Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-11-12

I'm not" replied Bessie, furious at
once. But I'm afraid Of those COWS;
wait till you see how this wheel shiesr'
Keep it pointed straight and l be-
lieve it Will go all right" said Bob
soothingly. Let lis ge; off and rest.
am as tired as
: No, 1 won't get off; I'm not bit
tired"
Take the centre of the road, then, y
said Bob, as we neared the meek-look-
! ing COWS. They can't hurt you, I'm
on their side; don't go up on that path
or you'll get puncC1lre sure
! That gave me an idea. Bessie was
tired out and too proud to own it. She
would certainly fall off if she did no.
get down in a few minutes. A pune
ture would be an excellent excuse for
resting. Then, again, she had said
twice that I SHE'D at cows-well, |
would make her words true.
Without further hesitation I ran
down little incline il the road and
made for the by-parh Bob had warned
us of.
Crunch, crunch, buff! A silvery feel
ing along my tire, an agonizing cry
from Bessie. oh, Bob, Bob. Look; l
told your
In moment Bob was beside up and
had lifted her to the ground.
Your tire is punctured," he said
briefly. wait a minute, let me think
what to do"
l felt a personal iIteret in the af-
fair, so let my ~.ea, go out as slowly
as possible, until at length Bob said:
L have it! and pulling out his knife
he ripped a puncture in his own tire
that put mine into shame men he
shouted to Meredith and Miss Gray.
who came flying back.
What is the matter" they cried
I'VE both got in bad BIT here
said Bob, " and have punctures in con-
sequence. Will you two ride on to
Cabin John and send something after
us?"
yes. 1 guess we had better go on
No use of our losing the ride, you
know" said Mar. Meredith but Miss
Gray would not agree to that, so they
finally decided to ride back to Bes-
sizes home and send the carriage after
her.
And then off they went, and Bessie, .
who was utterly exhausted began to
cry a little, and Bob found a cooling
place under the tr9as and was trying
to comfort her, much to my interest, !
when l suddenly discovered that | was
slipping from where Bessie had in |
securely stood me UP beside tree.
Down, down | went, until seeing a
nice, soft spot fell over ON my side
and lay there contentedly for about |
an hour.
1 was aroused by Bob's voice hail
ing a farmer driving by in a wagon.
After some talk the farmer agreed to
take them I'M town.
Why, whre is your wheel?" l
heard Bob say.
Isn't it against that big tree? l put
it there about ten minutes ago." said /
Bessie, and her voice sounded strange |,
ly happy Then Bob went looking
round until he found me, and having
ascertained that beyond the Debated
tire I had mo injuries, packed me with ,
his own wheel in the cart and then
he and Bessie Climbed in by us.
AS we drove slowly toward town |
heard Bob say in a low voice:
I'VE will have to get a tandem now,
Bessie, dear" and she answered:
Yes, Bob, but do you know like
this wheel of mine and want to keep
it always even-with a smile-if it
does shy at COWS"
And Bob laughed happily and said: /
1--WE will always keep it, and it shall
have brand new tire tomorrow.
low about your own" asked Bes-
sic, with a twinkle IN her eye.
Mine shall have new tire, too, ;"
said Bob. 81 feel IKE giving presents
to everything and everybody, 1 am
so perfectly happy, Bess. -
Then in the early twilight of a sum
mers evening we all drove into Wash
ington ogether-Washirgt Post.
MISS BIRD TN CHINA