Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-10-03
ROBERT AND HIS PONY.

Once upon time thore was an non
est young fellow named Robert, who
lived all alone in n little house in the
middle OF forest. His mother had
died when he was, a mere child his
father died few years later, and at
his last hour he had said TO him: "My
dear son, il had not been the victim
of cruel sorceress you should have
inherited a handsome fortune; but
now can only leave you this house
and my pony, good beast; treat him
we'll"
This pony was, in fact; a rem arkable
animal. very intelligent and very
handsome.
Robert had no other means OF living
except his work in the forest He
gathered dry branches for frewood. and
heath to make brooms. He tied them
in bundles. and placing them upon the
pony's back he went to the city to sell
them. There he bought food and gar
ments for himself, and oats for his
faithful beast
One day, after having sold his bun
dies, he was preparing to return TO his
home. when an elegant lady approach
ed him and said
"Is that your ponyP"
yes"
"He Is n fine-looking beast VIII
you lend him TO me for half an hour
/ wish to go and look at one OF my
farms, and l will give you shilling
for him.
Robert had never parted with his
brave little horse, and he hesitated TO
coniide it to the beautiful unknown.
But shilling was more than he made
in a week.
Very WE'LL" he said. IL will lend
you my pony, but only on condition
that you treat him gently, and that
you will not beat him. He has never
been beaten.
Have no fear" replied the beautiful
lady. She seated herself upon the
pony and rode of.
who is that woman ?" Robert ask
ed.
"w hat you do not know her That
is Mistress Hippoharpy, who lives in
the great house you see down there
She is very rich.
Il hope" he replied. chat she will
treat my pony well.
lie was very uneasy, and impatiently
awaited the rich lady's return. At last
she appeared. She tossed him a shil-
ling, and hastily departed. Robert
had no time to thank her, and he GER
taiuly would not have done so had she
remained. for he saw that his pony was
painting and was covered with mud,
and on his skin he could see the marks
left by whip. Robert wiped him
carefully. carressed him and led him
to his stable.
A few days later he once met Nine.
Hippoharpy, who called him to lend her
his pony again.
NO" he replied; "you shall never
have him again"
Il will give you two shillings, she
said.
NO" he said, mot for your entire
fortune"
"Ah" she cried, looking at him
angrily. "you will repent this"
Suddenly, as he was entering
the forest, five men threw them
selves upon him. bound him and carried
him of with the pony to the great
house where Madam Hippoharpy
lived.
There no was obliged to break stones
to repair road in the park, and his
dear little pony was delivered TO the
cruel lady. who beat him aad drove
him almost TO death.
Alone, deienseless. closely watched
by his vigilar' guards. poor Robert
had TO submit to lis lot But often he
could not restrain IA groan. One day,
as he was moaning over his cruel fate.
he heard little hutelike voice, which
said: Il pity you, l pity YOU" o.
The same voice repeated: II pity
you, Robert, pity you"
lie looked again, and saw on bush
a robin redbreast, who nodded his head
at him.
"ls it you," said Robert; 'Is it you,
my beautiful bird, who spoke to REP"
Yes replied the bird, making q
little bow and wagging his tail. "Can
be OF any assistance TO you"
Il am very much obliged to you. but
/ fear that you can do nothing for
me-"
do you think SOP Well. tell me
what you desire"
Il wish to regain possession OF my
pony"
IF restore him to you will you do
for me what ask you to!
"Oh, certainlyH
swell, listen to me. When the din
ner- bell rings, instead OF returning to
the kitchen, conceal yourself among
the bushes near the stable, and you
will see what will happen"
Robert did as the bird told him.
The robin redbreast few to the stable
where the pony was shut up.
A servant was there, who, on coming
out, ought to carefully close the door.
by his mistress order. But while he
was finishing his work he did not notice
that the active bird had piled some bits
of wood around the hinges OF this door
which would prevent his closing it
tightly, and when the man came out
the robin redbreast few to the pony
and began to tear the rope by which
he was tied to his stall. But the task
was difficult one. Notwithstanding
all its efforts the bird could not break
the rope. Suddenly he heard shrill
little voice, which said: 'Do you want
me TO help you"
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