Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-07
eALoP0FF, THE TALKING PONY
A Story for Young Folks.
by Tudor Jerks. Copyright. Henry Aitemus. 1901.
CHAPTER VIII
THE AUTOMOBILE.

4 the pony. besides being the children's pet.
| was O. valuable little worker on the estate.
and he had his hard tasks to do like the
| rest of the world. Jus. after the summer
Rouse story, 1t happened that there came
a busy time for the pony. and he was trot-
| ting 20 town, or to the station and back
again. from morning TO night. Besides,
even when Galorof was at leisure, he was
| tired. and did not care to talk.
But suddenly this busy time came to a
queer stopping place. and Galopoff had more
spare time than he cared for. 1t happened
in this way:
Lola 6 father. though he was very fond of
horses. took to reading advertisements
about electric carriages and other machines
for travelling. and finally bought one In or
der to experiment with It. 1t was little
two-seated automobile. that looked like a
particularly ugly, big black bug. and pulled
like bull with !. cold in his head. GaIopoff
was disguised with it. He walked around it
three times when 1t was first brought into
TIE Stable yard, made queer snorting
morse. end then went disgustedly to his stall
and moped there for the rest Of the day.
Inc next morning Lola's father invited her
70 go Gut riding IN the automobile; but she
SAD IL rocked SO cross and SO stupid that
sic uiun care to go. Pauline, on the con-
.rary, thought It would be delightful to ride
~ the Kew machine; and so 1t was arranged
tEat she should go instead, and that Lola
should ride Galopofr. alongside.
Are you afraid of the queer machine ?"
opOff's topknot
Afraid? Pooh!' GaJopoff answered. Just
rnder bis breath I'm not scared of it If
aEa. what you mean' I'm only afraid of
anything that has no sense That efmcrack
Is ike 81 stone rolling downhillNIt goes
wherever chance takes it,"
m. my tather has sense. Lola objected
on, yes. replied Galopoff in the same
low tone; but he hasn't the strength that
tnng mas. Two heads are better than one
Eorse.'' Al
There was no time to say more, for just
then Lola's father ami Pauline came out.
climbed into the seat OF the automobiIe ana
the procession started
Gaiopon contented himself with keeping
Denino the automobile. at first. but the va
por from 1t made him sneeze, SO he put on
more speed and went ahead of 1t. and a
little 10 one side. Nothing of Importance
happened during the outward ride: but they
came LONE by another road that made it
necessary to cross a railway. When they
approached the crossing GaIopoff's ears
went sharply forward; he stood still. looked
ana llssened-as he always did when coming
u track: Lola saw and heard nothing and
was about to urge Galopofr forward. when
suddenly there came the whistle of a loco
motive, and of course they stopped
The automobile just then got out of order
Seii'h6 SidGhSQ o. burst Strpfcbed
ana although Lola'S father did his hest To
stop 1t. the ma chine came down a little hill
headed straight for the approaching train
seeing that they were helpless Lola's faith
er was just about to seize Pauline and
throw himself out upon the road u-h.,, ~
heard strange voice calling sharply: ..HoId
tisHt ana SIT Stfll! Without thinking he
opeyed, and Galopof came galioping up to
the automobile, turned about like a little
Whiriigfg, and pressed his launches against
one side or the automobile near the front
end. ~ ZIG iioie
1T II was a hard struggle. but the sturdy
nttie pony succeeded III turning the heavy
machine so that it ran bump into the eyn
bankment at the side of the road inst as
the train shot past. The AUTOMOBILES stood
Win It's nose pushed into the soft earth,
ana oosn It's driving wheels moving around
as II they were doing any good.
HOW Lola and her father and Pauline NET
Tea the brave pony! And how proud and
n1pps ne ne looked all the while! 1t was not
Until 1hey started for home leaving the
ugly oug-wagon to buzz itself out against
the bank. that they found out that Gallon
on had hurt himself. He could not help
walking lame, so Lola had to walk home
with the others, Galopoff painfullv Ii,nnino
along behind pi"s
As soon as they reached home. a yeter,-
nary was sent for, and declared GaIopofr
was not seriously hurt but must have com.
plete rest for at least Il week.
During this quiet time Galopofr was often
visited by his two little friends: and when
ne was nearly recovered he told them the
story OF lis life after leaving his little mas
ter. $500 e mas
Il went back he said, "to the c,rcus
people, rarity because 1t seemed the best
partly because really enjoyed the life
What did they say when Won cama
back?" asked Lola
oh. 1 Just strolled into the tent one
around to find Cantero We rubbed noses
and ne was really delighted to see me. I
ouesuoaed him as to how he had found the
circus-hfe and learned that he was really
oehgn!ed with it, His master had come to
take him back to the farm but the manager
mad onered SO &c cd price for his SERVICES
that 1t was arranged Cantero should stav
When the manager came in and saw me, he
was quite nervous at first, but borrowed
Cantero's box of letters and spelled ont a
few sentences that made all right again
we arranged that both Cantero and myself
ised to take US both to America when We
went there next year.
I'VE had very delightful time together
we Were both well and were kindly treated.
for we proved a great attraction to the snec
tstors, the children often throwing hip
Wreaths Of flowers into the ring after our
grand act"
What was your grand act a"~asked De-,
line. "u
pretty thing I invented" Galopoff an
sWered 1t was boxing match with
sloves-on our forefeet. of course-that
costume. 1t was very bewitching. I assure
you, and always brought thunders of an
Dlause.
There is little to tell about the experi- |
ences We had until We came to America |
though there was one lively time when the
Bengal tigress escaped from her cage and |
Cantero and l drove her back again with
torches held in our mouths, and another
little adventure with an ugly baby-elephant:
but 1t would take forever to tell ali those
little incidents.
Il wish you would" exclaimed Lola.
Some other time, perhaps" Galopon said
but now must go to my American
tour. We came over in grand style. Cam
tero an /, in specially arranged box-staIIs.
and 1 should have enjoyed the sea voyage
exceedingly. but Cantero was sea sick and
l had to take care of him.
When we landed in New York We went
In grand procession up Broadway. and we |
two ponies in golden harness and scarlet
plumes were wildly cheered on every block, |
soon after We began to give perform |
ances. at first III the cities, and afterward
III small towns; end when we came to this |
town. YOU know what happened"
Yes. We know, said Pauline. but we |
want you to tell us again."
Very WE'LL said Galopoff, but not to- |
day. Here comes Pat with my supper and |
1: you'll excuse my saying, SO, I'm really
hungry and tired. Tomorrow PAT has To po |