The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies

ay on the outskirts of the village, surrounded by half an acre of ground, part of which the boy tilled, keeping the little family in vege

visit was all unknown to the boy who was going stoically about his duties over in the village. Yet, in his

smile might have been observed hovering about his lips as he bade good-night

ing," were his parting words, at which Mrs.

n o'clock. His mother was awaiting him. She greeted him with a hea

med him. "You must have a man's appetite by this time, for

low, riding behind a horse, even if

en in harness shops," smiled Mrs. Butler. "You are so like your grandfather. He would

are so much abou

e was in too poor health to be able to handle them after he r

ed refle

eaning forward with a twinkle in her eyes. But the boy's gaze was

it. I have got to take care of you, first. After I have made enough so

athed the mother, veiling her eyes with her hands, t

at her, then resumed

on Monday afternoon Tad Butler was again at the grocer

talking with one of the men from

re is unfit for fur

es

advise doin

ot h

amp and put her out of her misery," directe

upted Tad Butler, who had been an i

ad; wha

at you are speaking

d the grocer,

e trouble

blacksmith's bellows. Why, sometimes she even coughs the oats out of her manger be

k, Tad?" said

the boy, the color flaming to his face

o with an old, broken-

should like to make

d you get her off the premises at once," answered th

hat way. But, I'll tell you

es

payment for the mare. Yes, I will make it two months. If t

ver, if you wish to have it that way I am sur

mare is sold to me, and that I am to clean out the

," smiled Mr. Langdon, handing the agreemen

homeward as fast as his legs could carry him. Mrs. Butler

d, vaulting the fence lightly and bounding up th

rled her dizzily, the full length of the porch and back, fi

e shaken all the breath out of me. Wh

To be sure, it is not much of a horse; but it's

sank down at her feet and explained the terms o

e her, what do you mean

quizzical smi

ere'll be enough grass there to keep her all summer, and as soon as she is able to work I can get odd jobs

lace is as much yours

ler, ind

eep it as a surprise for you when I get it ready," announced the boy mysteriously. "If you have nothing for me to do just no

d a half to the Langdon farm, where old Jinny was turned over to him, together with a brand

e wheezy old creature, wh

is Jinny?

answered the farm

's mouth, which he

ashing a glance of disa

er? I said as she w

"Jinny is past seventeen. But it's all right. It is all the same to me. I don't care if

into the highway. But to this Tad made no reply. He was too fully occupied with his

the lad pulled the mare to one side of

I think she will wiggle along for some time and be of real service if I can fix up the heaves a little. They must have filled

own. But he thought nothing of this, even though his new purchase was

the sense of possession took fu

stood the home of

d the strange outfit coming down the street, but at first the full meaning of it did not impress him.

ntil they were mere slits, thro

Tad," he

urned the freckle-fa

ot there, a

e. Her name is Jin

all her. Where d

," answered

ed a long-dr

h her?" he demanded, a sudden

ake a real live horse of her. Then, perha

ha

t join the club,

ign," decla

Jinny's better than no horse

k. He's going to buy the handsomest one he can fin

l show them yet," he gritted, urging old Jinny along with sund

in informing the other members of the club, and through them the news soon became the property of the village. As a result, Ta

n her on the day the boy brought her home, would scarcely have recognized in

pile the poles; then, wrapping a rope about all he thought the mare could draw, would make her haul them home. Here he sawed the poles to stove l

in the shade of the trees to rest, while he wan

chug of a motor car was borne to his ears. It was still some distan

," decided Tad, being fully aware of the dangers that lay i

e tearing along, swerved unsteadily from one side of the road to the other, then was

s been wrenched from the socket," announced the driver

grin

ed the driver, voicing his increasing irritation

at you, sir," answe

ed the driver. "How far i

and a half," r

horse anywher

u can. I've

?" demanded the a

re a piece. What'll you

" announced the driver eager

wly and stre

ced, to the surprise and amusem

d in hauling the wood. One end he fastened securely to the front axle of the c

little lift, I think I can draw you in. Can you steer

if I find I can't, I'll toot my horn, wh

led; yet, with the aid of the power of the car itself, they managed to make the hill all right. At last the boy pulled the car and its occupa

that day. Instead, he turned old Jinny tow

d the money he had earn

in answer to her surprised look. "I'll get the wood

y, though three days later he earned a d

hurried trip to the store, followed by sundry mysterio

give to his own affairs. Late one afternoon in the middle of the following week, Tad Butl

ked on around a bend in the highway, where he unrolle

rip of canvas, Tad stretched out, tying

f the road, and make fast one of the lines. Descendin

r. But to this he gave no heed. He was bent on accomplishi

d tree, he caused a banner to flutter to the breeze directly

ONE, YELL FOR TAD OR CALL AT LANGDO

load of hay," decided Tad, standing o