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

protest.
We shortly began to descend the
hill, which process | foresaw would
permit my hostess ample opportunity
to lend her ever ready assistance from
the back seat, and | was quite right in
my surmises
1t was, willard, what loose rein
you have! Can't you realize that
they're likely to stumble at any mo-
fnentr" Or, willard, we're coming to
one of those dangerous 'thank-you-
ma'ams;' do be careful"
sat by wondering at Mr.. Grasier'a
unruffled composure under the contin-
ual fire, iut reflected that doubtless
he was uso1 to it,
Next we reached the crossroads, and
Mr. Grazier turned the horses to the
right, rcmnrking: Here we leave the
main road for drive through the
woods"
"Oh, no, Willard, I'm sure you're
mistaken" his wife declared, I'VE
ought to keep to the main road for at
least mile more. remember perfect
ly just how every inch Of the road
looked the last time drove over it."
MY dear, | am absolutely sure that
this is the road" he replied, whipping
up the horses.
Mrs. Grazier leaned back in her seat
with an expression of intense resigna-
tion depicted upon her face. "Very
we'll: take us any where You please,
provided that you get us home finally.
/ shall not say anoth er word; I have
offered all the advi ce that intend to
this afternoon"
satisfaction, feeling that advice was
not, after all, the necessary accom-
pauiment of thoroughly charming
country drive.
This woody road is lovely, at ali
events, and SO shady and COOL" put
in timidly.
"Yes, it is very pretty here" Mrs.
willard, l see farmer coming and
want you just to ask him if this is the
right road"
But know it is the road"
mo matter, / should think you
might ask him, If only to set my mind
at rest
~ suppose it would rest it very much
if he said it was the wrong road"
There, that's why you won't in.
quire; you know he'll say it's the
wrong road"
Just then the farmer came alongside.
and Mr.. Grazier, who was apparently
determined not to stop, suddenly drew
rein, more abruptly, / fancied, than
was wholly necessary, and my compan-
ion on the ba .k seat, after exclaiming:
'How could you. Willard?" eagerly
addressed the farmer:
"Is this the road to Pine Knoll?'
ITO Pine what?" he questioned,
blankly.
"Pine Knoll, hill with trees on it, :"
she explained.
wall, / can't say" he responded.
~ amt much acquainted up this way,
but reckon you'll find pines all about
here"
THANK yon," his interlocutor said
briefly, and we drove on.
Now, we must stop and ask at the
next farmhouse, Willard" my hostess
announced; "they certainly are ac-
quainted with the neighborhood."
but how absurd, when know that
the Knoll is not half mile from this
very farmhouse"
$50 you imagine, Willard, but I
think differently. Here comes an
other man, and am going to speak to
him."
Man number two, however. did not
wait to be spoken to. but accosted us
with broad smile.
Good day, Mr.. Grazier, goin' up to
the Knoll again?'
MIR. Grazier nodded. "Is this the
shortest oad?" Mrs. Grazier inquired,
promptly.
81 reckon it's about the only one."
he rejoined, grinnin2, rs If he found
the idea of possible second road huge
ly amusing.
Pine Knoll proved to be truly love-
ly spot, but my memory of the way
thither and back is clouded by my too
vivid recollection OF my hostess par
ticipation in the management of the
bays.
II we crossed bridge Willard was
reminded of the sign which directed us
to walk the horses" If we passed G
WAGNER in . narrow part Of the road
he was conjured not to tip US down the
steep emoankment. lfthe horses quick
ened their pace it was cruel to drive so
fast, and il they slowed up they were
ovcrheated, or had, doubtless, stones
In their feet.
The most trying time Of all was
probably when we turned around in .
very limited space on the top of Pine
Knoll. but upon that will not en-
large.
When we reached home / felt tired
and exhausted. well-nigh sick, while
my hostess sighed deeply as she
alighted, declaring that she couldn't
understand why driving fatigucd
her SO
Evdn Mr.. Grazier. despite his sd-
amantinc nerves, appeared somewhat
weary, as he replied: Its not driving
that tires you, but driving from the
back seat. Mn. Grazier."
Since my country drive have often
observed people endowed with those
characteristics so prominent In Mrs.
Grazier. In every club, society or so-
cial gathering have found them pres
ent; il fact, wherever human beings
strive or struggle. wherever they con.