The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-06
Children's Column.
Cured by Kindness.

"You ought'nt to do So" shouted
Willie, as the butcher dashed past in
his wagon, giving the whip unmerci-
moment, in turning the corner, the wagon
was upset, and the horse broke into a
run. He ran for mile or more. The
wagon was broken to pieces, and the
man thrown out and badly bruised.
Next day " the vicious beast was offered
for sale. Willie's father bonght him for
low price tor use on the farm. 1t was
foolish bargain, people said, for the
horse was quite uncomfortable. Even
his owner said he would bite, rear, kick,
and run away. But Mr. Ely bought it
to please Willie, whose tender little heart
was full of pity for the poor animal
"We will be so kind to him that he won t
want to be bad, papa" So they agreed
to follow Willie's plan.
Before long Mr.. Ely and Willie be-
gan to drive the horse. People were
surprised at the change in him. "He
would go as slow as DESIRED said the
gentleman who told the story, "stop
instantly at whoa, follow his master,
come at his call, and rub his head on his
shoulder" What has made the change
Not force The poor horse had been
beaten, kicked, and starved before, and
grew more and more stubborn Now he
was well fed, well bedded, well watered
not over-driven or overloaded; never
whipped or kicked. Kind words were
given HIM and now and then an apple or
piece of sugar. No gentler, safer, or
more faithful horse went on the road.
Willie's plan had succeeded. The little
fellow fairly lived with the horse, and
the horse seemed to know he was his
best friend Ben was favorite with all
the family. One night Mr. Ely was
away from home. He had taken Ben
early in the afternoon, but when bedtime
came he had not returned Thinking he
would not be home that night, the family
closed the house and retired
About midnight, Willie heard Ben
neigh. Jumping out of bed, he ran to
the window, and there was Ben at the
door without his father. In a few mo-
ments the family were aroused and Will
lies brother hurridly opened the door.
No sooner had he done so than Ben
turned around and trotted off toward the
road. He followed him quickly. Ben
ASN Ii41 q luoi ICl VI a HI1cj anu Uu6H
stopped. There Mr.. Ely lay on the
ground in swoon. When he was taken
home he soon recovered, and told them
that as he was riding through the woods,
hestruck his head against the overhanging
branch of tree and fell from the horse.
He was stunned by the blow, and did not
remember anything more. After that
night Ben was the hero of the village.
But there was one strange thing about
him, he never forgot either benefit or
an injury. Sometimes when in harness
he would see his former master. Then
all his old fire would return his eyes
would roll, he would champ his bit
fercely, and show an intense desire to
get at his enemy, DULY Willie or his
father could quiet him then. Ben taught
the people of that village more than
they ever knew before of the power of
kindness. And a good many of Willie's
little friends began TO practice his way of
treating their dogs and ponies. They
found that the surest way to manage
them was by kindness.
This, you know, was Mr.. Rarey's way.
1t was his secret in training horses. If
any of our boys have any doubt on the
subject, suppose they try it for them
selves, for this story of Ben is a true one.