The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-04

ward, while the man of money and self
will went back to his home, growing
at the horse, the boy aud all the world
in general.
He should have been merciful, for
! life had brought him full COM
petence in wealth. He should have
been happy. for he had a contented
wife and pretty, prattling little
daughter who had come to bless them
after four preceding children had died.
But Jasper Woods had become
avaricious He had found way Of
putting out his money at high rates Of
interest. He had sought opportuni.
ties to close out unfortunate creditors.
The lust Of gold had taken possession
: OF him. In the case Of the father OF
little Benny he had mortgage on the
poor TascOtt homestead. Mr.. Tascott
+. had become Ill, there was no one to
attend to the produce raised, and al
/ ready the money grabber saw himself
In possession of the goodly acres rep.
resenting value five times in excess
Of the loan granted.
1t was piece of his grasping,
changing nature that he had turned
Firebrand out to die, now that he was
OF no more use. But Firebrand had
found a loyal friend. and Benny rode
! into the home farmyard proud and ex-
cited.
Hes mine!" he crowed delightedly
! to his astonished mother.
why. where did you get him." and
Benny told The mothers face cloud.
! ed. however, at the mention Of the
man who held their destinies within
his grasp.
You see since Dobbin died we've
had to hire all the carrying to town
and back. Now we've got horse oil
our own"
But who will drive him, Benny"
why. will. Firebrand and me are
great friends, mother"
he poor creature doesn't look very
promising" remarked Mrs. Tascott.
! "Oh. I'll soon fix that" insisted
Benny. and he did After giving Fire
brand u good feed he rode him bare
back down to his famous old friend
Tom Dobbs, retired farrier.
Shod. rested, well fed, we'll curried
At the end of week decrepit old Fire
brand seemed to have taken a new
lease of life. Hitched up to the farm
wagon and the wagon loaded witt
garden truck. the grateful ANNA
whinnied at his kind young master
as though anxious to show his willing
ness to work for him
Il declared" cried the delighted Mrs
Tascott at the end OF a week, as Bcn
ny handed her well-filled purse. I'm
proud of you. my boy!"
She might well be. Diminutive a.
Benny was, he had solved the problem
OF the family necessities. His mothe
and two sisters loaded up the wager
and he drove TO town and sold tn,
stun There was stream of revenue
now coming in, and life brightene,
more than little for the Tascotts.
oh, mother" exclaimed Benny on
day. coming in from the pasture, "wha
do you Think"
Il am sure l cannot guess" reptile,
Mrs. Tascott, smiling at his excite
ment.
"A man came by and offered me IS
, for old Firebrand"
Better not tell Mr.. Woods thai
i Benny"
L Il should say not, And. saw.
! wouldn't take eighty hundred dollar
for the dear old fellow, The rascal
Look at him. He's getting so fat an
{. Jolly he's up to regular coltish tricks.
Benny ran out into the pastur
5 again at sight of Firebrand in tn
. open. The horse had nosed back tn
. gate that his young master had car,
3 lessly left unlocked. As he saw Benin
coming he kicked up his heels an
stood viewing him as he approache,
!. &agging first one ear and then III