The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-01-07
THE HORSE THAT WORE SPEC
TACLES.

"Say, boys" said Tom Phelps at recess
one Friday, "what do you think we've
GOT in our barn? You never could guessP
"Give us ten guesses?" asked one OF the
boys.
eyes, hundred, if you like 1 know
you would never think of it,
Then the guessing began, and great
many queer things we're thought OF, but
none were right, and finally they had to
give it up.
"Well," said Tom, laughing, "of course
you couldn't guess it, because you never
heard of such thing. It's horse that
wears spectacleeP
"Or' said all the boys who had gather
ed around Tom, "that's mean to fool us
that way. Didn't think you were joking"
and they were turning away to their
games again when he called them back.
"But I'm not joking. You know our
horse Prince?"
"Yesr' came from a dozen boys at
once. Didn't they know him? Hadn't
they ridden behind him, filling Mr..
Phelps wagon RAINING over full if ever
he CHANGED to drive along, just as
school was let out, hundred times? And
hadn't they ridden on his back in the
pasture three or four in a row and tum-
bled off three or four in heap, and pet
ted him and given him apples or sugar
whenever they saw him? Every boy in
Manlius knew Prince, and to know
Prince was to love him, for a more intel
ligent, kind and gentle horse never lived
"What about Prince?' said several in
breath.
"Why, papa thought he was getting
blind. He has always acted as II he
couldn't see Just right, and SO the other
day papa took him to what do ye call
it?" said Tom trying to think of the big
word he wanted.
"Was it an oculist?" said voice.
"Yes, SIR" answered Tom, for it was the
teacher, Mr.. Bragdon who spoke. He
had Joined the group, and was listening
with interest to the news about Prince.
"The man looked at Princes eyes just
the way he would at anybody's, and
found he was near sighted, the way some
people are. Then he wrote out some
thing to tell how to make spectacles for
Prince. Papa had them made and put
on bride, and Prince wore them yes
terday."
allow did he act, Tom; the first time
the speotacles were put on?" asked Mr..
Bragdon.
HE acted at first as if he was sort Of
frightened, but it didn't take him long to
get used to them, and now we think he
likes them"
swell, that is wonderfully said Mr..
Bragdon, as 10 turned to go into the
school room and before recess was over
half tbs boys in the school had agreed to
90 70 Toms the next morning to see how
Prince looked in his spectacles. Mr..
Bragion was invited too, for the boys all
liked him, and thought they always had
a better time when he was along.
Bright and early Saturday morning a
troup Of jolly boys called for the "teach-
err" and we're tramping gayly up the
carriage road to the Phelps, farm house
when who should they see but Tom and
his father in the big wagon driving
Prince right toward them.
How funny Prince looked with his
great goggles, and how the boys laughed
1t seemed as il Prince tried to laugh, too,
for he shook his name and opened his
mouth in such funny way.
He looks like professor" said one.
"Or an owl" said another.
"Don't he look awful wiser" said a
third.
"Why should'd he? He knows morn
any of u.s." retorted one of Princes most
ardent admirers; and 80 the talk went on
until Mr.. Phelps ordered the visitors to
"pile in" and go for a ride. They need
ed no urging, and their gay laughter as
they went through the quiet town
brought more than one staid body to the
window to ''see what on sirth the racket
was" No doubt more than one turned
away with sight say, sits only Deacon
Phelps and that passed. O. boys he's so
fond of cartin' around with him." for
there's some people who never can en-
dure noisy boys, and there are some Of
this kind in Manlius who say Deacon
Phelps might be in better business"
But he only laughs in his quiet way, and
keeps the big warm place in his heart
for "the boys"
When the ride was over Mr.. Phelps
said: "Now I'm going TO turn Prince out
to pasture. Yesterday he acted kind OF
quesr and sorrowful when 1 took the
bride off. wish you would watch him
to-day, Mr.. Brsgdon. and see what you
think is the matter"
So they all waited and watched eager.
ly to see what Prince would do, and the
boys who were used to his playful ways
were astonished to see him walk slowly
part way across the barn with his head
down, and then stand still like person
who is blindfolded, and does not know
where to go next.
81 believe he's cryin'," said little Jack
White in an awed whisper, and 1 think
the boys would not have been much as