The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-12-23
4 RUNAWAY TEAM.

How Tom CRANKY Proved to His Grand
mother that He Could Drive as Well -
Anybody.
Thomas CRANKY, jr., was just four
teen. He thought he knew every thing.
Grandmother Spinckney did not think
that 1T. CRANKY. jr."-that was the
way he wrote his name-knew every
thing. This difference of opinion was
plainly man tested one day. or evening,
r. ther. 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 a two-horse
team, grandmother; I've seed 'em do
it."
"Seen' amt drivin', Thomas. I've
seen 'em bu Id y bridge. Wall, amt
no bridge bu lder."
Tom sullenly affirmed. though, that
he knew" he "knew." In the dark
depths of his soul, he resolved that the
next t me Uncle Jerem ah came in his
two-horse pung, he would settle that
point. Yes grandmother should 60
with him, even if he ''tied her in" He
would drive her around town in Uncle
Jerry's red pung.
Hadn't you better 60 to red.
Tommy? You are tired" suggested
grandmother.
"No," he answered gruffly. He said
to b mself: II am not gong 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 retreatlng. Her bright
spectacles faded away. while her head
dress. with it's knots and bows. the fea-
lures of her face. the KIN ting in her
hands. seemed to have departed before
the spectacles.
"Good!" thought Tom. SCOT tho
room to myself. What's thatP Sleigh
bells"
He rose and went to the window.
isle gh-bells overhead" he said in
surprise. IL must get my cap and 60
out and see what it means"
1t was a W ',te winters night The
moon flooded the earth with glory in
which the snow flashed like sheets of
marble.
''Hark! There are those sleigh-bells
aga n!.'
He looked up to the roof of the
house of I. CRANKY, sr., aud there he
saw a team! Such handsome re ndeer
team.
''Guess must have a nearer look at
that!' said Tom, excitedly. I'm cl NIB
that ladder"
Up ladder leaning against the caves
of the house he climbed.
Santa Clauss team! Four reindeer!
My! San Claus has gone down CHM
ney to drop present. can drive that
team and--asd-I'll try my hand: I'll
drive up to the door" excla med Tom,
land make grandmother think it is
Uncle Jerry
He stepped INTO the 81 .irh, which was
half filled with books. drums, tr ,mpets.
NOah's arks, and ol her cllrio>ities, cried
''Get up, there!" and didn't those REIN
deer GO!
"Hur-rah!' shouted Tom. "Good-
bye grandmother! Young America has
got the reins now!'
At q bound the reindeer went I ON
the roof of the house of T. Granny, sr. ,
to the roof of the Tnwn Hall, then to the
High School that Tom had just entered.
then-but. oh! how many roofs they
leaped upon, and in moment We're
away! jingle. jingle. jingle, went the
bells In the sharp. frosty air. Tom
could see the peop.e com ng to the VIM
dows and look ng up m wonder.
Nv sh grandmother could see me!'
thought Tom. "LOok - look - out
there!" he suddenly or ed. The re n
deer almost collided with a huge red
chimney. ii guess must drive a bit
more carefully. What's the matter with
these reins? Dear me! h.w do they
go? I-I-I-'
Tom trembled. The reins did not
work, and he could not work them, and
cl Sc At hand was another chimney.
''l.Ook out" 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 a thunderstorm he gave!
Tom looked ahead, and there was a big
factory ch mney!
''Oh dear! l shall hit that sure" he
shrieked. Grandmother. don't wish
WAS in the K tchen!"
There was no help for it. With tre-
m ndous crash, the reindeer team went
against the ch mney! The next moment
Tom was rub ing his eyes open, and
also ru b ny his ach ng head.
''Why. o.nmy. you've got asleep
and tumbled agin The stove funnel, "
said grandmother. r,s'ng from her chail
at the table and coming forward.
''Guess you'd letter 60 to bed"
"Gucss I'd letter" said Tom, and
| m stairs he rushed.-M y, EEdwItwer.