The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies

and heightened color, laid two crisp new one dollar bills in his mo

d. "Jinny couldn't quite pull it, so I ha

the disordered ha

gy out in the barn, and, when I can afford to buy some paint for it, you will have a carriage to ride in. You needn't be ashamed of it, for it's a dandy.

that he had spent many nights putting together. It was truly a credita

ere so many calls during the day, when the young man was at school, that he was considering the advisability of taking in a partner who would attend to the towing when he was not available. The only reason Tad h

several occasions Tad's mother had called at the hank in person. Of all this the young man knew nothing.

Rider Boys, and the word was passed that imp

pare the time from his

working hard of late, and I imagine the boys will have something to discuss

u think I ought to, of course I

the oven and you can help yourself. Besides, it will do Jinny fully as mu

. W

saw him downtown this morning," answered Mrs. Butler softly

second's hesitation. He ran lightly from t

of the club, he found all t

he skate!" they

"Jinny goes when the automobile doesn't. Give me a horse every time. H

," replied Stacy Brow

we have some very, very important matters to talk over to-day. President Brown will please take his chair and call the meeting to order.

n to the keenest attention. Anticipation was reflected on each smiling face. Tad instinctively f

re of the meeting?"

r and outline the plans which I understand he has in mind. I think none of us know what they are

ing over his thin, pale features, as he looked qu

embers,"

ar!" mutt

his heel into th

or says that I must spend the summer in the open air-that I must rough it, you understand. The rougher the life, the better it

?" interrupted Ned

y have planned a trip for me and

" shoute

him with a

get his dignity," he warned.

ompany us. Father has bought him a big new cob horse. The professor was once an officer in the German army, and he knows how to ride-that is,

go?" asked t

our school close

t," said Chunky with a wry face. "Uncle never would let me go off like t

miled kn

f, fellows. Tour fathers, as we

mean it?" m

es

on that old skate of

s to that," an

would get beyoud the water works station, he would

ed Rector. "We have other and more imp

o we shall have to leave behind all our fine clothes. And sometimes we may go without meals, even. But we all will sleep out-of-doors, most likely, every night after we get started. In

excitement. "He will be our captain without being elected. He already is master of h

rsation, now shook his head slowly, whi

won

, you know I can't go with you. Therefore, you had te

manded Ned Rector. "Of

e. "Then there are other reasons. I can't afford it. I must stay

That's too bad. I would ra

appreciative

you went, Ned. I'll drill you w

may turn up in the meantime, so you can go with us.

ome with my mother. But I don't even know where you are going. I can dri

ng?" demanded Chunky,

We must be going quite a distance away, judging by all the preparations," besought

s called for-to tell you about it. It was left to me to announce it to you boys, because

rse we do,"

hest and wildest part of them. Perhaps we shall go where no white man'

moment no

more than gape at the speaker. Only the sound

rs and things there?" a

so," smil

And sn

ay

ad about them out

tay home," stamme

us can. And, besides, Walt's professor will be along. He'll fix the animals and reptiles

ing to tell you more about it. He has not told me everything yet. But he

Tad no less loudly than the rest, though there was no joy in his face now. The boy's disappointment was keen, yet he determined that hi

oming the old mare. Mrs. Butler smiled to herself as she observed that he

ll Jinny?" she ask

ha

all atte

ou want to se

anxious to. Why, I am making plenty of money with her," answered Tad co

d then, with the money you might be able to purchase a bette

other's face a mo

ney that I could

u think you cou

if any one would be willing to pay

was at his house this afternoon. His delivery horse broke

," mutte

is so gentle and will stand without hitching. It takes too m

d his und

im what ailed J

willing to take all chances. Mr. Secor said he believed Jinny was g

asked Tad, with a

es

w m

-five d

he can have her so far as I am concerne

n his pocket, which, added to what he already had earned,

, going out to the porch, sat down with his head in his ha

the boys on their jaunt this summer?"

but I

ot, my

ce, I've g

too sure a

you mean,

table and see," s

ere in a stall stood a sleek Indian Texas pony,

e come from!" gaspe

is evening will complete the purchase price. You shall

ut

o pay you the sum of five dollars a week and all expenses. Understand, you are not going as a servant-he wished that made very clear-but as

-but you

r with Aunt Jane, so you need ha

he full significance of it

cried, impulsively throwing

xperiences through which he was destined