San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-09-11
Foxy Grandpa's
Stories
Why a Wild Horse Becomes
Gentle.

Foxy Grandpa" said Bobby run
ming into the ranch house, 1do you
know that there is a wild horse down
in the corral?"
"A wild horse" T repeated, pull
ing on the other leg of my chaps.
"Yes SIR" said Bobby. "He's ter
rible. No one can go near him. He
bites and kicks and balks and does
everything but stand on his head il
you even look at him."
an have to see that fellow" I
declared. Il saw Cyclone once. He
was wild one"
"Oh," said Bobby, don Pancho,
the guide, says that Cyclone is
lamb compared to Lightning"
Lighting. Is that his name?"
"Yes," replied Bobby. "But his
name should be Thunder and Light
ming. You should hear him snort
when he is mad"
Down to the corral we went and
there was Don Poncho polishing up
the silver on the brides and rub
bling oil on the trappings. He had
great pride in the horses witch were
in his charge and when they were
brought around for the guests, I tell
you it was sight worth remember
ing.
"Well, Don Poncho," said I when
I greeted the gallant old Spaniard,
Il hear you have some fine horses
in the corral.
Isl Senor," replied the Don, TAX
ing off his /broad-brimmed western
hat "And we have some high-life
horses, too"
laughed at his expression "high-
life" and made a good guess when
/ found that he meant "high-life"
horse to be spirited one.
"And hear you have a real wild
horse, too" 1 said.
"Oh, yes. That Lightning he's
very bad horse. No good at all
only for rodeos. That's why we keep
him. Send him to the contests to
see il any cowboys can stay on him.
No man has ridden him yet. He
throws them all off. Every time
Lightning he do that"
"What makes a horse wild, Don
Poncho" l asked.
"Just born that way" replied the
Don, "just like some people are born
with bad dispositions land never get
over it. Some people so bad they
want to hurt people, Lightning like
that"
"Do you mean to say that no man
has ever ridden Lightning?"
mo man," replied Don Poncho.
And a twinkle came into his eyes,
/ waited and then he said:
But lady ride him."
"Lady!" I exclaimed.
"Yes," declared the old Spaniard,
shaking his head with pride. "The
young missus ride him. Here she
come now" s'E-'"
Down the hin into the corral came
the young mistress of the ranch. She
greeted Don Poncho and said:
"I'll ride Lightning today, If you
please, Don Poncho."
He handed the saddle and bride
to our young hostess. She walked
right up to the fierce Lightning. He
whineyed and neighed when he saw
her coming and rubbed his nose
against her sleeve and she patted his
neck. Like a lamb that vicious ami
mai STOOD Wnlle sne DrldleO MIN ano
cinched up his saddle.
Then, as calm as any old nag, stood
the terror Of the rodeo while his
mistress mounted him and rode off
down the mountain. He trotted rs
if he had never any thoughts in his
horse-brain but kind ones, and as il
he we're the most obedient horse in
the whole world. VI -
How do you explain that, Don :
Poncho?" I gasped.
Goodness lifc!" replied the Don.
II don't know exec It that that bad
horse Lightning just love the young
missus like her sdog love her."
Copyright, 1926, International Feature
Service. Inc.)