NED WINS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 157, 19 September 1941, Page 6

NED WINS

Dick paused for a breather in his work on Ned's rough coat, and watched his sister , briskly ruobing up the shabby bridle. "Well," he chuckled, "Dad's going to have the' surprise of liis life, ;f Ned behaves." Daisy spared a hand to pat Ned's glossy neck. "I expect he will do his best," she said. "He has been very good when you have practised on him." The boy went on with his grooming on Ned's coat. "So he has," he agreed, "and if he doesn't get any luck we're not going to blame him. He won't trouble, of course l . How Dad would have laughed at our idea! Major Brown is a sport to have kept quiet about it!"

Major Brown certainly was a sport. If his eyes had a twinkle for the rough little pony who drew the cart that supplied him with vegetables twice a week, he was, most encouraging when Dick presently rode up on Netl foir the first of the children's pony races in the local show.

"You have made him look smart! [ should hardly have known him for the same pony," praised the Majpr. "I only hope hei will repay you by doing his bit."

It was an exciting race. Mr James, the father of Dick and Daisy, who had not the slightest notion that his pony had mysteriously disappeared from the little meadow where it was grazed when not at work, strolled into the show ground on his way ; back from the town market. How ho stared when lie suddenly saw Ned careering, amid cheers, along the track with Dick astride' him, and well in front cif all the other competitors. And there was Daisy clapping and cheering like mad as Ned got in first.

"Ha! ha! Come along, Mr James!" criecl the Major, who was. judging! the races.. "I hope you saw Ned's spanking pace. He lias just won five guineas, which will he enough to pay for a new set of harness and paint, for the cart, so I'm sure you will forgive Mhe for having kept his entry a secret. Your boy and girl were so keen he should try his luck" he added. Mr James beamed on everybody* He had been trying hard for a very long time to save up enough money to buy a new outfit. "He got first for himself and for me loo," he said, patting Ned approvingly. "J shouldn't have had the cheek to put such a scrubbychap in flu* races, but nr-'

word, he looks quite a dandy today!" "Thanks to Dick and Daisy!" cried flic Major heartily, as lie shook hands in congratulation all round.