Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-03-03
OLD ROCKET.

into the wood-lot, Luke, and minC
you put up the bars"
Poor old Rocket raised his head a.
the sound Of his masters well-knowr
voice. and a CLEAN of affection came
into his dim, brown eyes. But ole
Farmer Banks did not even glance
toward the gaunt white horse, anC
Luke led the way to the lonesome
woodland which was henceforth tC
be the animals home He muttered,
too, as he went, II hope when l grow
old won't be so mean as to begrudge
a creature a handful of oats after he's
worked himself out for me-"
He stroked the horses nose with
rough pity as he replaced the bars
and r5turned to his work in the
stable-yard
Day after day Rocket would come
down to the fence and wait for some
one to take him home his chin resting
on the upper rail and his eyes turned
longingly toward the stable. Mean,
while the days grew shorter, the
Scanty heritage scanter, and the nights
colder
1t was the oath of December, and
bitter co.Q An CIV wind whistled
through the leafess branches over
head, and the ground was covered
with rough coat of ice.
Poor old Rocket, hungry and shiv-
ering, leaning YEARLY against a tree
trunk in the deSolate wood suddenly
pricked up his ears and started for
ward with joyful whinnE. He had
heard the weIl-remembered, we'll
loved voice Of his master, and pres
emily he saw his masters wagon on
the narrow road before him.
'Come o." said Mr.. Banks, i'm
patiently, don't be all night"
How was Rocket to know that he
was addressing the frisky young crea-
ture between the shafts? He thought
the command was for him. So he
hobbled forward at his very best
speed. Who can tell what thoughts
and anticipations wandered through
old Rockets dim brain as he am bied
after the vehicle! Perhaps he
thought his punishment for growing
Old had come to an end, and now
once more he would enjoy the COM
forts Of good stable and plenty of
food.
Mr.. Banks had cut down a young &C.
dar to be used as a Christmas tree for
his grandchildren. The bars leading
into the road had been let down, and
the Old nan drove through without
stopping TO put them in their place.
So Rocket followed along the road, and
across the railway track, without be-
ing detected, for time had dimmed
his masters hearing. It was dark
when they reached the village store,
and Rocket stood patiently behind
the wagon, near some other horses,
while Mr.. Banks made his purchases
and chatted with his cronies within.
Surely Rocket must have thought the
Old times returned, as he waited and
listened!
The wind grew colder each mo-
meut The young horse before the
wagon kicked, and stamped, and
shook his head with impotence, so
that when Mr.. Banks returned, with
his arms full of packages, he could
scarcely restrain the animal long
enough to climb to his seat.
Still without observing Rocket he
seized the reinS. Off started the new
horse at great rate. The Christ
mas tree bounded about in the back
of the wagon as though it would leap
out each moment. Rocket trotted
along behind. In vain Farmer Banks
tugged at the lines; the young ami
NAL had the bit between his teeth
and was determined TO go his own
pace. Although Rocket put his best
foot foremost they were soon out of
sight. Still he kept on the well-re-
membered road, following the trail
Of the wagon wheels homeward.
Presently there was crash and a
shout The crash he did not heed,
but the shout came from his old
master Rocket hobbled on as
rapidly as his stiff legs would
let him. When he came upon
a wheel lying bV the ROADSIDE, he
stopped for an instant to sniff at
it Directly across the railway track
lay the remainder Of the wagon, the
Christmas tree and packages In
their midst lay Mr.. Banks motionless
and unconscious. The young horse,
with the shafts dangling noisily at his
heels, was just disappearing around
the bend.
Old Rocket paused, and looked un-
easily at his master, then pushed him
gently with his nose. This was the
very spot where, in bygone days he
was in the habit of cracking his whip
and Tightening the reins, so Rocket
knew that here his master must not
lie
For more than ten minutes the
horse eyed his master wistfully, now
and then nibbling at the fur cap COW
ering his head, but to no purpose.
Presently a low, humming sound
reached his ears Raising his head,
Rocket saw approa ching that great
One-eyed monster which always
brought terror to his breast.
n. 10 &c rod nvso a.