The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1912-01-26

per anu bOdkeu ucE cDOuy SuAC a. nCA
pretty grandniece and threatened to
change her will IL Cinda did not alter
her democratic ways.
So Cinda had resolved to frown down
any attempt at ridicule that the repro
duction of the yellow coach might ex-
cite among their neighbors. II it pleased
! Aunt Ann to resurrect the coach and
ride in it, then It was Cinda's part to
uphold her in this resolve; hence her
slight skirmish with the postmaster.
The night of the party was cold, with
deep layer Of snow that had fallen
two days before. The roads were
broken, and sleighing was excellent,
but the travelling for wheeled vehicles
was hazardous.
A full moon was shining brightly as
the yellow coach was dragged creak-
ingly before the old colonial porch by
two large white horses that Maggie's
nephew had obtained from local
farmer for the purpose. Sinmy him
self sat on the drivers seat, his head
proudly aloft under the weight of
Colonel Melvin's old silk hat; other
wise he was a bundle Of ragged over
coats, topped by an ancient cloth cape,
also relic of the deceased warrior.
Maggie held lamp aloft in the door
way as an excuse for seeing the ladies
off. Cinda's clever fingers had made
them very splendid indeed; Aunt Ann,
as usual, in black velvet, with her huge
mink cape over all, and Cinda herself,
like rosebud, in one Of Aunt AIMS
pink organdie gowns. From head to
foot she was swathed in an old india
shawl, and only her bright head peeped
out to occasionally survey her small
white slippered feet.
The coach rocked teeteringly down
the driveway and nearly careened as
Simmy turned the horses into the
road. II reckon dis yere's gwine to
be ticklish ride" he muttered gloom
lily. "Its wus'n runnin' down de bay
in cas- win. reckon rs gwine ter
smash ole Mis- Melvin an Miss Cinda
befo' l gifts through wild dis yere job.
Giddap, yo' ole twin snails! Whoa. dab!
I reckon yo' needn't hurry so fas' II
yo's gwinc lax dat!'
| Just before they reached Deepford
the catastrophe which Cinda had been
fearing happened. All at once one Of
the rear wheels collapsed. letting the
body Of the heavy vehicle sag peril
ously at that corner. The horses
floundered about in the snow, pulled
to and fro by the thoroughly frighten-
cd Simmy, while Aunt Ann took 1t into
her head to break down and bewail the
fallen glories of the house of Melvin.
| Cinda strove to reassure her.
The breakdown had occurred In front
of Newton Ashford's house, and the
young man ran out to render assist
ance.
I'm afarid you'll have to get out and
let me drive you to the party" he
said In response to Cinda's low voiced
explanation. "unless-if you will come
, into the house a few minutes while
rouse couple Of my men we will
place the body Of your coach on run
ners. so you may get there after ALL"
, THAT will place us under great obi
CATION" said Aunt Ann with dignity.
III you will assist me to alight, sir,
will wait until you make the change.
l do not fear the snow-I have on arc
tics. Cinda, my dear, hope you have
| put on your rubber boots"
II didn't, Aunt Ann" confessed Gin
da. II have nothing but these thin
slippers on"
wait moment, please" Newton
rushed toward the house, while Aunt
Ann took advantage Of his absence to
scold her pretty niece at considerable
length. When he returned Newton
was waving small pair Of rubber
boots.
Perhaps these will flt," he suggest
ed. giving them to Aunt Ann. II think
they are little boys boots. I found
them In the snow"
Aunt Ann pushed the boots over
Cinda's white slippers, and they fitted
exactly, and with Newton's help they
went to his bachelor abode and await
ed the changing Of their coach to a
sleigh.
This accomplished, they learned that
Mr.. Ashford was going to the party,
SO Aunt Ann invited him to ride with
them, and during the remainder Of the
journey they became acquainted.
Aunt Ann discovered that her hus-
bands stepmother had been own sister
to Newton's great-grandfather, and
with this Hnship established the young
man felt embOldened to tell Of his find-
ing the rubber boots In the snow. Then
Cinda related with many apologies to
Aunt Ann, who considered her exceed
ingly careless, how she had gone forth
that same day to walk In the snow
with her new boots on, how the
bakers dog had chased her with
vicious leaps until she had desperately
withdrawn her new boots and thrown
them at him.
or course the Pundermans' party
was great success. It always is. The
yellow coach had appeared most lux
urious eQuipage smothered in several
of Newton Ashfords buffalo robes,
and Aunt Ann was assured that the
pride Of her house was still maintained.
Cinda danced with Newton Ashford 40
many times that both Little River and
noonfOrd nodAoA <hoj.