The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-10-04


Hey. Billy let RE have a ride?"
cried boyish voice, and Billy pulled
up his handsome roam mount to speak
to his friend, who came running down
the dusty country road very hastily
to meet him.
I'm afraid can't, Hal" Billy an
swered regretfully, sorry that he
could not oblige his friend in this re-
quest, I've just had him down to
the blacksmith shop at the cross
roaus, and must get home and feed
him and rub him down before the
doctor comes in with the machine.
He wants to drive the horse this af-
ternoon, out somewhere where he
can't go in the automobile, on ac-
count of the bad, sandy roads"
Hal was stroking the smooth side
of the fine horse while Billy talked
Now he looked up and persisted in
his request.
But | won't hinder you. Just
take me up behind, for ride, and
I'll walk back he said
Billy saw that he would have to
be quite frank with Hal No. Doc
tor Barnes eaid, when | first went
to help around the stable. that
should never let any one else ride
Arrow. So you see really can't. I'd
like to let you have a ride, but must
get him home as soon as I can, now.
Goodbye" and Billy was off at a
trot, while Hal stood at the gate and
watched horse and rider until they
were out of sight.
Billy was thinking deeply as he
rode along. The subject was one that
often occupied his thoughts, when he
had the horse out Cor exercise. or was
busy with his work about the stables
at the doctors home
Too bad that Hal can't have my
place at the Doctors. and I have what
/ want. | think his is mixed up
old world anyway. We get the things
we don't care a snap about, and the
things we'd give our heads for, al
most, don't come our way" Get
along, Arrow, old fellow, l can't wait
for you to eat grass to-day" and he
urged the horse into a trot. Some
times Billy had time to let him crop
a particular fine bunch of grass, and
Arrow remembered it.
Into the village street they turned
from the country road in a few min
utes, and trotted down the long.
straight thoroughfare. He rode past
the post-office and general store, with
-
the pretty notion store windows, and
tho town hall; and on toward the
Doctors home, at the extreme other
end of the street.
But they did not get home without
an interruption. AS they went on
down the street. and past several
houses, Billy saw ahead the familiar
automobile of his employer standing
in front of a mouse.
Wonder vino is sick at Harris'?''
he thought, and glanced again at the
car as he neared it. Hello, doctor
has Myrtle out with him. he added
as he saw the golden head of the
Doctors little girl over the back of
the seat.
Myrtle saw him at the same in
slant, turning around at the sound
of hoofs in the street. She smiled
and waved her chubby hand as he
passed, and h. waved back, for they
were very good friends.
Almost as soon as he had gone
past the car this happened. He heard
IL start and looked back, expecting
to see the doctor in his seat, with his
hand on the lever; but he saw instead
Myrtle, grasping 1t with chubby fin
gers, laughing mischieyously, her
curls tossed back and her face alight
with daring.
Bill gave one gasp, and pulled the
roam around so suddenly that he
wheeled on two feet. Even as he
did so, the big car gained headway
and the child in it, realizing some
thing OF her danger, but ignoran
how to avert it. or stop the car
screamed helplessly. "oh. Billy, come
make II stop, quick"
Even as she spoke the machin,
passed the boy and horse, running s,
smoothly and swiftly that he palel
at the danger before the child. Tn
thought came: IF he had made M
chauffeur. instead OF stable boy, a
wanted him to do, this would no
have happened. For only the da,
before, the man who had held tina
position--the place Billy wanted wit
all his machincry-loying heart-ha,
been discharged for drunkenness.
Then came the plan. Quick as
fash he urged the roam after the ma
chine. kicking his feet free OF the stir
rups as he neared the automobile
The car ran faster and faster-wha
he was going TO try. must be don
quickly.
And then the doctor came out jus
IN time to see what Billy was goin
20 90. aad TO stand breathless Will
ms child III the big car. and his sta
PIE boy ON the splendid roam hors
ran the race that was The talk Z
tne village for mouths afterward.