Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-11-19
THE DRIVE.

We were a large household, many boys and girls, and I, the eldest daughter, at an age when pride, frivolity and all the little vani- ties which beset foolish girl are at their acme. I think I must have been selfish also, but could not have inherited it from father or mother, for larger hearted people never lived
 At our meals when the happy, romping children came, would sometimes sigh and mothers smile of welcome would be clouded as she heard me; she had keen munitions and sometimes l felt that she read my very thoughts
 On these occasions fathers eyes were turned with pride from one to the other of us and he would often say: "A fine set of boys and girls, Margaretw The children appre- ciated his compliment, and baby Sue would speak up with her mouth full of bread and butter: ''I fine, toe, papa!"
 had been away off to boarding school and was very anxious to have two school friends visit me before the summer was over; but our family had long since outgrown the size of the house.
 Mother and father always thought there was room for one or two more, and never hesitated about having their friends With their generous hospitality and warm well come the house seemed to expand, and their visitors were comfortable and well pleased. When our dear old minister came into the neighborhood to preach our home was graced and hallowed by his presence, and I often wondered how he could enjoy being with us in preference to his more wealthy parishion- CTS. l think l know now, in these after years that have taught me so many things Who could give him such a welcome as father and mother? Who could say, as ha words wi oEa Sn an interest in his labors or show such rever- ence for him? Who could resist mothers winning simplicity and bright smiles? I can see her now in her quick yet quiet way, experimenting his personal comfort-for she learned, as if by magic, what her visitors liked and disliked.
 To return to my subject, had only to hint that a visit from my friends was desirable to have all the family aid and abet my plans.
 One day Tom, who was a year and half my senior, came in with the interesting in- telligence of a ''rousing picnic" soon to take place.
 Mother suggested that this now would be a | good time to invite my friends as a picnic was about the grandest affair we ever had in our generally quiet neighborhood.
 I agreed with her; so the invitation was sent and accepted. | Before the girls arrived, however, our horses fell lame, and the picnic grounds | being about three miles away, we were some l what perplexed about our mode of locomo- | ton.
 | In the midst of our perplexities Tom dis | covered that there was negro on an adioin- | ing farm who owned q pony and mule that could be driven in harness,
 Father accordingly sent Tom the day be- fore the picnic to bring them over that we might test their capabilities, and, as they did not work we'll together, VIC provided two buggies,
 Certainly our equipages had no pretensions to style, but father consolingly said there was nothing like having safe, gentle crea- lures, as he believed these to be-
 Although my friends had been with us but a few days, Tom imagined he was much in love with Helen, and, therefore, he hitched the pony to the best buggy, and left the mule and the other buggy for Sallie and me.
 Everything looked propitious-even charm. ing. Sallie, who enjoyed riding, anticipated as much pleasure from the drive as from anything connected with the picnic
 We were nearly ready when a neighbor's carriage passed, and Tom proposed that we should move next, and be would follow since he could keep watch over us better il We were in front of him.
 About half mile from home was post office and one or two stores It was favor ite rendezvous for the young men of the neigh borhood, and not forgetting this fact tolc Salle to look her prettiest as we went past
 I gave the reins shake and the mule, af ter looking queerly about, started off, but a rather slow gait.
 After few paceS we were startled, so tha we nearly fell from the buggy, by the mos unearthly sound that ever greeted human ears.
 Kah=ah! it came again, and we found 1 proceeded from our mule We were mucl relieved, and had a good laugh at the though of our alarm.
 Sallie said, ''All mules do that when the, first start off. have heard old black Uncl Jerry say so."
 "Wen, we will have to endure it, but i isn't nice bit"
 Just then, another ''Kah-ahv,
 ''I wish he wouldn't!"
 "Can't we silence him2"
 ''Kah-ahI"
 :.tGood gracious, Carol this is disgraeeful,
 T can't help it, am surer'
 :.Kah-ahl'
 ::Whip him." Tom suggested, looking pus zled, while Helen seemed amused.
 s'Kah.ahT
 Sallie's feelings and mine were altogethe indescribable.
 .STom said, s'Something must be the matte with the long cared thing"
 ''Kah-ah!" came in response.
 Helen exclaimed, smothering with laugl , "Why, he can talk" ''Kah-ah!"
 "Whip him." Tom said, 'every time | hollers. I bet that will make him stop h foolishness"
 tKah-ahln-a lick with the whip-a ltt <. faster gait. I looked back at Tom in despair Salie was getting fearful, ald Helen sti trying to smother her amused emotions.
 "Never mind, Caro-" said Tom, "hen sto in minute, am sure; for we will be at Il postoffice and he will be diverted by u / horses tied to the racks" t:Kah=ahl Kah=ah!n