The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-20
DiMP'S RIDE.

a Little GIFTS Narrow Escape from injury
when Taking Her Doll Riding.
Dimp was little girl only four years
old. Her real name was Lena Reed,
but everybody called her Dimp. First
they called her ''Dimple Cheeks" and
then ..Dimple," and at last it was just
.Dimp" Her cheeks and chin were
full OF dimples and the name seemed to
be appropriate at first, but rather in
definite at last, and especially to those
who did not KIN w how it originated.
Dimp was full Of mischief and never
let an opportunity pass to indulge this
trait of her character, and SO she some
times became involved in trouble.
Once she shut up her gray kitten in
stone jar and forgot to take it out, and
it was two days before Mrs. Reed found
it. 1t was very cold and hungry but
finally rallied under the good care that
Dimp bestowed upon it to make up for
the wrong she had SO thoughtlessly
done to her pet. Then she tied her pa
pas watch, that she found one day in a
drawer, to old Rove's neck, and he ran
away and broke the crystal, and the
little girl came to the conclusion that
the dog did not appreciate the honor of
wearing watch.
One bright summer morning DIR. Will
son called to see the hired girl, Martha
Jane, who had been taken i'll the day
before. limp saw him hitch his horse
and go into the house with his medi-
cine case, and then she walked slowly
toward the carriage and looked it over
somewhat wistfully.
The horse stood very still as Dimp
walked around him, for he was accus-
customed to seeing children and was
not disturbed in the least by the child.
'.How l wish that DIR. Wilson would
let Molly Ann and l ride out in that
nice carriage. Poor Molly never had a
real ride in her life, and she is nice
doll, too. believe that will run and
get her and 60 out riding in this pretty
carriage. | guess DIR. Wilson will not
care if we get back by the time he
wants to 60.
Saying this, Dimp ran for Molly Ann.
and as her mamma was busy in the
kitchen filling Martha James place, no
one saw her as she grasped the favolite
doll and started off.
In moment more she had elm bed
up into the doctors carriage, and with
reins and whip in hand. was preparing
to start on her ride. But old Grey was
tied to the hitching post and did not
start. as he would have done if the strap
had been removed. But Dimp gave him
a sharp pillow with the whip. and he
jumped SO suddenly that the halter
slipped from his head and away he
went. Dimp hit him again, which
served to increase his speed, as he was
not accustomed to have the whip APP
piled quite SO freely to his sleek side.
As it happened he was headed toward
the town that was nearly mile away,
and would have to cross the railroad
track before reaching it. The little Girl
was in danger, for it was time for the
down train, and old Grey, although
known as gentle horse, was somewhat
afraid of the cars, especially when they
were very near him.
On he went at lively pace, aid
Dimp was enjoying the ride very much
when the shrill whistle of the engine
sounded out. Old Grey's eyes grew
larger and brighter, and his ears as
sumed an erect position. Again the
whip was applied and then he broke into
q run as he went nearer the crossing.
The train was coming, too, and the en-
gineer evidently took in the situation as
he saw the horse and carriage, and SO
he sounded the warning that meant
'.put on the brakes"
4 al
really frightened and ran at terrible
speed. A man who happened to be at
the crossing made an attempt to stop
him, but the effort proved unavailing,
and the frightened horse rushed before
the engine. lie succeeded in clearing
the tracks just in time to save the
thoughtless little girl from a terrible
death, and then rushed on.
She became frightened at last as she
was riding faster than she thought was
really pleasant, and SO she pulled the
reins and cried out whoa" But old
Grey had no idea Of stopping and still
rushed along until he met man with a
loaded wagon. He turned out of the
road. but in 50 doing threw Dinp and
Molly Ann out of the carriage, while
he went on until caught in the village
Dimp struck among some bushes and
tall grass and was not injured in the
least. but frightened greatly.
Molly Ann did not come out SO well,
as her head was broken nearly off and
covered with mud.
Poor Molly" Dimp said when she
looked at the ruined doll.
The man with the load helped her
upon his wagon and started on again
toward her own home. Soon they met
the doctor and Mr. Reed coming upon
a run, and both men We're very pale and
excited Mr.. Reed looked much re.
lieyed when he saw that Dimp was un-
hurt, while DR.. Wilson rushed along
after old Grey and his carriage.
The man at the crossing told OF
Dimp's narrow escape and Mr.. Reeds
face became pale again. He did not say
anything or did he smile when Diml
sobbed out:
20, papa, just see poor Molly Ann.
Soon they met Mrs. Reed, and it wa:
some time befoe the real facts were
fully shown to them al, and in theil