Paul
and his chums looked on these lovely animals with envious eyes, and
often wished that they could capture one and enjoy a ride. One day
Stockie and Paul went to the woods at the bottom of a field that led by
a gentle ascent to the farm house. They had with them a pillow-slip half
full of oats. They were trying to induce a magnificent looking colt to
approach them. The colt was shy, but the oats were tempting. He came
near enough to taste them and submitted gently to the boy's caresses and
even permitted them to lead him around by the forelock. "Now Stockie,"
said Paul, "I will hold him by the nose and mane. You jump from that
stump and take the first ride."
With a spring, Stockie mounted the animal's back. The colt broke from
Paul and dashed madly away, Stockie clinging to him like a cat. The
creature never stopped in its mad career until it had reached the farm
yard. With a terrific leap it unseated Stockie, who tumbled uninjured
but paralyzed with fear, into a pile of manure from which he was dragged
by the enraged farmer. As his friend disappeared, Paul made a beeline
for the college. Soon after poor Stockie was brought in by the farmer
and delivered into the hands of the president. It was some time before
the victim was able to sit at his desk with any degree of comfort.
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