The Buller-Podington Compact by Frank Richard Stockton

The Buller-Podington Compact by Frank Richard Stockton
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Buller-Podington compact

frank Richard Stockton (1834-1902)

[ from Scribner's Magazine_, August , 1897 Republished afield and Afloat_, frank Richard Stockton; copyright , 1900, Charles Scribner's Sons reprinted permission of_the publishers ]

"I tell you , William," said Thomas Buller to_his friend Mr Podington, " I_am truly sorry about_it , but I_cannot arrange for_it this year now , as_to invitation -- that_is very different "

" of_course_it_is different ," was_the reply , " but I_am obliged to_say , I_said before , that I really cannot accept "

Remarks similar to_these had_been made Thomas Buller and William Podington at_least once year for some five years they were old friends ; they schoolboys together and associated business since they were young men they had now reached vigorous middle age ; they were each married , and each had house in_the country in_which resided for part of_the year they were warmly attached each_other , and each was_the best friend which the other had in_this world but during all these years neither of_them had visited the other in_his country home

the reason for_this avoidance each_other their respective rural residences may_be briefly stated Mr Buller's country house was situated by_the sea , and he_was very fond of_the water had good cat- boat , which sailed himself with much judgment and skill , and it_was his greatest pleasure to_take his friends and visitors upon little excursions on_the bay but Mr Podington was desperately afraid of_the water , and he_was particularly afraid any craft sailed amateur his friend Buller would_have employed professional mariner , years and experience , steer and manage his boat , Podington might_have_been willing to_take occasional sail ; but Buller always insisted upon sailing his own boat , and took ill any of_his visitors doubted his ability to_do_so properly , Podington did_not wish wound the self - love of_his friend , and he_did_not wish to_be drowned consequently he_could_not bring himself consent to_go Buller's house by_the sea

receive his good friend Buller his own house in_the beautiful upland region in_which lived would_have_been great joy Mr Podington; but Buller could_not_be induced visit him Podington was very fond horses and always drove himself , while Buller was more afraid horses than he_was elephants lions one more horses driven coachman years and experience he_did_not always object , but horse driven Podington, who had much and knowledge regarding mercantile affairs, but was merely amateur horseman , most decidedly and strongly objected wish hurt his friend 's feelings refusing to_go out drive with_him , but he_would_not rack his own nervous system accompanying him therefore was_that had_not yet visited the beautiful upland country residence Mr Podington

last this state things grew awkward Mrs Buller and Mrs Podington, often with their families , visited each_other their country houses, but the fact that on_these occasions they were never accompanied their husbands caused more and more gossip among their neighbors both in_the upland country and by_the sea

one day spring as_the two sat their city office , where Mr Podington had just repeated his annual invitation , his friend replied him thus :

"William, I come to_see you this summer , will_you visit ? the thing beginning look little ridiculous , and people are talking about_it "

Mr Podington put his hand to_his brow and for few_moments closed his eyes in_his mind he_saw cat- boat upon its side , the sails spread out over the water , and two men , almost entirely immersed in_the waves, making efforts reach the side of_the boat one_of_these was getting very_well -- that was Buller the other seemed about sink , his arms were uselessly waving in_the air -- that was himself but opened his eyes and looked bravely out_of_the window ; it_was time conquer all this ; it_was indeed growing ridiculous Buller had_been sailing many years and had never been upset

" yes ," said ; " i_will do_it ; I_am ready any_time you name "

Mr Buller rose and stretched out his hand

" good ! " said ; " it_is compact ! "

Buller was_the first make_the promised country visit had_not mentioned the subject horses to_his friend , but he_knew through Mrs Buller that Podington still continued to_be his own driver she had informed him , however , that present he_was accustomed drive big black horse which , her opinion , was gentle and reliable as_these animals ever became , and she_could_not imagine how anybody could_be afraid him when , the next morning after his arrival , Mr Buller was asked his host he_would like to_take drive , suppressed certain rising emotion and said that_it would please him very_much

when_the good black horse had jogged along pleasant road for half hour Mr Buller began to_feel that , perhaps , for all these years had_been laboring under misconception seemed to_be possible that there were some horses to_which surrounding circumstances in_the shape sights and sounds were irrelevant that_they were certain degree entirely safe , even when guided and controlled amateur hand as_they passed some meadow - land , somebody behind hedge fired gun ; Mr Buller was frightened , but the horse was not

"William," said Buller, looking cheerfully around him ,

"I had idea that you lived in_such pretty country in_fact , I_might almost call beautiful you_have_not any wide stretch water , such I like so_much , but here_is pretty river , those rolling hills are very charming, and , beyond , the blue of_the mountains "

" it_is lovely ," said his friend ; "I never get tired driving through_this country of_course the seaside very fine , but here we_have such variety scenery "

Mr Buller could_not help thinking that sometimes the seaside was little monotonous , and_that had lost great deal pleasure not varying his summers going to_spend week_or_two with Podington

"William," said , " how long have_you had this horse ? "

" about two years," said Mr Podington; " before I got him , I used drive pair "

"Heavens ! " thought Buller, " how lucky i_was not to_come two years_ago ! " and_his regrets for not sooner visiting his friend greatly decreased

now they came place where the stream , by_which the road ran, had_been dammed for mill and had widened into beautiful pond

" there now ! " cried Mr Buller " that 's what I like William, you seem to_have everything ! this_is really very pretty sheet water , and_the reflections of_the trees over there make charming ; you_can 't get that at_the seaside , you_know "

