The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-12-07
FROM. THE BACK SEAT.

Driving horse is one of those simple
processes, like sailing boat, which
snyonc can master without previous
lexperience. Everybody knows that
there is nothing difficult about it. and
those that have never done it arc per-
fectly aware of their ability to do it,
IL they choose.
But driving from the back seat" is
quite different thing; that is grave
and serious affair, an undertaking of
tragic intensity. There is not one mo-
snent of calm, peaceful enjoyment for
those SO 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
nbout to be revealed. In fact, this
method of driving is not only physical
iy 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 serve to illustrate my
theme.
had run down to spend couple of
days with my friends the Graziers,
who were occupying a charming coun-
try place for the summer. On the
afternoon of my arrival my hostess
suggested that possibly might enjoy
a drive over to Pine Knoll, which they
deemed a most desirable point from
which to view the country round 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 light
two-seated wagon drawn by q pair of
spirited bays appeared at the door.
Mrs. Grazier and took our seats be-
hind and Mr.. Grazicr, springing into
the scat in front, took the reins and
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" ! ejacu-
lated
A She, however, failed to respond, and
i noticed that her lips were tightly
compressed. BE careful, Willard.
when you turn into the road" she
said, warningly, and perceived that
we were approaching the picturesque
atone gateway, over which much SUI
| perb English ivy was gracefully twin
| ing.
Were very proud of that IVY" Mr..
Grazier remarked, cycling it with salts
faction, as the bays turned smoothly
out into the road.
ut is beautiful" murmured, trans
I ferring my attention to his wife, who
8 was. holding her breath and firmly
4 grasping her side OF the wagon.
"Are you timid about driving?"
/ asked, sympathetically.
"Oh, no." she returned, only my
4 husband absolutely disregards every
suggestion OF mine," and she sighed
deeply.
Indeed" said, lowering my tone
80 that it might reach her ears alone,
while eyed the bays uneasily, "and
4 Isn't Mr. Grazier 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. never touch the reins
If can help It." she concluded.
At this point / became convinced
that Mr.. Grazier had very sharp cars,
for, as continued to regard her ques.
tioningly, he remarked, lightly: Mrs.
Grazier drives from the back seat"
"Witlard, here comes one of those
dreadful coaches" his mentor began
almost Immediately. BE sure that you
turn out more than you did the other
afternoon. l never saw q man take
/ such risks"
In few minutes one Of the horses
whisked his tail over one of the reins
which was promptly freed by Mr.. Ora
zier; this gave his better half chanc'
to suggest that tighter rein would
have prevented the catastrophe
.Some one was telling mo the othe
day, Willard" she went on, "tha
when a horse gets his tail over tn
reins no one knows what he may do
in fact, he Is just as likely to run ava.
as not"
A little later we reached the shore o
a beautiful lake and exclaimed witt
rapture over the glimpse OF the vel
dant hills rising majesticaliy upon tn
other side.
This is indeed an ideal spot"
burst forth, but Mrs. Grazier had n
ewes for the beauties of the landscap
Just then.
"Iyillard, what is the matter wit
the horse on this side? He looks YER
strange"
"He's all right, my dear; only tn
flies bother him little" and Mr.. Ora
xier waved his whip lightly over tn
offending animals head.
willard. how can you do that, whe
YOU know he is so nervous, unless,
She added, plaintively, you reali
want him to run AWAY and smash
up!''
That's my idea, precisely" he al
severed. pleasantly, Us we left the lax
drive and began to climb Deighbo
ing hill During our ascent Mrs. Gr'
zier fixed her attention upon the chez
rcins.
ut seems to me. Willard, that thes