THE RIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19328, 15 May 1926, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE RIDE.

Brian looked up at the window out of which his mother was leaning. Ho thought: " Oh, she oughtn't to get out of bed; she's poorly;" and then he shouted, " Say it again, Mums, I can't hear." Mis mother called down to him again, and then smiled and shut the window. Brian stood quite still for a moment. All at once he knew that he was a very big boy, nearly grown up. He was to take the pony and go to the township and fetch the letters! He could hardly believe it, and yet Mumnne had called down and told him! She had said, " Do you think, darling, you could take Laddie and go to fetch the letters? Old Joe is poorly, too, and can't come to-day." Well, he was seven! He could ride and he was going to do it. He had never been out alone with the pony before, and he had never saddled Laddie. Ho tore off to the stable and began at once. It was hard work, and he grew very hot; but at last he led Laddie out through the gate and into the lane. Then he . scrambled up as best he could, and started off. It took Brian quite a long time to get there, and he was very hot and tired, but he got the letters and turned Laddie round. And it was then that his trouble began. The P on i T started off at a great pace, and poor Brian who had one hand full of letters, could hardly keep from falling off. And then thev came within sight of home, and there was Mummie, poor Mummie, coming along to meet him with an anX! ° us face, and the old dog Paddy jumping by her side. "Oh, Br ia n, Brian ! " she called. " Whatever made you do it? I've been dreadfully frightened." "But, Mummie, you told me to!" "No, no, I said you could take Paddy and fetch the letters." "Oh, dear!" Brian stared wide-eyed. " I thought you said take Laddie, and so I did !"