The Heir Of Bendersleigh ; Or , The Freemason's Promise.

With some little difficulty the party ivere stowed in their proper places , and away the carriage rolled , rumbling over the dust . ... : Now , it appeared that during the absence of the party on the hill , one of tlie horses had been sent back and exchanged for another , but not as it will presently appear , a better one . Immediately after leaving the house

of public call , the road formed a rather sharp ascent , and at the bottom of this declivity the new horse suddenly stopped ; and refused to move forward or to allow his companions to do so .

Bender , did you ever ride behind what in stable p hraseology is called a "jibbing" horse ? If you have , you ivill readily understand the situation in which our little party were placed . They were blessed in their return home with " a jibber , " and a jibber too of great determination and vigour , though it Avas of the backward sort . The majority of the party did iiot know what a jibber wasthereforethey looked with some alarm at the

, , sudden stop that had occurred . A jibber , is a horse that is determined when in harness , to draw the wrong way ; that is , when it is required that he should pull forward , he in variably backs with might and main , straining thc collar on his neck in such a manner as to lead an inexperiencedbeholder into the belief that the animal is imbued with a desire to pull his .

own head off . This ivas the situation in ivhich the pic-nickers were placed . The coachman , animated , doubtless , by what is sometimes called " a drop too much , " lashed the rebellious animal with his whip , with right good will ; but the more he lashed , the more the jibber strained backwards from the collar and the pole . Tired with the exercise of castigatiori ; - the coachman tried a little eloquence , and attempted to coax the animal

before . him , but with the like result . The jibber seemed to look on kindness with greater contempt than he did . coercion , for he bent back his ears .: close upon his head , and assumed a look ivhich seemed to say , " It's no go , a jibber I am , and a jibber I'll be . " Then the coachman bellowed ' ancl lashed again , " Hurroo—yc brute ; " he cried " Whish , " as he lashed the whip again , " Ah—boo—ya—a-a-h , " he cried , and jerked the rein with an enerffv that bent the libber ' s head unon his breast .

"What is the matter ? " shrieked the ladies ; from the interior of the carriage . " I'll jump out ; " exclaimed Mrs . Puffier Smirke , as the back of the carriage approached in rather alarming and close proximity to the hedge , at the side of the road . "Sit where you be mum , " cried the coachman , and then he lashed away

again ; "Hurroo , ah—booh , ye devil ! " he cried again , and the other horses wondering no doubt what their neighbour was about , and hearing the whip without feeling it , began themselves to be a little excited .

" Blest it the others aint a going at it now , cried the coachman , beginning to lose his temper . "Oh , lord ! " exclaimed the maiden lady , "We shall all be killed . . I hope it is not your fault , Sir . Sluffer , " continued' she , addressing the unlucky cousin who was sitting on the box . " Sie ! Miss Tiffin ?" ' replied that individual , " Why should you think it is me . I should be very glad to be out of it } . " And the tone of voice iii which he spoke , certainly gave good evidence of his sincerity .