Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-08-16

A sound, young horse to be had al
most for song-but a worm lurke4
in the peach-the worm Of balki-
ness. mot cannot always make i'm
go, sometime not having pulling
empty wagon, and dot sometime
coming down hill before coming up"
patiently explained the honest old
Finn, who owned him.
Elsie looked at the horse thought
fully In some points he resembled
her mental picture of Black Beauty.
Yes. she would buy him and trust to
kindness and patience to overcome his
balkiness.
All went we'll the first week. Elsie
drove to the village several times and
the horse behaved SO well his new
mistress began to think he had been
maligned
I'll be back in two hours, mamma"
said Elsie one afternoon as she drove
out of the yard, but this time she had
reckoned without her horse.
When about half Il mile from home,
Jet, without any provocation. threw
up his head defiantly and refused to
take another step. In vain Elsie
coaXed and urged. Jet remained OBJ
durate. Elsie took him by the bride
to lead him, but he planted his feet
more firmly. tossed his head and threw
back his lips in tiendish grin. After
an hour of soothing and fondling Jet
started off sulkily, prancing and jump
ing sidewise. The mode of treatment
was new to him. His former master
had always whipped him soundly dur
ing these little exhibitions. and in the
end Jet had triumphed, for. having
exhausted his masters patieace, he
would be released from the wagon and
returned to the stable.
Elsie had many exhibitions Of Jets
contrariness, and she learned by OBJ
servation to read the signs of storm
before it broke upon her. Twitching
and dropping of the ears. the light,
high fitting of the feet were unfavor-
aale omens. When these symptoms
were noticed in time few kinds
words and q little fondling often eX-
orcised the evil spirit possessing the
horse.
Elsie's brother urged stronger and
more heroic measures, but Else wished
to triumph through kindness, If
such a course were possible.
Il should like to go to the village
this afternoon, but my wheel is
broken" said Frank one sMtry day.
Take Jet; he has been in the best
of humor lately" said Elsie.
Keep on the right side of him." she
cautioned. laughingly, as Frank drove
off.
An hour later Frank came up the
road afoot
"Where, oh. where is Jet?" cried
Elsie in alarm, for well she knew
Franks hasty, intolerant temper.
Down in the field. wanted to un.
hitch him. but the vicious thing will
not let me get near him. You see il
was this way. wanted to cross the
stream and he began to cut up without
any provocation. and I-well, before
l knew it struck him."
Franks face reddened rs he saw
the reproach in Elsie's eyes. lie is
always afraid crossing water. With
a little patience it would have gone all
right. ! know, though. just how you
felt. l have often felt that way. but
l think it best to try to control my
self before assuming control of an
animal Well never mind, I'll 60
down with you. and I'm going to take
him to town if l possibly can. 1t Will
never do to give in to him now," was
Elsie's decision.
Jet. standing near big stump.
snorted ansrily as lie caught sight of
Frank. but his whole mien changed
as if by magic when he spied Else.
He whinned entreatingly, and when
she reached his side he rubbed his
head affectionately against her. With.
not appearing to notice that anything
was the matter Elsie went up to the
horse. took his quiverihg head in her
hands and talked to him. gently rub
bing his head. or patting hisnose until
he forgot about his bad temper and
allowed Frank to do with him what
lie liked. She has now used him over
n year. and his balkiness has grown to
be Il thing of the past.
THAT whipping did some good
Frank often asserts, 1T did not make
him go, but it showed him the differ
ence between my treatment and yours.
Ever since he has known enough TO
appreciate You, and not attempt his
tricks in y2ar pre rescpce."
"He taught You q lesson. also, Elsie
retorts. IL have often noticed you
striving TO curb that unruly temper OF
yours
"You are right. Elsie. Those words
of yours about learning to control
ones self hit me badly. That lesson
alone was worth the price OF your
horse"
lit was worth more than SO. then.
for | refused that for him last week"
answers Eisie.-A. NJ. polllnger. in
Pets and Animals