The morning times., 1896-02-16
Brave
Kentucky
Girl.
She Saved Her Broth
er'S Life.

Copyright, 1896, by Genevieve L. Browne.l
Tommy lived on a farm in Kentucky.
She was short, stoutly built girl of four
teen, with strong, heavy ankles and wrists,
a rude shock OF short hair, which was
usually bristnng. She spent most OF her
time out Of doors, wearing no head cover
ing excepting a discarded brim that had
belonged 10 the hat OF one of the farm
hands. She had a contempt for dolls, and
while she never shirked any household
tasks that were assigned her, they were
no sooner finished than she was off to the
fields or woods, not to feturn until hun
ger or nightfau compelled her.
Her mother was much concerned over
what she considered TOmmy's lack Of femi-
ainc tendencies, and held many consulta-
tiou with grandmOthers. aUHts and cousins
as TO what course she had best pursue IN
order to correct the girl.
Tommy heard their verdicts with firm,
set lips and flashing eyes, but her father,
who had given her the masculine pseudo
nym, snapped his fingers and said Let
the child alone. You viii see that she'll
come Ou all right. The exercise in the open
air is worth everything else to her while
she is growing, and her work in the fields
IS worth twice that of her brother"
She turned a grateful look toward his
hard. scanned face, and darted away down
the path TO the stables, fIiugiBg out the
wild, free notes of an unfettered bird.
Her father found her one day standing
before the stan OF a young stallion he had
recently purchased
What do you think of the Grand Duke,
Tom-isn't he fine fellow? But he hasn't
been broken. He's q vicious creature, too.
The meu don't like 20 tackle him."
Tom was delighted, for she.Ioved horses,
and had never experienced a sensation Of
fear among them
But this did not
TOMMY RIDES THE prevent her from
HORSE GRAND DUKE making daily pill
gTimages to the
Grand Duke, and familiarizing him with
ner. softly rubbing his back and allowing
him to smell the saddle. until at last she
was able to adjust it upon him, and seal
herself firmly, making short trips 70 thG
barnyard.
Tommy" he called in q tone that she
dared not disobey. take that horse back"
Tommy had fastened him TO a post while
sheadiusted the bar in the doorway, wonder.
ing what could have been the cause Of the
unaccOuntable chill of fear that had seized
her few moments ago, as she had passed
it, when her brother ran past. painting witt
excitement.
Tommy, Tommy, fathers foot has
been run over by the harrow and W,
can't stop the blood"
Where is hep cried Tommy
Lying on the grass in the meadow
Sbp n Ia
stable, filled one pudgy hand with dense
cobwebs, and snatching up some cloths,
she shot away as spec ding arrow. She
pushed her way amongst the men kneeling
beside him.
They carried him to the house and Tommy
looked about for her brother
He has
RODE AWAY LIKE gone for the
WIND FOR THE DOCTOR doctor, said
her mother
who sat anxiOusly beside her husband. She
glanced at Tommy's calm and stoHd coun.
tenance reproachfully.
There came a sound Of Gathering hoori
and the shout OF some one from the dusty
pike. Tommy, ever alert leapt TO heI
feet, straining her eyes and ears. IL was
the great gray, bearing towards the stable
completely beyond the econtrOIofher hSothss,
who was braced back. hatless. his teeth
set, his fists clutchins the bride.
Her mother rushed out, screaming, stop
hint Stop him-if the bar Is up he VIII
be killed" But there was fire In the
Grand Dukes eyes and none OF the men
would risk themselves before the resistless
body or the tremendous animal. The boz
threw an appealing glance towards them
Quick as a fash Tommy was In the road.
and as be approached. she sprang as
young panther upon the horses breast
Clinging 20 his neck. and throwing herselrs
dead weight upon him. She brought him
90 standstill, paving and shaking his head
sngrily.