Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1926-12-17
THE WAY
TO BETTER
THINGS
BY ESTHER LEE UPHAM
(G by W. O. chApmAn.l

(G by W. O. chApmAnl
<(~ whack!
Jasper Woods, who shout
ed the word and delivered
the blow. He brandished club
heavy enough to brain an OK, rightly
directed. Just now, however 1t land
ed on the flank Of old Firebrand-
| poor, patient, WORKOUT horse, so used
recently to neglect and abuse that he
expected the same regularly and ac-
cepted 1t with true horse sense and
philosophy.
Flrebrand-what a travesty! Yet
once that name had suited. In years
agone Woods had been proud of the
splendid steed that had done double
duty, and, therefore. had worn out
the more quickly.
"Shame!" piped a prompt, express
sive voice. and as the old horse squirt
ed down the road TO get away from
further torment, Jasper Woods glared
at the source Of the denunciation.
"Who are you, anyhow" he
scowled. locating a youngster up In
tree near by, filling his hat with
hickory nuts.
Pm Benny Tascott Of course" re-
piled the urchin.
"Arei Humphl A good deal Of In
science, I should say, seeing as your
folks owe me a lot of money" saw
agely blurted out Woods.
Il say shame just the same" per-
sisted the audaclous youth, sliding to
the ground.
Its my horse, l reckon"
Then you ought to love him." re-
sponded the big-eyed, earnest-faced
lad. Poor Firebrandw and he hur-
ried after the animal, who halted at
a kind word and pillowed his nose af-
fectionately on the shoulder Of his lit
tie friend.
We'll. he's turned out" remarked
Woods, $50 let him 60 his way"
you mean he's anybody's to pick
up" cried Benny, joyfully.
Eyes. mean Just that" snapped
Woods. gruf1y.
"oh. my-then I'll take HIM" ex-
claimed Benny, rapturously.
Say, you're In a fine fx to saddle
yourself with an animal that will eat
his head on, aren't you'll" sneered
Woods.
But Benny was on F1rebrand's back
in jIffy, petting and eoaxing him
forward, while the man Of money and
self-will went back to his homo,
growing at the horse. the boy and all
the world In general.
He should have been merciful, for
life had brought him a full compe-
tence in wealth. he should have
been happy, for he had q contented
wife and pretty, prattling little
daughter who had come to bless them
after four preceding children had
died.
But Jasper Woods had become
avariciOus. He had found a way of
putting out his money at high rates
of interest He had sought opportu-
mites to close out unfortunate credl-
tors. The lust of gold had taken pos
session of him. In the case Of the
father of little Benny he had a mort
gage on the poor Taseott homestead.
Mr. TnscOtt had become Ill, there was
no one to attend to the produce
raised, and already the money grab
Der saw himself In possession Of the
guodly acres representing value
i've times In excess Of the loan
granted.
II was piece Of his grasping,
changing nature that he had turned
firebraDd out to die, now that he was
Of no more use. But Firebrand had
found loyal friend, and Benny rode
into the home farmyard proud and
excited.
He's mine!" he crowed delighted
ly to his astonished mother
"Why, where did you get himY' and
Benny told. The mothers face cloud
ed, however, at the mention Of the
man who held their destinies within
his grasp.
You see, since Dobbln died we've
had to hire all the carrying to town
and back. Now we've got horse OF
our own"
But who will drive him, Benny 2"
"Why, will. Firebrand and me
are great friends, mother"
"The poor creature doesn't look
very promising" remarked Mrs. Tas-
colt.
"Oh, Ill soon fix that" insisted
Benny. and he did. After giving Fire
brand good feed he rode him bare
back down to his famous old friend,
Tom Dobbs, a retired farrier
Shod, rested, well fed. well cur
rled, at the end of week decrepit
old Firebrand seemed TO have taken n
new lease Of life. Hitched up to the
farm wagon and the wagon loaded
with garden truck, the grateful ami
mai whinned at his kind young mas
ter as though anxious to show his
willingness to work for him.
81 declared" cried the delighted
Mrs. Tascott at the end OF week,
as Benny handed her well-filled
purse, I'm proud Of you, my boy p
She might well be. Diminutive rs
Benny was he had solved the problem
Of the family necessities. His mother
and two sisters loaded up the wagon
and he drove to town and sold the
stun. There was stream of rev
enue now coming in, and life bright
ened more than little for the Tas-
colts.
"0h, mother!" exclaimed Benny one
day, coming In from the pasture.
what do you Think"
I