Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-12-12
THE LITTLE FOLKS.
Rays Pony.

Mamma, where do ponies grow
little tinty tonty ones like this Z" and
he held up picture of number OF
Shetland ponies.
Il don't know" answered mamma.
"Out on the prairie, l guess. Nam
ma, where is the prairie? Is it over
there?" pointing toward large
meadow that lay along the river.
"I guess so. Run out and play" an
swered mamma, without looking up.
"All right. Good-by, mamma. I
am going to catch pony" and away
he ran to his own little room for the
things he thought he should need.
There was his warm winter overcoat !;
he must have that to wrap round him
if he should camp out. His pea-pistol
he must take to shoot bears and buffalo
with, and his fur cap he should want
if it should be winter before he got
home again.
Taking off his nice new shoes and
striped stockings, for fear he would
spoil them, he laid them carefully away
at the foot of his little bed; then stick
ing his pistol in his belt, buttoning his
overcoat to his chin, and settling his
fur cap on his sunny curls, he was all
ready to travel.
"Good-by, mammal" he shouted,
but mamma was too busy to hear him.
One faithful friend did hear him.
and, looking after the odd little figure
wondered what new freak Ray had ta
ken now.
That was old Bruno, who lay bask
ing in the sunshine on the piazza.
After watching few moments, Bru
no rose, and, after stretching his shag
.gy limbs, started after Ray.
Down through the orchard, over thu
hill and across the brook trudged tn
sturdy little figure; across the grea
meadow to the stream between tina
and the island.
1t was only fun to wade that, for th
water hardly covered the chubby feet
He turned and looked toward home
then caught his breath, for he ha,
never been so far from home alone be
fore.
Old Bruno followed slowly in hi
footsteps.
The sun sank behind great blac
cloud, and suddenly a clap of thunde
crashed and cracked overhead, tn
lightning flashed and the rain bega
to come in big, splashing drops tina
wet even through his warm overcoat
Now Ray was afraid of thunder
storm. He had not reckoned on thai
He forgot everything but home an
mamma, but he could not tell which wa
hon:e was; the rain blinded him, and tn
thunder roared so that he could hare
ly hear himself cry
He stumbled and fell over big roc
and hurt his ankle, and then Brun
thought it was about time for him
attend to matters himself
Bounding to Rays side he lappe
his cold, wet hands and face, and tol
in every way dog could of sympath
and protection.
Ray started up with joyful cry-I
had often ridden ON Bruno's back-wh
couldn't he do so now?
Bruno stood perfectly still until Ra
dragged himself up on one foot, an
after many trials, was fairly seated c
his broad back with both hanC
clenched in the hair on his shage
neck.
Then, step by step, carefully ;
though he knew what pain every NOV
ment gave Ray, Bruno picked his wa
across the stream and the meadow, L
the hill and through the orchard,
the house.
The shower was over and the war
sun shone through the mist.
Papa and John were looking ever
where for the lost boy, and MANN
stood on the piazza with face viii
with fear.
90, Ray Ray! what made you ri
away?" she cried.
II just wanted the pony, mamm
but don't. now," answered Ray; "al
I'll never 60 on the prairie any more
never"
az guess not" said mamma. Al
she laughed and cried all the while S
was changing his wet clothes. TIL
papa came in.
"Whats this about pony? Coz
out to the barn, little son. Judy h
found pony for you-iust the GU
ningest little coltie you ever saw"
And there in Judy's warm stall r
found his pony after all.--Yoattj
Companion.