Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-04

Now 1t could not be expected that a
young city man like Eakins would
know how to make cutter comforta-
BILE for a five mile drive on one of the
frostiest nights of Canadian mid
winter, especially after they had both
been half roasted in the schoolroom.
For the first few minutes they both en-
joyed the change from the heat to the
cold and were chilled through before
they saw the necessity of wrapping
themselves as 4snugly as possible in the
rugs and blankets. Had they been
more careful of their comfort they
might perhaps have enjoyed their
drive, for, after all. a Canadian winter
night at 5 degrees below zero is not
moon shining on the snow made the
night almost as clear as day. and the
dry, cold air was SO still that the
sleighhells made'a music that could be
heard for miles. The stars above them
twinkled brightly and revealed the
farthest depths Of heaven. and the
snow sparkled with myriads Of mimic
consultations. The runners creaked
and whistled in the silence while their
equipage raced with its own shadow.
and if they had been in proper condi-
ton to enjoy the invigorating air the
trip would have been something to talk
about in after days. But having come
so carelessly from the overheated
schoolroom they We're soon chilled to
the bone. AS natural consequence
conversation tagged, and presently
Mary asked:
Cant you drive little faster?"
Eakins did his best to increase the
speed, but the horse-a livery stable
veteran-knew he was in the hands Of
novice and did not propose to exert
himself unduly. AT this time sleigh
bells We're heard approaching from be-
hind. and few moments later Will
Harlow swept past them al full speed
and cut in so close that his horses
hoofs kicked shower of snow in their
faces. Or course it was not a polite
thing to do. but this burly countryman
had never studied any work on deport-
ment. and he laughed derisively as he
called Good night"
Mary knew that the snow shower
wassnot SO accidental as it seemed. and
she said angrily to Eakins. THE idea
of letting him pass you with that old
farm plug of his when you have the
| fastest horse in the livery
This reused him, and he replied that
he would pass Harlow in return for his
impudcnce. Disentangling himself from
the robes, he got a free sweep for his
arm and surprised the old horse with
several singing cuts of the whip. The
horse started off on gallop. and they
We're soon rapidly overhauling Harlow.
But cutter. next to bicycle or a ca
noe. is one of the most skittish things
to which foolish man is accustomed to
| intrust his life. 1t is built as lightly as
! possible, and. SO that the horse can
travel on "a beaten path. is practically
drawn by one corner. These things
/ work together to give it a jerky motion
! when driven at high speed that tends
to bring out all its weaknesses and dis
agreeable features. In the hands of an
expert driver 1t is dangerous enough
but for a noNice to try bursts Of speed
with one is simply to court disaster
But Eakins was so angry that he no.
yticed nothing except that he was rap.
idly overtaking his rival, and he gave
the horse another vicious cut. The star.
/ tied animal bounded sideways. one of
the runners struck snow covered
bowider. and the cutter went over
| There was sharp crash as the shafts
broke. and a moment later the horse
i had torn himself free from the wreck
and was galloping along the road
When lie caught up with Harlow and
tried to pass him, that worthy realized
in an instant what was the matter
and. springing from his seat. he caught
III |As