Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-02-24

40. l could hold Tom, " cried Ernest.
80 you CAM said grandpa "Get
your hats and jump in"
1t was such fun to ride in the "bucl--
board, over the smooth roads, behind
such strong, handsome horse. When
they reached tue long hill, before thew
got to the village, Ernest drove, and
then his happiness was complete.
Stop here" said grandpa, when
they came to a pretty cottage. dive
got to leave some egg here, and maybe
the doctor will talk quite spell; he
usually does, but Tom will stand if YOU
leave the reins loose"
1randpa had no sooner entered the
house than naughty thought found its
way into Ernest's heart.
Il don't believe grandpa will care il
just drive around the common" he
said to Elsie. Tom is so steady, it
won't do any harm for mo to drive him
all myself"
Gle might run away" said Elsie,
and grandpa said to leave the reins
| loose. I'm sure mamma wouldn't like
you to do it." But Ernest had already
taken up the reins, and the horse
walked slowly off.
GLOW he pokes along" said Ernest.
II knew could drive him. I believe
I'll just touch him up little with the
whip, SO he will trot going past the
hotel"
"Oh, don't" cried Elsie;;" grandpt
never strikes him."
But the warning came too late. Al
the touch of the whip tho horse gave
spring and bounded away. Past the
hotel, past the church, then down the
river road until he came to the girls,
mill, where he suddenly turned off or
another road without Stacking his speed.
The children chung frantically to the
seat, and though they We're terribly
frightened they did not scream o,
speak, and Ernest still kept hold of the
reins.
Their surprise and delight can hardly
be imagined when suddenly the horse
stopped and they found themselves at
Grandpa Darling's door.
Grandma hurried out, with her ca,
strings flying, to see what was tk
matter.
When grandma took them into hei
motherly arms they both began to or,
for Joy.
"'Twas all my fault, grandma" saii
Ernest, when he could speak. ri just,
wanted to show Elsie that could driv
as we'll as grandpa, but thought we
should both be killed, and I couldn't
ever tell him how sorry I was that
didn't mind him."
| Grandma kissed the little tear
stained faces, and called 'Lijah to drivt
the horse back for grandpa.
1t seemed very long time before
they returned. Ernest's heart was
very heavy as he sat under the lilac
bushes with Elsie, eating bread ami
jam.
"I'm 'fraid grandpa will think I'm the
baddest boy that ever was, he moaned,
and maybe he'll send me home"
"NIaybe he'll laugh and shake, the
same as 'Liiah did," said Elsie, trying
to comfort him.
ooh, dear, most know he won't!'
said Ernest, and at that moment they
drove up to the door, Ernest thought
his grandfather looked very stern.
However, he hurried to confess as soon
as grandpa got out of the wagon
IL wish I'd minded you, grandpa;
didn't know he'd run. I'm sorry, and
won't never do SO any MORE" he STAN.
mered.
| well, well,' said grandpa, "I'm
afraid shall have to punish you, but
we'll wait till after dinner. It's good
thing that Tom knew the way home.
Ernest did not enjoy his dinner very
much, though grandma piled his plate
with fried chicken, and ever SO many
good things He was thinking about
the punishment and wishing it was
over.
! Grandpa told funny stories and
seemed to have forgotten all about it,
but when he arose from the table he
said: "Well, young man, we might as
we'll have the punishment business set
tied. I've decided to have you work
it out"
"How?" asked Ernest, family.
"You must bring in the eggs every
day while you stay" said grandpa.
ooh, OH" cried Ernest, II like to dc
that, it's just splendid!'
| "And I'll give you cent dozen for
all you'll bring in" said Grandma Oar
Ling.
i "Can't help, too?" asked Elsie.
"Why, you haven't got to be pun
ished," said grandpa; "but then, maybe
it will do for some other time" and the
old man laughed heartily.
Then the children hurried away, with
merry shouts, to hunt for eggs. And