The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1908-01-11
The Rocking Horse Too Speedy.

The Rocking Horse Too Speedy.
When every one else in the nursery
was inclined to be droWsy and TO drop
off for an afternoon nap the ROCKING
Horse declared his rights and set up
such a Gathering racket that IL was
impossible to rest at all
On one occasion, after he had been
very hilarious, the Mechanical Don
came over to him, resolved to see
what result an argument might nave
upon the wild horse.
1T seems to me that your consld-
Grafton for others might sometimes
allow you to Sleep" he began, winding
himself up. Here you gallon up anc
down for hours, while we poor beings
who are not gifted with rocker-shou
feet must lie in our corner, giving
vent to only occasional grunts. DO
you not think that you are carrying
your gift Of action too far?'
The Rocking Horse slowed down to
a canter and shifted the air contemp-
tuously.
II am the swiftest thing in the nur-
sery," he said at last, land having TINS
honor it behooves me 10 display my
ability at periods | myself shail
choose. What is the good Of possess
ing a virtue if you do not exercise it?
Am to stand silently on my feet,
blinking at the cobwebs, while you i'll
dolent creatures warm comfortable
spots on the nursery floor? Well. |
guess not. There is no doubt but that
| am the prime favorite of this house
hold. and it is my privilege to make as
much or as little noise as | please"
The Mechanical Doll gathered all
of the toys in circle, and in concert
they implored Mr.. Rocking Horse to
stop his afternoon trots that turned
the peaceful quiet of the nursery into
an uproar that might only be equaled
Oh race track.
Mr.. Rocking Horse was still obdu-
rate.
SILLY dots" he cried, lit has been
your misfortune to be born without
any possible power of locomotion--
| that is, with you excepted" bowling to
| the Mechanical Doll, who felt the sar
casm, in that his cogs had not been
in working order for months. Life
| with you consists Of one long Sit
, whereby YOU become chronically dys
| peptic and growl to an alarming ex
tent. AS for myself, | shall race
around the nursery until it pleases
! me to stop. want you to understand
| that my speed is my power, and may
there be no diminishing Of the
power."
Having delivered himself of this
egotistical speech, Mr.. Rocking Horse
gripred the bit in his mouth and was
off again, running back and forth I'm
til the floor vibrated.
On the following morning Baby Boy
decided that he would trOt about 81
miles across to some distant shore
and as he was filled with the natura
recklessness of small , ears his driv
ing was not altogether wise. Mr.
Rocking Horse, winking at his to,
than he had ever gone before. unit
snap went the rockers; and Baby Boy
having rocked too far back, pitched
| off on his dear little head. There HI
sat, with woeful, tear-stained face, cry
ing loudly, until his father rescued
him from the tangle Of horse AM
| lines.
This is dangerous toy for you tt
play with, Baby Boy declared hi
father, frowning at the horse. .
am afraid you will hurt yourself Sc
| riously some time. l think it will b
best to store it in the attic"
And sure enough, poor Mr.. Rockin'
Horse was banished to the home 0
the rat tribe.
| Moral: 1t is better to be littl'
slow than famously fast, especial,
| when you are taking care OF babies
w, L. Larned in the Washington Stal