A PONY'S TRAVELS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 285, 1 December 1944, Page 3

A PONY'S TRAVELS

By MAY SYLWIN

I am a foal nearly two years old, and to my great joy I am now back on the farm where I was born. In this short time I have travelled a long way and had many experiences of which I am about to tell you.

It happened this day last year when Farmer Jones, my master, took me to the market and put me up for sale. Very soon there came another farmer, who bought me, and when everything was sold my new master and I started for home.

At first I did not want to follow him, but he beat me with a stick until my back ached. I was thinking sadly Of my mo«her who, by now, I guessed, was running au over the farm in search of me. Presently we came to a gate not far from Mr. Henderson's home. I was panting for breath, and felt I must lie down or else my legs would give way. when he saw that I was walking very slowly my cruel new master gave me another blow. "I will not let you treat me this way any more," I thought miserably, as I fell to the ground. '. . He left me there all night, but in the morning his daughter came out to see me. She took pity at my plight, and every day she bathed my wounds and fed me till I wa"s able to stand up and run about again. ... Although I felt sorry for my mistress, I made up my mind to run away, in the quiet of the night, when all were asleep. I slipped away, as the gate had accidentally been left open. In the morning I met a circus girl who claimed me as her own. She treated me as a mother treats a baby, and gave me the name Sally, which sounded a very gbod name indeed. One day my mistress began teaching me some tricks, hiding coins in the grass and giving me the command, "Search. Here and there I would go, peeping into every patch of grass that had been pulled out. I stayed with her for a long time and learned many tricks. But at last, longing to see my mother, I started off

again. ~ Late one evening I came across my old master's son weeping. As soon as he saw me he got up and came over to me. Throwing his arms around my neck he sobbed, "If only you could help me; If only horses understood my language! I have lost a lot of money, and my father savs I must find it, no matter how long it'takes me." I understood, however, and while he went on in front I followed till at last we were near some trees. In the grass at the foot of the tree was something white. It was an envelope. I took it with my mouth and galloped up to Sandy with it. Hearing my gallop he turned back. There were tears and, laughter all at the same time as he took the envelope and led me home. His father was so delighted that he said be would not think of celling me again, so here I have stayed, and I hope it will be forever.