The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1895-10-22
FROM THE BACK SEAT.

/ u tAhC csttiuX " DOdtz whlNn
anyone can master without previous
experience. Everybody knows tha,
there Is nothing difficult about it, and
those that have mover done it are prr-
fectly aware of their ability TO do IL.
IL they choose.
But driving from the back seat Is
quite different thing; that Is a gra We
and serious affair, an undertaking OF
tragic intensity. There Is not one mo.
ment OF calm. peaceful enjoyment for
those 50 employed. Every circum-
stance and Incident to them is vital
and momentous; each turn in the road
bids fair to be certain pathway to
destruction; every signboard is false,
deceitful snare set to mislead them,
while each movement of the horse is
but an index of vicious propensities
about to be revealed In fact. this
method of driving Is not only physical
ly exhausting, but mentally depressing
and spiritually demoralizing, and not
alone does the driver suffer, but also
all who are unfortunate enough to
find themselves In the same vehicle
with such a one.
Perhaps brief description OF my
own will best serTc to illustrate my
theme.
had run down to spend a couple OF
days with my friends the Grazicrs,
who were occupying charming coun-
try place for the summer. On the
afternoon of my arrival my hostess
suggested that possibly | might eujoy
drive over to Pine Knoll, which they
deemed most desirable point from
which to view the country round a about.
|, Of course, expressed my delight with
the idea OF quiet country drive after
the rush and turmoil Of the city, from
which had just escaped.
Immediately after luncheon a light
two-seated wagon drawn by a pair Of
spirited bays appeared at the door.
Mrs. Grazier and J. took our seats be-
hind and Mr.. Grazier, springing into
we were whirled away down the long,
smooth driveway, beneath rows of fine
old elms glanced admiringly at
them as we passed along and turned
to my hostess enthusiastically: "What
magnificent trees these are" I eiacu-
lated.
She, however, failed to respond, and
l noticed that her lips were tightly
compressed. "Be careful, Willard.
when you turn into the road" she
said, warninsly, and perceived that
we were approaching the picturesque
stone gateway, over which much su-
psrb English ivy was gracefully twin
ing.
We're very proud Of that IVY" Mr..
Grazier remarked, eyeing it with salts
faction, as the bays turned smoothly
out into the road.
ut Is beautiful" I murmured, trans
ferring my attention to his wife, who
was holding her breath and firmly
grasping her side of the wagon.
Are you timid about driving?" l
asked, sympathetically.
''Oh, no." she returned, ''only my
husband absolutely disregards every
suggestion of mine," and she sighed
deeply.
Indeed" l said, lowering my tone
so that it might reach her ears alone,
while eyed the bays uneasily, land
isn't Mr.. Graz;er used to driving?"
"He ought to be-" she responded,
''for he has driven since he was boy"
felt relieved, though still puzzled.
But you are great horsewoman
yourself, them" persisted.
She shrugged her shoulders. Not
in the least. l never touch the reins
If can help it." she concluded.
At this point l became convinced
that Mr.. Grazier had very sharp ears,
for, as continued to regard her ques-
tioningly, he remarked, lightly: Mrs.
Grazier drives from the back seat"
willard, here comes one of those
dreadful coaches" his mentor began
almost Immediately. 'Bc sure that you
turn out more than you did the other
afternoon. never saw . man take
such risks"
In few minutes one of the horses
whisl1ed his tail over one of the reins,
which was promptly freed by Mr. Gra-
zier; this gave his better half chance
to suggest that tighter rein would
have prevented the catastrophe.
"Some one was telling me the other
day, willard" she went on, shat
when horse gets his tail over the
reins no one knows what he may do;
in fact, he is just as likely to run away
as not"
A little later we reached the shore of
beautiful lake and exclaimed with
rapture over the glimpse of the ver-
dant hills rising majesticaliy upon the
other side.
..This is indeed an ideal spot"
burst forth, but Mrs Grazier had no
cyes for the beauties of the landscape
just then.
sWillard, what is the matter with
the horse on this side? He looks very
strange"
Hes all right, my dear; only the
flies bother him Q little" and Mr. Gra-
xier waved his whip lightly over tho
offending animals head.
.Willard, how can you do that, when
you know he is SO nervous. unless,
She added, plaintively. ''you really
want him to run away and smash Us
up!'
That's my idea, precisely" he an
swercd, pleasantly, as we left the lake
drive and began to climb nedRhbors
ing hill. During our ascent Mrs. Ora
zier fixed her attention upon the'check
reins
1T seems to me, willard. that these