oo precious to waste in words, and as Cousin Jehoiakim good
naturedly persisted that he should be very comfortable on the top, on
the top he seated himself. I saw that Edgar did not like the
arrangement, but he was too polite, or too proud to interfere. "Let us
overtake the others," said he. A bright smile passed over his face. I
saw he meditated some mischief. I knew it could not be very
mischievous mischief, for a kinder, nobler heart never beat more
warmly in any human breast. Forward dashed the horses, throwing the
white, sparkling snow before and around them into the bright sunshine.
Faster and faster sped the spirited horses, until we passed,
first--yes, it was no illusion, his lips were actually pressing her
little rosy mouth. Then, Lieutenant Allen, you are not the first man
that has done the like; it is a way they all have, ever since Adam
gave Mother Eve her first love-kiss. What man would not part with some
years of his life for the privilege of pressing to his own a pretty
little soft mouth?

Ah, Sister Anna! the question was actually popped; and on that
memorable day of the ball, thy giddy heart was actually caged. We came
so noiselessly and swift through the soft snow that we actually took
thee by surprise. Thy blushes were beautiful; but on we sped, and our
next tableaux presented Cousin Clarence gazing most intensely and
earnestly into the great deep-blue eyes of the beautiful Jane
Elliott, as though he were pouring forth a question from his soul to
hers. Her delicate hand lay in his, and her stately, graceful head
inclined gently toward him. They were so earnestly occupied, he in
talking, and she in listening, that they did not see us until we had
passed them; and after we passed them we were not long in overtaking
Dick and his little Fanny. Bless the lovers! Her curly-headed little
head started, quick as lightning, from its warm resting place, though
not so quick but that my practiced eye saw it take leave of Brother
Dick's manly shoulder. Her fun-loving spirit could not resist the
ludicrous appearance of Cousin Jehoiakim, perched upon the top of our
pung like some immense bird of prey. Brother Dick joined in her
pealing, merry laughter, and the old woods rang again. The stump of a
tree grew at the road-side, near an immense snow-bank. Edgar, as
though he had been on the look-out for such a fine opportunity,
speedily and dexterously ran one runner of our pung over the stump,
and over went the pung. By