New-York tribune., 1902-02-23
TOM THE TEMPTER.
croPy OF = RIDE THAT HAD AN IN
FORTUNATE ENDING.

Z am afraid I couldn't. Dick. You must re-
rsrber that you are only a little man. and
ttar Rroreh8 is very frisky.
q know Dad but Tom got pony for Christ
ms. 100. and he can ride anywhere he chooses"
.you f7ree- that Tom IS twelve. while you are
moi vet rar ! am willing that you should ride
when Wil-.a can go with you. but you must
not 20 alone.
So rouu- Dick Wilmer tried to be contented,
although there was a sore spot down deep in
his heart. All of his chunls rode, and not one of
them had 70 have q horrid man trotting along
behind II wasn't right that he should be treat
ed ike baby when he was fully as tall is
Tom and tho other fellows No one could guess
that he was nearly three years younger He
went sorroHflIly TO Bronchos STALL and put
his OWL curly head against the soft dark name
Of the young thoroughbred
For several weeks after his fathers mandate
had gone forth Dick turned q deaf ear to all of
Toms errr1aries. and endeavored to forget the
neat little f0crman while dashing through the
long. winding country roads, But a day came
when all -e Dicks good resolutions We're thrown
70 the winds
It was saturday. Mr. Brown, his tutor had
inst left the house. and the lesson books We're
put away until Monday. So. with a free heart
Dick bounded downstairs, buckled on his high
riding boots slipped into his heavy coat ana
set his scarlet cap well back on his curly head.
ny Wilmer had gone TO Washington on bust
ness ana Mrs Wilmer was out calling Dick
knew by experience that il would probably be
dark before she would return and it was too
lonesome in the house. Even Nj Brown. who
had been expected TO stay, was teIegraphed for
as his wife was taken suddenly i'll.
1HE.rv -
room. over the stable. His hand was on the
knob. and he opened his mouth to call the
groom. Just then Toms mocking voice cried:
Go on. baby; call your nurse
Dick wheeled around, his deep blue eyes all
ablaze with Indignation.
! an not a baby and you know il, Tom
sumer,"
Then why do you always have him." pointing
a dsdainf1l finger toward the closed door, tag
ging after you? When you are a man you'll
have keeper, I suppose"
7 won't have you talking that way TO me-
I'm not d baby. and you know I don't want
Willam-and I only have him because Dad said
I must" cried Dick, sJurdily-
Don't you ever expect 10 have mind Of your
own I dare you to g today without him"
taunr=d Tom.
Dad said I mustn't
cane In. So he can't 90. and you know Henry
Is drivi-E your mothers horses
What shall I DO. them" DICK stood for a mo-
ment Debating. It was glorious day. cold and
clear. except for a heavy bank Of clouds slowly
rising I'm the north. Il was too lovely to stay
gtuff-d up IN the house all the afternoon.
IT WON'T hurt you. III take care Of you. and
We only go on the nearby roads. Come on,
Dick" tempted the visitor.
I ought not to- said Dick. slowly. Il was so
hard 70 refuse. for he wanted so much 10 go.
DO as you like" said Tom. I am going
And he -are-essly threw himself on the waiting
pony.
JUS At -har moment a low, sorrowful whiHny
came from Br0ncho's stall. That decided Dick;
he Wo--d not BE- gone long, and he would be
very ca-ef1l-oh, very careful.
Al first his conscience pricked him little but
once out IN the soft. warm sunshine, and gallop-
Ing swiftly down the long roads, he forgot his