The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-13

- 49,. "W surprise crossed
K=r Mrs. Thompson's
motherly but careworn face.
20 no, don t want to ride after our
old poke of a horse. Papa won't be
ready to start before eleven o'clock,
and it II be SO hot by that time; be-
sides. the wagons and carriages all
leave the post-otfics at nine, in a grand
procession, and of course want to 60
with the rest
My dear, l am so afraid to have
you ride after that terrible horse of
your uncle henry's. They have had
him only two weeks. you know. and no
one really understands his ways yet.
Hattie can not manage him, l am
sure.
But, mamma. we're not going alone.
Hattie has brought the double car
riage, and we're going to stop at the
greenhouse for Harry. and he's going
10 take us right to the grounds him.
self; but pshaw! mamma, what's the
use of making such fuss about my
riding after vi? Do you suppose
Uncle Henry would have got him for
his own family to drive if he hadn't
considered him perfectly safe? But o
dear. Hattie's waiting for me all this
time out there in the heat. Do tell me
if you re going to let me 90 or not
Il wish you could wait without feel
ing unhappy about it, but. of course.
if you can not, / must give up my
preference as usual, but | shall not
have a moment of peace until you are
back.
You know can t leave you feeling
Ike that, but | really wish you
wouidn fret to-day, but let me have a
good time for once without having to
feel that you are worrying about me.
declare it spoils half my pleasure.
We'll, go, my child; will try not
10 spoil it this time" was the reply,
uttered in strangely quiet tones.
''Iour luncheon is on the pantry shelf
all ready for you. l wish I felt able to
60 with you myself this morning.
The expression On Annie's face was
any thing but encouraging to such a
proposition, but the hearty kiss. given
d moment later. dispersed the rising
tears as Mrs. Thompson followed her
pretty daughter to the gate where Hat
tie sat holding a horse that looked
harmless enough as it stood in the
blazing sun.
Suppose we sit on the back seat,
suggested Hattie. Its so very warm
here in front, and we've such little
way to CO."
'All right. and then we won't have
to change when Harry gets in. Oh!
was there ever any thing SO provok-
ing?' For just as they were about to
start out rushed Dot, with loud barks
OF protest at being left behind.
20! mamma, do call him off, cried
Annie, in real terror; ''he will ruin our
white dresses if he gets near US
for Dot had evidently but just emerged
from his morning bath in the road
side ditch-..and shut him up. please,
Or he'll be sure to follow us. Here,
give him this piece of sandwich
and now do let's be off if we're ever
going. Goodbye. mamma" and a
moment after they had turned the cor
ner and were out of sight
That miserable little dog!" was
Annie's first comment II don't see
how we're ever to get rid OF him. He
lsn good for any thing. and he is a
perfect nuisance in every respect"
why don't you give him away?"
suggested Hattie.
Perhaps that would be a good
Idea assented Annie, sarcastically.
Suppose | present him to you?
You're equal to the Queen who ad-
Vised her subjects to eat bread and
cheese rather than to starve. Why, /
couldn't pay any one to take that dog
of my hands; his reputation is too
we'll known. He hasn't redeeming
feature except that he is good-natured,
and that's because he doesn't know
enough TO be any thing else. He's Q
terrible coward. and only dares to at
tack smaller dogs than himself. young
kittens and defenseless little girls that
pass the house. We don't pretend to
keep him clean, as he usually rolls
In the ditch just after he's had q good
wash, and then he sneaks into the
house and shakes himself on mamma's
sltting-room carpet He won't even
sleep out of doors. so we keep him
In the cellar, and there he makes the
night hideous with his walls. The
nelghbors have threatened to kill
him. and sometimes ! wish thay
would"