OUR STORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 94, 28 July 1944, Page 6

OUR STORY

NED WINS

Dick paused i'ov a }»Yfcather in his work 011 Ned's rough coat, and watched his sister biiskly lubbing up the shabby bridle. "Well," he chuckled, "Dad's going to have the surprise of his life, i f Ned behaves."

Daisy spared a hand to pat Ned's glossy neck., "I cxpect lie will do his best," she said. "He. has been very good when .you have practised on him."

The boy went on with his glooming on Ned's coat. "So he has," he agreed, "and if he doesn't get any luck we're not going to blame him, He Avon't trouble, oT course. How Dad would have laughed at our idea! Major Brown is a sport to have kept quiet about it!" Major Brown certainly was a sport. If lvis eyes had a twinkle for the rough little pony who drew the cart that supplied him with vegetables twice a week, he wag most encouraging when Dick presently rode up on Ned for the firstf oh tliet children's pony races in the local show.

"You have made him look smart! 1 should hardly have known him for the same pony," praised the, Major. "I only hope he will repay 3 r ou by doing his bit."

It was an exciting raec. Mr James, the father of Dick and Daisy, who had not the slightest notion that his pony had mysteriously disappeared from the little meadow where, it was grazed when not at work, strolled into the show ground on his way back from the town market. How he stared when lie suddenly sawNed careering, amid cheers, along the track with Dick astride him, and well in front of all the othojr competitors. And there was Daisy clapping and cheering like mad as Ned got in first. "Ha; ha! Come along, Mr James!" cried the Major, who was judging the races.. "I hope you .saw Ned's spanking race. He has just won live guineas, •which will be enough to pay for a new set of harness and paint for the carl. I'm sure you will forgive, me for having kept his entry a secret. Your boy -and girl were so keen he .should try his luck, " he added. Mr James beamed on everybody. He had been trying li'ard for a very long Lime to save up enough money to buy a new outfit. "lie got Jirst for himself and for me too,'.' lie §aid, patting Ned approvingly. "1 shouldn't have had the check to put such a scrubbylooking chap in the races, but my word he looks quite a dandy today!" "Thanks to Dick and Daisy!" cried the Major heartily, as he shook hands in congratulation all round.