The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-09-21
BRIBED WITH A PONY.
How a Senator'S Nephew Was
Cured Of Bad Habit.
a Senate Page Who Has a Bright Future
The Boyhood Days of a Clever
Journslist-An Iowa Boys
Ambitious Desires.
Especial Washington Letter.

Here is a story about lucky little
boy Henderson Strawn is the six
year-old nephew of Senator Mander-
son, of Nebraska, and until recently
was addicted TO the habit. which so
many small boys have, of biting his
finger nails. The senator is very fond
of little Henderson. and is also very
anxious that he shall become a young
gentleman with no bad habits. On one
of his frequent visits to the home of his
nephew the senator noticed that the
boy was given to this unfortunate hab-
it. 1t was not the fault of his parents
that he did it, for they had endeavored
by all means to break him of the prac-
tice- Finally the senator, who be-
iieved that he could stop it. found a
plan which worked admirably. 1t was
when he was leaving here for Nebraska
after the extra session OF the Fifty
third congress that the senator made
the proposition to the little fellow that
If he would break himself of the nail
biting habit he should be rewarded
with little pony.
At first little Henderson would not
believe that the senator was sincere in
his promise, and declared that he would
probably only get cheap wooden toy.
instead of a real live pony. But at
last he was prevailed upon by persua-
sion and promise to quit the silly hab-
1t. When his mother found that her
little boy had really given it up, she
sat down and wrote long letter to the
senator who was then in Nebraska,
telling how good Henderson had been,
and stating that he had at last given
up biting his finger nails, and also that
the receipt of the promised pony would
be in order.
There were several weeks of tiresome
waiting and little Henderson was
about to give up in despair of ever re-
.ceiving his horse, but the senator kept
his promise and sure enough one morn
ing the boys father received a letter
stating that There is Shetland pony
to the credit of Henderson Strawn at
the Pennsylvania station and awaiting
your disposal" To say that there was
joy in the Strawn family would be put
ting 1t mildly. Henderson aud Mar
garcia, his little sister, were overjoyed:
and their father and mother were
equally well pleased. for they highly
appreciated the generosity of Senator
Henderson.
Little Henderson lives on Capitol
Hill and back Of his house there Is
quite large and beautiful yard. in
one corner of which Mr.. Strawn has
e&1I
Manderson's pony is housed. At first
the little animal was risky and wild,
but after a few weeks of training on
the streets OF the national capital, Bes-
sic. the pony, became subdued and is
now as quiet and safe as any old coun-
try horse. Bessie is a beautiful dark
gray little creature with long name
and tail After she had become per
fectly tame and docile, Mr.. Strawn pur-
chased a small yellow phaeton and
nearly every evening Henderson may
be seen driving about the streets of
Washington with his father or mother
at his side to see that no harm befalls
him
Bessie is not lonesome here, for in
the large yard back of the house little
Manderson has veritable stock farm.
He has a large and beautiful setter
dog which he prizes very highly, and
Henderson always takes him out TO
exercise when he goes walking with
his father. Besides these pets the boy
has few pretty bantam chickens and
he enjoys himself every day feeding
and attending to them He is very
fortunate little boy in being able to
possess so many beautiful and desir-
able live animals for pets But of all
his possessions he prizes most his little
pony, Bessie, for which he is indebted
to his uncle, Senator Henderson
Neither love nor money could induce
him togize up this pet which he OBJ