The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-12-30

Fred Moore, who did know littl
| about horses, did not quite like the vi
| cious, sidelong looks from the chest
| nuts ewes. But he said nothing of this
Lesley had the strongest inclination t.
refuse, for he knew he was not a goo,
| rider; but Moore was determined to se
the horses gait, even though he woul,
not venture himself.
Jump on, Lesley, and put him thro
his pacesr' he cried.
II don't care to ride to-day" he said
.'let Ed show him Off"
But Ed, had no idea of doing that
He said. with truth, that he felt quit,
sick, and that the motion of the horse
would make him worse.
''Surely you're not going to be dis
obliging, Lesley?" Moore said. :.
never knew you to say mo- to friene
before, especially to such a slight re-
quest as a canter round the yard on q
nice pony"
Lesley yielded. There was nothing
like cowardice in his composition, but
he was not free from uncasiness in
mounting the animal.
mounted, but watched him with a
CLEAN in his eyes which did not put
him at all ut his ease. The horse went
OFF quiekly,s however, and Lesley was
just beginning to enjoy the motion,
when, inadvertently, he pressed his heel
on the pony's flank, in second the an
imal stood bolt upright, and then
brought his fore-fect down with yio-
lnt, ..l, 4 >f
Lesley's hands, and pitched him for
ward, so that he clutched the horse 8
neck to save himself 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 grow
ing weaker, and be could not much
longer retain his place. The horse now
began frantic gallop round the yard.
and Ed, terrified at this unexpected
performance, 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 a moment, he quickly sat
up, feeling very faint and in much pain.
But even dizzy as he was. it seemed
strange to him that Ed. and Moore, af-
ter a brief glance at him, devoted them
selves to getting up the pony, seeming
hardly to care whether he was hurt or
not.
The pony was rubbed and commiser-
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 a scare he'll
never get over. You've come near kill
ing 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 imped
off,
'It doesn't matter whether I've been
killed or not, l suppose. 0 no! think
l know what your pretended friendship
is worth. l was a fool to come herer'
He realized this a thousand times
over. before he reached the school
house. The scholars were in their
seats, and he was obliged to conceal all
of pain when every bone in
his body was aching. He felt bruised
from the crown of his head to the soles
of his feet. With pale face he went
haltingly through his lessons, knowing
it would never do to excuse himself
from recitation on the plea of sickness,
for then inquiries would be made as to
the cause of it.
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 it meant, and remem-
bered how often he had himself enjoyed
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 to rust.
When recess came, and the boys
trooped into the playground, Lesley
Mt 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 boys
talking and laughing outside, and knew
what they We're laughing ut. In fact
u
reached him, for the window was open.
1T was rich, boys" said Fred's loud
voice. s'You can coax him to anything.
No catching me in that snap. The
minute L saw that hog-eyed brute, /
said to myself, "A softer head than
nine has got to back you, my fine fel-
ow.' But, bless you, the soft head
vas just there! We put Les. on the
Il. Il, I,
"Ha, ha! recon he went more PAGES
n few minutes than he ever dreamed
#! He just hung to the pony's neck
ike bag of wool. You should have
1e just chOked the horse he held him
o tight, and there he was humping up
nd down. Well, the pony took the
nto the air. and that was the last till
er than any play l ever saw. He knows
about a horse now"
Laughter followed, and Lesley half
ose, with the intention of inflicting
chastisement upon the mock
ng speaker; but his aching head and
imbs forbade the attempt. In fact,
'CAOIC SSIloOi w dS Out, liC w stS
o ask permission to return home.
Of course he said nothing to his faith |
+ about the cause of his headache, but /
uietly went to bed, and bore the pain
+ his bruises rs best he could, He was
ather pale the next day, and when his
ather laughingly said,-
''Well, Lesley, can you make the
ule of pleasing, work both ways-sat-
sly your friends and fulfill your duties
oo?''
Lesley answered rather savagely, ''It
sn't worth while to please friends, sir.
don't believe there is such a thing as
rue friend"
Certainly one, is never gained by n
acriiice of right, my son. Distrust all
uch.''
Now one would naturally suppose
hat this lesson of the pony would not
e forgotten by Lesley. l am sorry to
ay that he thrashed Fred. Moore at tho
arliest opportunity, and then held
imself aloof from his companions. He