thereof
were standing cloaked, hooded, and muffed, ready to start. The
distance was ten miles. We had cast lots for the sleighs, and had
agreed on exclusiveness, though not exactly the exclusiveness that
Sister Anna wickedly proposed, viz., that each brother should take his
respective sisters in due decorum. The new "cutter" of my brother's
was drawn by himself; and he had already started with his little Fanny
by his side. The proud, beautiful Jane--I really believe I had
forgotten to mention that, while Cousin Jehoiakim was upsetting
chairs, and spilling pitchers of water, and breaking glasses, and
treading on people's toes, and the cat's tail, a distant cousin of
ours arrived--rather a guess cousin than Cousin Jehoiakim; tall as
the last named, to be sure, but bearing about the same resemblance to
him as a vigorous, graceful young willow does to an overgrown mullen
stalk. This new cousin--by cognomen Clarence Spencer--the family name
our own, by the way--proud and beautiful as the haughty Jane
herself--had seen fit to fall most gracefully in love with her. These
two, therefore, were just started on their way to the ball, in
Clarence's own incomparable turn-out. Lieutenant Allen had drawn the
Elliott's beautiful gold and brown sleigh. He was holding the
impatient ponies, and Sister Anna was arranging the cushions when
Cousin Jehoiakim hove in sight. Sister Anna sprung like a doe to the
front seat, threw the heavy buffalo-robes about, making them and the
great bandbox fill up the back seat, and seating herself by the
lieutenant--all this quicker than lightning--and giving the ponies a
touch of the whip, on they dashed to the imminent peril of their necks
as well as her own. A saucy toss of the head was all she vouchsafed
me. All, then, were on their way save Edgar and myself, who were
expecting a quiet, loving talk in the comfortable old-fashioned
"pung," with a gig top, that papa used in his frequent drives to
Boston.

"Wall, now, Cousin Clarry, I reckon you thought I didn't snuff what
was going on."

Poor fellow! he looked _so_ good-natured, truly my heart smote me.

"There is another cutter in the barn, cousin," replied I, "and you can
take your pick of the horses."

"You are very kind, Cousin Clarry, but there ain't no occasion of
calling any more of the poor dumb critters out into the cold. I guess
you can make room for me; I will ride on top until we catch up to some
of the two-seated sleighs."

Time was t