The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-12-08
THE DRIVE.

We were large household, many boys and
when pride frivolity and all the little vani
ties which beset foolish girl are at their
acme. / think | 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 cloudcd
as she heard me; she had keen intuitions and
sometimes ! felt that she read my very
thoughts.
On these occasions fathers eyes were
turned with pride from one to the other of us
and ho would often say: "A fine set of boys
and girls, Margaret" The children appro
ciated his compliment, and baby Sue would
speak up with her mouth full Of bread and
butter: II fine, too. papaw
had been away Off to boarding school and
was very anxious to have two school friends
visit mo before the summer was over; bnt
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 | often
wondered how he could enjoy being with us
i'll preference to his more wealthy parshion-
ers. | think | know now, in these after
years that have taught me so many things
Who could give him such a welcome as
father and motherl Who could say, as
father did, the words which bespoke so deep
an interest in his labors or show such reyer-
enoe for him9 Who could resist mothers
winning simplicity and bright smilesl | can
see her now in her quick yet quiet way
experimenting his personal confort-for she
learned as if by magic, what her visitors
liked and disliked.
To return to my subject, had only to hint
that visit from my friends was desirable
to have all tho family aid and abet my plans
One day Tom, who was q year and half
my senior, came in with the interesting in
telligence of a ''rousns 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.
| 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-
what perplexed about our mode of locomo-
ton.
In tho midst of our perpexities Tom dis
covered that there was a negro on an ad Join
ing farm who owned IA 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, we provided two
buggies
Certainly our equipagcS had no prctensions
to style, but father consoingly 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 Salie and me-
Everything looked propitious-cve 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 naghbors
carriage passed, and Tom proposed that we
should move next, and he would follow,
since he could keep watch over us better if
we were in front of him.
About half mile from home was a post
Office and one or two stores. 1t was a favor
lite rendezvous for the young men Of the neigh.
borhood, and not forgetting this fact told
Sallie to look her prettiest as we went past.
| gave the reins a shake and the mule, af-
ter looking queerly about, started Off but at
a rather slow gait
After few PAGES we were startled, 80 that
we nearly fell from the buggy, by the most
unearthly sound that ever greeted human
ears.
Kah.ah it came again, and wo found it
proceeded from our mule. We were much
relieved, and had good laugh at the thought
of our alarm.
Sallie said, "All mules do that when they
first start Off. have heard old black Uncle
Jerry say So"
"Well, we will have to endure it, but it
isn't nice bit"
Just then, another "Kah-ahN
~ wish he wouldn't"
'Can't we silence him"
"Kah-ah!"
'Good gracious, Caro-! this is disgracgful."
II can't help it, am surel"
"Kah-ah"
"Whip him." Tom suggested, looking puz.
zled, whilo Helen seemed amused.
"kahah!'
Sallie's feelings and mine were altogether
indescribable.
,HTom said, Something must be the matter
with the long cared thing"
"Kah-ahn came i'll response.
Helen exclaimed, smothering with laugh,
"Why, he can talk"
"Kah-ahl"
"Whip him. Tom said, "every time he
boilers. bet that Will make him stop his
foolishneSs."
"Kah-ah!'-a lick with the whip-a little
faster gait. l looked back at Tom in despair;
Sallie was getting fearful. and Helen still
trying to smother her amused emotions.
"Never mind, Caro-" said Tom, "he'l stop
in minute, am sure; for we will be at the
postofice and he will be diverted by the
horses tied to the racks