Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-02-14

ed him on the sledge to inspect it. II
would take it if l could, but it has been
cut too young. Leave the rest for sew
eral years longer"
Jasper turned white with disappoint
ment; his mother and he had counted so
much or the sale of that timber.
There Is one thing here, however,
which want very much; it will just suit
my invalid boy lor valentine, we'll say.
/ will take it back with me when 1 go"
what is it?' asked Jasper, puzzled.
Its your pony here. What will you
let me have him for?'
The boy gasped at the idea of selling
Ginger. He had never dreamed of such
a thing. II can't sell him; indeed, l
can't, sir"
''What! not for hundred or hundred
and fifty dollars? There is not much
time; l must make this next train" and
the dealer looked at his watch.
Jasper thought rapidly. A hundred
and fifty dollars! That would ward off
the mortgage, take his sister from SER
vice, get groceries and tighten his moth
er's sad, worried face
Well, what do you say? Would you
like to ask your father frst?" the dealer
questioned urgently.
mo, oh, no! Ginger is mine," and
Jasper put his arm over the ponys
shoulder. a suppose you would never
sell him to anyone else. and would be
kind to him y
Certainly. Edward. my son. will treat
him like his best friend. The colt will
have a good home"
"Then take him, sir; take him at once,
and Jasper started toward home.
Here, here, my boy! Don't forget
your money. Ten, twenty-five, one hun
dred and fifty. Here it is,' and he
pressed the bills into Jaspers hand. pre-
tending not to see the tears in the boys
eyes. ''Good-by, and thank you" and
he flung off all but Ginger's headstall End
led him toward the station.
Jasper had one hundred of his money
left after he had supplied his family
with provisions and brought the sister |
home and he determined to open small |
grocery store. something that had long
been needed in that region, so bare of
conveniences. His venture fourished
from the start, so that the sister had to
take charge of it most of the day. while
he. with an aged successor to Ginger, de-
livered orders all the country round.
When two years more had elapsed he
found himself with such a bundle of
greenbaexs as net profit that he decided
to go to Baltimore TO either buy Ginger
back or deposit the money in the bank.
ut would be much better to put it in the
bank, Jasper" urged his mother. for
you don't know what may have happened
your horse by this time
After he had taken his seat in the
car the boy suddenly remembered that
the next day would be st. Valentines.
Would the banks be open in case he
could not find Ginger?
1t was balmy, clear day. that Feb
Ii in Baltimore. Jasper walked up one
street and down another. noting churches.
houses, horses. birds-everything that
came in his way-and forgetting for the
moment that he was Il search of Ginger.
From one square he turned up q street
toward a handsome residence. Waiting
just opposite the door was n dainty trap
TO which was hitched a pretty bay pony.
Suddenly this pony began 10 rear, to
jump, TO whinny. to shake it's chains and
to step far up on to the pavement, and
Jasper turned to see-Ginger- Ginger,
who had recognized him first, after ali.
"Oh, Ginger," he exclaimed. caress-
ing the pony as if it were long-iost
brother. i've come for you. Wouldn't
you like 10 SC back with me- You look
very fine in your silver chains, but
wouldn't you rather 90 home with meT
The lumber dealer stood in the bow
window looking out on this little scene,
I his eye drifting from it TO the white
Grape. tied with black, swinging from
/ the door bell He flung up the window.
stepped out on the piazza and called TO
i Jasper.
Come here. my boy he said; i
recognize you. though / have forgotten
your name. Would you ike TO have the
pony againg''
Il would, awfuliy,' answered Jasper
81 have brought the money for him; here
it is. and he held the oh of gfeenbacks
toward the lumber deSGer-
40. no. ! don't mean that; put that
in tie bank. but l viii give you Ginger
to be yours again. He has been a dear
little horse and given-and given ne