Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-05-19
Old Major.
BY LOUISA NJ. AhCOTT,

- uOn let llCm XIII him.
ne isn't doing any harm, and he's old and
weak, and hasn't arvone TO be GOOD To him
out rosy aud me-" cried little Ned, bursting
INTO hsi mothers room, red and breathlesS
with enxiety and haste.
>, All whom, dear? Sit down and tell me
all about it.
l cant sit down, and must be quick,
hor they may do it while I'm gone. left
Iosy to watch him, and she is goin, TO
''csearl with all her mi hit the minute she
'sees them coming back" cried Ned, hover
'n restlessly about the doorway, rs if cx-
pectlng the call that was to summon him
TO the rescue.
Mercy on us! what is it, child"
"A dear old horse, mamma. who has
neen hobbling round the road for week.
We seen him driven away from all the
ineighoors, so Posy and | give him clover
ANA pat him and to-day we found him at
our oars, looking over at Us playing in III .
ncid. wanted him to come in, but Mr..
hhite came along and drove him off, and
sald he was to be killed because he had no
dej.!" -
,, But, Neddy, 1 cannot take him in, as
Il dld the lame chicken and the cat with
out tail. He is too big, and eats too
mnch, and We have no barn. Mr.. White
can Ind his master, perhaps, or use him
Tor light work"
Mamma got no further, for Ned said
agan:
No, he cant. He says tho Door old
Thing is of no use but to boil up. Ana his
lnhsicr won't lie found, because he has
gone away and left Major to take care of
himself. Mr.. White knew the man. and
says he had Major over eighteen years,
and he was good horse, and now he's left
al snI ns,n 1,.f4
rhs. man."
1T was cruel; Neddy, and we must sec
chat we can do.
SO mamma put down her work and fol-
lowed her boy, who raced before her TO tell
posy it would be "all right" now.
Mrs. West found her small daughter
1erched on stone wall, patting the head
of an old white horse, who looked more
like skeleton than living animal. Ned
gave whoop as he came, and the poor
peast hastily hobbled across the road,
pressing himself into a nook full of black
berry vines and thorny barberry bushes, as
IT irving to get out of sight and escape tor
mentors.
That's the way he does when any one
comes, because the boys plague him, and
people drive him about till he don't know
what to do. Isn't it a pity TO see him so,
mammal" said the tender hearted Ned, as
he pulled a big handful of clover from his
fathers field close by.
Indeed, 1t was sad for the poor thing
had evidently been n fine horse once; one
could see that by his intelligent eye, the
way he pricked up his ears, and the sor-
rowful sort of dignity with which he looked
about him, as if asking little compassion
in memory 0I his long faithfulness.
"See his poor legs all swelled up, and
the bones in his back, and the burrs tho
bad boys put in his name, and the dusty
grass he has TO eat. Look! he knows me,
and isn't afraid, because I'm good to him,
said Ned, putting old Major, who CRATE
fully ate fresh clover from the friendly
little hand.
Yes, and he lets me stroke his nose,
mamma. It's as soft as velvet. and his
big eyes don't brighten me bit, they arc
so gentle. Oh, if we could only put him
IN our field and keep him till he dies,
should be so happy!" said Posy, with such
wheedlesome arm about mammr's ne k
that it was very hard TO deny her anything.
"lf You will let me have Major | won't
ask for any other birthday present" cried
Ned, with sudden burst Of generosity,
inspired, perhaps, by the contding way
in which the poor beast rubbed his gray
head against the boys shoulder.
"Why, Neddy, do you really mean that?
want very much. Shall | take you at your
word, and give you a worn out old horse
instead?" asked mamma, surprised, yet
pleased at the offer.
Ned looked at her, then at old Major,
and wavered, for he guessed that the other
gift was little wheelbarrow he had begged
for so long; the dear green one, with tho
delicious creak aud rumble to it. lie had
seen it at the store, and tried it, and
longed for it, and planned TO trundle every
thing in it, from Posy to n load of hay.
Yes, it must be his, and Major must be
left to his fate.
Just as he decided this, however, PCsy
gave a cry that told him Mr.. White was
coming. Ma or pressed further into the
prickly hedge, with patient sort of sigh,
and look that went to Ned's heart, for it
seemed to say.
Good by, little friend. Don't give up
anything for me. I'm not worth it, for
can only love You in return"
Mr.. White was very near, but Major was
safe, for, with sudden red in LIS freckled
checks, Ned put his arm on The poor beasts
dropping neck, and said, manfully:
81 choose him, mamma, and now he's
mine, I'd like TO see anyone touch him.
II was pretty sight-the generous little
lad offending the old horse, and loving
him for pure PHYS sake, Ill tie sweet,
childish way we SO soon forget.
PoSy clappcd her hands. mamma smiled
18th bright look at her boy, while Mr.
White threw over his arm the halter with
which he was about TO lead Major to his
doom, and fastened to say:
81 don't want to hurt the poor critter,
ma am, but he's no mortal use, and folks
complain of his being in the way; so l
thou hit the kindest thing was to put him
out of his misery"
Does he suffer, do you think? for If SO,
it would be no kindness to keep him alive,
said mamma.
"Well, no, l don't suppose he suffers ex-
cept for food and little care; but If he
can't have 'em, it will go hard with him,
answered Mr.. White, wondering if the old
fellow Lad any work in him still.
"He never should have been left in this
forlorn way. Those who had ha) MS voutl
and strength should have cared loo him IL
his age;" and Mrs. West looked indignant
so they should, mlam, but Miller was
mean man, and when he moved, he Jus
left the old horse to live or die, though h'
tod me himself that Major had served hin
we'll for nigh ON TO twenty years. What d(
YOU calculate TO do about it, ma'am?' askei
Mr.. White, in hurry to be oil.
"Ill show YOU, s.r. Ned, let down TIL
bars, and lead old Major in. That shall b
his home while he lives. for 50 faithful
servant has earned his lest, and lie shi!
have it."
Something in the ring of mammals yolc