The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies | Page 6

time to do that and get back
for supper. Tad won't stay long. He's in too big a hurry," answered the
banker's son, bringing his pony about, and galloping up beside the
wagon, which had continued on its way during the conversation.
This gave Tad an opportunity to gaze admiringly at the sleek ponies on
which the boys were mounted, as well as at the nickel trimmings of
bridles and saddles, which glistened brightly in the sunlight.
"Wish you had him, don't you?" laughed Ned, noting Tad's gaze fixed
on his own well-groomed mount.
To Ned's surprise, Tad shook his head negatively.
"Mean to tell me you don't want a pony like this?"
"I didn't say so, Ned. No, I wouldn't say that, because it isn't true. You
asked me if I didn't wish I had him. Of course, I want a pony more than
anything else in the world. But I want my own, not yours. That is
different, you see. Much as I want one, I don't covet either yours or
Walt's."
"Well, you are a funny fellow. I never did understand you," marveled
Ned. "But, I guess he's about right, eh, Walter? Don't you think so!"
"Yes. And I have been thinking, since our meeting yesterday, that
perhaps it might be fixed. I wasn't going to say anything about it,"
answered Walter, meditatively.

"Thinking about what?" demanded Ned.
"About Tad's not having a horse, and no way to get one. I tell you, it's
mighty tough----"
"Yes?"
"Well, he is a member of the club, and as fellow members of the Pony
Riders, we are bound to stand by one another."
"That's right," agreed Ned. "That's what we're going to do, too. But
what are you getting at, Walt?"
Tad's blue eyes were fixed inquiringly on Walter's face. He, too, was at
a loss to understand what it was that his delicate young friend was
planning. Still, he would not ask, knowing full well that it was of him
they were thinking.
"Simply this. Tad has got to have a pony."
Ned uttered a long-drawn whistle, while the boy on the grocery wagon
suddenly straightened up.
"I agree with you there, Walt," Ned remarked. "Yet, how is he going to
get one? That's what I should like to know--and it's a question that the
Pony Riders will have a hard time in answering. Now, it is different
with Chunky. Chunky's uncle has money. He can well afford to buy his
nephew a pony. When I went to ask him to-day he said he would see
about it. That means Chunky will have one."
"Why do you think that?"
"Because my father is a lawyer, and he says when a fellow doesn't
know his own mind, you can make him agree to 'most any old thing,"
answered Ned with a laugh.
By this time they had reached their destination. Though keenly
interested in the conversation of his companions Tad leaped to the
ground, tying his horse without an instant's delay, and proceeded to the

house to deliver his merchandise.
The boys watched him disappear around the corner of the house before
resuming their conversation.
"I'll tell you, now," began Walter. "I didn't want to explain before him.
Tad is the best rider in town, you know, Ned----"
"Next to me," added Ned humorously.
"Yes, next ahead. And he is the second best scholar in the high school.
Nothing could stop him from heading the class if he had the time to
devote to his studies, so Professor Zepplin tells me. I like him, Ned----"
"Since he fished you out of the mill pond, when you fell through the ice
there last winter, eh!"
"Yes, partly. But, I liked him just as well before that. Do you know,"
continued Walter after a moment of silence, "I never told my father that
Tad did that for me?"
"You didn't? Why not?" asked Ned, his face reflecting his surprise.
"Because Tad made me promise I wouldn't. He's such a modest chap
that he didn't want father to thank him, even. So I never did----"
"He is a queer lad----"
"That is, I did not until last night," corrected Walter thoughtfully.
"Oh! Then you told him? What did he say?" questioned Ned, now
keenly interested in the narration.
"He said Tad was a brave boy, and that he wanted to do something for
him. I told him there was one thing he could do that would please me,
at the same time making Tad the happiest boy in Chillicothe--yes,
happier than any other boy in the state of Missouri."
"Yes?"

"Father laughed and asked me what it was that Tad desired so much."
Walter glanced up at his companion, a queer smile playing about his
lips.
"Well, what did you tell him!"
"That Tad wanted