Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1905-03-18
Homer Gales
Valentine

! Look as sturdy as he might, there
certainly were tears in Homer's eyes,
as he walked away from the school
house. He would not have admitted
the fact No, indeed. Fifteen-year-
old boys like himself, who were used
to work and hardship, didn't cry
about small matters. or course,
there were times when the
moisture would gather 1t was usual
ly occasioned by cold weather. He
remembered that his eyes were full
that morning few weeks before,
when he said goodbye to all the home
folks, but the thermometer was below
zero, and so it was no wonder.
How he wished that he had not left
home. He had never been lonesome
on the farm, and yet, here in Bernstein
where there were thousands of people,
he was more alone than he had ever
been on the old place, where the near
est neighbors were two miles away.
81 don't care if didn't get valen-
tine out of that box at school," he said
to himself, as he trudged through the
snow. They are silly things, any
way, but l was the only one in the
room who was left out. l know I'm
awkward and different from the other
boys, and 1 wish had stayed on the
farm where | belong, but l can't go
back now; Father and Mother would
be disappointed, and if l die for it I'll
stick this term out" Homer resolute
.1I 4 l. 4
risen in his throat and stepped more
briskly as he drew near the meager
boarding house where he occupied
small, cold room.
He was on the steps when he saw
horse coming down the street at
dangerous pace.
"A runaway" he exclaimed, and
throwing down his books he rushed
out to the road and called, whoa,
whoa" and with that soothing intona-
ton which is acquired by close COM
partnership with horses. AS the
sleigh drew nearer he saw that the
reins were dragging, and the color left
his face when he realized the perilous
position of the occupants of the sleigh
behind the frightened beast.
"Whoa!" he shouted again and, as
the horse came abreast of him, made
a dash for the bride. He missed this
as the animal swervel from his grasp,
but happily succeeded in clutching the
loosened reins. In an instant the
speed of the horse had pulled him from
his feet, and he felt himself knocking
and humping over the road, but as the
pace began to slacken, he held on
manfully, and some wayne never
knew just how-got up again and soon
had the terrified animal under control.
"Oh, how can we thank your" said
the elder of the two girls who jumped
from the sleigh. "You have saved our
lives"
That's all right" replied Homer
with smile IF I hadn't stopped
him some one else would"
But by that time we might have
been thrown out and killed." said the
younger girl.
"Well, anyway we are safe now, and
very thankful to our rescuer. You
see, King is usually very gentle, but
he is a Southern bred horse and he
didn't like it when the boys down the
street began throwing sslowballs. /
called to them to stop, bat King was
even more frightened By my shouting,
| suppose, for he started and ran like
the wind as you saw. Faith was 6riv-
ing, and before l could set hold of the
reins he pulled so hard that he jerked
them right out of her bands"
"Well, Mary, don't believe that you
could have held them any better than
l did"
Maybe not" returned her sister.
"You bad old King, what will we Go
with your" she said, stroking the
horses arched neck.
"He ought not to stand longer" re-
marked Homer. HE is so hot that IL
he is cooled off suddenly he may get
sick. Can take him home for yod?"
"Will you get in and drive? We
aren't bit afraid now, of course, but
1t would be pleasant to have you go
with u.s." Mary spoke so cordially and
smiled so kindly that Homer felt more
at home with her than with any one
since he came to Bernstein. In q mo-