Year: 1878

ment to take a ride with Mrs, Coyille
a few weeks ago, 1t is very rarely
indeed that Mr.. Coville deals with a
horse, but then that was not much
matter, as anybody can drive one
Mr.. Coyille took the horse at the
stable and drove around to the house
for his wife, Hs got the establish.
ment up to the curb by a laborious
effort at the reins, but appeared to be
unable to do anything beyond that
He sat there and waited for his wife
to come out. He did not see her, MOI
could he detect from the appearance
of the front of the house that she was
seeing him, but sheought to be. She
knew he had gone after the horse,
and might reasonably be expected
every moment, SO she ought to be on
the watch for him.


1t suggested itself to him that the
horse could be hitched, but there was
nothing but tree to hitch to, be-
sides, Mr.. Coville had never hitched
a horse. Now, while the most mex.
perienced person can drive a horse
on straight road, he scarcely dares
venture into any of the little Offices
pertaining to its management, hav-
ing q fear of an animal whose nature
he does not understand. Mr.. Coville
could have tied this animal, ,undoubt-
edly, had there been a strap suspen.
ded from its neck for that purpose
He had a vague idea Of a hitch line,
but he could not see any such article
in sight, and he did not like to un-
dertake a performance with which
he was unacquainted in full sight Of
his neighbors. Their natuaal pow
ers of observation would be quicken
eddy his unusual advent with horse.
So he sat there, and said, "Who"
and waited for his wife to appear
And while he sat there ho tried to
look as unconcerned MS if il was a
daily occurrence to him, but he had
the inward consciousness that he
was making a decided failure Of it
1t was singular she did not come
Five, ten minutes passed. Not u
long period of time, but sufficient to
enable a man who has been married
a number of-yearsto think of great
variety of topics Immediately affect
ing the companion of his joys and
sorrows. "What would the neighbors
think?" appeared to be the golden
thread which ran through and held
those topics together.


Hello, is that you?" she inquired,
in surprise,


1t appeared to be, and he as much
as admitted the same by Observing


"Whero on earth have you kept
yourself?"


Mrs. Coville was ready in a mo-
ment and came to the carriage. It
was natural that she should cast an
approhensive glance at the horse,and
take the precaution to inquire, be-
fore getting into the carriage, if he
was sure it was not u viciousanimal
Mrs. Coville was very much hustrat'
ed by her hurry and by the novelty
ofthe occasion, and spoke with agi'
tation. 1t occurred to Mr.. CovillC
that he should get out and help his
wife in, but being under an impress,
ion that the animal was simply wait
ing for such an opportunity to dash
away and smash the carriage, if not
to break some of its legs, he kept his
place, and told her, (this in answer
to her nervous inquiryD that he
guessed he was no ochifd with a horse.
By dint of some stout clambering on
her part and extraordinary pulling
on his, she was safely seated by his
side. A momentor more of time was
then consumed in righting herself,
and then they started.


1t was a pleasant day to ride, and
the horse logged along in a highly
respectable way. Mr.. Covillo point
ed ont the scenery to his wife, all Of
which she showed an appreciation Of
by keeping n close eye on the horse
aud hanging on to the carriage with
both hands, Mr.. Covillo discreetly
kept on broad highways, little trav'
cled, and carefully avoided turning
sharp corners.


They were returning from Brook
field, and approaching the railroad