Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-03-01
ERNEsT's PUNISHMENT.
But 1t Seemed. to Furnish Him Lots OF
"spleniid" Fun.


But 1t Seemed. to Furnish Him Lots OF
"Splendid" Fun.
Ernest and Elsie were spending the
summer at Grandpa Darling's, in the
country.
Such lovely old place as it was.
and such dear, kind grandpa and
grandma could not be found any
where else In the wide world-the chill
dren thought
II Just wish all the world was in the
country. and all the year was vaca-
ton, and all the people were grandpas
and grandmas," cried Ernest, one day,
to his little sister.
The days seemed so very short, and
there was so much to do and see, that
they agreed to get up earlier in the
morning. So they appeared in the
kitchen, one morning. before the sun
had got very far on his days journey.
well! wellr' said grandpa "what
are these children up at this time OF
day Tor, 1 wonder!
"Cause we can't spend the time
sleeping here" said Elsie, 1--WE can
make it up when we 60 home"
Then they ran out to see 'Lijah, the
hired man. sh ain the foaming pals
of milk into the big, green creamer,
and, as usual, he filed their own mugs
with the sweet warm milk. Then
Grover and Rebccca, the cats, were
fed; and the hens and chickens were
given their measure of corn.
Such rare pleasure was this to the
city children, they could hardly stop
to eat the nice breakfast grandma had
prepared. But it was almost as hard
to stop eating, every thing tasted SO
good.
After prayers, grandpa told 'Lijah
to harness Tom, as he must 60 to the
village.
"Do You s'pose he'll take usP"
asked Ernest in whisper, as he
stood with Elsie watching grandpa
packing eggs in big basket.
MAY be he won't think of ii, "
whispered back Elsie, land mamma
said we mustn't tease; but do hope
he will"
"Ten Dozen" said grandpa, looking
up, presently. II shall have to take
them to my customers, and if only had
some one to hold the horse forme, it
would save me sight of trouble"
20 grandpa! Let us go-please do.
could hold Tom," cried Ernest.
80 you can," said grandpa. Get
your hats, and jump in"
II was such fun to ride on the "buck.
board" over the smooth roads. behind
such strong. handsome horse. When
they reached the long hill, before they
got to the village. Ernest drove, and
then his happiness was complete.
Stop here" said grandpa. when
they came to pretty cottage,
"Pve got to leave some eggs here, and
may be the doctor will talk quite q
spell, he usually does, but Tom will
stand if you leave the reins loose"
Grandpa had no sooner entered the
house, than a naughty thought found
its way into Ernest's heart.
'Idon't believe grandpa will care i
! Just drive around the com mon." l.,
said to Elsie. "Tom is so steady. 1
won't do any harm for me to drive hin
all myself"
He might run away" sail Elsie
"and grandpa said TO leave the rein:
loose. Pm sure mamma wouldn
like you to do it" But Er nest had al
ready taken up the reins, and tn
horse walked slowly off.
How he pokes along" said Ernest
'I knew could drive him. l believ,
I'll Just touch him up a little with tn
whip. SO he will trot going past tn
hotel"
'Oh, don'tr cried Elsie; ',grandp
never strikes him."
But the warning came too late. A
the touch of the whip the horse gave
spring and bounded away. Past tn
hotel. past the church; then down tn
river road until he came to the grisi
mill. where he suddenly turned off o
another road without Stacking hi
speed. The children clung franticall
to the seat, and though they were tel
ribly frightened. they did not screal
or speak. and Ernest still kept hold {
the reins.
Their surprise and delight ca
hardly be imagined when suddenly th
horse stopped and they found then
selves at Grandpa Darling's door,
Grandma hurried out with her cal
strings flying. to see what was Il
matter
When grandma took them into b,
motheriY arms they both began to CT
,or JOY.
"'Twas sll my fault grandma,
said Ernest when be could speak.