Daily Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1918-191?, 1918-04-17
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3. BLACK JOHN
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Wy q. UNDERWOOD.


black John. but he was n fearsoms
beast for a weak-armed rider who did
not understand his idiosyncrasies.
Trimmed TO go against the BIT" by
the heavy-handed village blacksmith
from whom Casper Carson bought
him. he had n mouth like gutta percha,
and jaw muscles IKE steel ropes.
II Mamie Carson rode him frequently
and sometimes to the discontinue Of
her escort, who. mounted on a horse
Of ordinary speed. found u dlfneuit TO
keep her in sight.
II IL was probably admiration Of Miss
CnrSon's prowess ~ a horsewoman and
desire to emulate II that Induced
Miss Lakeland to accept jasper Oar.
sons offer 90 teach her 10 ride.
The riding lesson was given IN the
early morning. IN order that the cen
serious might not see and deride Miss
Lackard's lnexpcrience.
But Jasper Carson had something
In his heart 20 say TO Miss Lack.
land, and he had promised himself 20
say II during one OF these delightful
rides. II would be 10 easy, he thought,
10 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 I ride Black John tomor-
row. Mr.. Carsonr said Miss Lack
land. after her sixth lesson. your
sister. Mamie. says he Is perfectly
safe n you are along"
Certainly you may said Jasper
Carson. flushing with pride.
SO u was that when Jasper Carson
rang the bell at the Lakeland homo
that golden morning. Black John bore
a Sidesaddle.
isn't he the dearest thingf' said
Miss Lakeland. as they cantered along
the river road which was overhung
with locust trees.
Hes a good old horse" said Jas
per Carson. Hold your reins a |
trine lower. Miss Lakeland. There,
that's right"
I'm 80 glad have learned 10 ride" |
she said.
jasper Carson tried to say; Won't
you ride through life with mel"
, Before he could speak. n ragged |
urchln Jumped from a tree and shrek
mat John,s $500. ,-.,. A. ,,xv,-
r.ran,. a. NJ. ,,,,r,s "a na ,aarS,v
ny,cled his ear, 4, a,sannroxal hu,
The msre Carson r,oae was sensi,,ye.
sha rlunv,d forxrrd IN a m,d efyor,
20 bolt. and Miss Lakeland. watching
with alarm ana admiration. Carson's
skilled management. Increased the
pressure on mack Johns bIt The
horse aeceped this as A signal 10
change bis gait, and responded with
cheerful slacrity.
jasper Carson grasped the situation |
instantly and a cold chill struck 20 his
heart. SO long as the girl retained her
presence OF mind there was little dan
ger OF her falling on. but as she sim
MY 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 oy the
limb OF a 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 q mile away.
As Black John swept around a curve
In the road. Carson lost sight Of him
and his fair rider II was only 200
yards now 20 the bridle-path. and the
had a lead Of nearly one
fourth that distance.
Urging the mare with heel. hand and
voice. Jasper Carson dashed on. ours
ing and praying In turn. He fancied
himself standing by Miss Lackland's
rorpse. and wondered could he live aft
: a..