THE RUNAWAY COLT

Evening Star, Issue 23451, 16 December 1939, Page 6

THE RUNAWAY COLT

A GOOD-NIGHT TALE Jim ran down the lane, bouncing Ms ball as he went. Then, a higher bounce and the ball was in the field. It was a thick hedge and the gate was too high to climb, and Jim was half-afraid to open it because there was a colt pushing it as if determined to get out. But he did want his ball, and he decided to open the gate just a little and try to squeeze through. Jim unlatched the gate—and the next second he was on his back on the ground and the colt was flying down the lane. Jumping up. Jim called the farm call of “ Co-oop, co-oop ”; but the colt took not the slightest notice and was quickly out of sight. Sadly, Jim closed the gate, knowing what he ought to do, but he was afraid that the farmer would be angry. He started to run to the farm. He found the farmer in his yard and told him what had happened. The farmer wasted no time scolding, but said, “ Accidents will happen. Hop in and we’ll see if we can catch him.” And off they went. On the way the farmer explained that he thought he knew where the colt would be, for he had taken its mother away into another field and it was fretting for her. Sure enough, they soon heard the colt neighing, and. turning a corner, they found it trying frantically to get into a field. The farmer stopped his car and jumped out. “ Listen,” he said. 11 Something’s wrong.” Opening the gate, he started to run across the field. The colt galloped

aliead, and Jim raced behind him. Through that field they ran, and into another one to which it led. At the far side of this they saw the mare, straggling wildly. She had thrust her head through a fence to reach some fallen crab apples, and had been unable to get it back again. Even before he reached her the farmer had has jack knife ready, and. hurrying up to the fence, he started hacking at. the rail which held the mare. In her struggles she would soon have been strangled. The colt pushed and shoved, trying to help its mother, but only hindering. Jim did his ipart by keeping it back as much as he could. At last the rail snapped and she was free. With a, joyful neigh, she shook her head and careered round and round the field with the colt after her. The farmer laughed with relief. 11 She’s all right now,’’ he said, •' and I’ll leave them together. And as for you. m.v boy, I see you'll make a good farmer.’-