by Frank Richard Stockton (1834-1902)

[From Scribner's Magazine_, August, 1897 Republished in Afield and Afloat_, by Frank Richard Stockton; copyright, 1900, by Charles Scribner's Sons Reprinted by permission publishers ]

"I tell you, William," said Thomas Buller friend Mr Podington, " truly sorry , but arrange this year Now, my invitation-- very different "

" different," reply, "but obliged , as before, that I really cannot accept it "

Remarks similar made by Thomas Buller and William Podington once year for some five years They were old friends; they schoolboys together and associated in business since they were young men They had now reached vigorous middle age; they were each married, and each had house country he resided for part year They were warmly attached to , and each best friend which the other had world But during all these years neither had visited the other country home

The reason avoidance of at their respective rural residences briefly stated Mr Buller's country house was situated sea, and very fond water He had good cat-boat, which he sailed himself with much judgment and skill, and his greatest pleasure his friends and visitors upon little excursions bay But Mr Podington was desperately afraid water, and particularly afraid of any craft sailed by an amateur If his friend Buller employed professional mariner, of years and experience, to steer and manage his boat, Podington willing an occasional sail; but as Buller always insisted upon sailing his own boat, and took it ill if any visitors doubted his ability properly, Podington wish to wound the self-love friend, and wish drowned Consequently bring himself to consent to Buller's house sea

To receive his good friend Buller at his own house beautiful upland region he lived great joy to Mr Podington; but Buller induced to visit him Podington was very fond of horses and always drove himself, while Buller was more afraid of horses than of elephants or lions To one or more horses driven by coachman of years and experience always object, but to horse driven by Podington, who had much experience and knowledge regarding mercantile affairs, but was merely an amateur horseman, he most decidedly and strongly objected wish to hurt his friend's feelings by refusing out to drive , but rack his own nervous system by accompanying him Therefore it he yet visited the beautiful upland country residence of Mr Podington

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

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

"William, if I come you this summer, visit me ? The thing is beginning to look little ridiculous, and people are talking "

Mr Podington put his hand brow and for closed his eyes mind cat-boat upon its side, the sails spread out over the water, and two men, almost entirely immersed waves, making efforts to reach the side boat was getting on --that was Buller The other seemed about to sink, his arms were uselessly waving air--that was himself But he opened his eyes and looked bravely window; time to conquer all this; indeed growing ridiculous Buller sailing many years and had never been upset

"Yes," said he; " ; ready you name "

Mr Buller rose and stretched out his hand

"Good ! " said he; " compact ! "

Buller first to promised country visit He mentioned the subject of horses friend, but through Mrs Buller that Podington still continued his own driver She had informed him, however, that at present accustomed to drive big black horse which, in her opinion, was as gentle and reliable animals ever became, and imagine how anybody afraid of him So when, the next morning after his arrival, Mr Buller was asked by his host if like drive, he suppressed certain rising emotion and said would please him

good black horse had jogged along pleasant road for half an hour Mr Buller began that, perhaps, for all these years he laboring under misconception It seemed possible that there were some horses surrounding circumstances shape of sights and sounds were so irrelevant were to certain degree entirely safe, even when guided and controlled by an amateur hand 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 no idea that you lived pretty country , almost call it beautiful any wide stretch of water, such as I like , but pretty river, those rolling hills are very charming, and, beyond, the blue mountains "

" lovely," said his friend; "I never get tired of driving country the seaside is very fine, but here such variety of scenery "

Mr Buller help thinking that sometimes the seaside was little monotonous, he had lost great deal of pleasure by not varying his summers by going up with Podington

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

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

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

Now they came to place where the stream, the road ran, dammed for mill and had widened into beautiful pond

"There now ! " cried Mr Buller "That's what I like William, you seem everything ! really very pretty sheet of water, reflections trees over there make charming picture; 't get that seaside, "

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

"William ! " exclaimed Buller, with sudden squirm seat, "what I hear ? train ? "

"Yes," said Mr Podington, " ten-forty, up "

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

"Yes," said Podington, "but it can't hurt us, road goes under the bridge; perfectly safe; no risk of accident "

"But your horse ! Your horse ! " exclaimed Buller, train came nearer and nearer " he do ? "

"Do ? " said Podington; "he'll do what doing now; he doesn't mind trains "

"But look here, William," exclaimed Buller, " get there just do; no horse could stand roaring up air like that ! "

Podington laughed " mind it least," said he

"Come, come now," cried Buller "Really, 't stand this ! Just stop minute, William, and let me get out It sets all my nerves quivering "

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

"But 't ! " screamed Buller "This road wide enough, train is nearly here Please stop ! "

The imputation road was not wide enough for him was Podington to bear very proud ability vehicle in narrow place

"Turn ! " said he; "that's the easiest thing See; little right, then back, then sweep left and going the other way " And instantly he began the maneuver such an adept

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

"And almost----" Mr Podington was about "turned around," but he stopped Mr Buller's exclamations had made him little nervous, and, anxiety quickly, he had pulled upon his horse's bit with more energy than was actually necessary, nervousness being communicated horse, that animal backed extraordinary vigor hind wheels wagon went over bit of grass road and water The sudden jolt gave new impetus to Mr Buller's fears