Holbrook argus., 1912-09-03

with his heart in his mouth. But in a few moments everything was quiet again, and he managed to lead old Molly out into the road without any further mishap. He had plenty of light now. for there was a full moon. but he did not leap into the saddle at one bound. because that huge saber would get In the way.
 When, st last, he had mounted he headed his fiery steed toward the woods, which lay about two miles of. Molly was very drowsy, and 1t took several slsps with the fiat of the saber to start her, but finally she dropped into a dog trot, which she seemed able to keep up indefinitely. Sir John logged along for some time, and felt very happy. But soon the picturesque helmet grew uncomfortably heavy. The young knight tried to persuade himself that 1t did not hurt, that he would really feel uncomfortable with out his "srmor." At last, when his heedgear became unbearable, he re- membered how "the knight barred his head and drank in the sweet air" With great relief he followed his hero's example. But this was only temporary relief. Before long his to nod, and he yawned till his eyes were full of tears. It seemed as if he had been in the saddle for hours, and he wondered why the woods seem- ed to recede. By a mighty effort he st last reached the forest and dis mounted, after another struggle with his saber. He hitched Holly to con- venient tree and threw himself on the ground. A moment more and Sir John was in dreamland.
 Now, Molly had never approved of these proceedings, and as she thought of her comfortable stall at home she gave an impatient toss to her head. The knot, which sleepy little Sir John had only half tied, came loose, and Molly found herself free. Immediate ly she started for home, and in half an hour she strolled in at the barn door. which the knight errant had left wide open behind him.
 Meantime the aforesaid knight had | bh0 lACO lOOlS ldlHSI ndlug had decided to resume his march, rest Ing when he should find more con- tortable spot. Imagine his consterna- lion when he could not find his trusty Tteed. He called again and again, but DO Molly appeared. Then he noticed how lawfully dark" 1t really was. Some of those trees looked mighty funny. What was that? Only the leaves rustling. They never sounded 70 in the daytime. Why didn't the sun come up? A ghostly screech pierced the afr. The blood of Sir John the Valiant ran cold. Again that awful 'Whoo-oo-oo," and Sir John took to his heels in ignoble flight. He ripped on his saber and fell, but was too frightened to rise, and so lay still and sobbed. At last he sobbed him. self asleep, and when he awoke the sun was shining brightly through the trees. He was very hungry, and still good deal frightened. He had lost the corn bread from his pockets, and he thought longingly of the bacon that his mother cooked for breakfast. He got up and started to walk; but the sword dragged him back. All his de sire for adventure had vanished with the night. He trudged along, carry Ing the sword in his arms.
 Some time later very humble knight errant stood at the kitchen door, looking into the worried face oi his father.
 "Air ye goin' to lick me, paw?" was what he said.
 But his mother ran to him and kiss ed him, and cried, and Sir John the Valiant laid his head on his mothers shoulder and cried, too.