The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1888-04-13

such was the state Of affairs at the
time Of the HINT ball; aud the intention
Of Tom Rainf0rth, as declared at the
opening Of our story, was TO offer him
self for the post, drive the Squire, keep
him. if possible, sober. aud, most i'm
p0riant Of ALL do his best to win the
heart Of the fair Edith, who was already
more than well-disposed towards him
After some preliminary correspondence
an engagement was contTa,ted Tom en-
tered into his duties, and became the
Squire's shadow. If any one took oiIense
At the SqHire's unreasonable remarks he
was always on hand to smooth matters
down, and for a time al went well.
6ossips noticed, however, that Miss
Edith took a greater amount of horse
exercise than usual, aud that the new
groom was invariably in attendance,
whilst it was said that her latest fad"
was always to see her horse cleaned every
morning.
Truth TO tell, she recognized Tom the
very first morning. and threatened 10 de-
nOuuce him 10 her father: but Tom over
came her scruples, and of their mutual
Misunderstanding, love-nakings, and
it. attendant pleasures and pains, am
no enyiOus chroniclcr; suffice TO say she
was pleased 10 keep his secret, but
woman-like, delayed her happiness, and,
notwithstanding all he had undergone to
win her. declared cqpriciously she would
never accept him unless he accompanied
her as groom to the opening meet of the
season.
Poor Tom, he had not counted upon
4 girls mischievous fancy, and sorely
against his will he bowed to the in
eyitable.
Downward steps are not easily retraced;
so the conduct of the Squire proved;
for after brief period Of good behavior
lie gradually grew worse ard worse, IN
I'll be was nearly, il not qnite, as bad as
ever. Do all that he could, Tom could
MT keep him sober. Once after attend
in.g one of the meetings, he drank rather
more heavily than usual, and insisted
I upon driving himself home. which he
did at a gallop. escaping injury by little
/ short Of a miracle This resulted, how
ever, in brief illness, which gave Tom
chance TO think the matter over, and
evolve scheme to put an end to these
midnight dangers.
He had a brown-tanned leather rug
made for the horse, which extended from
the saddle TO the tail, where it was fast
ened 20 the crupper and loosely girthed
underneath; being nearly the color of
I the horse, casual observer at night
would not notice it. He then took the
horse out every night to exercise, instead
Of in the morning, and by the time the
/ Squire recovered Tom wal ready for
him.
During these weeks Jack Fortescue
made one or two surrepti.ious calls, and
10 his quiet way had much fun with
/ Tom. but he only received his rallies
with grim smile, saying: ''Let those
laugh who win, and the game is in my
OWE hands Il | have but pSsssnce. You /
shall dance at my wedding in the third /
week Of October
And see you as groom to the Lady /.
Edith at the opening meet-eh, old 1
man = responded the imperturt able Jack. I
well, yes, | suppose so But you
will get no laugh at my expense, prom /
ise you"
From this time, strange TO say, no
further accidents occurred when the /
Squire rode home; the horse went quiz
efls along, taking no notice of his furi- I
Gus Jerking OF the reins, or vigorous |
thrashing, beyond a slight jump to left /
or right as the whip struck its head or 1
meek When the Squire rallied at it for /
not gallopiDg, Tom decl red that it was I
galloping at full speed. and that he Z
could scarcely hold on. and the Squire,
in doubt. usually accepted his word.
Meanwhile. the horse grew more and
more steady. as though it had taken its I
masters character in hand, ard was in
league with Tom 10 save the Old gentle
man from further disasters.
The opening meet drew nigh, and Tom .
was dIiiy leased by his fiancee IS TO what Z
he would give to be let off.
Tom laughed, and said:
.-S0thingi You keep your promise % T
marry me the third week in October,
aad ] viii ride TO the meet as your (
groom
Edith looked wistfully at him, half re-
GREETING her bargain. but too high
spirited TO let him off his penance after I
once imposing it,
AT last the day arrived, and at 10 A. ". I
Tom. duly attired in a green coat with |
bras buttons. s broad leathern strap
round his waist, cords and boots, and hat /
with = oockade. was 10 be seen holding
two horses at the front door. The Squire 4
had an aItack Of govt and could not 90.
Daiutily attired in a dark blue riding I
habit. Edith was lifted TO the saddle,
and. with Ton riding decorously in the
reer. passed out Of the gate. Once,
however, in the green lanes, he ranged
alongside. but Edith WAS in a detected I
mood and scarcely spoke.
At last she said,
..Tom. dear, it's no use. can't do it. 4
Go back and put on your own clothes; |
will not make a public show of you; you
have undergone enough for me. -
Nay nayir laughed Ton. IA bar {
gain is a bargain; you might want 10 cry
forfeit 10 your own stake; and dear.
lowering bis voice, Il cannot let you do I
ihat now
$40. no. indeed. will not, will /
keep mF word But If you will not
ride back and change that hateful suit
viii turn back myself and forego the
meet
is that solr said Tom; ''then here
gocsr' and taking of his hat he drew
out q velvet cap, aud unbuckling his
belt and throwing of the greer coat. he
s1t revealed in the Melton Hunt eolors.
Tossing the coat and strap after the hat,
he lifted her hand. and kissing it said:
And do still ride as your groomf
.sYes, said she, with merry laugh;
as my bridegroom
At the meet speculation was rife as TO
Who Tom was. and owing to Jack
Fortescue the secret leaked out. The
Squire oniy stipulated that Tom should
still drive him. and gave his consent.
A. the wedding breakfast Tom was
asked the secret Of his success with the
sauirs's horse. lie laughed and said:
o.. We'll. / trained him 10 stand the whip
on that leather mug he always wore at
night and had two pairs of reins, one
running from the bit along the shafts
round 10 tine back Of the cart where l sat;
aud the other pair, which the Squire
used were bz-lieffo Ne ,oiiar.n
ofeeurse a Tremendous laugh was the
result Of this disclosure. and although
against himself. the Squire Joined in it,
and proposing hrs son-in-law's health,
asked g. Who shall say the days Of
chiEalry are past"