The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-12-30
"A GOOD FELLOW!"

'"That desire to please every one will
get you into constant trouble" said Mr..
Wilmont to his son Lesley. "Be as
Obliging and unselfish as you choose,
but do not yield to every request. You
are quite rs ready to aid friend in do
ing wrong as to help him to do right.
His inclinations govern you"
II don't like to disoblige my friends -
said Lesley coloring. 'We've got
some of those disobliging fellows at
school, sir. The other boys just hate
them, and give them all kinds of nick
names. 1 would give up my own wish
es any day for friend"
''Wishes,-yes! But what do you
say about principle? Is that to be Civ
en- up? Rather than say no. Lesley, l
fear you would almost consent to aid in
burglary or in counterfeiting to please
a cOmrade."
'.Oh, hope not, sirr' said Lesley,
laughing uneasily.
'.But 1 fear it; fear it. If l could
only make you understand that firm
no. in the right place, would not only
insure you respect, but give you real
friends of better order than your
present associates, should have some
hopes of you. You remind me of the
fable of the hare and many friends. )
Take care, Lesley, that when you need
help. they do not one and all desert
YOU"
Lesley went out of the room thinking
that his fathers judgment was harsh.
There's not a more popular fellow
ut school than II am,' he thought as he
walked to school. 1.-The boys come to
me whenever they want help, and they
say they'd do anything in the world for
me. Fathers angry because 1 went
with Charles Warner fishing yesterday,
and didn't know my algebra lesson
None of the other boys would 60. and
he's such a good fellow couldn't dis
appoint him. Where's Fred Moore 60
ing, wonder?''
'.Halloo, Lesley! What are you
marching along there as grave rs n
judge for? You are not bound for
school now? Why it's an hour too
soon. Come go with me to Ed. Hamp-
toms and see the new pony he bought
yesterday. He brags about the ami
NAL, and I'll bet it's some spawned old
beast the horse-trader has palmed off
on him. Ed. doesn't know any more
about a horse than that old cow"
'Td like to go, but fathers been
finding fault with me this morning
about my lessons. Mr.. Turner has been
complaining, and it won't do for me to
miss my lessons to-day"
''NOnsense! We've IN hour, and
perhaps more, before school opens. 1t
isn't q quarter of a mile across lots to
Eds. We can run there, take look at
the pony, and be back before old Turn
er has eaten his breakfast, Any of the
fellows would have gone with me, but
I'd rather have you. You're the best
fellow in school, and know as much
about horses rs do"
Fred. Moore looked very much like
jockey Ga character he much atfected)
as he stood there, his short legs far
apart, his cap on one side of his head,
and his hands in his pockets.
Now Lesley knew that Fred. Moore
was as idle boy as there was in school,
and far beneath him in scholarship, but
even from his lips it was agreeable to
know that he was considered a pleas
ant companion, with good deal OF
horse knowledge. So. after little
he set off with Moore to look
at Ed. Hampton's newly-bought pony.
Ed. was delighted to show his pnr-
chase. Moore, with head twisted on one
side, walked around the horse whistling.
He did not say a word during his ex-
of the animals different
points. This was what his favorite
horse-jockey always did. Then he light
ed cigar and smoked furiOusly for
few seconds, still silent.
"What do you think of him, MooreP'
asked Ed, anxiously; for Fred. Moore's
of horses was prOverbial
among the boys.
"Woll. he's got three white feet
said the oracle.
.What have the feet to do with it?'
asked Ed. getting angry.
'What! did you never hear the old
saying: 'One white foot. buy him; two
white feet, try him; three white feet
deny him? That is, let him alone. you
know, for he isn't worth buying"
II don't believe a word of the nom
senser' cried Ed, getting very much
excited at these disparaging remarks.
Hes sound, and spirited, too, but
there isn't a bit of harm in him-if
you're careful"
He did not add, that not having been
careful few hours before, he had been
tossed into muddy ditch by the ''spir-
ited' horse, and that his bones still
ached from the tumble.
Suppose you take a cantcr on him,
he continued. 'He lopes
splendidly."
'.Dare say. When a chestnut pony
does lope, he's A No. 1 at it, can tell
you. I'm not fixed for riding to-day,
but here's Lesley. Rides every bit as
well AZ l. and is of lighter weight he