Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-06-30


possible; and all his precautions wero neces-
Bary, for Thunderbolt leaped TO one side as
he shot by the wagons. The boy swayed
fearfully, but he stuck and then the colt rose
high in the air, his front feet paving out, his
whole figure the picture Of terrible beauty
Fred had reached that pitch where ii was i'm
possible for him to fear anything-he was too
thoroughly excited; but he was afraid that
Thunderbolt would 'cut up some of his an
tics, and thus delay their arrival in North
port. He pulled sharply at the lines and
pounded his heels into the horses sides, call
ing out authoritatively to him.
The man on the last wagon had Jumped
down and was running up.
Don't touch him !" cried Fred, who was
anxious above all things not to be detained.
BY this time his blood was boiling, and he
felt as if he could be match for a hundred
Thunderbots
The man fell back from before the paving
feet, looking with Rmazement at the fiery
eyed boy who sat upon the horse. At the
second sharp command, the colt, as If in sur
prise, dropped his feet and darted away, leav-
ing the man staring.
Good gracious" he exclaimed, as he walk
ed back to his wagon. 'Was that ere a real
horse N boy, or N appearance l hope
I aint forewarnin' of nothin'."
As Fred passed through the next village,
the clock was striking the hour, and the sound
sent thrill of apprehension through him, for
it was ten minutes later than the time at
which he had calculated to be in that place.
He had come fast enough-it was not that; it
must be that the clock at the farmhouse had
been too slow. And what a fatal slowness
that might be He thought of Clara-of her
father stepping on board the boat, never to
see her again; and then came a remembrance
of cart-path which went across q piece of
woodland and came out on the main road
mile nearer Northport than it was by the trav-
eled way. The path must be close by here
he was sure he had not passed it. Yes, there
1t was and without hesitation he turned his
horses head in that direction and rode on be-
meath tho low-drooping trees. When about
halfway through he saw ahead Of him fall
en- tree, lying directly across the path. Can
you imagine the pang that went through the
boys heart as he saw that No time to go
back, and on each side thickly-growing wood,
filed with heavy growth of brier and under
brush. Again he thought of the girl lying at
home there, moaning and calling for her faith
er, and he resolved not to give up without an
effort. He no more thought of himself than
as if he could not be hurt
GO on, Thunder" he shouted.
The colt was not half broken in any way,
and he knew nothing of leaping; but he saw
an obstacle before him, and his instinct was
to Jump over it, He flew on he gathered
his four legs under him, he rose in the air
like some winged thing, and went over the
tree, landing on the other side without bav-
ing touched twig of it. As for Fred, was
there any breath left in him He thought it
did not come back for several minutes after
the horse had landed; but he was conscious
of swelling sense of magnificent triumph
The colt was as wet as if he had been in the
water; the perspiration dropped off him as
he went; his blazing eyes protruded, and
seemed TO emit sparks.
Three minutes more, and the horse and his
| rider had entered the outskirts of Northport
Thunderbolt was running now. Everybody
stopped and gazed 1t was as if some demon
horse had gone by. Did he have wings, or
was it a 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 opera
tor, who instantly put himself in readiness,
seeing how urgent the case was Telegraph
to Charles Roth, wharf of Cunard steamers,
East Boston. CLARA is i'll. Come back Have
you got it"
The man nodded.
make it go, then. I'll wait" whispered
the boy, and he gave his name then he sank
back helpless and trembling on settee. The
|
his lips. He fumbled for his handkerchief.
He heard some one say: 'Mercy what's
the matter with the boy!" And then he had
his handkerchief at his mouth, and saw that
the linen was stained with blood.
He dimly knew that two or three people
hurried to him. He smelled hartshorn and
tasted brandy; but he was not conscious Of
thinking of anything but Would Mr.. Roth
get it?"
Some questions were asked him, but he die
not try to reply.
Outside, half a dozen men were caring fol
the dripping and painting horse.
How much time passed, Fred did not know
He was placed on lounge, and he was glat
to lie there very quietly. No more BLOOD
came, and he dropped into kind of dose. IL,
started up instantly, however, when voict
said
Here's your answer"
He took the paper and read:
"Am coming. C. ROTH"
'Now I'll CO." said the boy, getting on hi
feet. "Wheres Thunderbolt p
'You are not going on the horse" said
man, speaking authoritatively. "l'n take yo'
in my buggy"
1t was the doctor who had been summoned
He carefully questioned Fred as they drov
homeward, the colt having been put in sta
BILE until he should be called for
Contrary to the doctors fears, Fred was no
i'll, though he had to be very quiet for weel
or two. When he reached the house and wa
allowed to tell Clara himself that her tathe
had not sailed but was coming to her, Ii
thought the look on her face paid him for hi
journey. Aud when, next day, he saw he
lying in her fathers arms, ho was more thal
ever glad.
, 'I should never have forgiven myself if
had sailed, Mr.. RotL said to the boy. g
owe you more than 1 can tell. The doeto
3 says Clara's Joy at my return has given him
/ hope that her system may rally from the in
r jury"
The gentleman was holding Freds hands i
! both his own as he spoke, and his eyes wer
glistening.
"Thunderbolt won !" said Fred, gaily
/ "Now think of it, it really seems as if di
d | not ride horse, but some sort of imp in tn
Z shape of one Nothing else could have mad
Q such time, though"
a When next Fred came near the colt, it wa
q evident the animal was glad TO see him, an
4 | soon the whole household learned that b
p would obey Fred better than any one els'
Q while the boy began to have an affection fC
( the beautiful horse that had carried him {
i well.
A few weeks later Mr. Roth came upo
I Fred as he was sitting in the barn, lookin
over soms fishing tackle.
/. "What do you think l have just done
v said the gentleman.
n Fred looked up.
K "Eow can guess p he asked.
a GIVE bought Thunderbolt of Mr. Morris
o Fred's face fell.
'You will take him away, l suppose ?"
a said in a low voice.
e "No have bought him for a dear frier
p of mine"
= Something in Mr.. Roth's tone made Fred
!. cheeks flush, but he said nothing, and M
ls Roth went on:
!, "Will you take him, Fred2 l bought hi
D. for YOU"
Is Fred's eyeH danced. He sprang to his fee
'. ''Td rather have him than anything else
Il the world" he cried oxcitedly. Then he a