The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-08

messed to take Alice to town. Being left in
her stall until Alice was quite ready, old
Dolly decided that as she might get
cheated out of her afternoon nap she had
better take it then and there; so she
cuddled down, with her harness all on. in
her bed of warm autumn leaves. When she
was discovered she was not fit to go to
town without being curried all over again,
and it was decided TO take old Andy in
stead. Alice led Andy by the forelock from
the barn TO the big gate of the lane. 1t was
a beautiful cool morning, just enough frost
in the air to make the heels feel lively. so
when Alice let go of Andy's forlock to open
the big gate the old rascal jerked away,
kicked up his heels higher than the barn
so 1t seemed to Alice-and raced off down
the lane, nearly to the woods. Alice swift
ly flew after h~im-Sheppy, the dog, bark
ing gayly alongside-and And was caught
before he had quite reached the lanes end.
Apparently conquered, the old horse al
lowed himself TO be led half way up the
lane; but when Alice relaxed her grasp on
his forelock to get a better hold. again the
tricky old fellow kicked up his heels.
whirled and galloped off. this time clear
down among the oak trees-the wine-col-
Ored oak woods.
In the woodland pasture, roaming free.
was the two-year-old colt, Ben Bolt, just
spelling for a mad time of some kind; SO
when old Andy set the pace, gay young
Ben was only too glad TO fall in beside him
and urge him TO get swifter gaits than he
had longtime dreamed Of. Through the
forest aisles they raced and chased-Up
and down the steep hills and deep r~avines.
in glorious, long-sweeping stretches.
pounding the earth and making the autumn
leaves whirl and dance under their flying
feet. Into the maple-tree meadow they
dashed, slashing along by the hedges and
fences in splendid style. A moments rest
and a good sniff Of cold air over the five
barred gate-and away they go again.
Sophy and Josephine-tw o most matronly
old family cows-stirred by all this unusual
excitement in their happy browsing
grounds, whirled into line, too; and with
tails flashing at a high skyward angle. went
numbering recklessly through forest and
field. The race went on, Ben Bolt in the
lead, Andy a close second, Sophy and Jose
phine neck and neck-now trying TO get in
the way Of the horses. now trying 10 get
Sophy against the rail fence, To the sacri-
flee Of the end OF one horn.
At the lanes end Sheppy covered by
Alice's side; he did not aspire 10 get
kicked. Lydia-the most curious house cat
likes TO be a safe part Of whatever hap
pens: and had come down 10 watch the
race from a high perch on the fence. But
| this stampede must be broken up. Will is
summoned from the 'Jimheld." where he
was cutting corn: David from the orchard.
where he was piling brush: and with these
two allies land a bunch OF toOthsOme fod-
der), in an hours time. the good farmer
subdues the rebellion. Andy is first cajoled
TO surrender; secretly, he was long ago
ready to quit Ben returns to his tame life
in the woods. Sleepy gets brave suddenly
and chases Lydia up a tree. There is no
time 10 curry old Andy again. so the start
is made at once TO town. When a passer-by
scans him, as who should say: Whose
rusty old country horse is this2' Elizabeth
and Alice pound him mercifully with the
whip and so get him speedily out Of sight.
He receives much mercifuI pounding. in
fact. for the race being over. the old horse
would fain walk all the way 10 town and
back again.
1t was hoped that the peace-abiding
I house had caught no hint Of all this com
motion on the farm: but at night. when it
Is time 10 make glad the hearth with a
rousing fire and lights, Alice discovers that
the last big lamp chimney has flown into
bits, and Elizabeth notices that the minute
hand has jumped of the clock.
! EMMA CARLETON.
New Albany. Dec. 6.