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

the surrounding landscape, despite her
protest.
We shortly began to descend the
permit my hostess ample opportunity
to lend her ever ready assistance from
the back seat, and / was quite right in
my surmises.
It was, willard, what loose rein
you havei Can't you realize that
they're likely to stumble at any mo-
ment?" Or. willard, we're coming to
one of those dangerous 'thank-you-
ma'ams;' do be careful"
sat by wondering at Mr.. Grazier's
unruffled composure under the contin-
ual Ere, but reflected that doubtless
he was used to it.
Next we reached the crossroads, and
Mr.. Grazier turned the horses to the
right, remarking: Here we leave the
main road for drive through the
woods"
'Oh. no. Willard, I'm sure you're
mistaken" his wife declared, 1--WE
ought to keep to the main road for ut
least mile more. / remember perfect
ly just how every inch Of the road
looked the last time / drove over 1t.
my dear, I 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-
ton depicted upon her face. Very
well; take us anywhere you please,
provided that you get us home finally.
I shall not say anothe err word: have
offered all the advi ce that intend to
| this afternoon"
/ heard this statement with much
satisfaction, feeling that advice was
| not, after all, the necessary accom-
panimeut of thoroughly charming
| country drive.
s'This woody road is lovely, at all
| events, and so shady and COOL" I put
in timidly.
Eyes. it is very pretty here" Mrs.
Grazier assented; then she added:
willard, see farmer coming and
want you Just to ask him II this is the
right road"
"But know It is the road"
"No matter, should think you
might ask him, If only to set my mind
at rest"
81 suppose it would rest it very much
| il he said 1t 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, l fancied, than
was wholly necessary, and my compan-
ion on the ba.k seat, after exclaiming:
"How could you. Willard? eagerly
addressed the farmer:
us this the road to Pine Knolf?"
ITO Pine what?" he questioned.
blanlzly.
"Pine Knoll, hill vita trees on 1t, !"
she explained.
.Wall, l can't say" he responded.
81 amt much acquainted up this way,
but reckon you'll find pines all about
here"
THANK you" his interlocutor said
briefly, and we drove on.
snow, 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 !
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?"
Mr.. Grazier nodded. SIS this the
shortest ,oad?' Mrs. Grazier inquired,
promptly.
~ reckon it's about the only ONE
he rejoined.. grinning, as If he found
the idea of possible second road huge
fy amusing.
/ Pine Knoll proved to be truly love
ly spot, but my memory of the way
thither and back IL clouded by my too
vivid recollection of my hostess par
ticipation in the management of thu
bays.
4 II we crossed bridge Willard wa
reminded of the sign which directed u
to walk the horses" If we passed
WAGNER in . narrow part of the roas
he was conjured not to tip us down thu
|, steep EN- oankmcnt. 1.-THE horses quick
ened their pace it was cruel to drive s.
fast, and If they slowed up they wer
overheated, or had, doubtless, stone
in their feet
RI The most trying time of all wa
, probably when we turned around In
. very limited space on the top OF Pin
Knoll. but upon that I will not en-
, large.
:, When we reached home felt tire
and exhausted, well-nigh sick, Will
, nv hostess sighed deeply as sh
alighted, declaring that she couldn'
} understand why driving fatigue
her SO.
!, Even Mr.. Grazier, despite his %
amantine nerves. appeared somewhs
, weary, as he replied: Its not drivin
) that tires you, but driving from th
back seat, Mrs. Grazier."
: Since my country drive have ofte
. observed people endowed with thos
: characteristics SO prominent in Mr.
: Grazier. In every club, society or s.
{ cial gathering have found them pre-
emit; In fact, wherever human being
. strive or struggle, wherever they col