New-York tribune., 1886-02-14
"MAGAZINESb LITTLE GIRL.
RESCUE OF aFRONY JONES"-A FLORIDA
SKETCH.

when roaming about in this climate we are IN that
respect very well suited to each other. nave
found out within the last week that he lacks one at
tribute which is wanting also II my mental powers
and this deficiency proved disastrous to ne MIX
and Merlasses" appears to be wholly deS'lu.o oi
that bump called in human beings locahN' l's
not often that one is acquainted with horse who
does not know his way home for, at least dozen
miles or so; particularly if it is TO home which
has long been familiar to him. This pony resided
in shed with SIDES ma lie OF ath lattice work, and
with several DO ards from the roof. This shed
is located about half mile from the city on the es-
tate Of a carpenter who did some repairing IN the
house we have occupied since we came South some
weeks ago He had heard Us express wish to rine,
and had offered his pony for indefinite use at price
naturally much lower than that at the livery
stables Two OF three times a week used to walk
to Mr. Strodes mount his pony and wander )if.
being gone for hours but always thus far keeping
on such prominent highways that hsd never been
lost. On this particular morning was earlier than
usual Just as | left the house the matron called
after me TO ask If l would send somebody to scrub
floors for a cot pie of hours.
Send Magazine she's the best were the last
words of the request.
Magazine" Jones is the mother of that pretty
and mischlevous child OF whom have spoken ana
she had worked several times for rs already. AS
walked along III suddenly w 'O '''N N'''
not know where Magazine lived. l did what Ne
psuaIly die on such occasions. | sauntered down a
certain street looking sharply at the black faces
met | was rewarded. In a few moments saw
1.-the erect figure trim calico dress. coming
toward me. | knew her by her gait, before couio
see her face. 1t was the woman we wanted l
should think women of fashion who make study
to be graceful would take lessons in walking oil
some of these Southern negro women In the matter
of the carriage of the body have never seen any
thing 50 attractive as the way in which many
young black girls wa k They are straight but not
stiff: they nave that free motion from the hips
down which is distiuctivelv feminine and seems to
combine grace and activity Is it because they or
their ancestors have carried burdens on their
heads? accosted Magazine, and she promised TO
90 right over to the house. She is one of the few
who keep an engagement. She was alone. asked
with some surprise where irony" was
sPse let her gone out ter de pines ter see her
granny | done fought she'd bust hersei she so
tickled. She rode in Tnmy Nimbos cart lie uohe
bring her back dis even for sho'."
The mother grinned in sympathy with her child
and we parted she to her work. and to my pony,
which took from his shed and sadded and bridled
with nv own hands. then mounted and away. The
animals highest speed is a canter that would cover
tEre, mi les or thereabOuts hour; only he VIII
not keep up this of travelling lie is constantly
going back into a gait that Is a sort OF pacing III
which he seems to get over less space than wheh ne
walks for his feet in some mysterious way, appear
10 come down again in the same places from when
he takes them. But when one comes Sonth one
gives up thinking of rapidity IN any form. lhey
were delicious honrs that / dawdled away every
week on the back of that pony. This day IN par
ticular began in a way nearer perfect than even
Florida day often attains. The sky was clear the
wind was in the east and brought with it the scent
of the salt water that comes on this coast with
rentleness that belongs to 1T only IN the summer al
the North had put biscuit in my pocket when
left the house. guessing that might be tempted 10
remain ont beyond the noon hour.
To-day | put into execution an intention which
had been latent in my mind. Perhaps Magazines 8
mention of the pines had awakened it, turned my
pony's head toward the place, far in the distance 1t
looked. where the pines nosed soleinnly against the
s,y II required great deal of time to reach those
mines for the horse potterel along over the heavy
sand more slowly than ever Within an hour from
the time | started became aware that the wind
was no longer in the east that it getting sntry,
and clouds were filling the west. believe one gets
reckless about the weather III Florida 1t Is usually
so benign that one ceases to worry about II IS at
the North. Even when wind and cold have done
such deeds as they have done here this winter,
we cannot continue to ieel indignation after the
n hen reached the pines found them apparently
unirhatitcd. Such woods here are always ful OF
winding paths. where male teams have gone mere
and there as the trees opened the best way. do
not see any reason why one not well accustomed to
such a place should not go about DewlIueIed Ioi
dave There are the same sharp palmetto leaves,
inst the same open spaces, and one pine tree trunk
looks inst like another. The sand moles add great
saIncness to the view, and the cOyeys OF quails do
not enghten one a. 10 locality The air Is So sweet
that Just to be ont Of doors is cnpatlon and
amusement II never occurred to me that coul !
Loaf - McTlaSSgs'
sweet content. sOmeti mes taking d bite at the
coarse high He also listened 70 the mocking-
When ] began to bo aware that was hungry. |
also saw that it was dark and would probably ram
and rain as il knows how to do here III sheets.
Another perception came to me, that was nero
ine OF if not one, in the situation most emnently
proper for one. And was lost Ihe pony dld not
know anything He looked vaguely about, then
croppcd a spear Of grass cOntcntcdIy. In another
moment lightning flashed and thunder ratified. In
Won who know these pine woods Of the South know
that the far apart that you never seem to
he unite in the woods in consequence, but about
coming out Of them all the time The tree tops, high
and remote afford little protection from tie ram.
Nv stccd stood still, and ! sat still upon h'm ana
we were soon soaked and ! for one was unspeak
ably dismal tried now to spur him On; he went
into his fastest caueT then gave 1t up and walked
This experience repeated again and again
nntl was worn ont with it, and still il rained,
thundcrcd ard lightcned. How sodden ! felt, ana
how everlasting seemed that tempest All at once
the came ont and blue SKY prevailed up aR9Yr ,2
wanted to ride fast now, for was chilly. MIX
and MerlasSes' did not Wish To 20 lasi, ana III
desperation got OIL the saddle and hurried along
on foot the rOuy following me with nose nearly
touching the ground. so eager was ] TO throw on
the chill from my wet clothes that dld not thlnL
much about which way was going; and If bad
thought it would have done no good, for had had
no bearings" since entered the pines
After halt an hour OF such exercise 1t began 20
rain again | stood dcsoateiy dripping aud thc
horse desolately drpped behind me.
Judge of my astOnishment not 10 say alarm, whcr
nt sncI moment should suddenly hear close by
me a gay cackling little laugh. jumped so that
The animal with me absolutely sprang ALSO theI
came the laugh again, still more full OF amusement
/ almost thought that was part of an opera, and
that this was ar enchanted forest. ,
Mighty Gurus out hyar, amt 1t n asked smail
voice with a familiar sound III II.