The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-08-07


it out.
Presently he said: I'll tell you
what's the matter, Sadie; funny | didn't
think of il before. He's used to having
somebody ride him when he's working,
and he don't know how to go without.
You always see these Crackers riding
their horses when they're drawing
cart. and guess it's the same way with
blowing. Now, you just take hold OF
the handles again and I'll try riding
him. and | guess We'll make ii all right.
..0h. Dave" said Sadie, I've just had
all the breath knocked out OF me, and
l don't want to again"
There's no danger, Sadie" said Dave.
"Being on his back, | can manage him
better, aud we'll go carefully; besides,
YOU needn't lean over the pillow like you
did: Just walk far back and stick your
arm out, and you'll be safe enough.
Thus persuaded, Sadie again essayed
the task. and Dave, jumping astride the
beast and jabbing his heels into its
TANKS, said: Now get up, sir, get up! :
He got up little in the rear quarters,
quite as much as a pony of his size
could with $50 pounds ayoirdupois on
his back; he grunted and snorted, but
forward he did not go an inch. Dave
said: You speak TO him, Sadie; you're
driving now"
And Sadie said: Get up, pony! get
up, you dear little fellow!" As before,
he got up with his hind feet just as
far as he could, but his fore feet re-
manned fixed ard stationary.
Again remarking: ''I'll be jiggered!"
Dave dismounted and, taking a seat on
the ground, put on his thinking cap.
The result of his meditation was this:
sadie, I'm too heavy for him, that's
what's the matter; he's been used to
having a boy OF Cracker man ride him,
and you never saw Cracker that
weighed anything to speak of. I'll tell
you what. Sadie; you must ride him
and I'll hold the pillow. Strange didn't
think of that before. It'll be fun for
You, and I'm sure we'll get right along"
"Oh, Dave, Dave" said Sadie, Il do
want to help you all / can, but really
and truly | can't do that, you know;
there's no saddle, and I'd be scared to
DEATH
sadie" said Dave, you've got to get
used to being a farmers wife, and you'd
just as well begin right now. There
isn't a particle of danger; with your
light weight he'll move right off,
smooth and easy; and, really, it's our
only chance, you know, for something
to eat next winter"
Sadie, with fine regard for her
promise to love, honor and obey said
a silent prayer, allowed herself to be
lifted on the pony, and with trembling
hands grasped the reins as she was ill.,
strueted.
Then Dave, holding the pillow, urged
the pony to go; but go he wouldn't.
''I<ick him, Sadie! Kick HIM" cried
Dave, and Sadie kicked and kicked
again, but the beast only backed and
snorted.
Dawes stock of patience was getting
exhausted and he said: you just
wait a minute, Sadie. I'll get a switch
and persuade him little.
So he cut down a small oak sapling,
about ten feet high, trimmed off the
leaves and twigs, and, taking a stand
back of the pony, at right angles to
the pillow, said: "Now look out, Sadie!
| think he'll start" And he brought
his switch" down with all his force
across the pony's back.
lie started; there could be no ques-
ton about that. The pillow was jerked
high in the air, and the next instant
the pony was flying across the field
with poor Sadie clinging frantically to
the names.
When he reached the rail fence on
the far side of the field he went right on
over, like a trained hunter; but the
pillow catching on the near side, he
was ierked back by the traces and came
down on his launches on the other side
while Sadie went on and on in series
of remarkable somersaults.
When Dave reached the spot, the
pony was sitting, and so was Sadie, but
at some distance apart.
sadie, dear!" he exclaimed, "are you
hurt?"
Il don't know, Dave" she said, "but il
appears as if I'm considerably shool
up"
well, you just wait minute till fiA
this beast" said Dave; and, taking d
broken fence rail, he brought it down
with all his might across the top of the
pony's head, knocking it limp and sense
less.
"Oh, Dave" said Sadie, looking around
just then, you've killed him"
81 don't care if | have" said Dave
IF he won't pillow he'd better be dead
and save his feed. Anyhow, Sadie, I'm
done with farming. Anybody that
wants to can pillow. | don't"
Sadie approved the resolution, her
ambition to be a farmers wife having
cooled considerably. Dave shouldered
the pillow and gear, and they wendell
their way homeward, leaving the pony
for dead
Texas ponies, however, are tough
and this one "came to- some time dur
ing the day, and wandered home in time
for supper He proved capital saddle
animal, and, having eschewed blowing
Dave became hunter and sold venison
to buy four.-Lippincott's Magazine.
Have Sclf-Possession.
/