The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-08-30
A WONDERFUL RIDE.
One of the Adventures Of John
Gilpin, Junior.

NO dOuDt you nave all read the dl-
verting history" vf John Gilpin's Ride
"a holiday jauut of hundred years
ago. The sad Mr.. Cowper's gay ac-
count of this expedition races from
London down TO Wan, and back, much
after the manner of the calender's
horse. In fact, the verses are so lively
that l seriously believe John Gilpip,
Sr., is destined, POLITICALLY speaking, to
race up and down to the end of the
English language. My hero's story
must amble along in the most unas-
Stunning of prose.
John Gilpin, Jr.-that was not his real
name, but it serves my purpose-lived
In little town out west" He had
great big shining gray eyes, fresh
rosy face, and rollicking laugh that
set everybody laughing who heard it.
When funny thought struck him, he
had to break cut, no matter il he was
in school with the teacher looking
straight at him; whereupon the laugh
would go round the room-just like
marble knocking out line OF mar
bles, one striking another-and then
the teacher would start him home to
receive due punishment there. She
couldn't whip him any more than she
could a butterhy-he was so bright
and innocent-and it seemed dreadful
to punish anyone for being too happy;
but she must have order. 1t happened,
however, that John seldom reached
the door before the teacher relented-
the little face looked so sober and con-
trite the little trowsers so short and
primary, that discipline was impossi-
BILE. Besides Miss Beach felt sure that
Johns father, being minister, had
great respect for Solomon's advice as
to the rearing of children and that he
would try to do his duty-a proceed
ing she couldn't, for two consecutive
minutes, think Of furthering.
j. John went to Sunday school ana
church on Sunday forenoons, went up
stairs and read some chapters in the
Bible in the afternoons, and went TO
church in the evenings. Aud he went
to prayer meetings on Wednesday
nights, to learn the formulas of some
good and Interchangeable brethren. On
week days he was always going some
Understanding up trees and ladders,
sliding down hill and rolling over en-
banllments. to miraculously escape
death about every tea minutes of his
life. And every night, at precisely
tive minutes after nine o'clock he went
TO sleep. Now and then, on bright
Sunday afternoons, his father would
take him to points in the field which
must be cultivated" And John sup
posed a schoolhoGse was called a
field because it was in the country,
and because the women who sat in it
wore sunbonnets He would wriggie
through the sermon trying to under
stand what adoption" meant while
watching the free grace of squirrels
darting up and down, in and out, of
the trees which sltirted the school
house. But it was the glorious buggy
ride to and from "the field" which
tillcd him with special and secular de-
light. To be going, going, 60
ing was his idea of bliss, ter
restrial as well as celestial. The
ears which rolled twice day through
his town stirred wild longings as they
came and went across the prairies.
They seemed to him to be carrying
happy travellers into enchanted re-
gions. He knows better now. ne
knows that hearts can ache in a palace
car and break in 4 great city. He is a
young, happy fellow yet-only he
doesn't break out into the rollicliing
laugh of his early years. II wish
could" | heard him say not long ago.
But to my story, If have seemed a
long time in getting started in it, re-
member that several years have passed
over Johns brown head since | began
to introduce him to you.
An important event neared the town
of Plainview. In twenty-four hours
ministers from far and near would as
Semble under the white frame belfry
for their semi-annual meeting, and
Johns mother felt that chickens, sue
culently prepared, must be in readi-
ness to support church counsels. Two
miles away lived Mrs. Bird who was
known to have excellent poultry and
SO sell it at reasonable rates, and
thither it was determined to send John
and odd Ponce" for supplies. John
WAS now eight years of age-which
was young for man; Ponce was
sixteen-which was old for a
horse, but the two were init
mate friends. AS for Ponce, |
may say that. as family acquisition,
he was second only to John himself in
general esteem. He helped in sub
ordinate but very important way-to
cheer the respondent, to warn the
erriug, to marry and bury people, and
to carry the gospel over a large area
Of p rairie- paganism. In the perform
ance of this last duty he showed an
rving regard for dcnominational
courtesy. He knew at what gates to
halt nd what gates to pass delicately
by. And if Johns faith err ever stopped
at house with an alien creed, it was
against the distinct rcmonstrance of
Ponce. He was not a dangerous steed,
since Johns mother, 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, lie SHE'D occasion