Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-27
When Prince Ran
Away

if he hadn't broken his leg He re-
membered just how it felt to sit in
the little open-work iron seat, high
up with the cool breeze in his face.
handling the reins over Prince as he
guided him around the sweet smelling
field and lifting the lever to make the
rake drop it's hay exactly where 1t
should TO keep the windrows straight.
1t was Doris who drove this year.
Dick got on his crutches and started
for the window to see how Doris was
getting along. But before he reached
it he heard furious clashing and clat-
tering and the heavy thud of horses
hoofs.
whoa! Whoa, Prince." he heard
father shout.
Dick hurried to the window as fast
as crutches would carry him.
Prince was running away!
Sturdy Doris stuck to her little high
seat on the rake and pulled pluckily
on the reins trying to stop Princes
frantic gallop. The rake pitched and
swayed and lurched from side to side
over the hollows and hillocks of the
rough field.
Could Doris keep her place? If she
were thrown off those long, curving,
iron rake teeth were almost sure to
catch her.
The wheels struck ditch. The
sudden shock hurled her off her seat;
but it sent her clear Of the horses
heels and beyond the reach of the
teeth. and when she struck full on a
hay.cock, deep and cushiony. She
picked herself up, unhurt. Dick gave
cry Of relief.
Prince kept wildly on. He dashed
down the lane and into the road.
A loaded hay rack came laboring up
the hill It's driver refined his horses
sharply into the ditch. Prince barely
cleared it as he raced by and disap-
peared down the hill.
Dick knew the wide rake meant dan
ger to every person 1t met. Below. In
the valley, lay the village. In its mar
row streets, with people coming and
going, and children maybe playing in
them, somebody was likely to get hurt
Prince must be stopped.
But how could Dick do it-only a
little boy, on crutches and alone in the
house? And the runaway out Of sight
already!
Suddenly Dicks face lighted. Fast
er than he knew clutches could move
before, Dick hurried them to the tele-
phone. He called the Rainsfords.
Ralph, the grown-up boy, answered
promptly. Dick had been afraid one
of the girls would answer. Now II
there was only time
Dick made himself speak distinctly,
in spite Of his excitement, SO Ralph
should understand.
Prince ls running away, by your
house. The reins are dragging. Can
you catch them?"
"I'll try!' Ralph replied before the
words were fairly out Of Dicks mouth.
Ralph heard the rake Gathering
over the rocky way. He dashed to the
road and poised himself for a swift
lunge at the lines. Princes head pass
him. Then Ralph snatched the reins,
leaped aside from the flashing rake
teeth and pulled hard.
1t was not for nothing that he had
hardened his muscles with work on
the farm Prince was strong, but that
pull on the bits was stronger. The
horse stopped, painting and wild eyed.
When Dicks father reached them
Ralph was patting Prince soothingly.
Ralph laughed away his thanks.
1T was easy when I knew all about
1t beforehand. Dick was really the
one that did IT."
Dick" exclaimed father, blankly.
why, yes; didn't you know? He
telephoned. Said Prince was running
away with the reins dragging, and
asked If could be on hand to catch
Ralph was as modest as brave.
But it was dangerous thing that
Ralph did and father knew 1t, and told
Ralph so gratefully. Then he mounted
the rake seat and Prince climbed the
hill home again.
When they reached the top there
stood Dick on his crutches.
Did Ralph stop him." he shouted
WELL" said father, hating beside
him, "he said you did. But he was
holding the horse. 1t was a brave
thing Ralph did-and risky, and if you
hadn't telephoned him beforehand he
couldn't have managed It. No telling
what might have happened if you and
Ralph hadn't stopped that rake"
What made Prince rum? questioned
Dick, looking at the horse that was
restless and uneasy even yet.
Hornets" father told him. HE
raked up a nest and the hornets lit on
him. poor fellow. But the stings feel
better now, and he's growing quieter"
And Prince obediently turned up the
lane. while Dick hobbled happily along