JUDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 126, 29 May 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

JUDY.

Judv was not half so stupid as donkeys ire supposed to be, and not nearly so stubborn a* those wo somet.mes sce on the sancle at the seaside. But Jiidy did not have to run up and down the hot, tiring beach all da*y long, whic really makes a great difference to a donkey's disposition. She lived in the country and shared a stable with Betsy, a pony, not a great deal bigger than herself. Judv and Betsy were the best of friends. When they were not working they loved nothing better than to romp together over the common. They both belonged to a poor cottager and his wife, who, having but one little I orchard, let them graze as they pleased on the common. | Betsy appreciated Judy's help when fciiev were taken by their master to fetch coal, for the cottage stood upon a hill, and could be reached only by a steep and difficult lane. The donkey, on these occasions, was hitched to the side i of Betsy's shaft, when she pulled with j might and main. 1 As sometimes happens, evil days fell upon the good cottager and his wife. Sickness came. There were more than | the usual household expenses to be met. The roof wanted attention, and the well : a new windlass. They sold what they i could, and yet there was not enough money to meet their needs. Then, one fine day, Judy was taken out alone by her master. There was nothing else to be done —Judy must be sold. The roof was mended and the well boasted a new windlass and the doctor's bill was paid. But, in the stable and out, Betsy missed her friend and companion very much. Often she had to pause when taking up the coal. Then j she would turn her head to one side as if to say: "It is hard work for one." The man would understand and hasten to put his shoulder to the wheel to help over the difficult places. They both missed Judy. There came a morning when the man had to visit a friend who lived some few miles away. Because of the distance, he rode Betsy. They were returning rather late in the evening, and. presently the man heard an animal trotting behind them. At first he took but little | notice, thinking it to be the echo of Betsy's hoofs. He slackened the pace for a while, for he had been riding fast, and they were now not far from home. Turning round in his saddle, he saw just behind him ... a donkey. It was Judy! The cottager was amazed, while Betsy gave a joyful neigh by way of greeting. The donkey had been let out to graze near to the place where they had been, I and had seen and recognised the pony jand her old master, and had followed j them like the faithful creature she was.

Judy shared the old stable with Betsy that night, and indfeed for many nisrhts after, for times had improved,'and"the frood people were able to buy their old donkey back again.