68 
WILD SCENES AND SONG-BIRDS. 
or SO, ber madcap lord came panting back, rubbing bis bmbs 
with a most rueful countenance, while his tattered clothes 
hung like streamers about them. He looked at the wreck 
of the gig, without seeming to notice it, and with a heavy 
sigh exclaimed — 
" O wife ! wife ! I should have had him — the most beauti- 
ful young mocking bird, but for that confounded sink-hole !"* 
" But husband, see here. The gig's broken, and old Ball 
has run — ." 
" I had my hand 'most on him — not more than two inches ; 
when I pitched head foremost down — ." 
" Hang the bird ! Do look what a fix we are in ! How 
are we to get home ?" 
" 0 dear ! dear ! If I could only have got that bird !" 
^' Husband ! husband !" and she shook him right heartily. 
" What ! Is the gig broken ? Why, my child, how could 
you be so careless ? Old Ball was always a safe and sober 
horse when I held the reins ! Bless the woman ! what could 
have got into you? That poor bird will never find its 
mother now !" 
This rich scene was interrupted by the appearance of one 
of the neighboring farmers, passing down the road on horse- 
back. 
The wife summoned him to their assistance, and the scape- 
grace Ball, who had only gone off a short distance on a frolic 
— ^to which he thought himself, no doubt, as well entitled as 
his master — ^having been recaptured and brought back, the 
ready resources of the farmer, aided by withs and vines, soon 
repaired breakages in a protem. fashion, which enabled them 
to reach home — after dark — as the old lady always would 
have it. She used to avenge herself for her fright and torn 
bonnet by telling this story upon him with merciless humor 
* The barrens are covered in many parts with these sudden pits, or 
"Sink Holes," as they are called. It is a lime-stone region, and they 
are caused by the fissures in that formation. 
