12 A Stormy Day

0ne day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business.I occasionally was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master.I always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheelsran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain,and now the wind was somewhat high and blew the dry leaves across the roadin a shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-barand the low wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high,and the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level,so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would be nearly up tothe woodwork and planks; but as there were good substantial railson each side, people did not mind it.

The man at the gate exclaimed the river was rising rapid, and he feawhite it would bea bad evening. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low partof the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good,and master drove gently, so it was no matter.