Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-05-31
"BLA0K JOHN"

heavy-hnnded village blacksmith IRON
whom Jasper Carson bought him, h'
had a mouth like gutta percha nn'
jaw muscles like steel ropes, with !
60-pound pressure on the bit he coul'
singlc-foot mile In $3.50 under TN
saddle and withnl so smoothly tina
he gave his rider the impression
sailing through air, A powerful maj
could check him by main strength an'
awkwnrlness without fire. releasing
the pull on the bit, bur the easiest nnt
most expeditions method was 10 slack
en- the reins md saw Whoa Johnl
II the command was given SHARPLY
the stop might be so sudden as to IN
seat an unwary rider. hut that wa
not malice on Black Johns part
was his training His walk, foS'tro
and cNnter were crnde'like In thei'
ease. but II was ms n slngle-footer tina
Black John excelled
Mamie Carson rode him frequently
and sometimes 10 the discontinue o
her escort. who mounted on horst
Of ordinary speed found 1t difficult Il
keep her in sight
II was probably admiration OF Mis-
Carson's prowess NJ horsewomaI
and desircto emulate II that induced
Miss Lakeland 10 accept Jasper Car
sons offer to tcnch her 10 ride, I'll
theory advanced by Mrs, Stubbs, thu
peripntedic bureau Of information fo'
the village, That Miss Lakeland want
ed to give hoshrul Jasper nm opportun
ity to propose, Is worthy Of mention
only for purposes Of contradiction,
Anyhow, Miss LNcklnnd's ambition
10 learn TO ride had an cNhlNratlnt
effect on Jasper Carson, He bought
new side.saddle, and was more THAI
ordinarily critical OF the work OF hi
grooms
The riding lessons were gwen In tn
early morning, In order that the cen
serious might not see and derlde Mis-
Lackland's incxperiencc She hat
grace and courage, and soon looked
home in the saddle Though still
trine awkward in manipulating tn
reins, she was n crcdinhlc pupil, ant
Jasper Carson was proud Of his posi-
ton as instructor, Vet he was not en-
tirely contentcd 1t was pleasant Il.
ride with her along sylvan paths, ant
see the sunbenms kiss the new-waltel
flowers and drink the dew from gras
sy cups. II was pleasanter still 10 sc
the girls cheeks glow and her eye !
sparkle as the wanton morning bree2
caressed her.
But Jasper Carson had something II
his heart to say to Miss Lakeland, ant
he had promised himself to say II dur !
ing one Of those delightful rides r
would he easy, he thought to cas-
his soul Of its burden while riding b.
her side. Try as he might, he couldn' /,
say the words. Even the poetry whicl
he had carefully memorized refused I,
come TO his tongue.
"Mayn't I ride Black John tomor
row, Mr. Carson?" said Miss Lakeland
after her sixth lesson. "Your siste
Mamie says he is perfectly safe II yo'
are along"
Certainly you may" said Jaspe
Carson, flushing with pride at tn
thought Of acting as Miss LackIand'
protector, and with embarrassment
because he couldn't find words to tel
her he loved her.
So IT, was that when Jasper Carson
rang the bell at the Lakeland hom
that golden June morning, Black JohI
bore sde-saddle.
"Tsn't he the dearest thing? sal,
Miss Lakeland, MS they cantered alonl
the river road which was overhunt
with locust trees
"FIe's good old horse" said Jaspe,
Carson. Hold your reins trifl
lower Miss Lakeland, There, that
right"
"I'm so ghd have learned to ride,
she said. /
Jasper Carson tried to say: "Won'
you ride through life with me?"
Before he could speak n ragged ur
chin jumped from behind tree and
shrieked; "Yahl yah!"
Black Johns nerves were as invul
nerable as his mouth, and he merely
pricked mp his ears in disapproval, bu
the mare Carson rode was sensitive
She plunged forward in mad effor
to bolt. and Miss Lakeland watching
with alarm and admiration CARSON
slilful management, increased tn,
pressure OF Black Johns bit. TIT
horse accepted this as signal Il
change his gait and responded will
cheerful nlncrity. Stiffening his necl
and gripping the bit. he settled int,
the smooth, machine-lltc pit-pit-pit-a
pat OF the trained single-footer, ant
sped along the shady road with
swiftness that bewildered his rider
Looking back over her shoulder Miss
saw Jasper Carson's mare
plunging like n broncho. She pulled
hard on the reins, and Black John,
true to the teachings Of the heavy
handed blacksmith, gripped the bit
tighter and moved faster.
Jasper Carson grasped the situation
Instantly, and cold chill struck to
his heart. So long as the girl retained
her presence of mind there was little
hanger Of her falling off, but If she
simply sat still and pulled on the reins
Black John would turn from the road
into a bridle-path that led back home
and his rider would almost certainly
be swept out Of The saddle by tho
limb OF tree.
Driving his spurs deep into the sides ,