Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-02-06
A Knight of the
Saddle

Perry mounted his new rocking
horse gayly, with skilful toss into
the saddle. For weeks he had prac-
ticed that toss on the barn fence while
waiting for the sixth birthday that
would bring this fine steed, almost as
large as a real colt, and gay with
creaking leather and shiny trappings.
1t had been stabbed on the front porch
all night, it's stall wooden crate.
ready to be led out on the birthday
morning. And that morning Perry
walked before sunrise. and at his
breakfast as swiftly as mother would
allow, darling out, as soon as possible,
to take possession of his treasure.
Now at last the moment was here.
and the rider bounded up and down,
trotting CALAMITY, feet in stirrups and
hand carelessly holding the black
bride. The porch was checkered with
the shadow of Pickering leaves, and
he almost fancied himself knight OF
old, bound on some fine quest through
the aisle of big forest. He felt that
he could ride forever.
Presently, he noticed a rose-bush in
the corner of the yard: it seemed to
shake. now and then, rather strangely
Looking closer, he discovered two
eyes above it, peering through the
fence palings. They were very big
eyes, and very bright. The horseman
knew almost instantly to whom they
belonged-they and the shock of yell
low hair that bristled over them. 1t
was not easy to mistake the washer
womans little lame Carl, from away
down town.
Perry turned his head away and,
speaking to Black Prince in an under
tone, rode harder and faster. A tiny
cross feeling stirred in his heart: the
sunlight between the leaf shadows
seemed to darken, somehow. Yet he
could not keep from looking again, and
each time the eyes appeared rounder
and brighter.
WISH, SSdAu Oily W AAu0OAA eAoS
he'd move on and stop staring so.'
For fifteen minutes more, horse and
rider went on in swift, glad fight. The
boy felt as if he could ride forever.
prince is not even lathered," he said
to himself, and his heart beat high. !,
At last the rose bush gave a final
culver, there was scuffle behind 1t,
and the big eyes and yellow hair dis
appeared. Tap tap, very slowly two
crutches sounded on the sidewalk
dragging a little as they moved off.
Black Princes flight began to flag.
Presently he was pulled up sharply
and his rider dismounted with sud-
denness. Carl Hoffman," clear
voice called, won't you take ride?"
The dragging crutches halted and
wheeled, then beat quick tattoo up
the walk to the porch. I'll draw up
this hassock, and we'll call 1T horse
block" planned Perry. Then you can
mount easily
Very slowly, yet very surely, STOP
ping to take breath now and again,
needing not little help, but eagerly,
earnestly Carl Hoffman, without
word, climbed to the back of the mar
velous steed Once up, his crutches
slipped useless to the floor; his hand
caught the reins with horseman's
grip. How you sit him!" exclaimed
Perry, admiringly
That was a great hour. Black
Prince did his noble best. The riders
little twisted feet fitted firmly into
their stirrups: what did 1t matter now
If they had never taken step like
other boys? His round shoulders,
hunched from much carrying OF
crutches, Strengthened themselves
bravely; the shock of hair blew back
in the wind. He rode and rode and rode
Passers-by looked in ond smiled. !
tell you,' shrilled lame Carl, this is
horse!"
A voice floated down from upstairs.
"Perry-boy, your horse will ride you to
DEATH"
20 mother" Perry cried, running to
the foot of the steps, please come
down here and look at Carl Hoffman
on Black Prince. You wouldn't know
him."
DOG PHILOSOPHY.
- A~,~y