The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-07-01

Lne ucIcct. Onclo Life cOulu never TcicC
to those troublous times without an nm
mistakable and altogether cunning
squint of the shrewd gray eyes.
''Wali," he continued, ignoring Dan.
MES cough, "be you boys goin' in regi-
mentals?"
$50 far as continental hats made Of
paper co." laughed Dannie.
II reckon, fer to be perlite, you'll
'lect Edwin as yer capting," said the
old man.
81 decline to participate in the affair.""
loftily replied Edwin. ut would be no
pleasure for me to march over dusty
road on hot summer day, and, besides,
it would be ruinous to my shoes and
clothing"
81 reckon you're sound on them
points, nevvy," remarked Uncle Lie,
with a squint 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
"Purty deliberate" admitted his
uncle, ''but sure, you know"
Deliberate" laughed Dannie. swell
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 fact" chuckled his uncle.
"Why, she's got to the point Of playin'
sick now when she sees us all loadin'
the Vaughn fer market. Sometimes
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 ap-
petite as a CROWN boy. You cute old
thing says I, a-laughin', and forthwith
gave her an extry supply O. oats as a
mark o'my probation"
I'D have given her the lash," said
Edwin, shortly. 1.-THE lazy old brute!
I'll put her to her PAGES to-day, I'll
warrant YOU"
But Bess is DID," demonstrated DAN
ME, land it does seem to me that q
home ought to be provided for the poor
old WORKOUT horses, like the homes for
old men and women"
THAT would be good idee, Dannie,"
said his uncle. IA 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?"
II 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 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 Indcpend-
ence"
Edwin, short while before, i'm spot
less linen and. fashionable attire, had
set out upon horseback, as agreed
81 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"
what?" inquired the old
man, caressing Besss nose. II didn't
know there was goin' to be a rattle any
where's, nuther."
81 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 whip, and proceeded te
put the mare to her PAGES.
"He's not much of rider" Thought
the old man, looking after their disap
pearing figures. Ser all his airs, he
can't come up to Dannie a-ridin' boss.
back"
But Edwin, familiar with every Eng
llsh fad, bobbed up and down in tbs
most approved style, fully convinced O.
his ability to show the country bump
kins a thing or two in the way Of fash
ionable riding.
Bess did not choose to keep her pace!
any longer than was pleasing to her
self, however. and successfully resistct
all Edwin's efforts to force her thereto
Blows, entreaties, and some pretty
strong language failed to affect the
imperturbable beast, and on sh,
logged, as demure as country lassi
on her way to the fair.
The tramping of feet, loud huzza
and the occasional roll of o drum
aroused her tagging energies. Dannit
and his company, upon by-path, wer
marching on their way to town.
For some reason, unknown to Ed
win, these sounds put new life into tn
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 O
a company of rustics wearing three
cornered paper hats.
Keep up your mettle, old horse" h
said, land We'll astonish the native,
after all" and, surmising that Dannie'
company had ere this joined the othe
pumpkins, he entered the main stree
of the town.
At that instant upon the summer al
rang the clear notes of a bugle. Bes