The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-11-07


convincing me of her inability to get me
even secondhand mount Uncle Thomas
had unexpectedly chimed in by saying,
"Well, Kathie, If you don't mind hav-
ing very first class bike, I'll get you
one. :" was both astonished and de-
| lighted and kissed the old man elusive
~ and went to bed quite happy, and
now, just before the day of the meet, he
had brought this monstrosity. Well,
must not be too hard on the old man,
but wished he had bought himself a
new coat instead. The collect for rain
was unanswered, so was my desire for
sudden sickness. l never felt better in
my life, and the sky was cloudless, SO
there was nothing for it but to put a
bold face on the inevitable and at the
time appointed.
started, watched from the gate by
my evidently admiring uncle. Creak,
creak, went the old ramshaclzle. It was
awful What should do when joined
the others, every one Of whom owned a
first class mount Should turn back
and pretend that ! had a spill? On,
there was no pretense required, for, Civ
ing an extra groan, my mount col
lapsed, and it and I rolled over in the
dust below. When picked myself up,
found the rim off and the spokes all
twisted and broken. There was nothing
fer it but to drag the remains back to
the cottage and take up my daily duties,
and while feeling sorry for uncle's dis
appointment could not but rejoice at
my escape from the criticisms of Florrie
and her friends.
Still, there was no use hurrying The
day was lovely. So, dragging my wheel
to shady bank, sat down and began
to make a daisy chain and had almost
completed it when gig drove rapidly
around the corner was on the wrong
side Of the road and right in its tracks.
1t took the driver all his time to pull
up to escape driving over me, and jump
ing quickly to my feet l tried to get my
unfortunate bike out of the way, but it
was useless; its ruin was complete.
Quickly descending, the driver show
ed great concern at what he called his
stupidity, but only laughed and in
formed him that he had only completed
the wreck, and, almost before l knew
what l was about, told the wheel story
of uncle's gift and my disappointment.
He seemed quite amused at the recital,
and then told me he himself was just
going to Cliff Court, Sir Walters de-
mense, and would have great pleasure
in driving me there. was not hard
to persuade, and after he had helped
me to place the remains Of my bicycle
carefully behind the hedge off we start
ed, passing on the road the doctor and
his guests So after all it was I who
got the first glimpse of the beautiful
court and stood on the terrace among
the strutting peacocks when the others
arrived, "for all the world" Florrie
said, as thought l "owned the place
and was waiting to receive them as
guests.
1 should say my companion en- route
left me on our arrival, saying his bust
ness was with the agent, and just as
the others arrived he returned, saying
the agent had given him permission to
take US not only over the grounds, but
through the Court itself Such thing
had never been heard of before and
caused great excitement among us. 1t
would take me a week to tell of the
beauties of one of the most stately of
"the stately homes of England. -
We all wandered at will through the
magnificent picture galleries and superb
reception rooms and then to our in
tense surprise found a choice lunch
awaiting US in the great dining hall,
where befrilled DANES Of hundreds of
years ago looked down in naughty dis
dain on us, as though resenting our in
trusion, and ancient knights leaned on
their swords and seemed to look us
through and through.
But the day waned, and much to our
regret the time for starting homeward
came. 1t was only then that began to
wonder how was to get there, but my
knight of the morning again offered me
seat, and off we drove, leaving the
others to follow. The drive through the
fragrant country lanes was most enjoy
able, and my companion was very enter
tanning, telling me of many foreign lands
through which he had travelled and
was describing visit to the ice palace
at ST. Petersburg when we reached the
spot where should have been the re-
mains of my poor bike. But search as
we would we could find no trace of
them.
Twas greatly upset at this, but my
companion said perhaps it was best so,
and then my uncle would not feel griev-
ed at the state of his gift. Well. quite
feeling of great shyness came
over me- and began to realize how
free had been with complete stran-
ger and wondered what mother would
think of it all. So l said would not
get into the gig again, but would walk
home and make my explanations as best
could.
My friend would have gladly accom-
panied me, but this Irefused, and shyly
holding out my hand said: "Goodby.
You have been very good to me, and I
thank you for helping me today" But
he only laughed and said: 1T must not
be goodby, but only good day, for I
will be engaged with the agent at Cliff
Court for about month, and hope
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