Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-08-07

up before Mr.. Meredith, and OWE BOD
right, oh, no.
Suddenly she gave cry, something
between a gasp and scream. ''On'
look-in front of us-see that drove
of cowsl"
"They won't hurt you" said MIR.
Meredith, in superior way. "Oome
on"
"But my wheel 1T always-always
shies at cows" gasped poor Bessie.
Mr.. Meredith's lip curled. II real
" can't face those cows" said Bessie
again, between gasps. "Lella come
ard ride in front-then you and Mr.
Meredith can run into them first !"
gladly slowed up in pursuance oil
this idea, for Bessie was too tired TO
have the slightest control over me-
and dropped behind with Bob.
"Bessie, you are tired to death, ne
exclaimed injudiciously.
"rm not" replied Bessie, furious
at once. "But I'm afraid OF those
COWS; wait till you see how this wheel
SHES |"
"Keep it pointed straight and I be-
lieve it will go by all right, seid Bob
soothingly. "Let us get off and rest'
I am as tired as"
"No. won't get Off; I'm no! a bit
tired" =.
"Take the centre of the road then, "
said Bob, as we neared the meek
looking COWS. "They can't hurt you,
I'm on their side; don't go up on that
path or you'll get puncture sure"
That gave me an idea. Bessie was
tired out and too proud to own it:
She would certainly fall off if she did
not get down in few minutes. A
puncture 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 l ran
down little incline in the road and
made for the by path Bob had warned
us Of.
Crunch, crunch, biff A slivery
feeling along my tire, an agonlzlne
cry from Bessie. "Oh, Boil Bob
Look ; I told you'll"
In moment Bob was beside us and
lad lifted her to the ground.
"Your tire is punctured," he sale
briefly. "Wait minute, let me think
what to do"
I felt a personal interest in the
affair, so let my breath go out as slow
ly rs possible, until at length Boz
said: 81 have it /" and pulling on
his knife he ripped puncture in hi
own tire that put mine to shame
Then he shouted to Meredith and Mis-
Grey, who came flying back.
"What is the matter?" they cried.
eve both got in a bad bit here,
said Bob, ''and have punctures in con
sequence. Will You two ride on t.
Cabin John and send something altel
us?"
eyes. I guess we had better so on
No use of our losing the ride, yo'
Know" said Mr.. Meredith, but Mis-
Grey would not agree to that, SO the,
finally decided to ride back to Bessie
home and send the carriage after her
And then off they went, and Bessie
whc, was utterly exhausted. began t.
CRY little. and Bob found a cooling
place under the trees and was tryia
to comfort her, much to my interest
wban T suddenly discovered that [ W.T.
slipping from where Bessie had inse
curely stood me up beside tree.
Down, down l went, until seeing
nice, soft spot fell over on my sid
and lay there contentedly for abou
an hour. -.
1 was aroused by Bob's voice hailln
O. farmer driving ny in a wagon. Atte
some talk the farmer agreed to tak
them in town. ~
"Why, where is your wheel?"
heard Bob say.
"isn't it against that big tree?
put it there about ten minutes ago,
said Bessie, and her voice sounde
strangely happy. Then Bob wer
looking round until he found me, an
having ascertained that beyond th
debated tire 1 had no injuries. b
? packed me with his own wheel IN th
cart and then he and Bessie climbed
by us.
, As we drove slowly toward town
heard Bob say in low voice.
"We will have to get 'sndem' nov
. Bessie, dear" and she answered;
, eyes, Bob, but do you know llk
this wheel of mine and want to keep
t always even-with o smile-lf 1t dot
, shy at COVE" =.
t And Bob laughed happily and salC
l "We will always keep it and 1t sna
8 have a brand new tire to morrow.
Chow about your own?" aske
$ Bessie, with a twinkle in her eye.
"Mine shall have new tire, too,
9 said Bob. 81 feel like giving presen
4 to everything and everybody, l am
Q perfectly happy, Bess."
s Then in the early twilight OF sur
e mer's evening we all drove into Was
ington together. Washington Post.