but l suppose We
shall have always to 60 out diving in
company with another conveyance. in
order to get him warmed up