The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1918-03-20
BLACK JOHN
&@~@@@1s
ey Q. UNDERWOOD.

nv uiiuelSEnu MS luiOSyncraSipS
trained to "go against the bit" by
the hcavy-handcd village blacksmith
from whom Casper Carson bought
nm, he had mouth like gutta pcrcha,
and jaw muscles like steel ropes.
Mamie Carson rode him frequently
ana sometimes to the discontinue OF
her escort, who, mounted on horse
OF ordinary speed, found 1t difficult
keep her in sight.
1t was probably admiration Of M;
ChrSons prowcss as Il horscwoman an
desire to emulate it that induced
Miss Lakeland to accept Jasper Car
sons offer to teach her to ride.
The riding lesson was given I'm the
early morning, in order that the CEN
serious might not see and deridc Miss
Lackard's incXpcricncc.
But Jasper Carson had something
IN his heart to say to Miss Lack
land, and he had promised himself to
say 1T during one Of these delightful
rides. 1t would be SO easy, he thought,
to ease his soul Of its burden while
riding by her side. When the morning
came he found the brave resolutions
VI 'iiN hiSill DClbEc nIN N;lnlSnpU.
"Mayn't | ride Black John tomor-
row, Mr.. Carson?" said Miss Lack
land, after her sixth lesson. "Your
sister, Mamie, says he is perfectly
safe If YOU arc along"
"Cortainly YOU may" said Jasper
Carson. flushing with pride.
SO 1t was that when Jasper Carson
rang the bell at the Lakeland home
that golden morning, Black John bore
Il sidcSaddlc.
isn't he tho dearest thing?" said
Miss Lakeland, rs they cantcrcd along
the river road which was ovcrhung
with locust trees.
"1Ic's n good old horse" said Jas
per Carson. "1Iold your rcins a
trflc lower, Miss Lakeland. There,
that's right"
"I'm so glad have learned to ride"
she said.
Jasper Carson tried to say: 'Won't
you ride through life with mc?"
Before he could speak, rag g~nd
~urchin jumped from tree, and shrek
cd: "Yah Yah"
Black Johns nerves were as invul-
ncrablc as his mouth, and he merely
prickcd his ears In diSapDrOval, but
the mare Carson rode was sensitive.
She plunged forward in Il mad effort
to bolt, and Miss Lakeland, watching
with alarm and admiration, Cnrsons
skilled management, increased the
pressure on Black Johns bit. The
horse accepted this as signal to
change his gait, and responded with
cheerful alacrity.
Jasper Carson grasped the situation
instantly and Il cold chill struck to his
heart. SO long rs the girl retained her
presence Of mind there was little dan
ger OF her falling Off, but as she SIM
ply snt still and pulled on the bit,
Black John would turn from the road
into n bridlc-path that led back home
and his rider would almost certainly
be swept out Of the saddle by the
limb of n tree.
Driving his spurs deep into the sides
OF his mare, Carson gave chase. The
mare had a strain Of hunting blood in
her and Il good burst of speed, but
Black John was 200 yards In front
when She got her stride, and the
bride path was not more than n
quarter OF q mile away.
AS Black John swept around n curve
In the road, Carson lost sight Of him
and his fair rider. 1t was only 200
yards now to the bridle-rath, and the
singlc-footcr had lead On nearly one
fourth that distance
Urging the mare with heel, hand and
voice, Jasper Carson dashed on, curs-
ing and praying In turn. He fnncicd
himself standing by Miss Lackland's
corpse and wondered could he live aft
or that.
When Black John turned into the
bride path the mares lean brown head
was at his flank.
"Whoa, joint" shouted Carson.
But John felt the pull at the bit,
and hearing the clatter Of the mares
,hoofs, thought 1t was a race, and put
on little more steam.
Miss Iackand's wrists achcd, and
she was frightened too badly TO heed
Carson's prayers to her to drop the
relns.
Jasper Carson cursed aloud In his
agony when he saw, SO feet in front
VI bluCk Jollii tilc thl'h llllD VI u wv
barely high enough for crouching
horseman to pass under. IF Miss Lack
land struck the limb. 1t meant death.
She saw II, too, and bent low in her
saddle AS she crouchcd she loosed
her hold on the rcins.
"Whoa, john" sh9ytcd Carson, pull
Ing up so suddenly that his mare slid
forward on her launches.