The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-04-28
4 Fearful Straw Ride.
BY EMILE EGAN.

The young people OF to-day can
scarcely realize what "straw ride"
was like hundred years ago, or that
the fun-provoking excursion enjoyed
SO much nowadays had an ancient
and necessary origin. 1t is probable,
however, that as much fun an1 laugh
ter accompanied the straw ride then
as now, for young people are alike in
all ages and the world over.
When our English forefathers set
tie first in the New England States,
especially Vermont and New Hamp-
shire, they established their homes
upon'the highlands, because, strange
as il now seems, the larger lakes,
ponds and rivers-where the beauti-
full meadows now are-were com
passed about with miles and miles OF
thickly wooded swamps, which were
almost impossible even in summer.
Last summer | climbed the noun
tain which is the scene OF this story,
and / counted there forty old cellar
holes, overgrown with grass and
brush, but indisputable evidence Of
former homes.
i asked stupidly--feeling certain
the answer would be, "Killed by In
dans or devoured by wild beasts"-
Where did all the people go to who
once lived here?" The practical one
of our party answered, ooh, they
moved down gradually, for, as the
woods were cut off, the swamps dried
up"
A hundred years ago the settlers
on the mountain made nothing Of the
deep SHOWS which in winter covered
all that country, but turned out with
shovels and OK sleds-the only vehi-
cles known in the mountains in those
times-and manfully ''broke roads, "
in order that their social intercourse
with their "Notchite" friends might
not be interrupted.
Especially was this the case in n
winter, when Mr.. Stevens, the most
"forehanded" OF them all, had built
a frame mansion, and was going to
give house-warming ball. A string
of ox-teams was sent over the rough,
drifted road, and all was ready for the
jewellers.
There were enough people to fill
two sleds, and Thad Waldo and Free
man Eddy, each of whom owned two
yoke OF oxen, were chosen as team
sters. Their sleds were filled with
straw and blankets, ready for their
respective loads, and they started
merrily off at four o'clock, reaching
their destination before dark. They
stayed there until three in the morn
ing, gayly dancing and feasting, with
never thought of danger.
When the teamsters went out to
tackle up" for the return home, they
found the sky heavy with dark clouds
and much warmer than when they
came over.
Guess we're going to have our
January thaw," remarked young
Waldo.
and I'm afraid Wen get slump
over the south side. 1t won't be very
easy riding over those stumps and
stones" returned Eddy.
For a mile or so the high spirits Of
the party made the woods and noun
tains ring with song and laughter,
but by the time they reached the
heights the fatigue of the dance be-
gan to tell upon them, and the
younger OF them commenced making
pillows of the laps Of their elders,
who, also, soon became silent.
Waldo and Eddy. as they reached
the notch, jumped from their sleds to
better guide their teams down the
mountain, and the latter shouted as
he reached the road, "Old Buck and
Bright will be more lively company
than that sleepy crowd"
The drowsy ripple of laughter which
followed this sally was suddenly
drowned by horrible scream which
seemed to fairly fill the pass, echoing
and re-echoing among the mountains
as IL being answered by hundred
others.
The two teamsters sprang quickly
to the heads OF their teams, now
trembling and cuddling up to each
other in fright. The men knew that
they had but moment to prevent |,
stampede down the mountain; for, az
soon as the poor oxen should recov
er from their first alarm, they would
seek safety in fight, when it seemed
impossible that the whole party coult
escape being dashed to pieces.