Year: 1876

y
when we had safely passed the cross
ing and had settled down again into
a steady gait-do you know, think
We should get along a good deal
more comfortably in this world if
We always come TO full stop before
crossing other peoples tracks. That
is the reason men are always running
into each other. 1t would be the
peacefulest world you ever see if We
stopped a. otlser folks crossings ey-
cry time, AMI he gave another of his
emphatic mods.


The long level was now ended and
before us rose gentle slope up
which we must labor before reach
ing level ground again. l followed
with my own the drivers glance at
the car within. 1t was still full.


It's hard pull for the horses up
he hill with such a load as this, isn't
ii? | sail as.nearing the bottouy they
fell into a walk.


Not a bit of it. responded the
driver, with the tone of a man who
knows what he is talking about
Don't you see? and following again
the direction of his glance, saw a
sheltered horse led forth from a shell
tered corner to take his place by the
side of the other two. The car per-
ceItibly received a new impulse as
this new helper Strengthened out his
traces and threw himself into his
work. Up the hill we go with a
rush.


A little easier than not-ain't it
now? said the driver, checking liss-
tie the enthusiasm of his team by a
taut rein, and after giving a proud
and pleased look at them, turning
with the old twinkle in his eye to
me. But it all depands on the extra.
Two couldn't hardly do it alone; you
know there isn't no hard place we
can't get over if we have the right
kind Of helper. The old thoughtful
look settled over his face as he said
this, putting out the twinkle in his
eve; and his lips moved, though no
words escaped them. / Thought that
this was what he would have added:
''The Lord is my helper"


We were soon at the top of the
mll, and the horses took up their
trot again.


Almost home, now, said the driv-
er, cheerily, as catching once more
the sharp end of the wind, he sway
ed himself back from one foot to
the other, TO keep up the chile !
circulation within.


The sunset had paled, and the
twilight was gathering deeply over
the scene. The air had grown cold
er in the time we had been riding.
Great puffs Of breath poured from
the horses nostrils like steam from
the smokestack of locomotive. The
frost was beginning to show itself up
on our boards. One by one our
passengers were alighting, and there
were signs of room within. Y ct,
somehow felt disinelined TO leave
the platform.


Going to stick it out, are you
said the driver, ending quiet sur
vey of my person by a pleasant
| glance at my face and seeming to
| guess my mind in the process. Well
it isin't much farther, and he shook
his reins upon the horses backs.
They caught the signal and quicken
ed their pace.


It's good to get home such a night
as this, said he. Fact is, I'm always
glad to get home.


You talk like man whose home
is worth something to him, said |,
inquiringly.


It's nothing uow to what twas
once, he said, sadly. There used to
be one of the best women you ever
see and two little girls; but they've
all three gone on ahead. It's two
years now since the homes been
empty of them; though it's home
for all that. l don't find any place
like it; nor / shan't likely.


1t was not for a stranger to inter-
meddle with the good mans sorrow.
Ionly ventured presently to ask:
This isin't your last trip, l sup
pose ?ea ases


Yes, he answered, with a new en-
ergy, recovering himself from his
momentary soberness. That is for
to night. And for aught | know,
he added, it's the last of all. Who
knows?


If we had only knownl w


sometimes wish it were the last,
he continued, when l get round to
my LONELINESS and go to thinking.
But God knows when it'll be time
for me to stop, and Pm perfectly
willing to leave all to Him.
thought to myself that such a
man as this was about ready to stop
at any time.


The car was now empty. We
were nearing the end of the route.
/ was the last passenger left. The
conductor had counted his fares,
made up his way-bill, and dropped
off to get his supper. We ratified
merily along the street, the dull ring
of the wheels sounding out loudly
Upon the still, clear air. The last
corner was turned, the stables came
in sight, where the car was to stop,
a few steps beyond which had yet
TO go. It's sheltering doors stood
open to receive us. The friendly
lamp hung cleaning in its place.
The smoking horses came to stand.
The driver wound up his brake, and
knotted his reigns about the handle.
Whoa was what I thought he
said. Oh ! was what he, must have
said. Itgwas the sharp ontcry of
one struck by sudden pain.
turned and had Just time to
eateh him as he fell. The waiting
Aestlers ran to my aid. We laid
ltim gently down upon the seat in
side the car. We chafed his hands;
but it was of no use. There were
one or two faint gasps and all was
over. a'05'r Ss'7'-- -


The driver had run his last trip
and was at Home.


MIND YoUR P's.-A Western ex-
change tells its readers how ''to mind
-tz p3sv IN Tho f,,lin.,,s,,,. ~, IN ,v,.o nh I.