The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-20

gallantly struggling with it on the
smooth, white drive by the clear, late
moonlight.
'Egad, James," he puffed, "if / don't
believe I've almost got the hang of the
devilish thing now. You may let go of
me, James, in a minute; no, not just
yet. Oh, III teach both of those young
rascals a trick or two and show them
I'm not too old to come up with their
modern athletics. BY Jovc James,
think it's a pretty good scheme for me
to surprise them this way, don't you?
| Hold on, there; I'm nearly off,
"Oh, what a sweet revenge is this"
whispered Paul to Esther "All want
is to sec him get one good fall. Look at
him, Esther" The two were convulsed
with mirth.
Dear uncle" said Esther. "This is
the first time I ever saw him without
his dignity. This is just like him; he
never gould give in to anything"
Its a first-rate plan, SIR" James
was saying. Don't rest so much
weight on the handle bars, sir. 1 re-
member when Mr.. Paul was teaching
Miss Esther to ride"
"Yes, you william, you were in that
plot, too"
Yes, sir, certainly. AS l was say
ing, we all thought it was quite clev-
er for Miss Esther to learn to ride
without your knowing It, and Mr. Paul
said-could you keep both of your feet
on the pedals, sir; that's better-he
said that he'd like to get you on a
wheel just once and he'd make you
wish you knew what you were talking
about"
The major came within q hairs
breadth of toppling over, but his long
training in the saddle and his natural
confidence of poise stood him in good
stead, and he righted himself in a
flash.
In the bay window Paul and Esther
choked with delight.
Pom my soul, if don't believe he'll
learn in one lesson" said Paul. Look
at him; he sticks to it like a cowboy
TO bucliing broncho." Esther, can't
stand this any longer. I've got to go
| down and help him"
"Not yet" said Esther Lets see
what may happen to him presently. 7
| haven't forgotten my own experience
| yet"
| of his rival in 1871, with the first cattle
You may let go of me--in a min
ute, James, in a minute I'm getting
| it down pretty fine now. Great Scott,
| if / ever thought I'd come to this
| after living on horseback half of my
| life. Think Of getting Esther to hood
| wink me-the first time she ever did
in her life-and you lying to me like
Turk all the time in the bargain"
Certainly, sir; you see l was very
| fond of the wheel NY self, and Mr.. Paul
was TOO, and being as he and Miss Es-
ther were very fond of each other"
| Some strange sound broke upon the
] still night air. The major would have
fallen had not the faithful james held
| him.
II could swear 1 heard some one
| laugh" said the major.
| For goodness sake, be careful" said
! Esther. II don't want him to see us
! first"
II shall die if watch this much
longer" replied Paul.
"No, sir" said James; "it's quite i'm
possible, sir. Now, you're doing so well,
would you like to try a little by your
self?"
but if-er-er, IL / should think / was
| going to fall, what shall dO?"
| Il won't let you fall, sir, and all you
have to do is to lean In the same direc-
tion with your wheel and it will right
itself. Shall let go, sir? You can take
it all right now."
Prepare for the worst" whispered
Paul.