Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-07
THE WOODEN PONY.

Round and round again spun Horatlo
Williamson on the merry carrousel. 1t was
fun, great fun, to go circling about with
the music playing yankee Doodle and
the children laughing and the grown peo-
pie looking on-and he had caught the
gold ring, too!
In front of Horatio his sister was rid
ing on a gentle little white pony with
blue spots She was holding on as tight
as possible. and as far as Horatio could
tell from the back Of her head she was
just little bit scared. He wasn't fright
ened at all, not the least bit. though his
own pony was black and fiery. too. Oh,
he was splendid, with gold fringe dan
Cling around him!
AS the music stopped Horatio leaned
forward and put his head on the wooden
pony's neck. Then he nearly fell off with
establishment, for the most wonderful
thing happened. The black pony spoke!
Really spoke. 1t was in very low voice.
SO that no one else could hear. but these
are the words he said:
Little boy. I'm tired of going around
like this all the time. I'm going to run
away
"Jimminy,'' was all Horatio could an
swer.
Yes" repeated the pony, I'm going to
run away now.
Then came a wrenching breaking
: sound, and in half second the pony had
pulled himself free from the merry-go-
round, and had dashed out on the grass.
Think of it. Then he gave one kick of
joy that made his name and tail fly wildly
in the air, and off he galloped. All this
time. you know, Horatio was holding on;
1t wasn't so very easy either! And now
as they flew along as fast as the wind
he could hear all the people shouting be-
hind him.
Crotchety-bump went the pony for he
It. -
smooth; joggledy-jump over the ground.
On they went for about half an hour till
Horatio was quite out of breath. The
trees and fences by the roadside seemed
to fly past them. Ahead was a little viii
iage.
Suddenly Horatio heard the sound of
hoof beats behind him. and, looking back
along the road he saw his sister on the
white pony with blue spots just coming
over the top of the hill. Crotchety-bump
ran the pony. joggledy-jum over the
ground fast that his sisters curls blew
straight out behind her and bobbed up
and down. After her came another pony,
and then another and another and an
other. The whole merry-go-round was
running away,
Down the village street they galloped
in long line and all the people ran out
of their houses to see what was the mat
ter. Some of the men and boys tried to
catch the ponies. but soon gave it up
and stood in the middle of the road
watching till they were out of sight.
On ran the ponies till they came to
the village green, where the village car
penter shop stood. Here the black pony
stopped with jerk, threw up his head
and shifted the air.
UNI he said. Il smell something
good
Again he shifted inquiringly Its saw
dust" he cried in a delighted voice and
he threw up his heels and capered over
TO the carpenter shop.
The carpenter and his men had been
busy planning boards all that morning
Around them. all over the floor, lay long
curls of shavings and sawdust and lit
tie snippy-snappy scraps of wood.
The black pony put his head in at the
door.
UNI" he cried. How delicious I'll
make a lovely breakfast of you,"
He meant the shavings and the sawdust
and the little snippy-snappy scraps of
wood, but the carpenter and his men
thought he meant them and they were
exceedingly annoyed at the idea. So they
jumped TO their feet in great hurry and
slammed the door right in the black ponys
face
NO STREE" cried the carpenter. look
ing out at the window. mo breakfast for
you here" And he pulled the shutters to
with bang and bolted them.
Now. Jimmy-boy," he said to the
youngest apprentice. you go out at the
back door and run and tell the police
there is an awful wooden creature out
side who wants to eat our breakfast"
Jimmy-boy looked rather disturbed
.Oh. excuse me- Mr.. Carpenter" he said
politely. I'm very sorry to disoblige you
but you see the police station is on High
street. and I promised mother / wouldn't
go down High street this week She
doesn't think it's healthy. Suppose you
send Tommy"
Very we'll" said the carpenter. Tom
my, you GO
. Just then the wooden pony kicked
viciously at the door. Let me inn! he
cried. Il will have my breakfast
Tommy looked frightened. why, you
see. MIR Carpenter he began. its quite
a coincidence. but l promised my mother
l wouldn't go down High street. either.
She's afraid l might catch something.
too.
There were only three apprentices. The
third his turn coming. IF you
please. Mr.. Carpenter" he began before
the carpenter had time to ask him. I'm
terribly liable to sciatica. I've had 1t
twice, and the doctor said il / were TO
have IL again that would make three
times. so you see l can't possibly CO.
The carpenter drew himself up. folded
his arms and looked severely at his three
apprentices. You're all afraid ale said,
contemptuously
oh. not at ALL" murmured the three
apprentices, politely.
The carpenter loked at them. eff I'd
known you were such scare cats. I'd have
gone myself he said.
why, yes! said the first apprentice.