JUNIOR NATURALIST MONTHLY. 



LESSON I.— HORSES. 



A few minutes ago I went out into the stable to see Peg and Nan, 

 the two bay horses. On the outside of each stall I found a door-plate 

 wdth Nan wTitten in large, black letters on one, Peg on the other. 

 I visited each old friend in turn. 



They are quite different in disposition, these two horses. Nan is 

 gentle, affectionate, patient; Peg is spirited, unfriendly, restless. I 

 am very fond of them both and as yet have not been able to decide 

 which I enjoy the more, quiet Nan or spirited Peg. 



All horses are interesting to me. As I take my daily walk, I hke 

 to look at the different ones I meet along the way. There is the 

 baker's horse and the butcher's; the doctor's horse, sleek and active; 

 the heavy gray horses that carry loads of coal up the hill all through the 

 winter weather; "Old Speckle," the postman's horse; and the friendly 

 bay I so often see feeding in the meadow. 



Of all these wayside acquaintances, I like the one I meet in the 

 meadow best. Perhaps I associate him with the meadow-lark's 

 song, the fresh, green grass, and the gay little dandelions that were 

 about when I first crossed his path; or perhaps our friendship pro- 

 gressed more rapidly than cit}^ streets ever will permit. He seems 

 to know when I am approaching and raises his head in welcome. I 

 always pet him and talk to him a bit, and we both know that two 

 friends have met. 



Sometimes when I reach home I think of the different horses that 

 I have seen during the day and wonder about them. Where is " Old 



Speckle" in the evening 

 and through the long 

 nights? Day in and day 

 out I meet him in almost 

 the same place along the 

 hisihwav and watch his 

 read}^ response to his 

 master's command. In 

 addition to food and lodg- 

 ing, does he, I wonder, 

 receive an occasional 

 friendly word or an en- 

 FiG. I.— Nan. couraging pat on the 



head? I hope he does, and I hope, too, that all the others are 

 tenderly cared for. 



