IO 15 Now in building of chaises I tell you what, In panel or crossbar or floor or sill, 5 In screw, bolt, thorough-brace, — lurking still, 20 But the Deacon swore (as Deacons do, With an "I dew vum" or an "I tell yeou") He would build one shay to beat the taown 'N' the keounty 'n' all the kentry raoun'; It should be so built that it couldn't break down. "Fur," said the Deacon, "t's mighty plain Thut the weakes' place mus' stan' the strain; Is only jest T' make that place uz strong uz the rest." So the Deacon inquired of the village folk He sent for lancewood to make the thills; The hubs, of logs from the "Settler's ellum" — Never an ax had seen their chips, And the wedges flew from between their lips, Do! I tell you, I rather guess She was a wonder, and nothing less! where were they? But there stood the stout old one-hoss shay, Eighteen hundred it came and found Little of all we value here Wakes on the morn of its hundredth year 5 ΙΟ In fact there's nothing that keeps its youth, Take it. - You're welcome. No extra charge.) First of November the Earthquake day But nothing local, as one may say. There couldn't be for the Deacon's art Had made it so like in every part That there wasn't a chance for one to start. For the wheels were just as strong as the thills, And the floor was just as strong as the sills, And the panels just as strong as the floor, 15 And the whippletree neither less nor more, And the back crossbar as strong as the fore, And spring, and axle, and hub encore. And yet, as a whole, it is past a doubt In another hour it will be worn out ! 20 25 First of November, Fifty-five! This morning the parson takes a drive. The parson was working his Sunday's text Had got to fifthly, and stopped perplexed S. H. R. SEVEN 19 All at once the horse stood still, What do you think the parson found End of the wonderful one-hoss shay. 1. What kind of vehicle did the Deacon build? What was his theory as to building a "shay"? 2. How did he carry out his theory? Read the passages that answer this question. Make a list of the special parts of the chaise named. 3. On what day did the Deacon complete his task? Is Holmes correct as to the dates of Braddock's defeat and the Lisbon earthquake? 4. Explain lines 10-11, page 286; 8, 17, 27, page 289; 17, page 290. 5. What happened finally to the "masterpiece"? Was the Deacon still living? How did the chaise happen to go to pieces? Was the Deacon's theory of building correct? 6. Suggested readings: Holmes's "How the Old Horse Won the Bet"; Lowell's "The Courtin'." 5 1Ο 15 5 THE SCHOOLMASTER'S RIDE BY WASHINGTON IRVING The time of this story is post-Revolutionary. Ichabod Crane, a lean, awkward schoolmaster, has been courting the village belle, Katrina Van Tassel, his rival being Brom Bones, a powerful fellow, noted for his pugnacity. He has frequently threatened Ichabod for aspiring to the charming Katrina. Here, Ichabod, at a late hour, is leaving the Van Tassel home after a "quilting frolic" where he took occasion to propose to Katrina. Judge of the young lady's answer! IC 【CHABOD, heavy-hearted and crestfallen, pursued his travel homewards, along the sides of the lofty hills which rise above Tarrytown. The hour was as dismal as himself. Far below him the Tappan Zee spread its dusky and indistinct waste of waters, with here and there the tall mast of a sloop riding quietly at anchor under the land. In the dead hush of midnight he could even hear the barking of the watchdog from the opposite shore of the Hudson; but it was so vague and faint as only to give an 10 idea of his great distance from this faithful companion of man. Now and then, too, the long-drawn crowing of a cock, accidentally awakened, would sound far, far off, from some farmhouse away among the hills. No signs of life occurred near him, but occasionally the melancholy 15 chirp of a cricket, or perhaps the guttural twang of a bullfrog from a neighboring marsh, as if sleeping uncomfortably and turning suddenly in his bed. 20 The night grew darker and darker, the stars seemed to sink deeper in the sky, and driving clouds occasionally hid them from his sight. He had never felt so lonely and |