The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-08-31

|
ance of this last duty he showed an
answering regard for denominations
courtesy. He knew at what gates to
halt and what gates to pasa delicately
by And if Johns father ever stopped
at a house with an alien creed, 1T was
against the distinct remonstrance OF
Ponce He was not dangerous steed,
since Johns mother, a slim, soft-speak-
ing woman, could drive him almost
anywhere, and turn round with him
too!-but the fire of colthood had not
wholly died out. He SHE'D occasion
ally at mysterious white objects-ss II
he had not entirely abandoned an
early belief in ghosts, and he utterly
refused to be friendly with railway
locomotive. He would look it full in
the face, but at distance which
showed great GOODNESS of feeling
What right had it-a one-eyed thing
to 60 snorting contemptuously along
regardless of everybody? Why he
would travel half a mile around-if
necessary-rather than even brighten
children at play!
speak Of Ponce's well-known good
ness of heart that you may understand
how it was that he was so implicitly
trusted to carry a precious and perisha-
BILE family treasure to and from Mrs.
Birds
The saddle went on, John followed,
and pleasant trot along level coun
try road soon ended at farm-yard
gate. John stated his errand, and,
after some alarmed cackling died
away, he found himself in the posses
sion of four fat pullets, half dead with
fright. A happy thought occurred to
him. He would make balance OF his
load by tying pair of chickens to
each side of the bridle-rein. This he
did, to his own satisfaction, and to the
intense admiration of Tommy Bird-a
bit of color perched on the fence like
Cock Robin come to life again-and
then, with gay flourish of horseman-
ship, he turned homeward. Ponce
| picked up his ears and trotted down
the lane at a brisk pace. BY the time
he had reached the main road his gait
was lively-very lively, indeed!-but
horse going home to good meal OF oats
was known to travel well, so John
wasn't surprised. Ponce, however,
was COMPOUNDED. He was accustomed
to the Tapping against his TANKS
of saddle bags weighted with cleanli-
ness on one hand, and goodness on the
other-that is to say, with fresh linen
and religious literature-but what
could be the meaning of these dread
full neckbags? He stopped, shook his
head, and paved the ground. These
proceedings did not help matters-as
he evidently hoped they might-for
down the bridle-rein began to slide
the terminated and hapless pullets.
What were these monstrous things fly
ing across his vision and cackling un-
der his very nostrils? He tried to
jump seven-railed fence. while John
chung to saddle and name like barna-
Gle to the hull of a ship; he pulled like
a leviathan-if anyone knows what
that is like; and then he dashed mad
ly down the country road. There were
no travellers on the highway, which
was fortunate circumstance, as Ponce
in his temporary insanity would have
been quite as regardless of human life
as the most despicable of steam
engines. Not soul was in sight to
watch the mad ride. Indian corn
stared tall and green from both sides of
the fence, and sparrows looked outfrom
the hedges-these were the only living |
things to see the weight carrying |
race of my dear little John Gilpin. Of |
flew his hat, but no matter-he had a |
better one at home! On went his |
steed, the affrighted missionary! |
There was q wild satisfaction in going |
SO fast-it was like flying, and he had |
always wished to fly. Mr.. Wales farm |
was passed. And could that vision of |
white and green be Mr.. Stron's-so
soon? Really, this was going as fast |
as he cared to go!-a pleasure from
which he had hitherto been debarred |
by his parents and the parish. He felt |
very much exilarated and somewhat
startled. 1 think If he had known
that, in addition to the linear fight |
Ponce was treating him to, the earth |
was whirling him around its axis, and |
sweeping him around the sun, and |
carrying him around some wonderful
center, the compound multiplication
of motion would have seriously |
alarmed him; but as he knew nothing |
of the wheels within wheels, and |
the sturdy spirit of the west was
in his veins he was not dis |
mayed. That red blur must be Mrs. |
Perkins barn. 'Only half mile, |
Ponce! SO! So" he said, soothing |
ly. But Ponce would listen to no ca
jolement, even though friendly lit
tie voice poured it directly into his
car. What. with those unheard-of |
things Tapping into his very face? He
gave an indignant heaYe. and John.