The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-02-14
SoPHlE'S SLEIGH-RIDE.
BY W. o. sroDDARD.

MauOan IultDdu slOOu III the DIOdu
porch of his fathers ample farmhouse
and looked out over the winter land
scape, so very much of which belonged
to his own patrimony, and a proud man
was he. Proud he always was, and of
all that pertsined to him. including his
own feet and inches, and what he deem
ed his other personal attractions; but
Just at this moment he was prou1er of
his big horse and his new sleigh than Of
anything else. Truth to tel, they were
both good OF their kind, and Manoah
knew it. He knew, too, that almost any
girl in the valley would be glad to try
the first snow in that sleigh and behind
that horse that is, with him, Manoah.
There had been make-believe storms,
mere whims, before, but no sleighing ;
and now the snow had been coming
down all the previous night. and had not
ceased yet, though there were signs of
that, and it was beginning to drift.
"'Twon't be first-rate till it's packed, /"
he said, as he took the reins and sprang
in, "but I'll see what Sophie Williams
II say to it."
1t was brief and brisk little drive
down the road. and then ne pulled up in
front of Just such another farmhouse as
the one be had left. Not precisely be-
fore the door, for that space was already
occupied by a somewhat diminutive, if
not antiquated-looking "cutter," with
arching swawn-necks in front, and pro-
vided with only black, restive-seeming
Canada pony" that looked as if he
would have been little more than a
good meal for Manoah's equine favorite.
The young man could only give a
glance at the lpony, however; for there
on the porch stood Sophie Williams her
self, almost invisible through her furs
and wraps, but, for all that, undoubtedly
the prettiest, sauciest and most independ-
ent little piece of coquetry in all Cherry
Valley.
Brief enough was Manoah's greeting
before he announced that he had come
to take his fair neighbor out for sleigh
ride, pointing, she did so, the undenis-
bic attractions of his new establishment.
Sophie would haye liked, it may be,
something more of humility in Manoah's
manner, but she looked at the horse and
sleigh, and she was almost ready to for
give and accept.
In moment more she would have
done 50 and sent her pony back 20 the
barn, but Manoah's evil genius made
him open his mouth.
"Isn't it tiptop Sophie ?" he said.
THAT little rig that old Squire Haddam
give We amt primin' TO it,"
Sophie felt that he mentally added {;
"No more'n Eph Haddam is to me" and
she rejoined, a little too briskly:
"No comparisons, please, Mr.. Putnam ;
my pony is good enough for me, and I'm
going to take my sleigh-ride with him
tonight. You can find somebody else
easy enough.
"Whatr said Manoah. "You don't
mean to say you won't go with me?"
"Yes, but do" said Sophie. "And
won't keep You from hunting up other
company. Come, pony"
Even as she spoke she had tripped
down to the gate and before the dismay
e ! youth could collect his not too brilliant
wits, she had actually driven off before
mis- eyss, and all alone too. II was not
the first time that Sophia Williams had
treated Manoah Putnam badly, but II
was little the worst case yet and with
ont even going in to see the "old folks,
Manoah whipped up his tall horse and
drove disconsolately away, as if he, too,
was very much disposed to enjoy his ride
alone.
AS for Sophie, she drove on merrily
with an occasionally little soliloquizing
laugh that had willful and almost a
mocking ring to it.
"He's pretty fellow" she murmured
40 laugh at old Squire Haddam's pres
entl Neither he nor his father ever
made a present to anybody. Eph's a
thousand miles away, but | wish he wa:
here 10 take ride-yes, even if had Dora
Pullman with him. What would l care
so he had good time, and enjoyed him
self? Manoah Putnam, indeed"
The snow had been pretty heavy, and
the roads were as yet very imperfectly
broken, but the Canada pony, like all
his breed, was tough and stout little
fellow, and he trotted horse fully away
with his light and merry burden.
Several miles had now been swept
pretty rapidly behind her, and Sophie
ought to have turned her pony's head
towards home, for not only was the wind
rising, and the snow ones more 70 fall
heavily, but il was also drifting badly
and she could only guess what obstacles
would be presented on her return She
did not, however, but said aloud:
This is the road to the Corners May
be I'll meet Sam or father. It's almosi
time for them, and III drive TO the cut
anyhow"
- ,ka 49,. - x-hara The road uranf