The Winslow mail., 1918-07-26
BLACK JOHN
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BY @. UNDERWOOD.

There was not an atom of vice in
Black John, but he was a fearsome
beast for a weakarmed rider who did
not understand his idiosyncrasies.
Trained to ego against the bit'' by
the heavy-handed village blacksmith
from whom Casper Carson bought
him, he had mouth like gutta percha,
and jaw muscles like steel ropes.
Mamie Carson rode him frequently
and sometimes to the discontinue of
her escort, who, mounted on a horse
of ordinary speed, found it difficult to
keep her in sight.
1t was probably admiration of Miss
CarsOn's prowess as a horsewoman and
desire to emulate it that induced
Miss Lakeland to accept Jasper Car
sons offer to teach her to ride.
The riding lesson was given in the
early morning, in order that the CEN
serious might not see and deride Miss
Lackard's inexperience.
But Jasper Carson had something
in his heart to say to Miss Lack
land, and he had promised himself to
say it 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
of the night before had vanished.
"Mayn't 1 ride Black John tomor.
row, Mr. Carson? said Miss Lack
land, after her sixth lesson. "Your
sister, Mamie, says he is perfectly
safe IL you are along.'
"Certainly you may" said Jasper
Carson, flushing with pride.
So it was that when Jasper Carson
rang the bell at the Lakeland home
that golden morning, Black John bore
sidesaddle.
'Isnt he the dearest thing?" said
Miss Lakeland, as they cantered along
the river road which was Overhung
with locust trees.
"He's a good old horse" said JAS
per Carson. "Hold your reins a
trif1e 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 me?"
Before he could speak, a ragged
urchin jumped from tree, and shrek
ed: "Yah! YahW
Black Johns nerves were as invul-
nerable as his mouth, and he merely
pricked his ears in disapproval, but
the mare Carson rode was sensitive.
She plunged forward in mad effort
to bolt, and Miss Lakeland, watching
with alarm and admiration, Carson's
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 cold chill struck to his
heart. So long as the girl retained her
presence of mind there was little dan
ger of her falling off. but as she sim
ply sat still and pulled on the bit,
Black John would turn from the road
into bridle-path that led back home
and his rider would almost certainly
be swept out Of the saddle by the
limb of 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 a 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
quarter of a mile away.
AS Black John swept around curve
In the road, Carson lost sight of him
and his fair rider. 1t was only 200
yards now to the bridle-path and the
single-footer had lead of nearly one
fourth that distance.
Urging the mare with heel, hand and
voice, Jasper Carson dashed on, curs-
ing and praying in turn. He fancied
himself standing by Miss Lackland's
corpse, and wondered could he live aft
er that.
When Black John turned into the
bride path the mares lean brown head
was at his flank.
"Whoa, John 70 shouted Carson.
But John felt the pull at the bit,
and hearing the clatter of the mares
hoofs, thought it was race, and put
on little more steam.
Miss Lackland's wrists ached, and
she was frightened too badly to heed
Carson's prayers to her to drop the
reins.
Jasper Carson cursed aloud in his
agony when he saw, so feet in front
of Black John, the thick limb of tree
barely high enough for a crouching
horse1nan to pass under. If Miss Lack
land struck the limb, 1t meant death.
She saw it, too, and bent low in her
saddle. AS she crouched she loosed
her hold on the reins.
"Whoa, John /" shouted Carson, pull
ing up so suddenly that his mare slid
forward on her launches.
Black John heard the command at
the instant the pressure on the bit was