West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-07-27

vicious. eiutlOnB looks from the chest
nuts eyes. But he said nothing of this.
Lesley had the strongest inclination 20
refuse, Tor he knew he was not good
rider; but Moore was determined TO see
the horses gait, even though he would
not venture himself.
jump on, Lesley, and put him
through bis PAGES ~ he cried.
don't care 20 ride to-day" he said ::
let Ed. show him off"
But I'D. had no idea of doing that. He
said, with truth, that he felt quite sick,
and that the motion of the horse would
make him worse.
SurelEyou're rot going TO be dis
obliging, LesleyT" Moore said. "I
never knew you 20 say mo b. friend
before, especially to such a slight re.
quest rs canter round the yard on
nice pony"
Lesley yielded. There was nothing
like cowardice in his composition, but
he was not free from uneasiness in
mounting the animal
Inc chestnut stood still while he
mounted, but watched him with CLEAN
in his eyes which did not put him at
all at his ease. The horse went off
quickly, however, and Lesley was lust
beginning TO enjoy the motion, when,
inadvertently, he pressed his heel on the
pony's Hank. In "A second the animal
stood bolt upright, and then brought
his fore-feet down with violent thud
which }erked the reins out of Lesley's
hand, and pitched him forward. so that
he clutched the horse neck 10 save him
self from falling.
Then began such rearing and plung-
ing, such mad jerks and wild leaps, that
Lesley, dizzy and weak, began to feel
that his last hour was at hand. His
grasp on the animals neck was growing
weaker, and he could not much longer
retain his place. The horse now began
frantic gallop round the yard, and
Id, terrified at this unexpected per
tormance threw up his arms to stop
him.
At this the horse swerved aside and
sprung at some high palings, caught his
hoofs in them, and crashed over on the
other side.
Fortunately for Lesley he fell clear of
the animal, and though the blow stun
ned him for moment he quickly sat
up, feeling very faint and in much pain
But even dizzy as he was, il seemed
strange 10 him that Ed. and Moore. after
bIief glance at him, devoted them
selves to getting up the pony, seeming
hardly TO care whether he was hurt or
not. M 1
The pony was rubbed and comhiser-
ated and there was an animated dis
cussion as to who should be employed
TO attend him. The only words ED. be-
slowed upon Lesley were,-
What on earth did you drop the
reins and hold on to the pony's neck for?
You've given him scare he'll never get
over. You've come near killing the
horse, and I'm not especially obliged to
you for it.
Lesley was indignant. He struggled
to his feet and cried out, as he limped
off,
1t doesn't matter whether I've been
killed or not, suppose. o mol | think
know now what your pretended friend
ship is worth. was fool TO come
heTep
He realized this thousand times over
before he reached the school-house. The
scholars were in their seats, and he was
obliged TO conceal all expression of pain
when every bone in his body was aching
de felt bruised from the crown of his
head TO the soles of his feet. With
pale face he went haltingly through his
lessons, knowing 1T would never do TO
excuse himself from recitation on the
plea of sickness, for then indtiries
would be made as TO the cause Of IL. t
Fred. Moore had sneaked demurely
IN, and every time he glanced towards
Lesley's desk he seemed struggling TO
repress burst of laughter. Lesley knew
well what 1T meant, and remembered
how often he had himself enjoyed
Moore's ludicrous pictures Of the mis-
fortunes OF some of his companions. A
talent for ridicule was the only one that
young gentleman possessed and he did
not allow it 10 rust.
When recess came, and the bows
trooped into the playground, Lesley re-
mained at his desk He said he had a
headache, which was certainly true. His
head was very painful, but the dull
heavy weight at his heart was worse.
As he sat there he heard the bows talk
ing and laughing outside, and knew
what they were laughing at. In fact.
part Of Fred. Moore's conversation
reached him, for the window was open.
g 1t was rich, boys" said Fred.'s loud
| voice. You can coax him to anything.
No catching me in that snap. The min
ute saw that hog-eyed brute, said 10
myself, A softer head than mine has
/ got to back you, my fine fellow But,
bless you, the soft head was Just there
we put Les. on the chestnut 10 show off
his PAGES.
Ha, hal reckon he went more
| PAGES IN few minutes than he ever
dreamed of He just hung 10 the ponys
! neck like a bag Of wool. You should
have seen his face IL vvas az vyI,{tc 90 a
sheet. He just choked the horse he
/ held him so tight, and there he was
| humping up and down. Well. the pony
| took the palings, and we saw Ieslevfs
/ heels fly into the air, and that was the
last til he landed head-foremost. II was
| better than any play / ever saw. He
knows something about a horse now"
/ Laughter followed, and Lesley half
rose, with the intention of inAicting
summary chastisement upon the mock
| ing speaker; but his aching head and
I limbs forbade the attempt. In fact.
before school was out, he was com
. PEELED 70 ask permission 20 return home
OF course he said nothing to his father
about the cause Of his headache, but
/ quietly went 10 bed. and bore the pain
OF his bruises as best he could Tie was
rather pale the next day, and when his
father laughingly said,-
Wen, Lesley, can you make the
ruleof pleasing work both ways. - satisfy
your friends and fulfill you're duties too2b
Lesley answered rather savagely, at