The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-03-15
A CHEAP SLEIGH RIDE.

BY THE "OLD UN."

| yer Ulu lnTSt-leSSeu crap! anu GOWN
came the whip again. Jest look at
him, Tom. It's blood that tells, after
all. Go it, old boy! Go it,"
They had now left the narrower
part Of Washington street, and were
on the Neck" the sidewalks lined by
thousands of spectators, the track GOV.
cred with vehicles of all descriptions
numbering vehicles on runners, stage
sleighs, forty-pound cutters, Jumpers
(dry-goods boxes nailed on hickory
saplings, which served at once for
shafts and runner), butchers and
countrymen's 'pungs."
Elias was in the highest spirits. He
tapped his arms like wings, and
crowed like chanticleer; he shouted,
he yelled, he sang. In short, he be-
haved like an escaped lunatic from
Somerville, to the horror of his sedate
companion. But there was no occa-
sion for modification. for everybody
else was as crazy as Elias Sharp, if
not quite so demonstrative.
"Im all right, old feller," he said in
lucid interval. How are you? By
Jove! this beats Fourth of July as fur
as chain lightnin' beats an OK team.
Look a-there, old boy. There's lots of
| flyers on the road. Jerusalem!" he
cried, as a cutter whizzed by him like
bullet. There goes 'Acorn-Jim
Oakes-behind Polly Ogden. Might
as well try to chase creased lightnin'
'ez to go fur him"
do you know the road to Brigh-
ton?" asked Blivins.
Reckon do, old boss. Up the hill
past DR.. Porter's meeting house-bend
to the left then to the right ag'in,
down the hill into the square and pull
up at the old Cattle Fair hotel. HE
way, there-old Methusaleh!"
They pulled up at the Cattle Fair
hotel.
Might as we'll bait the horse" said
Elias, as he surrendered the team to
hostler." He's done nobly and, de-
serves 1t. Walk in
They entered the huge bar room, big
enough for the manoeuvres of regi-
ment, but now choked to repletion.
Elias was Immediately surrounded by
a. group Of North Enders. whose ac-
quaintance he had made in North Mar
ket street-mostly retired sea cap
tains. Blivins, who was of a shy dis
position, took chair in an out-of-the
way corner. and watched the buzzing
multitude. After about an hour Elias
rejoined him.
Enjoying yourself, old feller?" he
asked.
mot particularly. Isn't 1t time to
be Jogging back to town."
"Pshaw what's the use of bein' in
a hurry. 'Tain't often we have a frolic
and the fact is. I've agreed to take
supper here with my friends. Every
man pays his scot. This house is ia
nous for venison suppers."
How much will it cost?" asked Bliv-
ins, anxiously.
"Oh! about two dollars and half
apiece. That amt nothin'-and If
you're short, or think you can't afford
1t, I'll pay for both"
81 thought this was to be a cheap
excursion-to cost five dollars at the
outside"
well, you see, l got roped in for
the supper. But don't fret, old fellow;
I'll pay for you"
mo, you won't. Since I'm in for it,
I'll stand my hand, but mind, no fur
ther extravaganza"
Honor bright, old feller. How
much money have you got about your
trousers?"
twenty-five dollars"
81 can match you. It's all right, old
boy. And now come upstairs. I'll in
troduce you to my friends-jolly old
fellows from the North End
'I'd rather not" said Blivins, hold
ing back.
"Pshaw! you're going to dine with
em. They won't bite your heard off,"
So Blivins was dragged up into
private parlor, and introduced to Capt.
Hardcastle, Capt. Bower, Capt. Brown,
Capt. Jessup, Capt. jenkins and Capt.
jumpers, anu tHere was MUCH scrap
ing and handshaking.
Capt. Hardcastle counted noses.
There's eight of u.s. he said. Just
make up two tables. Well have
game of whist"
Il beg pardon, captain" said Blivins,
timidly "but l am no card player
scarcely know one card from another"
Dye mean to say. young gentle
man." said the captain, fiercely, that
you're going to make marplot Of
yourself-tD sheer off like land lub-
ber when your mates are going into ac-
ton? Shiver my topsails, if thought
so'-and he looked very red and apop-
lectic, and the other sea captains be.
gan to mutter and growl in q very
ominous manner.
"Well, gentlemen" said Blivins, 'if,
after my avowal Of ignorance, any one
of you is willing to accept me as a
partner, I'll join YOU"
"Ill take you," said Capt. Bower
"but, mind you keep your eye peeled,
youngster. / shall watch your game
like shark watching for funeral at
sea-"