Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-01
Two Sleigh Rides.
BY ELIZABETH WATSON.


spoil all my pleasure" The speaker was
fourteen-year-old Janet Briscom, a decided
ly cross note in her usually pleasant voice.
and her pretty face drawn up in a disa-
greeable scowl. Il always have to drag
those two children around with me where
ever 1 go. and it is a perfect nuisance"
she went on, land now when Jim and are
invited to go on a sleigh ride with the
Dwights. 1 think it would be perfectly hor-
rid to poke them in, too. Anyway, they
weren't invited"
But, Janet, you know nobody would oh
ject but yourself replied her mother, land
Just think how disappointed the children
will be-"
Very WELL" snapped Janet, ready to cry.
IF Horace and May go, stay home" and
she aounced out of the room in a terrible
temper
During this little conversation the two
children unde- discussion sat mournfuiIy
SIDE by side, drinking IN every word. At
Janets hasty retreat they both began to
weep silently, and poor Mrs. Briscom was
at her wits end.
Now, dears," she said consolingly, Il
am sorry sister is so cross, but you come
upstairs with me, and Wen see what can be
done to amuse you. Let's make paper
dolls"
Six-year-old Mays face Frightened Wis
IDLY at this, but Horace's small snub nose
turned Up more than ever. anc he replied
scornfully that he was far too big to play
with dolls.
Lets go out of DOORS" said Horace, sud-
denly. "Anything's better than hanging
round the house,
So Mrs Briscom bundled up May, only
too glad to get rid of the two troublesome
little souls. Horace put oil his warmest
clothes and out they went.
Janet and jim are both hateful old
things" said Horace when they were safe
ly outside. "I'n tell you what ven do to
get even with them. You know they're go
ing over to the French farm to co ok their
dinner, and not come home till night, and
we're going, too. Let's take the Sled, and
Eli pull you all the way, and il you hurry
we'll get there in time for something to
EYES," assented May eagerly. "and we can
coast down all the hills. and they'll have to
let US ride home"
Five minutes later off they started. and
their mother saw them disappearing Down
the street, Gyp. the dog, tagging on as
usual.
At first 1t was lots of fun. Horace drag
ged his small sister until they came to the
hills, and then they coasted together at
breakneck speed. But 1t was .ons. long
walk to the French ia: m, and before IT was
half over Horace sank down on the sled
exhausted.
TIL just rest minute he said, ''or
we'll never get there in time for dinner.
May was cold and wished she hadE'.
come, and despairing trio, after shiverfng
and resting for a while, set out once mera
Horace tugged manfully at the sled. and
trudged along, when suddenly without
minutes warning the rope broke.
Now. look what you've done" cried May
GROSSLY, land I'll have to walk, and it's
just dreadful cold
I'm awful sorry" answered Horace.
gazing ruefully at the broken rope. ''Of
course can walk, but you never can in
the world. Let's SIT down moment and
4 ,3v,lr EJr,.o
schemes, and May always ready to listen.
So down they sat on the sled once more,
and wondered what to do. What wild idea
might have entered Horaces imaginative
mind Will never be known. for just at that
moment the jingle Of sleighbells was heard,
and who should come along in his sleigh
but old Farmer Ross.
well III be switched said he, bringing
his horse to a full stop and surveying the
three small figures IN the road. what on
airth be you a-doin' here? Settin' plumb
in the middle Of the road, ten miles from
nowhar."
farm spoke up Horace, with dignity.
but the rope of my sled broke. SO we don't
know what to do"
1.-THE French FARM said the old man.
you two babies takfn' such walk this
day. Here pile into my sleigh and Til take
you back to your ma"
En- they climbed, pulling Gyp and the sled
after them. In few minutes they forgot
all their troubles. Jogging merrily along
and entertained by the old mans stories. It
didn't seem long before the horse was
pulled UP and they stopped in front Of the
farmers own house. The children jumped
out. ran up the steps and their smart rap
on the door soon brought Mrs. Ross.
Farmer Ross picked US up on the road"
they explained land said we might warm
ourselves here"
motherly old woman; lust go right into
the kitchen. Somebody else is in there,
too, getting warm. but they won't mind.
I'm sure"
they see seated round the kitchen fire but
the sleighfng party. laughing and warming
themselves and having a beautiful time!
We'll, for goodness sake!" exclaimed
May! Where did you come from. chill
dren?'
where did you come fromr" said
Horace, Just as much surprised. II thought
farm"
Then all explained together how the run
ner had broken and they had to flock to
the nearest house and wait while 1t was
being mended. It was nearly done now,
and they would be ready to start off again
In few minutes.
why didn't you come along too this
morning?" said Mary Dwight. I'VE al
ways love to have you."
Horace blushed and looked uncomfortable.
In his heart he knew exactly why he and
May had stayed at home, but he hesitated
to tell tales on Janet.
well. you see," he began. "I-that is.
we-er. thought you were all so-er- grown
up that you didn't want u.s.
But why did you start out all by your
selves?' asked Mary. surprised.
Horace cast an appealing look at May,
who. thus encouraged, went on with the
story.
I'VE thought II we got over to the farm
you might not mind bringing us home"
she said, as unwilling as Horace to be
little tattle-tale.
During this speech Janet looked very
sheepish.
Girls" she said, suddenly, at was every
bit my fault. was too cross for anything
this morning, and would not let them 90.
But my conscience has pricked me the
whole time. and oh. Mary, can't we squeeze
them In somewhere?''
Why. of course" said Mary. land here
comes the sleigh all mended.n
SO for the second time the party piled in,
Horace and May snugly cuddled down n
the middle of the very warmest rugs and
after many thanks to the kind old farmer