The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-03-23

her father, and he resolved TO try. He
no more remembered himself than if he
could not be hurt.
go on, Thunderr' he shouted.
The colt was not half broken in any
way. He knew nothing of leaping; but
he saw that there was an obstacle before
him and his instinct was to Jump over it.
He flew on; be gathered his four legs
under him, lie rose in the air like some
winged thing, and, as if upborne, he
went over the tree and landed on the
other side without having touched
| twig of it.
As for Fred, was there any breath left
in him? He thought that it did not
come back for several inmates after the
| horse had landed; but he was conscious
of a swelling sense Of magnificent tri-
umph.
| The colt was as wet as if he had been
in the water; the perspiration dropped
off him as he went and his blazing eyes
/ protruded and seemed to emit sparks.
Three minutes later, and horse and
rider had entered the outskirts of North
| port, Thunderbolt was running now.
| Everybody stood and gazed. 1t was as
/ if some demon horse had gone by. Did
! he have wings, or was it, mortal steed?
! In two minutes more they had reached
/ the depot. Fred was off his back almost
before the animal had stopped and had
dashed into the station
- Telegraph he gasped out to the
| clerk, who instantly put himself in read
/ mess. seeing how urgent was the case:
Telegraph to Charles Roth, Wharf Of
| Cunard Steamers, East Boston. Clara
/ is i'll. Come back. Have you got it?''
The clerk nodded.
MAKE it 90, then. I'll wait" whis-
pered the boy, and he gave his name,
and then sank back helpless and trem-
bling on a settee. The reaction had
come. Something gurgled up to his
lips. He fumbled for his handkerchief.
| He heard some one say; g Mercyi
What the matter with the boyr' And
then he had his handkerchief to his
mouth and saw that the linen was stained
with blood.
He dimly knew that two or three peo-
pie hurried to him. He smelled harris
horn and tasted of brandy, but he was
not conscious of thinking of anything
but ''Would Mr.. Roth get itP''
Some questions were asked him, but
he did not try to reply.
Outside, half a dozen men were clus-
tered about the dripping and painting
horse.
How much time passed Fred did not
know. He was laid on a lounge and he
was willing to lie very quietly No more
blood came, and he dropped into a kind
of dOze. He started up Instantly, how
ever, when he heard a voice. sayings
Here your answer"
He took the paper and Reads
Am coming. c. RoTH'
"Now, III CO." said the boy, getting
on his feet. where's Thunderbolt?''
You are not going on the horse, +"
said man, speaking with authority.
= L Ii take you in my buggy"
1t was the doctor who had been sum
moned and who carefully questioned
Fred as they rode homeward, the colt
having been put in a stable until he
should be called for.
Contrary to the doctors fears, Fred
was not i'll, although he had to be very
quiet for a week or two. When he
reached the house and was allowed to
tell Clara himself that her father had
not sailed and that he was coming to
her, he thought the look on her face
paid him for his Journey. When, the
next day, he saw the girl lying in her
fathers arms, he was more than ever
glad.
4 should never have forgiven my
self if / had sailed said Mr.. Roth to
the boy. 4 owe you more than I can
tell. The doctor says Clara JOY at
my return has given him a hope that
her system may rally from the injury
The gentleman was holding Fred S
hands in both his own, as he spoke, and
his eyes were glistening.
ThunderbOlt WON'T said Fred, gay
ly. " Now / think of it, it really seems
as if did not ride horse, but some
sort of imp in the shape of one. Moth
ing else could have made such time,
though
When next Fred went near the colt,
it was evident that the animal was glad
to see him, and soon the whole house
hold learned that Thunderbolt would
obey Fred better than any one else, and
the boy began to have an affection for
the beautiful beast which had carried
him so well.
A few weeks later Mr.. Roth came
upon Fred, as he was sitting in the
barn, looking over some fishing tackle.
''What do you think 1 have just
done?" said the gentleman.
Fred locked up.
How can [ guess?'' he asked.
Il have bought Thunderbolt of Mr.
Morris.
Fred's face fell.
you will take him away, 1 suppose?'
he said, in low voice.
"No. l have bought him for a dear
friend of mine. -
Something in Mr.. Roth's tone made
Fred's cheeks flush; but he said nothing,
and Mr.. Roth went on.
''Will you take him, Fred? bought
him for you"
Fred's eyes danced. He sprang to his
feet ''pd rather have him than any
thing in the worldn' he cried, eXcitedly.
Then he went on, with hesitation: 'But
isn't he a very expensive PRESENT.
Perhaps I ought not
Let me be the judge of that inter
. rupted Mr.. Roth. ''All you have to do
is to take the horse and be careful of
yourself and him.
Fred sprang to the side of the colt
and threw his arms round the shining
neck.
eve never'u be parted in the worldn'
he cried, eagerly.
And Thunderbolt's bright eyes looked
as if their owner knew what his young
master said N J T12dPDe3lCIe3lf