The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-12-25
A RUNAWAY TEAM.


How Tom CRANKY Proved to His Grand
mother that He Could Drive as Well as
Anybody.
Thomas CRANKY, jr., was just four
teen. He thought he knew every thing.
Grandmother Spinckney did not think
that ''T. CRANKY, jr."-that was the
way he wrote his name-knew every
thing. This difference of opinion was
plainly manifested one day, or evening,
rather Grandmother Spinckney sat
knitting by little red stand. Tom sat
near the kitchen stove, enjoying the
heat and lazily leaning back in softly
cushioned rocking chair. The CONVEX
sation was about horse driving.
''Of course, l could drive two-horse
team, grandmother; I've seed 'em do
it,"
''Seein' amt drivin', Thomas. I've
seen 'em build bridge. Wall, l ain t
no bridge builder
Tom sullenly affirmed, though, that
he knew" he "knew." In the dark
depths of his soul, he resolved that the
next time Uncle jeremiah came in his
two-horse pung, he would settle that
point. Yes grandmother should 90
with him, even if he ''tied her in" He
would drive her around town in Uncle
Jerry red pung.
Hadn't you better go to bed,
Tommy? You are tired" suggested
grandmother.
No" he answered gruffly. He said
to himself: Il am not going to take
any suggestions from her. | wish she
was away from here, down at Uncle
Jerry's, where she goes next wish
she was further"
And Tom had his wish. Soon granny
seemed to be retreatng. Her bright
spectacles faded away, while her head
dress, with its knots and bows, the fea-
lures of her face, the knitting in her
hands, seemed to have departed before
the spectacles.
"Goodm thought Tom. Got the
room to myself. What's that? Sleigh
bells
He rose and went to the window.
"Sleigh-bells overhead" he said in
surprise, a must get my cap and go
out ana see what 1t means.
1t was waite winters night. The
moon flooded the earth with a glory in
which the snow flashed like sheets of
marble.
"Hark! There are those sleigh bells
again.
He looked up to the roof of the
house of I. CRANKY, ST., and there he
saw a team. Such handsome re ndeer
team.
Guess must have a nearer look at
that!' said Tom, eXcitedly. IN climb
that ladder"
Up ladder leaning against the caves
of the house he climbed.
Santa Clau3's team! Four reindeer!
My! Santa Claus has gone down a chin
ney to drop presents. | can drive that
team-and--and-I'll try my hand; I'll
drive up to the door," exclaimed Tom,
and make grandmother think it is
Uncle Jerry"
He stepped into the sleigh, which was
half filled with books, drums, trumpets.
Noah's arks, and other curiosities, cried
"Get up, therew and didn't those rein
deer go!
All ouOulCu IOlLs NOOu-
bye grandmother! Young America has
got the reins nown'
At q bound the reindeer went from
the roof of the house of +. CRANKY, ST..
to the roof of the Town Hall, then to the
High School that Tom had just entered,
then--but, oh! how many roofs they
leaped upon, and in moment were
away! Jingle, jingle, jingle, went the
bells in the sharp, frosty air. Tom
could see the people coming to the win
dows and looking up in wonder.
"Wish grandmother could see men'
thought Tom. Look - look out
there!" he suddenly or ed. The rein
deer almost collded with a huge red
chimney. II guess | must drive a bit
more carefully. What's the matter with
these reins? Dear me! how do they
| gop LII"
Tom trembled. The reins did not
work, and he could not work them, and
close at hand was another chimney.
Look outn' he screamed. The
| frightened deer avoided that obstacle
and sprang ahead faster than ever.
Suddenly he heard roar! He looked
| beh nd, and there was Santa Claus W tn
another team chasing the runaway;
and OH what thunderstorm he gave!
Tom looked ahead, and there was n big
factory chimney!
"Oh dear! shall hit that sure!' he
shrieked. Grandmother, don't l wish
l was in the Kitchen"
There was no help for it. With ire
mendous crash, the reindeer team went
against the CHI mney! The next moment
Tom was rubbing his eyes open, and
also rubbing his aching head.
why, tommy, you've got asleep
and tumbled agin the stove funnel,
aaid grandmother, rising from her chair