ROUNDABOUT RIDE FOR A STRAIGHT CUT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1040, 24 March 1882, Page 3

ROUNDABOUT RIDE FOR A STRAIGHT CUT.

The following is an exploit of a worthy Highlander, name not mentioned: -“An honest Highlander resident in a certain ‘burrows town’ in the North, having occasion to go to tlv. country on hnsine-s, called at a friend’s house on his way homeward. Ho was received with . characteristic warmth and hospitality. His ‘ garron’ or ponv was fed and turned into an adjoining pasture, and after the parties had taken some solid refreshment, the ‘ gudewjfe’s hottle ’ was speedily brought into requisition. Some of the neighbours also dropped in, to add to the hilarity of the evening, and altogether a more joyous or care-dcfving group has seldom been convened. Each good joke brought on another, a thousand obi stories were told, lire politics of the day wore discussed. and the affairs of Kiik and State duly set iu order. Of course, the toddy jugs were frequently emptied and replenisi eil, for ‘ no man of sense,’ as the farmer sagely remarked, 1 would ever think of dis cussing politics with the dry dust of the mad in his throat,' At length our friend Donald began to sen thenecessity of parting, there being such a thing as going home, as well as getring up in the morning. He was compelled, however, to go through the ordeal of two or three additional pouries ere this movement could he effected, and even then he had to make his escape hy strategem. Stealing out half unperceived, Donald, hy something of a miracle, found his way to the park where his uony was browsing; and throwing his leg across the animal, set off, like another Mezcppa or John Gilpin, at full speed. Seizing fast hold of what he supposed to he the bridle—or rather halter, for Donald’s harness was of a primitive description—our hero contrived to keep his seat, and had just recollection enough to I e anxious to get quietly homo. Many a weary jolt, however, old the poor horseman undergo, and yet there was no sign of his own 'fireside. Ho could not have taken the wrong road—he was sure it was his pony—and yet he seemed to make no progress. At this moment the. returning sense and recollection of honest Donald were aided by the grey light of the morning, which began to dawn, and ho was speedly convinced-not that he was within sight of his own house, but that he had not gone ten yards fioin the spot where he had mounted. The pony had been tethered to a stake in the field, and the knot having, without slipping off, yielded to the pressure, the rope w’ent easily round, while the elated horseman, holding hy the mane, was riding a Round Robin, described hy the length of the tetlmr. Things were speedily set to lights, and Donald took the road in good earnest ; but unluckily he was overseen by a drover who happened to be early adit, and the circumstance getting wind, has ever since been a soro thorn in the side of the worthy rider. The drinking, ho says, was had enough, but the jeering and laughter about his hoinomansbip are ten times worse.” - /nverte ss Courier.