A Plea for the Pony i8i 



pony, but he will be put off so many times by the 

 little beast's trickery that its diminutive size has 

 no compensating advantage. 



A stout pony, of 13 to 14.2 hands, costs very little, 

 — a plain, useful, quiet ride and drive sort from 

 $75 to $125 and possibly less. His harness will run 

 to as little as $10 and not over $30; a trap for him 

 to about $50 to $100, if any of the auction-rooms 

 are watched. A second-hand saddle and bridle costs 

 but a trifle, — say $20, — and the family is equipped 

 for about $150 to $250, with an outfit which will not 

 only amuse the children, but do solid work for the 

 elders; while on a small country place the pony 

 may also pull the lawn-mower and do other odd 

 jobs if a small wagon or cart is obtained. Any 

 corner of the cow-'house, wood-shed, or other out- 

 building will answer for a stable; all sorts of odds 

 and ends of food will be welcomed by it, for ponies 

 are always hardy doers; or if hay and grain fed, 

 a mere trifle monthly will satisfy all feed bills. 

 Shoes are rarely needed at all, or if so, only in front. 



