er new experience--a
sleigh-ride. With considerable trouble, for aunty was stout and
unwieldy, and the little cutter was narrow and high, she was at last
bundled in, Nan and Tom following, to the infinite satisfaction of
Jocko, the pony, which was pawing the snow and jingling his bells
impatiently.

[Illustration: "AWAY THEY RUSHED DOWN THE LANE."]

When the robes were all tucked in, Tom gave the word, and away they
rushed down the lane into the road. Speeding on, they turned a curve so
sharply that Aunt Sukey was wild with alarm; her eyes rolled, and her
teeth glistened from ear to ear, as, with mouth distended, she screamed,
"Oh, Marse Tommy, fo' de Lor's sake, hole in dat beast! I's done gone
an' bin a fool to trust my mutton to a hoss like dat! Oh, Marse Tommy,
Massa Tommy, yous'll be de deff of ole Aunt Susan! Oh, fo' de Lor's
sake, stop 'im!"

"Hooray, Jocko! go it, old boy!" was Tommy's laughing response.

"Oh, bress us an' save us! Missy Nanny, be a good chile, an' make Marse
Tom stop dat yere beast, or we'll be upsot, an' break ebbery bone in our
bodies!"

"Don't mind, aunty. Jocko knows every step of the way, and _we_ won't
let you get hurt," cried Nan, with a patronizing air.

"O Lor' hab mussy on a poor ole niggur, an' bring her safely to her
journey's end, for mussy dese chillun hab none!" ejaculated Aunt Susan,
as another sharp curve was so rapidly turned that the very trees and
fences seemed rushing madly away in an opposite direction.

In less than twenty minutes, and the minutes seemed ages to affrighted
Susan, Jocko, with a snort and an extra jingle of his bells, stood
stock-still in front of the school-house.

A score of eyes peeped from the windows as Tom, alighting, with mock
ceremony handed out Nan and Aunt Susan, exclaiming, "Ladies, we shall
soon be in the presence of 'Marse Linkum.'"

"Oh, tank de Lor', dar's no bones broken! and we's really gwine to see
de blessed Marse Linkum, arter all!"

"There, now, Nan, take Aunt Susan up on the stoop, till I blanket Jocko
and put him in the shed."

"Now, Missy Nan," whispered Aunt Susan, when they found themselves alone
on the piazza, "does I look 'spectable nuff to see de President?"

"You look awful nice, aunty," replied Nanny, turning away her head to
conceal her laughter. "Ah! here comes Tom."

"Now, Aunt Susan," exclaimed that youngster, "when I introduce you, say
this: 'I hope I find your Excellency well, and all the people of color