The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-07-29
the great placid blue St. Lawrence, ane

the great placid blns st. Lawrence, anG
to the right pretty little white cottages.
Sabrima begged Oetavius 10 stop tho
horse and rest awhile. This the beast
aeeeded 10 with a lamb-like grace, that
was perhaps due 10 the nine miles he
had covered.
Sahrina Strengthened her hat. rear
ranged her wraps, shook ont and adj
jus;ed the laprobe, and prepared TO face
the return trip e~heerful!y. Yet she
made the fatal error Of once caution
ing Oetavius.
I'VE have had a fine drive" She art
fully began, ''and il you will be careful
not to turn too short or drive too rap
idly we shall be quite safe"
Safe" snorted Octayius, safe. As
IL you We're not safe with me" With
this he snapped the horse smartly on
the back with the reins, anlthus pulled
on them with unnecessary Nigor. The
beast reared slightly, then plunged. Up
went Sabrina's feet. She clutched the
seat and recovered herself by a spas
modic effort that nearly d~islocated her
neck. The horse wheeled around.
Bang. Under the trap went the left
hand fore wheel, pitching the carriage
and occupants to an angle of A. degrees
and threatening worse things.
A young passer rushed forward and
seized and held the horse so that Oc-
tavius and Sabrina sprang out safely.
They expected to see the creature bolt.
Instead, he stood quite still and looked
pleased. He had avenged the insults
perpetrated upon him 10y the driver.
They tusged at the refractory wheel.
II was wedged tightly and could not be
dislodged. Octavius' calm deserted
him; he began to lament. Then the
adaptable female mind rose in Sabrlha.
She went in search of assistance.
Down the road she hurried, and
meeting IA travelling baker, asked II ne
would help them. He eyed her IA second
critically, as il revolving the matter
then dotted his cap and answered.
SOW wull, the moo" betraying the Scot
with euGh letter,
Two old gentlemen who sat i'll easy
chairs on their respective Nerandas,
came down to their gates and inquired
the cause of the excitement. 1hey
were all sympathy, and soon came to
offer their unsolicited help. one Ia
b~uriously carrying a huge wrench, the
other laden with a large hammer. They
wanted to know how the accident hap
pened. Whether the lady was alarmed,
where they were going 10 and where
they were from" Between their curl
osity and exceeding deafness eXplana-
lions were difficult and tedious. Stili
they appeared satisfied with the re"
sponses, and stopped TO examine the
trouble, humping their dear old in.
ouisitive heads in doing SO. One ham
nlered and the other unscrewed, but
the wheel stayed where it was. They
Embarrassed the horse, who looked
down on their labors and the wreck in
smiling satisfaction. picking a few new
leaves from an adjacent bush with a
picturesque indifference that was adj
mirable.
Sabrina gave Oetayius a cloudy look,
and Octavius Thought hard things OF
Dora The afternoon was waning,
The old men began to look weary; their
first helper stood by the horse and con-
suited his watch. The Scotch baker
alone kept energetic.
Along the road came a melodious
whistle. A French drinking song could
be traced in the high shrill notes. Then
followed a neat French workman in
overhalls and blouse, with his basket of
tools in hand, his cap Setting sideways
above his piquant bronze face. His
whistling ceased. He ran to the road