The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-07-03

the defect, Uncle Lie could never refer
to those troublous times without an I'M
mistakable and altogether cunning
squint of the shrewd gray eyes.
WALL" he continued, ignoring Dan
MES cough, "be you boys goin' in regi-
mentalS?"
$50 far as continental hats made of
paper GO" laughed Dannie.
Il reckon, fer to be perlite, you'll
'lect Edwin as yer capting," said the
old man.
Il decline participate in the affair, -
loftily replied Edwin. 1T would be no
pleasure for me to march over a dusty
road on hot summer day, and, besides,
it would be tuinous to my shoes and
clothing"
81 reckon you're sound on them
points, nevvy," remarked Uncle Lie,
with squirt toward Dannie, land
since you decline to march, why, mebbe
you'd like to ride at the head, onto the
old mare, Bess."
How is she under the saddle?" asked
Edwin, to whom the proposal was not
displeasing.
Purity deliberate" admitted his
uncle, but sure, you know
"Deliberate!" laughed Dannie. "Well
give you half an hours start, Edwin,
and agree to reach Broomville when
you do. The old mare has seen her
best days, and seems determined to get
out of all work she can in her old age. =
That's a fact" chucllled his uncle.
"Why, she's got to the point of playin
sick now when she sees us all loadin'
the Vaughn fer market. 'Somethin' S
the matter with Bess,' said Hiram to
me more'n wunst on them occasions,
and so we he'd to hitch up another boss,
fer sure enough, Bess wouldn't neither
eat nor drink, but jest stood in her
stall droopin'. But one day happened
to be near when the Vaughn moved
out'n the yard, and purity soon, when it
clattered down the road, | seed BeSS
fall to her oats with jest as good APP
petite as a CROWN boy. You cute old
thing, says |, a-laughin', and forthwith
gave her an eXtry supply O oats as a
mark o'my 'preciation.'
I'D have given her the lash,' said
Edwin, shortly. "The lazy old brute.
I'll put her to her PAGES to-day, I'll
warrant you"
But Bess is old" demonstrated Dan
ME, ''and it does seem to me that Il
home ought to be provided for the poor
old WORKOUT horses, like the homes for
old men and women"
That would be a good idee, Dannie, .
said his uncle. "A good and faithful
servant deserves more'n a knock on the
head when the time comes fer him to
lay his burdens down. Don't you think
so. Edwin?'
Il believe in the survival of the
fittest," was the learned reply, to
which the old man only stared. won
dering what fits had to do with the
question. And so the subject was dis
missed, with the understanding that
Edwin would proceed to town upon the
back of cute old Bess.
''Hurrah for the Fourth of July"
shouted a score or more of the village
lads some hours after, as they fell into
line under the leadership of Dannie
"Hurrah for the great day of Independ-
ence!'
Edwin, a short while before in spot
less linen and fashionable attire, had
set out upon horse back, as agreed
Il have no intention of joining the
rabble," said he, when mounted to his
uncle. 81 am out of place among the
! common herd, you know"
The-the-what?" inquired the old
man, caressing Bess's nose. 81 didn't
know there was goin' to be Il rattle any
where's, nuther."
Il said, the rabble.'" corrected Ed
win-''the procession or parade as
you may call it. l only go out of Curl
osity to see a specimen of country
militia, with which words he touched
Bess with a whip, and proceeded to
put the mare to her PAGES.
Hes not much of a rider" thought
the old man, looking after their disap-
pearing figures. Fer all his airs he
can't come up to Dannie a-rldin' boss
| back
But Edwin, familiar with every Eng
llsh fad, bobbed up and down in the
most approved style, fully convinced of
| his ability to show the country bump
/ llins thing or two in the way of fash
| ionable riding.
Bess did not choose to keep her PAGES
any longer than was pleasing to her.
| self, however. and successfully resisted
all Edwin's efforts to force her thereto.
Blows, entreaties, and some pretty
strong language failed to affect the
imperturbable beast, and on she
logged, as demure as country lassie
| on her way to the fair
The tramping of feet, loud huzzas
and the occasional roll of drum
aroused her tagging energies. Dannie
and his company, upon by-path, We're
marching on their way to town.
For some reason, unknown to Ed
win, these sounds put new life into the
old mare, so that he was fain to draw
her under the shade Of spreading oak,
in order to spare himself the humilia-
ton of entering the town at the head of
company of rustics wearing three
cOrnered paper hats.
keep up your mettle, old horse" he
said, land We'll astonish the natives,
after all, and, surmising that Dannie's
company had ere this joined the other
pumpkins, he entered the main street
of the town.
,,oo,, +ho =,