West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-06-14

| ono Oh the rear WINDOWS. She
had referred to "bounce" aud
'joggle," and he felt that he wa:
being tested. He drew long
breath, uttered silent prayer and
chirped to the horse to strike into
a lope. The horse obeyed. Had
the rider caught the motion it would
have been plain sailing, but he
didn't catch it. There were half a
dozen hobs, three or four clutches
at his name, and Mr.. Bowser rolled
sidewise out of the saddle and fell
in heap on pile of ashes. 1t
was a good boy and a sympathetic
boy who had brought the horse
around. He helped Mr.. Bowser
up, insisted it was an accident that
might have happened to the best
rider on earth and in various ways
encouraged him to try again. The
/ fallen rider kicked at the ash heap
and struck at the fence and was for
giving it up, but the boy soothe6
him and made him understand that
ne would lose prestige if he failed
to mount again.
al intend to, of course" replied
Mr.. Bowser, in defiant tones. as he
noticed Mrs. Bowser still at the
window. ! don't claim to be much
of rider, but I'll get the hang of it
in minute. think the horse
stubbed his toe the other time
Look through that knothole in the
fence, will you, and tell me what
you see in my back yard ?"
ode kitchen girl is sittin' on de
ground and laughin' herself to
DEATH" reported the lad after a
look.
"She is, eh ? Sent out by nv
wife to spy on me Well, let hel
glggle. I'll stick on this time if ]
have to have my legs tied under
the saddle"
! Oats de way to talk. wher
you git into de saddle, jest move
with de horse. All ready now"
Mr.. Bowser had another climbing
/ match, but in due time he found
himself filling the saddle again,
Prudence warned him to go slow
but when he thought of Mrs. Bow.
ser and the cook, he determined tc
run all risks. AS he got a brace
for his feet he stuck the horse with
his heel, and the animal started
away on an easy canter. 1t wa.
the rocking chair motion the DO,
had referred to, but Mr.. Bowser
didn't catch it. He found himself
bobbing about and his feet out O
the stirrups, and before he knew
what he was doing both heels STRUCK
the horse audit set off ia full gallon
There was yell that could hav,
been heard half mile away. anC
then the rider clutched the saddle
shut his eyes and bade goodbye tC
things on earth-all except to Mrs
Bowser. The horse set off dowr
the alley with his mind full of won.
der, but the wonder soon changed
TO alarm as his burden lurchec
about, and before he had gone two
blocks, he made shy and a kick
and Mr. Bowser went rolling ovei
the ground and brought up against =
fence like barrel of cider. II wa,
a long time before the world re.
turned to him. Then he opened
his eyes to find Mrs. Bowser, the
cook, a policeman, the boy and =
workingman lowering over him.
81 think he's coming to-" h,
heard the policeman say, "and YOU
can set it down that his neck is moi
broken. What on earth possessed
him to ride horse, ma'am ?"
'He wanted exercise" he heard
Mrs. Bowser reply.
"Well well lug him home fut
you, OF course, but it won't do nc
good. He'll keep right on making
a donkey Of hisself ill something
drives him through a brick wall +"
Mr.. Bowser was rugged along tn,
alley to his own back yard gate, hii
back gathering ashes at every step
and IL was not I'LL outsiders had re
tired that he sat up and said to Mrs
Bowser
woman, / understand know
who threw club at the horse anC
jumped me out Of the saddle
Hands OF / want no more O
your help, and the cook is dis
charged on the spot Follow mi
into the house. want you 4
confess in writing to this attempte,
assassination, and then we will cal
Ira the iawvero and ccfffo ,,.tt,... 80