The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1892-09-23

whose only fault was great dislike to
strangers.
But, as complaint after complaint was
entered against the vicious bay, he began
to consider him troublesome comfort and
this August morning had brought him an
offer for the animal, which he knew was
far above his value.
Ben had heard the fatal decision which
would part them forever, that was why
he was racing through the wet grass to
Terror's pasture.
Who was Ben? Well, no one could
answer that exactly.
Mr. Lyndon took him from an orphan
asylum three years before. Ben was his
only name there and the farmer was still
debating if it was best to give him legal
right to his.
1.-THE Lord didn't see fit to give us any
children, he often said to his wife. s'Ben
seems to be a good lad, a bit hasty, may
be, but he'll get over that. / wouldn't
give button for boy that didn't have
some temper, would you, wife?'
ga boy may have too much as well as
a horse, john" she would always an
swer. "Better wait WHILE"
So John Lyndon had waited three
years and so Ben was all the name the
boy could claim. = r,
He had been a prime favorite with
Terror ever since the day when he had
fearlessly entered the enclosure with d
handful of tempting clover heads. ''a
'Good horsie, good fellow he said,
coaxingly, when the great beast came
rushing toward him, with glistening teeth
and cleaning eyes.
"Come out of there! ~ yelled Mr. Lyn-
don, in horror. Hell eat you up,
| boyr'
But Ben stood his ground and, to the
| surprise of them all, Terror bent his
glossy neck and graciously accepted the
offering which Ben so fearlessly extend
ed to him.
He even laid his head against the boy s
arm, while he patted and brushed him to
his hearts content.
"Jingo, amt he beauty!"c cried Ben,
with all the enthusiasm of 10-years-old
city lad. "Don't say that l mustn't pet
him, please don't"
mo, I'll not say that, boy, for you
may handle him as much as you please.
He will never hurt you"
John Lyndon was amazed at this sud-
den friendship, but convinced that the
horse would never change his first judg-
ment.
And now you can understand why poor
Ben could see no beauty in the world on
that fresh, August morning.
ooh, you beauty, you darling!" he
cried, climbing over the high fence and
throwing his arms around the neck OF
the horse. 81 wish we could run away
you and /, and be high waymen, like Six.
teen-string Jack, or some of them fellows
that Granny Brown used to tell about
| Oh-dear-mei You are nicer thar
Claud Duval's Sue. Mr. Lyndon says
them stories are wicked lies and I sup
pose I'm wicked, too. You love me. too
as we'll as | love you. What will we do
Terror, what will we do?'' and Ben burst
into passion of boyish tears and hid his
face upon the horses silken name, while
| Terror, somewhat puzzled at such an un
usual proceeding, Weighed softly ane
rubbed his velvety nose against him
''There they've come to see you now
Oh, dear! You may kick that man if b,
touches you. Kick him, bite him, any
thing to make him not want you.
won't see him. and Ben crawled into /
clumb of bushes as Mr. Lyndon, with 1
stranger, approached, while the hors'
circled around his hiding place, will
ears laid sharply back and watchful
threatening eyes.
"There, sir" Mr. Lyndon began. g
wouldn't cheat no man. You see hin
just as he is. There never was true
horse to pull and he is no SLOUGH on the
road either, but he has his likes and dis
likes.''
''That is a fault, great fault" replied
the stranger. "But think | can make
good use of him. / wish-where is tina
boy saw? I'd like to see how he steps
OUT
"Ben? Oh, suppose he's humping
somewhere. Fact is, you never saw
such friends as them two are and L ex
pect he don't want Terror sold. But it's
my horse and-here, Ben! Ben! Ben, ]
sayH and Mr. Lyndon's voice echoed
loudly upon the air, but to no purpose
Ben could not be found!
He lay in the thicket, not 20 feet away.
with his flushed, indignant face pressed
against the cool, moist leaves. Terror
guarded against all advance in that diree-
ton and no one suspected that he was
| there.
"I'll tell you what I'll do" said the
stranger, at last. II shall not leave
town before tomorrow noon. If that
horse can step as think he can, will
give $500 and take all risks. Send that
boy by the village hotel with him about
dark, it'll be good exercise. I'll see him
step out and see you tomorrow" -
''Just as you say" and they moved
away. :,,8 = =
Then Ben crept out to embrace Terror
| once more. =
''Maybe it's wrong" he breathed. III
don't know, but we won't show him
very good speed, will we, old fellow?
No, we won't! I am not going to hoe
that old garden to-day, either. I'm go
ing fishing. Oh, how I hate everybody !!
All the whole world, but you, Terror
and they won't let me have you!"
| do not present Ben as model boy !;
| only show him as he was, for this sim
pie story is not all fiction.
He did not 60 to the house. He crept