Part 20 (1/2)
They reer, and then loaded their wagon once more and started on the road Theyfairly well at both places, and then, just ten days after leaving the city, struck Fleain ca day's business They intended to leave Fle theMonday
”On Monday e alone, if you will,” said Andy ”I can take another trip to New York, and buy oods and have the, which shall be our last stopping place in New Jersey”
To this Matt agreed, and on Saturday night all wasstart on Monday Sunday was a quiet day for both, although they attended divine services, and took a long walk a the farms outside of the town proper
”By creation! but it looks like a stor, as he jumped out of bed and aroused Matt
”Well, if it rains ill have to make the most of it, I suppose,”
returned the boy philosophically ”It's a pity we haven't any umbrellas to sell!”
”There! I'll put theh
”I declare, Matt, you are getting to be more of a business ood partner for a teacher, Andy”
”Oh, nonsense,” returned the young man, but nevertheless considerably pleased to learn that Matt appreciated his efforts ”You are as bright as any one on the road”
When they went down to the dining-roo it certainly did look like rain Yet there was a brisk breeze blowing, and several expressed themselves as certain that it would pass around to the north of them
Less than half an hour later Andy was on his way to the depot to catch a train, and Matt hurried to the stable where Billy and the wagon were
”I'll get to High Bridge just as soon as I can,” he said to hiht in a thunder-storet a bit wet, but that's all,” relance at the heavy clouds scurrying across the sky
”That there storm, if it comes, which is doubtful, won't last half an hour”
With this reassurance, if such it could be called, Matt saw to it that all was in good condition, and sprang upon the seat He had ht not go astray--a thing easy to do in most parts of the country--and in a short space of time he was out of the town and on the turnpike
Had it been a pleasant day the boy would have enjoyed that drive thoroughly, for it was through a most beautiful section of the country On both sides of the road were broad fields, dotted here and there with patches of woods and bushes Several brooks were also crossed, and at one of these he stopped for a few
But then the sky seerow darker suddenly, and somewhat alarmed, Matt whipped up Billy The wind died out utterly, and the air grew close and sultry
”That ht Matt ”I wish I was near the journey's end instead of only about half through with it”
Presently came a sudden and quite unexpected rush of wind, and a second later a heavy dash of rain, which drove al, and adjusted the rubber blanket in front of his seat This was no easy job, for the wind kept increasing in violence He had barely completed the hen there came a crash of thunder, and then the rain came down harder than ever
”I wish I could find soly pay to be allowed to drive into soets wet”
Matt tried to peer about hi to the sheets of rain which fell all around
”We'll have to stick to the road until so the shi+vering horse ”Get up old boy, and step lively”