Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-19

beyond control, was numbering along heavis
ty, although frantically, and the carriage a
very shabby looking affair. swayed from
side to side in a seasick sort of fashion.
They could see that the reins had fallen
| out and were trailing along in the dust.
AS the children watched the old horse
threw his head up in the air, took the bit
between his teeth and Quickened his pace,
almost Overturning the carriage into the
gutter. loud cry of terror came from its
occupant, and as it got little nearer the
boys saw that it was their enemy. old Dave
RiverSt He was huddled on the floor of the
carriage clinging frantically to the dash
board, and shouting for help.
What had startled his old horse no one
ever knew. Usually he was the most sedate
old creature ina ginable. He could hardly
be forced into more than his ordinary slow
jog trot, and never, as far back as Bob
could remember, had he been known to gal
lop. And now here he was tearing down
the road at a mad pace, fear in his eve and
the dust flying from under his feet. Every
now and then the old man made futile
clutches at the dangling reins, but it was
clear that he was too much frightened to do
whoa. Whoa he shrieked wildly as
the horse ran one of the wheels into the
gutter.
Sad to relate, the four children were heart
lily enjoying the scene. They We're even
laughing at the poor old mans predicament
And it certainly did look funny. Probably
they did not realize that Dave was In any
danger. The horse was generally so very
quiet and sedate, and even now was not
really going so very fast. Peggy was a
little alarmed at first, but when she saw
Carroll and Billy laughing she joined in
and they all leaned against the fence and
roared with merriment. Fortunately Dave
had his own affairs to attend to and did not
notice them.
AS the runaway drew almost opposite
Dave, becoming more excited and terror
struck, hauled himself no by the dashhoa I'd
n
reins He could not reach them
stop! Whoa! he screamed frantically
making a wild clutch at the horses tail
And there he hung for dear life!
Rattlety-bang came the carriage nearer
and nearer to the children. Poor Dawes
eyes were nearly popping out of his head
with terror as he gave the tall little jerks
now and then. as If he thought he could
stop the maddened horse in that way
"Oh. my! screamed Peggy. with delight.
Look at him! Just look at him.
Go it. old boy; you'll win." yelled Billy.
That's right: give him another
Pull away; you'll stop him after whilev'
did you ever see anything so-oh. Carroll.
what are you doing?"
Peggy broke off in amazement Carroll
had suddenly darted out into the road and
was chasing the carriage with all the
strength of his sturdy legs.
It had come across him with a flash as he
stood careiessly laughing. with his back to
the fence. that in a few minutes the old
horse would be at the top Of the long. steep
hill at the bottom Of which Dawes house
stood. If he went careerfng down that at
the rate at which he was now going, and
then tried to turn In abruptly when he
came to his home. as horses are apt to do,
Carroll knew that the result would be dis
astrous. The carriage would certainly up
set and old Dave might be killed.
As long as the horse kept to the straight
and level road. there was not much danger.
and he would probably stop of his own ac-
cord before very long. but there was the
hill!
AIethis flashed across Carr0lrs mind, and
as the horse and carriage numbered past he
sprang out and started after them. All his
grievances against Dave were forgotten,
and ne only thought of the danger the old
man was in, and that he must prevent that
frfghtful accident. The other children, of
course. did not understand what had been
passing In his mind. They had seen him
laughing at Dave and they supposed Carroll
was pursuing the carriage to prolong the
fun. So they, too. began to run, laughing
and shouting.
Carroll had nc breeth to, waste In words.