Year: 1875

last you will agree with me being the
more likely thing Of the two to happen),
when suddenly the right-hand line broke,
and, afraid that if l pulled on the other
our unruly stecd might turn and upset us,
l was obliged to throw it down and think
of some plan to stop him.


"All this time the young lady had not
said word, and sat perfectly still, al
though l could see from the pallor of her
face and slight trembling Of the lips
that she was fully alive to the danger of
our position. l knew that what l did
l must do quickly, for we had nearly been
thrown out two or three times, and had
shaken my head emphatically atmy fellow.
sufferer in answer to her mute appeal for
permission to jump. l knew that broken
limbs would be the consequence, and re-
solved to do all in my power to prevent
such calamity. Seeing no other way
leaned forward, and, grasping the back
strap, put foot on each shaft and in this
manner worked my way on to the horses
back. A short distance ahead the road
took a sharp turn, and l made up my
mind that the horse must be stopped be-
fore we reached it; SO | threw my arms
around his neck with the idea of choking
him, when the whiffietree became de-
tached from the shaft. Nothing that |
am aware of is more likely to terrify a
horse than to have something knocking
u ;c I pnf
quired some skill to keep my seat. One
kick-the shafts were demolished and we
were free from the wagon, which ran
ahead by its own velocity, until one of the
front wheels struck stone, turning the
carriage so that it ran into the bushes
which lined the road, and stopped. A
glance behind showed me all This, and |
was about looking out for my own safety
when the beast stumbled, throwing me
with great violence over his head. |
know that my temple struck something
pretty hard; l saw several flashes of light
before my eyes, and then all was still.


"The next thing that remember is that
l was lying on bed in strange room
with mother by my side. Ifeltvery weak,
and wondered how | came there, until |
saw the lady whom had risked my life
to save standing at the foot Of the bed
stead. thought she seemed very much
pleased to see that | had regained con-
sciousness, and the smile she gave me
made me feel as happy as one in my con-
dition could.


"The doctor told me afterward that it
was only good nursing that brought me
through, for besides having intiamma-
ton of the brain l had several ugly
bruises, including sprained ankle, and,
if l remember rightly, two or three broken
ribs. | had been sick five weeks, and
you may be sure was glad when | was
strong enough to walk in the garden by
the help of your mother and cane"
"Mother?"


Yes, Ida it was your mother who was
the cause Of my broken ribs, and | have
never regretted it, and would go through
the same thing again if it were necessary
or would do her any good. My business
had been very much neglected during my
illness and l found | should have to COM
mence over again. but that did trouble
me much, for l was young-scarcely
twenty -four-and your ma had promised
to wait for me until l was gray if neces-
sary."


"No, sir" said mother, who sat on the
other side of the hearth, mot only until
you were gray, but forever"


True, my dear, you did; but we did
not have to waitvery long, for your father,
after letting me go ahead awhile on my
own hook as he expressed it, advanced
the necessary funds, and when l would
have paid him back said: You risked
your lite to save Nettie's; all | have is
hers, and she is yours; never talk to me
of payment again


$50 you see, Tom, that mine was not
such commonplace courtship as you
imagined But there's the supper bell
run and get ready. Come, MOTHER
| Rural Nen Yorker.