Sallie Russell 119 



But the care at last began to tell, and signs of 

 animation and even playfulness were shown by the 

 little creature. Its strength also increased ; and then 

 it began unmistakably to grow. And how it grew ! 

 It filled out the lines of beauty, showed well-rounded 

 muscles under its velvet coat, and Helen soon saw, 

 instead of a puny colt, a bright and vigorous filly. 



It might be expected that a young animal that 

 had just awakened to the joys of life would in its 

 wild playfulness forget those around it. But it was 

 quite otherwise with the little filly. She knew Helen 

 was kind ; and however wild she might seem at 

 times, when life throbbed strongly within her, she 

 was always gentle the moment Helen's voice was 

 heard. Petting has been known to spoil a child, 

 but kindness was never known to injure a horse. 

 Indeed, when the word of command comes in strong 

 tones from the voice that has been kind, it is all the 

 more quickly obeyed. And so Helen and Sallie grew 

 together and became companions and firm friends. 

 It was Helen who first put a bit in Sallie's tender 

 mouth, who first mounted her, who took her through 

 the various steps until she became one of the finest 



