The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies

Let me ride him for

and glanced down hesitatingly into the pleading

k, and I won't go fast, either. Let me show you how I can ride

t you wouldn

e me off his back. Huh! Guess I know how to ride better than that. Say, Chunky, remem

boy of the group-

had had a saddle on his back but once

ns as "Chunky." "I mean, he didn't. And he rode the pony three times around the baseball field, too. That broncho's back was humped u

pped the bridle rein over the neck of his han

it, and, besides, he has been trained to run when you tighten up on the

be car

o the stirrup. In another second, with a slight pressure on the rein, he had wheeled the animal sharply on its haunches, and was jogging off up the street at an eas

nt. Nor did he go beyoud the corner named. Instead, he circled and came galloping

d to him to continue. With a smile of keen appreciation, Tad shook

er, and his deep blue eyes glowed with excitement and pleasure; for, to him, ther

ere in demand, and on Saturday afternoons and nights he delivered goods for a grocery store, for which latter service he earned the-to him-munificent sum of twenty-five cents. But all of this he accepted cheerfully and manfully. Now and then Tad was allowed to drive the grocer's wagon to the station for goods, and at such tim

the little village of Chillicothe, Missouri, where they still lived, and, despite the di

own in Massachusetts, and had been visiting a

t in the face of his nimble friend, Tad. It was this delicate physical condition that had brought about the gift of the pony. The family physician had

breathed Chunky, as they watched the pr

absorbed in the contemplat

etching about Tad, do you? But I should be willing to be as frec

e for Professor Zepplin, my tutor; then we are going off on long rides every day, after my less

sh I could

. What great times we three could have, riding off into the open country! And we could go on

t a pony. But I wish I had. I should like

will do it, I know," urged Walter brightly, brimmin

d

n't he

uld be to break my neck. If father was here and gave his permission, why, tha

me, Chunky, and tell your uncle you must have a pony. Tell him I said so. If he refuses, I'll have my father go ask him. He won't refuse my fat

borrow money. He's got money

all going off for a ride every day. Say that Professor Zepplin will be alo

urged

s into a club. Now, wo

, what kind of a club? They

b-house. When we are on our ponies' backs we shall be in our club-house. Maybe we can

dded thou

We must have some kind

ter, brightening, after a moment's consideration. "We will ca

that is, all of us except Tad, and he can't join us-just because he's too poor

aughed h

et; but we may be some day, after we've learned to ri

lves the Wild Riders

lves the Wild Riders, because he would think it meant we were going to be too much like cowboys. I guess we shall

ed the pony up sharply, patting its sleek

lows. Wish I had

," echoe

with them. All you have to do is to press your knee against his side and he will turn,

an walk on his hind legs, too. But father said I mustn't

don't be afraid," he exclaimed leaping to the ground, stripping the rein over the animal's head and holding it at arm's

may try," he decided finally, extending the whip that he had been

leading the pony further out into the

e side of the head, to which the intelligent animal

ing or two," cried

boy tapped the animal gently

sistently. At first, Jo-Jo only swished his tail rebellious

rt up into a cloud of dust that settled over the boys, finally causing a chorus of sneezes, u

sternly, bringing the whip sharpl

hesitated no longer. Half folding its slend

for an instant removing his gaze from Jo-Jo, held up a warning han

fully on his hind legs, followed his new-found master in short, cautious steps, the animal's

athed Walter and

lar brick,"

you do

he pony that his task was done. Jo-Jo dropped quickly on all fours, a

eturning the caress, his e

ollowed, alternately pushing his nose again

ain, Tad," cried Chun

aced boy grin

gar, Walter

were far from being their natural color. But Tad grabbed them, and an instant l

ld teach that pony to do 'most anything but talk, fellows. I'm not so sure that h

man a hundred a

e money than he ever had seen at one time in his life. Would h

ng about getting up a

of a club?" ask

o ask his uncle to buy him a pony; then we are goi

d them

e we would call ourselves the Bough Riders. Chunky doesn't like that name.

to get him a pony?" ask

are going to get Ned Rector to join the club. He alre

," answered T

onorary member. We will let you ride our ponies sometimes when we are in town, though, of course, w

lined h

he name. Got any

cheek against its nose, which he patted softly, his head av

ourselves 'The Pony R

ng his voice w