The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-09


forth with a halter This he threw on
Timoleon's head. passing the loose end
over the horses neck and tying IL in
the ring. thus forming reins for the rider
10 handle Then he folded heavy blan-
ket four times. placed IL on the horses
back. aud strapped IL down with sur
clugic
"Not too ught-not too tight. son Of
Zen AS" said Timoleon. backing his ears
little.
Now. then. for ride" said Aaron.
turning TO the children.
ooh. I'm afraidi" cried Sweetest susan
mamma would be angry
"Trv him here. in the lot" suggested
Aaron 10 Buster John.
Now Buster John was pretty good
rider for a youngstcr. and was some
what proud Of tho fact lie had even
helped 90 break young mule 10 the
saddle So. after "a little persuasion. he
allowed Aaron 20 lift him to Timoleons
back.
Easy. now" said Aaron.
Tho black stallion stepped proudly or.
FROM a swinging walk he broke into an
tcasy cautcr. which soon became a swing
ing gaiiop. Before he had gone around
the field Buster John had lost all fear
and from his gently undulating seat
waved his hand gayly 10 Sweetest Su-
san.
ooh 7 wish 7 could 20. too" she OK
claimed. clappinE her hands.
Why not Nne Missy said Aaron
81 have seen Won riding the gray pony
without saddle"
"But he IS AS gentle as a dog" explain
Cd Sweetest Susan.
"Why. $50 is Timolcon." replied Aaron.
"rry him. ] will run beside him 10 catch
sou II You FAM I'll not run far before
you win say. Co back"
BY this time Timoloon came sweeping
nap 10 where they stood and stopped Bus
ter Johns face fairly elowcd with the
delight ne felt
"Wen" said Sweetest Susan. unable 20
resist the temptation. "Wcu. TIT 20. but
n fall"
Before she could finish what she had
70 say the strong arms Of Aaron had
lifted her 70 q seat behind Buster John.
How can YOU fall?' asked that bold
youngster. Hold fast TO me- Put your
arms around me. and when YOU fall let
me know"
you didn't talk that way Just now"
said Sweetest Susan. To this Buster John
made mo reply Aaron stood beside the
black stallion and stroked his neck
Grandson OF Abdallab. show me what
you arc this day. once around the field
and then 20 the lane gate"
The horse took three long strides for
ward and then broke into a canter as he
fore Aaron ran beside Timoleon a little
way. one hand on Sweetest Susan's elbow
70 give her confidence, but he soon saw
that She had lost an fear. and so. still
running he went 70 the gate that opened
in tho lane and threw 10 back and stood
there The black stallion going I'm n
steady gallon. swept around the field.
and then came toward the gate. The
chiren were laughing.
Don't forget grandson OF Abdallah.
You know my nandt" This was Aaron's
last warning as TImoleon went through
the gate. Tho son of Ben AM watched
horse and riders for g. few moments. Then
he closed the gate and ran swiftly
through the Tot. going toward the head OF
the aEcuuo that led 10 the big house The
lane half mile in length. led oblquely
away from tho house and from the ave
nue.. unit ~ Joined the public road. From
that point. turning squarely to the left.
the distance 90 the avenue gate was about
mile From the stable To- the avenue
gate through tho spring iot-the way
Aaron went was not quite half mile.
"If so 700 fast. graiYson OF the White
haired Master" said TimoleOn. as they
turned into the public road. touch me
on the shoulder. And don't be frightened
when ! lift my head and tell The fools
] a'n coming"
AS they came I'm sight OF the negro
quarters 1imolcon raised his head high
$40 the air and noiehed shriny three times
in quick succession. Tt sounded like a
challenge 10 man and beast That plan
tati0u had heard 10 many times before.
and 10 had always been the forerunner Of
some display OF savagcry on the part
of the black stallion sometimes a negro /
run down and tramplad. sometimes a |
mule or e COW crippled. bat always some
thing The sound OF il was always heard |
with dismay. except 10y Aaron
% vas uo wonder therefore. that the |
negroes came out of their cabins with !
alarm pal ued Ola their faces. 10 was no |
wonder they stood transnXed when they |
saw the horse hyng along the road. his /
thick name whipping the wind. with the /
two children on his back. They had no |
time 20 admire the strength and symme- /
Try Of the horse, and Yet he presented !
a beautiful sigh.-his glossy neck arched, |
his long name enyeloping the children |
as I'm a cloud the undulatiOns of his 1
form. and his swift move /
ments the perfection OF grace.
once more. as he Numbered across the 1
bridge that spanned the stream leading |
from the spring. the black stallion scream
cd forth his note OF defiance 4 man |
coming along the road went over the
fence as uimbly as "A squirrel Cows
grazing in the fields near the roadside
hoistcd their tails I'm the air and ran
on 90 tho woods The mules In the horse !
lot ran around aimlcssly. and then hud-
died themselves together i'm a corner. The 1
gray pony went scampering through tho /
peach orchard hunting a place OF safe
tv
Then the cry went up from the negro
quarters. "Timoloon's loose Tmoleons |
loose" The cry was echoed at the big
house The children's father laid down !
upon the vcrdnda. followed quickly By |
nis wife The grandfather rose from his
EASY chair and Joined them They heard
the tremendous clatter Of hoofs on the
hard road and the screaming stallion.
They saw Aaron running up the avenue.
followed by Drusilla. Calamity seemed 10
have swOopcd down upon the plantation.
a negro woman. holder than the rest
had managed 90 run TO the big house She
pushed through IT, without regard for
"Mistiss. dem blessed chilun-"'
She wanted 20 say were riding the run
away stallion but she sank 10 the floor,
speechlcss
90 my children, my children, where
are my precious children" cried the
mother
Ar that moment Aaron reached the
avenue gate. opened 10 wide. and the black
stallion cantered through ~. and came
"a NI.H b.