Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-12-21
George Washington and the FavOrite

George Washington's father died when he
was little boy. When he was about ten years
old, his mother had a favorte colt, which had
never been broken.
George had frequently eyed this colt, as it
pranced round the field, proudly snufing up the
wind, wheeling and hating and displaying its
fine proportions: and more than once he wished
that he was on his back and he would curb his
neck for him.
One day, at length, he told his wishes to some
of his school companions, and engaged them to
meet him early next morning. when, with their
assistance, he would have ride.
Accordingly, the little party assembled the
following day, soon after sunrise, and repaired
to the field where the young Arabian was kept
at no great distance from the house. With
some effort they contrived to penn him, and with
still more effort, to put bride upon him.
"There, now | have you" said the eXulting
George, as the headstalI passed over the ears Of
the terrified beast "Now we will take an airing
together, if you please. Come boys, hold him."
Several took hold of the brde. while the ath.
letic youngstcr, with single leap, vauted upon
his back For moment, the colt stood quite
still, as if petriicd with establishment at the dar-
ing Of his young master. TWAS plain, however,
that the spirit of his unsubdued nature was at
work and the next moment, with his eyes al
most starting from their sockets, andhis noistris
wide open, he darted from his position, leaplng,
and rearing, and whirling, and pitching, and
bounding, and at length set forward as if tor
nado had been after him,
"Hold ON! hold on, George p exclaimed one
of his companions, 50 terrified at the unexpected
result of their enterprise that he could hardly
stir,-"hold ont"
"He'lI he off" said another.
He'll be killed !" said a third
"Never fear for George" said more cour-
ageous lad; don't YOU sec how he sticks to him p
The rider did keep his seat surprisingly But
the Struggle between them was desperate. Each
determined-the one to subdue his charge the
other to throw his rider And for time it
was doubtful on which side victory would settle;
but, at enghth the colt, eXasperaed beyond en-.
durance, made furious plunge, and falling
headlong, burst bloodve which caused his
death in an instant
1t was a tremendoes fall and and for mo.
ment, it seemed impossible but that horse anc
rider should have shared the same fate, But il
was not So George received no essential injury
But it grieved him to see lying before him the
litless body of the spirited animal, whose dealt
he was now sensible had been occasioned by
his ccnsurable folly and rashness. His mother
too her fondness for this animal came crowd
ing upon him. to render his treble still mole dis,
tressng
Shortly after, call to breakfast was heard
Some of the companions of George, believe
had been invited to breakfast with him that morn
ing; and now however much they could have
desired to be excused, they went in and were
soon seated at the table.
For time little was said-less than usual
Whether Mrs. washington remarked this, can
not say.-But at length breaking the silence,
she enquired whether they had seen her. fine
sorrel colt in their rambles.
There was now no escape. The case was 10
be met, and met at once, The integrity Of
George had been tried in still younger days
and now, again tried, it nobly stood the test
He replied to the question put by his mother
"Your sorreI colt is dead, mother"
"Dead, Goorge!" exclaimed Mrs w., with a
good deal of surprlso-"Dead, do you say 2" her
hands relaxing from some service which she was
performing at the table.
eyes, he is dead"
GLOW happened it, George 2"
81 will tell you, mother. am the only one
in fault" And now he proceeded to give her