Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1883-01-27
appears to have power to annihilate

"Arabian Nights AT the SOUND
of his cry the colt lurched forward
still faster, and snorted, as if the
heavy, fragrant atmosphere Were
is,omething which made him drunk.
II He told himself that he must
reach Bucket village by a certain
time, and Bucket village was hall
way to NOrthport. 1T was a place
whose whole business Was the MAX
ing of pals of different kinds. Now
just as he reached a sharp turn in
the road there came around the cor
ner the first of three tall, long wag-
ons piled high with wooden pals.
Fred, warned by the pricking up of
his horse's ears, gathered the lines
more firmly in his hands and made
himself as strong on his seat as pos
sible, and all his precautions were
necessary, for Thunderbolt leaped
to one side as he shot by the wag-
ons. The boy swayed fearfully,
but he stuck and then the colt rose
high i'm the air, his front feet paw
ing out, his whole figure the pic
ture of terrible beauty. Fred had
reached that pitch where it was i'm
possible for him to fear anything
he was too thoroughly excited but
he was afraid that Thunderl,olt
would "cut up some OF his antics,"
and thus delay their arrival at
NorthpoTt. He pulled sharply on
the lines and pounded his heels into
the horses sides, and called out
authoritatively to him.
Tho man on tho laSt uyaoOn 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 a match for hum
dred Thunderbolts.
The man fell back before the paw
ing feet, looking with amazement
at the fiery-eyed boy who sat upon
the horse. At the second sharp
command, the colt. as if in surprise,
dropped his feet and darted away,
leaving the man staring.
"Good gracious ?" he exclaimed,
as he walked back to his wagon.
"Wes that 'ere Il real horse m a
boy, or IN appearance? l hope It
amt 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 slow. And what a fatal slow
ness that might be! He thought of
Clara-of her father stepping on
board the boat, never to see her
again; and then come a remem-
brance of a cart-path which went
across a piece of woodland and
came out on the main road a mile
nearer Northport than it was by
the travelled way. The path must
be close by here; he was sure he
had not passed it. Yes, there it
was, and without hesitation he
turned his horses head in that di-
rection and rode off beneath the
loW-drooping trees. When about
half way through he saw ahead of
him fallen 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. filled with
heavy growth OF brier and under
brush. Again he thought of the
girl lying at home there, moaning
and calling TOR her father, 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, ThunderbOlt," he shout
ed.
The colt was not half broken in,
any way, and he knew nothing OF
leaping but he saw an obstacle be-
fore him, and his instinct was to
lump over it. He few on; he
gathered his four legs under him,
he rose in the air like some winged
thing, and went over the tree, land
ing on the other side without haV-
ing touched a 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 con-
scious of sense OF magnificent
triumph. The colt was as wet as if
he had been in the water; the per-
spiration 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. Thunder
bolt was running now. Everybody
stopped and gaZed. 1t was as If
some demon horse had gone by.
Did he have wings, or was he a
mortal steed? In two minutes
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 operator, who instantly put
himself in readiness, seeing how
urgent the case was. "Telegra
to Charles Roth, wharf of the Cum
ard steamers, east Boston, Clara is
i'll. Come back. Have you got
it?
The man nodded.
make it go then, I'll watt" and
he gave his name; then he sank
back, helpless and trembling, on a
settee. The reaction had come.
Something gurgled up to 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 the linen
stained with blood.
He dimIy knew that two or three
people hurried to him. He smelled
hartshorn and tasted brandy; but
he was not conscious of anything
but "would MIR. Roth get it ?"
Some questions were asked him,
but he did not reply.
Outside half a dozen men were
caring for the horse.
How much time passed, Fred did
not know. He was placed on a
lounge, and he was glad to lie there
very quietly. No more blood came
and he dropped into doze. He
started up Instantly, however, when
voice said '@-=-7-
"Here's your answer" rsE
He took the paper and read:-
"Am coming. G. Roth"
"Now I will go,' said the boy.
getting on his feet, "where is Thun-
derbolt?" . .-.s
"You are not going on the horse, "
said q man, speaking authorita-
lively. '.I will take you in my