The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-01-28
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
:
, SUBURBAN SALLY
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

~ =
Sally was never quite sure whether
the idea occurred to her through the
channel Of mercenary thought or sim.
ply because she wanted to break the
monotony of life.
She had been left a most delightful
little home, an excellent garden and
ample stabling for horses and coun-
try vehicles.
There was an excellent pair Of gray
mares in the stable, small trap and
her grandfather's old family omnibus.
The latter was thick with dust of
years, yet it was the hinge upon which
Sally's business venture swung.
L could drive perhaps twelve com
muters to their train each morning
and take them home in the evening""
she unused. "If ! charged a dollar a
week and had even ten passengers I
would not have to sell of the horses.
Ten dollars week means consider
able to me.
"Besides,'' she reflected when she
had all but determined on the idea,
'the horses would have little exer-
else and trife Of amusement. I
feel sure that the gentlemen who
occupy those charming houses On the
Elm road VIII rather drive in my ON
nibus than crowded street car
Sally's mental prophecy proved cor
rect. The gentlemen who committed
to the city from Elm lane were weary
Of crowded cars and leaped at the
idea suggested on the tiny cards that
Sally had sent out.
During July and August, when sub
urbanites brought out guests and rela-
tiyes for a breath OF country air and
fresh vegetables from their gardens,
Sally's ten dollars a week swelled to
twenty. Commuters seemed willing
to crowd into her omnibus rather
than into street cars and Sally was
obliged to permit an occa sional pas
senger Oh to her box seat This she
strongly objected to, since she had
determined to remain, as far as pos
slble, stranger to her patrons
It WAS not until the advent Of Dick
HalsteaG into her omnibus that Sally
found her dignity slipping from her.
1t was impossible for any one to re-
main very far above the human
throng when Dicky was near. He
seemed born merely for the purpose
of etching smiles on the faces of
those with whom he came in contact.
7 say, Halstead," yelled Roger
Evans from the inside of the coach,
mo one is allowed on the box seat
unless it is crowded to capacity in
side! Come down Off your perch"
Il am sitting here in the interest Of
humanity returned Halstead. "The
off mare has wicked look in her eyes
this morning. She may want to bolt
when she passes the steam roller"
He glanced swiftly at Sally's amazed
expression. My manly strength is
Tequired-here on the box seat
70 those inside the wagonette It
seemed as if Halstead had made the
statement in a spirit Of fun. In real
1ty he had feared the off mare for
some days past. Since the advent Of
the great steam roller on the quiet
country roads Sally had had as much
as she could do to handle the horses
They were approaching the corner
OF the road where they we're wont TO
meet the sncrting, powerful roller
with its deafening noise
Halstead turned to Sally. Her face
HAD gone white. lie locked ahead for
the cause and saw a second roller.
more gigantic than the first. The
mare might pass one road-Gend, but
assurediy Saily's hands could not
make her pass second. It meant
a fiiehtful spill ct least OF the pre.
ca1ious road. IIa'stead fer a second
feared t. take the rains suddenly from
the girl. She might fight to retain
them and the horses would bolt with
so1z2e twenty men in the wagorette.
i3alstead drew a heavy, swift breath
and again glanced at Sally.
She felt his glance and realized the
strain he was under.
Here she said, swiftly thrusting
the reins in his ready hands; 81
haven't the strength
Angel nuttered Halstead under
his breath and then the fight beean.
Never could Sally have controlled the
maddened beasts, for beasts they were
IN that desperate moment when thev
reared IN che awful plunge as they
dashed past the second roller.
Tho wagonette swerved from side
to side, one minute topping the next
erect, but the situation was saved
Tragedy had been averted.
Sally closed her eyes, her face
winter than the lace at her throat
Inc horses were running steadily now
and straight. Dick put one hand over
Sallys as it lay On the seat beside
him. She looked at him but did nos
speak. In the wagonatte twenty men
We're suddenly bereft of speech. Per
haps the realization that life was =,
Wonderful thing hit them forcibly after
the narrow escape with that other
phantom.
you saved them all,'' Sally said
finally and her voice trembled.
Dick only laughed.
1--WE might all have had a house
party in the village hospital" he said
and tried to cover the emotion in his
voice. Sallys sudden weakness had
so unnerved him that he was tempted
then and there to take her in his
arms, but again reason prevented him.
No" he muttarad ,oJ1, l,.lc