Mr Podington was delighted ; his face glowed ; he_was rejoiced at_the pleasure of_his friend "I tell you , Thomas," said , " that ----"

"William ! " exclaimed Buller, with sudden squirm in_his seat , " what_is that I hear ? is_that train ? "

" yes ," said Mr Podington, " that_is_the ten-forty, "

"Does come near here ? " asked Mr Buller, nervously "Does over that bridge ? "

" yes ," said Podington, " but can 't hurt , for_our road goes under the bridge ; we_are perfectly safe ; there_is risk accident "

" but your horse ! your horse ! " exclaimed Buller, as_the train came nearer and nearer " what_will ? "

" ? " said Podington; " 'll what he_is doing now ; doesn't mind trains "

" but look here , William," exclaimed Buller, " it_will get there just we_do ; horse could stand roaring in_the air like that ! "

Podington laughed " he_would_not mind in_the least ," said

" come , come now ," cried Buller " really , I_can 't stand this ! just stop minute , William, and let get out sets all nerves quivering "

Mr Podington smiled with superior smile "Oh, you needn't get out ," said ; " there 's not the least danger in_the_world but I don't want to_make you nervous , and_I_will turn around and drive the other way "

" but you_can 't ! " screamed Buller " this road is_not wide enough , and_that train nearly here please stop ! "

the imputation that_the road was not wide enough for him to_turn was too_much for_Mr Podington bear he_was very proud of_his ability to_turn vehicle narrow place

" turn ! " said ; " that 's the easiest thing in_the_world see ; little to_the right , then back , then sweep to_the left and we_will_be going the other way " and instantly began the maneuver in_which he_was such adept

"Oh, Thomas ! " cried Buller, half rising in_his seat , " that train almost here ! "

" and we_are almost ----" Mr Podington was about to_say " turned around ," but stopped Mr Buller's exclamations had made him little nervous , and , in_his anxiety to_turn quickly , had pulled upon his horse 's bit with more energy than was actually necessary , and_his nervousness being communicated to_the horse , that animal backed with_such extraordinary vigor that_the hind wheels of_the wagon went over bit grass by_the road and into_the water the sudden jolt gave new impetus Mr Buller's fears

" you 'll upset ! " cried , and not thinking what he_was about , laid hold of_his friend 's arm the horse , startled by_this sudden jerk upon his bit , which , combined with_the thundering of_the train , which_was now on_the bridge , made him think that something extraordinary was about happen , gave sudden and forcible start backward , so_that not_only the hind wheels of_the light wagon , but the fore wheels and_his own hind legs went into_the water as_the bank at_this spot sloped steeply, the wagon continued to_go , despite the efforts of_the agitated horse to_find footing on_the crumbling edge of_the bank

"Whoa ! " cried Mr Buller

" get ! " exclaimed Mr Podington, applying his whip upon_the plunging beast

but exclamations and castigations had effect upon_the horse the original bed of_the stream ran to_the road , and_the bank was steep and_the earth soft that_it_was impossible for_the horse advance even maintain his footing back , back went , until the whole equipage was in_the water and_the wagon was afloat

this vehicle was road wagon , without top , and_the joints of_its box - body were tight enough to_prevent the water from immediately entering ; , somewhat deeply sunken , rested upon_the water there_was current in_this part of_the pond and turned the wagon downstream the horse was now entirely immersed in_the water , with_the exception of_his head and_the upper part of_his neck , and , unable reach the bottom with_his feet , he_made vigorous efforts swim

Mr Podington, the reins and whip in_his hands, sat horrified and pale ; the accident was sudden , he_was startled and frightened that , for moment , he_could_not speak word Mr Buller, on_the other hand , was now lively and alert the wagon had sooner floated away from_the shore than he_felt himself home he_was upon his favorite element ; water had fears for him he_saw that his friend was nearly frightened out of_his wits, and_that , figuratively speaking, he_must step to_the helm and take charge of_the vessel stood and gazed about him

" put her across stream ! " shouted ; " she_can 't make headway against this current head her to_that clump trees on_the other side ; the bank lower there , and we_can beach her move little the other way , we_must trim boat now then , pull on_your starboard rein "

Podington obeyed , and_the horse slightly changed his direction

" you_see ," said Buller, " won 't sail straight across , because the current would carry down and land below that spot "

Mr Podington said not word ; expected every moment to_see the horse sink into watery grave

" isn't bad after all , is_it , Podington ? if_we had rudder and bit sail would_be great help to_the horse this wagon is_not bad boat "

the despairing Podington looked his feet " 's coming ," he_said husky voice "Thomas, the water over shoes ! "

" that_is ," said Buller " I_am used water I didn't notice she leaks do_you carry anything bail her out with ? "

" bail ! " cried Podington, now finding his voice "Oh, Thomas, we_are sinking ! "

" that 's ," said Buller; " she leaks like sieve "

the weight of_the running- gear and of_the two men was entirely too_much for_the buoyancy of_the wagon body the water rapidly rose toward the top of_its sides

" we_are going drown ! " cried Podington, suddenly rising

" lick him ! lick him ! " exclaimed Buller " make him swim faster ! "

" there 's nothing lick ," cried Podington, vainly lashing at_the water , for he_could_not reach the horse 's head the poor man was dreadfully frightened ; had never even imagined possible that he_should_be drowned in_his own wagon

" whoop ! " cried Buller, as_the water rose over the sides " steady yourself , old boy , you 'll overboard ! " and_the next moment the wagon body sunk out sight