Gloucester County Democrat., 1902-08-07
TWO SLEIGHS
i AND A MAIDEN
BY HELEN WOOD
Copyright, 1901, by Z. c. Mcclure

OOPYI tbftts 1SO4i w L. y. 41CCtuI0
Joel Herrick drove along disconso-
lately in the moonlight, flicking his
whip about Bay Charley's ears. Be
hind the yarn muffler his face wore an
expression of disappointment and
wounded pride, and it was evident that
the five miles of fine sleighing before
him on this keen, beautiful night held
no charms Disconsolate he looked and
disconsolate he felt, for had he not just
been scorned by the lady of his heart?
Little had he thought when he drove
Susannah Peters out to Jobnson's gold
en- wedding that she would desert him,
and for bis bitterest rival, Ed Sparks,
and yet
Joel had danced often with the pret-
ty, golden haired Susannah. She, hap
PLY conscious of her new blue ribbons
and pink cheeks, had beamed upon
him, dancing his heart quite out of
him and himself into the brave resolve
to speak of his love on the homeward
drive, for, although Joel had "kept
company with Susannah for six
months, he had always lacked the
courage to task her" point blank.
Now, Ed Sparks, on the other hand,
lacked not the courage, but rather had
pressed his suit, even when Susannah
had clearly snubbed him. Perhaps it
was done only to nettle the hesitating
Joel; perhaps Susannah was really
impressed by Eds brand new suit of
store clothes, scarlet tie and glittering
cuff buttons and studs. At any rate,
when the dancing was done and the
big dining room was thrown open it
was Ed Sparks who stepped quickly
forward and handed" Susannah to
the delectable feast, and it was Ed
Sparks who filled her glass with Aunt
Marcy Johnson's best blackberry wine
when the health Of host and hostess
was drunk. And all the while Joel
Herrick, his heart eaten out with jeal-
ousy, tried to look gay as he served an
other and less favored damsel
After supper goodbys were said,
the stone bottles were filed with hot
water in anticipation of long rides
through the cold night, the women
bundled each other up in tippet and
shawl, while the men harnessed the
horses. To be sure, Joel had but one
horse to harness, yet the crafty Ed
managed to reach the house door first
with his prancing young horses and a
new, fancy sleigh. Susannah gave one
swift glance from Eds dashing turn
out to staid Bay Charley and the old
fashioned cutter. Vaguely she heard
a chorus of feminine "oh's" and
"ah's," and Joers fate was sealed. She
sprang into Eds sleigh, the envy of
every other girl on the great porch.
All this furnished anything but
pleasant thoughts for Joel as he drove
home alone, and when he realized that
encircling the slender waist of Susan
nah he fairly groaned in spirit Per-
haps the bold fellow might even dare
to kiss her. Joel grasped his whip
tightly, and Bay Charley sprang for
ward in surprise
Two miles had been covered, and he
reached point where the road wound
through patch of woodland. The
trees stood gaunt, strange and black
against the dazzling snow. Now and
then a branch snapped with the cold,
sounding like the report of pistol ON
the still moonlight. Joel commenced
to whistle from sheer loneliness. Then
suddenly the sound died on his lips.
In astonishment he saw woman walk
ing toward him. Nearer and nearer
they came together More and more
familiar became the outlines of that
feminine figure. AS he slowed up it
shrank back against tree.
"Why, Susannah"
ooh, Joel, I'm so glad it's your
There were tears in her voice. But
Joel remembered the Sights. the
humiliation recently put upon him, and
hardened his heart and his voice.
"Well, Miss Peters, if you are goin'
home alone l shall be pleased to take
you under my care"
LID lO1C was AOt LIN tl1AS. OuI l6C
shivering Susannah quickly climbed to
his side. Joel touched up Bay Charley,
but for some time remained silent.
Now and then he glanced at the little
figure crouched at his side, shaking
with sobs and cold together. Joel's
heart reproached him, and he finally
remarked:
"Seems to me you amt actin right
tonight. First you take up with no
account sort of fellow like Ed Sparks;
then you go walkin' alone at this time
of night. Where's Ed, an what does
he mean, leavin' you all alone like this?
If he amt treated you right I'll take
him out an horsewhip him."
Susannah laid her hand appealingly
ON Joers arm.
'I've been mean to you, Joel, but
but this amt Eds fault. I-I-fell
outr'
Joel snorted incredulously.
Eyes, / did, too, Joel. We were just
above old man Judl1in's place. an one
of-those big wild geese was lynn in the
road, we not SEEM it because of its
bein' all white. 1t just took an flew
right up in the horses faces. They're
spirity, you know, an won't stand
much. an'-an' this very softly and
slyly-"Ed amt driver like you. He
amt strong. They ran like wild. an
he had to stand up to hold 'em. An
when we turned the corner by the old
apple tree the sleigh went into post,
toppled over anil fell out. An
when l got up saw the sleigh swing
in from side to side an Ed standin' up
an hangin' on to the reins."
Her recital came to sudden and I'm
dignified end as she giggled at the
recollection of her admirers plight
She tried to smother the giggle in the
sleeve Of JoePs great rough coat and
then continued:
"There hasn't been a soul along until
you came. / was scarf to death.
Everything was so white an still, an
in the woods the moon was lookin' at
me through the dark branches of the
trees for all the world like queer
face. II don't haliave l could have
-. II D>A "a