Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-30

Is coal black and reaches nearly tt
the ground. I have white face ant
both my left feet are white.
l used to live in the city. Oh!
what a hot, dusty place that was, by
the side of my nice country home Of
today!
When | was colt my mother and
| were bought and taken to distan,
part of the city, far from the rude
barn In which l spent the first few
days of my life.
My new home was very pleasant
however. My mother was gone ev
cry day and l did not see her from
eight o'clock In the morning until
from four to six in the evening
There were many other colts in on
park-like city pasture. which was a
pleasant grassy spot dotted here and
there by trees.
During the time spent there the
horses of our barn, both old and
young, were taken TO the country to
spend month or two every summer
How we did enjoy those few short
weeks Of our visit to the country!
When l was about three years old l
was taken itno the stable and some
harness was put on my back, bit
was put into my mouth. But being a
very good-natured colt 1 only kicked
little and let things go on as they
would.
Then I was hitched with a good-na-
tured old horse and we were driven
around the pasture. OF course was
a little scared but the horse told me
which way to go and we got along all
right
For severed mornings we were driv-
en- around on the street and one
morning l was hitched with another
horse and we were driven all day, Of
ten stopping at houses.
One day saddle was put on my
back and a bit in my mouth. | was
led about the pasture, then | was led
up to a large stone and man got on
my back. l kicked and shook myself
but could not get off my back
| went short distance very we'll
but when he slightly pulled my rein
turned or rather whirled around and
galloped back to the barn.
This was repeated twice each day
for five or six days, at tbs end of
which | was very we'll broke and was
kept in the barn and ladies', gentle
men and children rode and drove me
anywhere.
I once heard a lady remark, "That
pony rides easier, and is much more
gentle than any other pony l ever
rode"
One day while was resting in the
pasture a gentleman, lady and little
girl came to the barn. The man said
that he wanted a gentle horse for the
lady and child to drive.
l was hitched to light buggy, the
lady and child took their places and
ordered the check rein let out to its
greatest length, which was done by
one of the men standing by. l want
ed much to please them and | think
l must have done SO. Several times
the lady and child came to drive me
or gentle pony Of my own age, size,
temper, and beuaty. Her name was
Lady ard mine was Beauty.
One day they all came back again
and we, Lady and myself were taken
to the first house south of our barn,
which was a buggy and harness shop
A set of harness was put on us and
we were hitched to fine, new surrey
The man, woman, and child got in
and we were driven to a blacksmith
shop, where shoes were put on us.
We were driven to house where a
trunk was put in the buggy.
We were driven out of the city and
into the country. At night we stopped
near river where there was an old
house and barn. We, the carriage, In.
mates and Lady and l, occupied these.
We went on for about two weeks,
before we stopped at a fine farm
house with long driveway in front,
on each side of which was long row
Of shade trees. We went up this ave-
hue and stopped in front OF the house.
Mrs. Arnold and Ruth got out of the
buggy. Three boys and two girls, all
older than Ruth, came out of the
house, all exclaiming, What lovely
ponies. papa! Where did you get
them?' He replied to their questions
by saying, 1--WE must unhitch them
now and l will tell you about them aft
ar dinner"
We were driven through gate into
4 large barn yard. Chickens, geese,
ducks and pigeons were en-
Toying themselves in the sun. In diff
ferent pens around were calves, pigs, |
sheep and lambs.
We were unhitched and taken into
1 big, well lighted barn and given a
pleasant dinner of corn oats, alfalfa |
and prairie hay. We were very much |
pleased with our new home.
In the afternoon we were taken to a |
pasture where there were several other
horses. Most Of these horses were
arge and black or grey. These were
Ill very good, sweet tempered horses |
There was one, however, who had long
egs legs and very nice figure. She |
was very dark chestnut sorrel color |
and regular beauty, but, alas, her
,emper was such that she would stay
~ herself all the tine and even though |
we were very kind to her she would |
not allow us to go near her without |
giving US kick and telling us to mind |
Our own business. Her name WAS
CroSspatch
Why she was so cross l cannot say,
For 0na horch y,yorJ hoo,, III