Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-10-11
Nellie's Predicament.

AN ANY years ago I spent the sum
IMI mer with my favorite brother
S~> who had recently married, ant
was settled with his wife In a charmin;
house in q country village.
During the summer I met with a yer,
amusing adventure; and from 1t l dat,
the beginning Of my life's great happi
ness.
One lovely day in July l went dowr
to breakfast full of pleasurable antici
pations Of picnic to which We hat
been invited by some friends, Mr. ant
Mrs. Fordyce. Those invited were Il
meet at the appointed place at o'clock
and after spending the afternoon in tn,
wods, we were all to adjourn to Haze
Manor for high tea," to be followed by
carpet hop.
l was talking to my sister-in-law W
Ethel, who was making the tea, wher
my brother came into the room with q
rueful look on his face, and exclaimed
Il say. Ethel, here's a pretty go
Juno has got such a cold that Thomp.
son says he does not dare take her out
to-day"
what a nuisance" cried Ethel
What are we to do? Could we borrow
horse anywhere, do you think?''
NO chance of that, dear. Everyone
wants their own horses to-day. am
afraid we shall have to give up the pic
mic"
Suddenly bright notion occurred to
me, which promptly put into words.
why not take Ethel's pony car
riage"
'Ethers pony carriagev exclaimed
my brother. my dear Nellie, you must
have taken leave Of your senses! How
are three Of US to crowd into that?"
There is Tins seat. That will do for
sne OF u.s." 1 replied.
(which Of usT laughed Charlie 81
beg to remark that 1 decline in toto to
occupy Tins seat"
But can sit there" answered.
Really" quoth Ethel, II think 1t is
aet bad idea at all. do not see why
We should not take the pony carr;a.s il
Nellie does not mind TIM fat. I'm
S"'v AFRAID that yor so COM
s...s...sS-c eeald wlsn, uear Nellie"
"Are you quite sure you don't mind 2"
asked Charlie.
quite sure" replied. Indeed, 1
think 1t will be much nicer than that
great wagonette, for in 1t we can drive
through tbs pretty lanes which are too
narrow for q larger carriage"
"An right" said Charlie. IF you are
pleased, I am. l will just run round to
the stables and tell Thompson to have
Punch and Judy ready, and then let's
have breakfast"
In due time Ethers pony carriage
came round. 1t was q pretty. light vehi-
ele. drawn by a lovely pair of ponies,
and had been given to Ethel by her
father when she married.
At the back was a little seat, movabl.
1t pleasure, which, as q rule, was only
ased when Ethel took the little page
with her.
1t certainly was rather tiny, but /
Was a small person, and 20 It did very
we'll for me; and when we were fairly
started we all agreed that 1t was much
pleasanter to be able to dispense with
the attendance Of servants.
We had the most delightful day. Nev
Or was a more perfectly assorted party
Of people than were present at that pic
mic. There was not q single contre-
temps, nothing to interfere with our
pleasure, and we all enjoyed ourselves
most thoroughly.
By no means the least agreeabl par,
Of our jaunt was the homeward drive.
We started soon after 10 o'clock, as we
had several miles to drive. There was
only q young moon, but the night was
eloudless. and the stars 80 bright that
It was not dark.
was sitting in lazy enjoyment Of the
balmy breezes that doated over the
heather-clad moors, and Of the evening
stiffness, broken only by the sleepy
twitter Of the birds or the lowing Of
cattle in the distance, when suddenly
there was q jerk, and. without any fur
thsr warning. OF came Tins seat, and
1 was deposited fat upon my back in
the sandy lane.
At first was too much astonished to
cry out, and 1 was not hurt at all. Then
was overpowered with laughter at my
truly ludicrous position, and when at
last 1 struggled to my feet, the pony
carriage had disappeared. its occupants
in bllssful ignorance that was left be-
hind in the road.
What was to do? I did not know
my way home, and even had done so
the idea of long walk alone at II
o'cleek At night was hot altogether a
pfeasazk prospect.
walled on, hoping that some light
might betray the whereabouts Of some
farm house.
had not walked very far before
came to a gate, opening Into q tiny gar
den belonging to a cottage. A light
shons through the window, which was
only partially covered by the blind.
opened the gate and went to the
tloor, but hearing the sound Of voice, l
peeped In at the window before knock
ing.
In the room was q man who had &
large Bible open before him, ont of
which he was reading to his wife, who
sat by, nursing her baby.
This sight reassured me. I felt thai
man 50 employed would be a safe
= ,ide, and I determined to ask him to
walk home with me when he had I'm
shed reading. Meanwhile. 1 stood lean.
!! 8 against the garden gate.
As I waited. the stiffness Of the sum
ner night was broken by the sound Of q
harse's trot 1t CAME On quickly, and
ust passed me. Then, attracted. sup
Sc, b. my white dress. the rider
wheeled round, and came up to me.
Miss 0FahaAis he uttered. in . voice