Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-12-30
NEW YEARS SLEIGH RIDE.
joys Of the Country That Are Denied
the City Folk

the Clty FOLK.
Several days before New Years the
old wagon bed, the biggest on the
farm, has been lifted off the axles and
securely fastened to the long wooden
runners. The merits of the old
gentleman handsome team of bay
mules, l6 hands high and strong
CROUCH TO move a house, have been
contrasted in warm arguments with
we'll bred grays which are the envy Of
all the country folk on market days in
town and decision made. A more
difficult question for settlement in
wolves the immense difference between
sleigh ride in midday and one at
night. The young people are unani-
nous in their preference for the latter.
A compromise is reached by deciding
to accept Deacon Jones invitation to
new years dinner and drive over there
with the sled and taking the big ride
in the evening. This suits the boys
exactly. The Jones girls are suited
also, but they wouldn't like to have it
known that their persuasion mad
helped to arrange matters with the
old folks.
Every one is in a happy humor any
how, but the new years dinner thaws
away the ceremony that hangs about
the visiting function for a time, and
the jolly celebration is in full swing.
The biggest gobbler in that part Of
the county has ceased to have visi-
BILE entity, and the real old fashioned
homemade mince pies, other pies,
puCding, preserves and good things
without end have disappeared in an
amazing fashion
Then Mary Jane goes into the parlor
an plays her last instrumental piece on
the pianoforte for the ediiication Of the
old people, while Jack and the boys go
out to the barn and look after the sled
Enough seats have been arranged
for every one TO be comfortable, with
strict regard to the old saw that two
is company and three's none. The
bottom of the wagon bed is full Of
straw, and all the buffalo robes and
blankets that can be mustered are
piled in. If girls think their feet will
be cold. they can heat a lot OF flat
irons and take them along.
When all is ready, the girls appear,
rosy checked and bright eyed and
Mary Jane, whose animal spirits are
bubbling over throws a SNOWFALL at
4 IL al, 4 fNt. Z hot
gives him an excuse to wash her
face" an operation attended with
much excitement and enough scream
ing to scsndalize city folks a town
bred girl probably would not let her
face be washed at all or would take 1t
resigneGly. like a dose Of medicine.
Away they 60. Bill has the reins
and is proud Of his skill in driving.
He knows just how to skirt the slope
of snowdrift, giving the sled thrill
ing slant and making the girls cry out
to him to mind his business" and
drive straight. or they will get out and
walk. Bin grins, gives the whip a
swing, the sled gets a quick jolt and
everybody nearly goes over backward.
But Bill is not happy altogether He
is a little envious Of Jack who sits in
the rear with Mary Jane and hasn't
got the driving to bother with. He
tries to get even with Jack by crack
ing jokes about engaged couples, etc,
which Mary Jane takes Indignantly,
while Jack makes the most of the OPP
portunity. The other young people
are as gay as larks and are having a
Jolly good time but Jack and Mary
Jane know they have the best of the
situation on the rear seat. That's the
way Jack intended it TO be.
Another party Of young people
passes on the road. Bill pulls out from
under the buffalo robe a big dinner
horn which he has brought along sur
reptitiously, and the blast nearly
frightens the horses into running
away.
The sleighbells are in tune with the
gay peals Of laughter, and the bright
moonlight on the shimmering snow
lends a beauty to the scene more deep
" felt than ever expressed in words