The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-02-15
Walter BrOwntiell
oh
THE MYS Terry OF PRESTON FLAT
BT JOHN ~. MUSfCK.
CHAPTER VI.
SUNDAY ~ TnE cog.srpY.

| lying east and west, up and down tho
creek. TAsse districts constitute az
many distinct ncighborhoods. Each
had a congregation that assembled
once "A month at the schOOl-hOuse, for
the purpose Of hearing the word Of
God. The Flat could only support one
preacher, and it took him one month
10 make the round. Rev. Mr.. BAN
croft was one Of those pioneer McthO-
dist ministers, who sought by long,
loud sermons and honest hard work TO
drive religion into his congregation.
twas the third Sunday after Walters
residence with the Mics family that
Mr.. Bancroft was TO preach ut their
schOOl-hOusc. Great preparations were
made the day before in their way OF
cooking, baking and having the house
work complctcd 50 there would be but
little TO do on the day following.
"Ye are going TO mcctin' to-day are
ye not" asked John Miles Of Walter.
one Sabbath morning.
Il suppose So
The day was one Of those mild,
beautiful autumn days that follow the
first frost. The sun had lost its fierce
heat, yet retained enough warmth to be
comfortable.
Guess, then, yc want horse TO
ride said John, thoughtfully.
"IIow far is it?'
"Nigh ON To two miles
"Do You all 90 on horseback or in
the wagon?'
"Oh, father and mother II 90 in the
buggy; but these young folks prefer
horse. Ye see "a fcllcr then is ndcpcnd-
cnt like; he can just ride wherever he
plcascs.' y
Walter did not thoroughly under
stand Johns meaning until he had
passed Sabbath at the country
church.
He was furnished n fine, dark bay
horse, a saddle and bride and trap
pings, such as delight the hearts Of
country youth. John and Ben Miles
saddlcd the most fractions horses on
the farm.
Nothing so delights young country
gcntlcmm as TO ride horse. The
wilder the better, and they usually have
them SO well trained that the moment
they come in sight of n young lady the
animal, 10 use their expression, "be-
gins Cuttin' up"
A more sober animal was saddlcd for
Pinkcy, and Walter was sure that her
beauty was enhanced by the long ilow-
ing riding habit and jaunty hat.
John and Zen were both busy trying
10 mount their half broken stccds. 1t
was no easy matter and required con-
siderable "woa' "woang," and stand
still, YOU little fool before the feat
could be accomplished.
Walter, seeing that neither one ofthe
brothers could aid the sister to mount,
led her horse around to the stilc, where
she stood like n statue of beauty, and
assisted her into the saddle.
Mr.. and Mrs. Miles were in the open
buggy driving down the road at an
easy pace and both John and Ben,
having mounted their stccdS, galloped
away more as if they were on fox
chase than going To church. Their
reckless conduct set Pmkcy's horse to
prancing and Walter sprang into his
saddle and riding at her side took the
rein near the bit and soothcd the ami
NAL until he became quiet.
Pinkcy smiled graciously, ana
thanked Walter. They rode along to-
gcthcr just behind the buggy, which
sent up clouds of dust from the revolv-
ing wheels.
"Why do your brothers rude such
unrulv horScsP" asked Walter "Thcy
must be dangerous not only To them
selves, but the ladies and children who
are travelling along the road.
"lhcy are III love with danger, re-
piled Pinkcy. Both are reckless as
10 consequences, and the advice
OF parents or friends l. not needed.
Scarcely had she spoken ere the clat-
ter of hoofs was heard coming up BE-
hind them, and Walter had only time
TO seize the rein of Pinkcy'S horse and
hold it from running away when two
or three farmer boys, mounted on half
broken colts, dashed by. Seeing that
the young lady's horse was frightened
they yelled like Indians.
IL never before saw such ill-man-
ncrcd young men, said Walter,
Pinkcy laughed and explained that
such was tho custom of the country.
"rhcn wonder you are not afraid
to venture out on horseback.
ooh, am used To it, she said.
care YOU never frightcncd?'
"No, sir.
"Will not your horse run away?"
"llc might.
Would YOU not bc thrown from the
saddlc?'
Il hardly think SO. | never was
thrown.
''Yoa are nm excellent horScwoma
"All girls raised in this portion Of
the country are So considered, she an
swcrcd.
but YOU do not approve Of such
conductP'
"No. sir; IL is too rude IL meet the
approval of any one; especially on our
way To church.
From every cross road anl forest
path they met cd folks, Young folks
aud children on their way 50 church.
Dressed in their holiday clothes. some
i'll becoming and i'll lifting. Vet all clean.
Some in wagons, more on horseback
and goodly number on foot.
Walter soon learned the customs OF
the young horScmcu, and although he
could not approve OF their reckless rid
Ing could not Tut admire IT, The
school.housc was in the midst IL n
beautiful grove Of tall. straight young
trees which furnished hitching posts
for all. I'm this grove were wagons,
carts and buggics, and large number
of saddle horses. lie assisted pinkcy
To alight at the Stilc and hitched her
horse nc n convenient sapling. Then
he accompanied the young lady 10 the
/ door of the school-house. when she
| passed in taking a seat on the ladies'