Then there was a white horse twenty-five years old, and just as sleek and fat as a colt. Old Whitey has lived on the farm ever since he was a little colt. Old as he is, he is still able to do a great deal of work. [Illustration] One day Uncle Wash was ploughing, and he put me on the back of Old Whitey. Well, I liked that very much, and began to cluck, and jerk the reins, to make him go along; when in an instant, without any warning, he pricked up his ears, kicked up his heels, and ran away, leaving the plough behind. I can't tell you how scared I was. I held on as long as I could; but it was of no use. The old horse ran through swamps and bogs, and dropped me, head first, in the mud and dirt. I was hurt on my head and side, but I would not cry because I was too big for that. When the men got to me, I was hunting for my hat. After getting rid of his load, the runaway coolly walked up to the barn, and stood looking as mild as a lamb. I didn't have any faith in Old Whitey after that, though his master said he never knew him to do such a thing before. NELSON. WOODSTOCK, VT. FRED AND NED. [Illustration] "OH, this is weather for play, for play! And I will not go to school to-day," Said Master Frederic Philip Fay. So he hung his satchel upon a tree: And over the hills to the pond went he, To frolic, and see what he could see. He met a boy on the way to school, And said, "Ned Foster, you're a fool To study and plod because it's the rule." Quoth Ned, "You'll find that _he's_ the fool Who, for his pleasure, shirks his school: Sun, moon, and stars, all go by rule." Then Ned passed cheerily on his way, And not another word did say To Master Frederic Philip Fay. Fred sat him down on a rock near by, And cast a look on the bright blue sky, And then at the sun, that was mounting high. "Yes, truly, the sun has no time for play: He has to go in a certain way," Said Master Frederic Philip Fay. "Oh! what would become of us all, suppose The sun, some morn, should say, as he rose, 'A truant I'll be to-day--here goes!' "Then off should whirl in a mad career, And leave it all night and winter here,-- No blue in the sky, no flower to cheer? "Yes, there is a duty for every one, For Master Fay, as well as the sun: A law must be minded, a task must be done." Up started Frederic Philip Fay: He took from the tree his satchel away, And ran off to school without delay. IDA FAY. [Illustration] WHY DO THEY ALL LOVE FREDDY? "BUT do they all love Freddy, mamma?"