Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-22
GRATEFUL TOMMY.
By Harriet A. Litte1l.


Tommy beautiful bay horse. with
large white spot on his nose. and he
lived on a farm away out In the country.
He never could make up his mind whether
he enjoyed himself more in winter or sum-
mer.
In winter he spent a great deal of his
time in his STALL where there was always
a bed Of nice clean straw. Above the
manager out of which he ate his oats and
hay a little window. just high enough
for him to look out of. This he liked very
much. especially when the children came
to that sheltered sunny side Of the barn
to play in the snow.
He had plenty Of company. for Blossom.
the cow had a stall just like his and close
beside him: and Don. the dog. had often
come to see him and to tell him what the
children were doing in the house.
Tommy was very fond of children. and
they were very fond of him. They came to
see him every morning after breakfast. and
took turns In giving him a lump Of sugar
AS soon as he heard them coming he would
whinny. as much as to say. "Ah. here you
are. How do you do this morningf' and
he would move over to one side Of his stall
to give them plenty of room to come in
Sometimes. when the sugar seemed par
tcularly good. he would lick their hands
so as to be sure to got the last crumb, and
he would always rub his head against their
shoulders. which was his way of saying
Thank you"
But Tommy did not stay in his stall all
the time; almost every day he was har-
messed to the Sleigh and then he trotted
merrily over the snow, shaking his bells as
hard as he could.
There was one day TN the winter which
ne enjoyed more than any other, and that
was Christmas eve; for then he was har-
messed to the big farm wagon on runners,
and carried papa and the children away Off
into the woods to get a Christmas tree
children anf0vad ri
than Tommy did. and always called it their
Christmas present from him. He had pres
ents from them. too: more hay and oats
than usual. and as many apples and lumps
of sugar as they were allowed to give him.
In summer Tommy was not In his stall
much OF the time. Early every pleasant
morning he was taken out into a large field
near the house, where he and Blossom
spent many happy days together grazing.
There was a little stream running through
this field, from which they could drink
whenever they were thirsty. and in which
they loved to stand and cool their feet
when 1t was very hot.
Mamma was afraid that If he were al
lowed to play in the field he would be SO
happy there that he would never be willing
TO come and be harneSsed, but the children
were sure that he would not mind. and
they were right. AS soon as he saw papa
coming with the bride in his hand Tommy
would walk straight toward him. for he
loved papa and mamma and the children.
and liked to draw them in the carriage
along the beautiful country roads almost
as Well as TO carry them over the snow in
the sleigh.
one lovely afternoon, as he was taking
them to drive, he came to a hill: It was
really very steep one, and papa and man.
ma and all the children were in the car
riage- Tommy walked more and more
slowly and at last stood quite still
foor Tommy, said papa. II must get
out and help him" The baby. who was a
year old. looked as If he wanted to get out.
too, SO papa took him In his arms I'm
tell you what we will do baby" he said.
taking large. round. rosy apple out Of his
pocket. You shall hold this apple over NV
shoulder Tommy looked at 1t and thought
after it. "-A
When they got to the top, papa said.
Now. baby. Tommy has earned his apple.
ana ana you must give it to him" So baby
from his hand. Oh! how refreshing it was.
and how good 1t tasted
The next morning, as Tommy was stand
Ing In field. he saw. a little way off, an
large bunch of clover
"Oh. how delicious that looks" he said IN
himself Il certainly must eat it,"
But Just as he began to walk toward 1t
ne felt something pulling on one Of his hind
legs. There was nothing he dtsliked more
than having his hind legs touched. so he
was about to free himself by a good kick
when. looking around, who do you think he
saw Ihe BABY, sitting on the ground with
both his arms around Tommy's leg
tommy was SO surprised that he stood
quite still for a moment, until hearing a
noise, he turned and saw Blossom coming
straight toward the delicious clover
On, dear!" he thought Now she Is going
TO eat 1t, and wanted 1t SO much. l must
and will have it"
But then he remembered the rosv anpla
the baby had given him the day before and
now klnd every one always was to him, and
he said to himself NO Blossom may have
all the clover in the field. before will move
and hurt you. you dear little thing"
80 he stood still and watched the COW
who had come up by this time and was eat
ing the clover he had longed for so much
while the baby sat contentedly stroking his
leg. -"
Just then mamma and the children came
rushing up. Mamma had left the baby ON
the door step while she went into the house
TO get some milk. and when she came back
he was gone. They had been looking every
Where Tor him. and had finally come out to
the held. to see If he could have crawled
through hole In the fence.
Mamma caught the baby in her arms and
covered him with kisses, crying out. .Oh
baby baby. you are safe after all. thanks
to dear old Tommy"
Then she carried him around to thanl, tho
Kind horse by stroking his nose, while the
children ran to gather a bunch of clover
which they gave him with many mats. and
he seemed to understand that thev ionaS
him better than ever oN