A PLUCKY CHILD

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 806, 2 May 1910, Page 3

A PLUCKY CHILD

It is not easy for a colonial reader | to understand why tbe Great Britons are so immensely impressed with every least action of tlio King and Queen, but it is a pretty story that a writer of tlio social notes of the Queen narrates enthusiastically. Surely unexpected honour and good luck come to (those sometimes who in the least oxpeet it, and surely not in her wildest dreams could little Miss Precce (aged, as wo wore informed, about eleven) have foreseen such. She would, indeed, have rubbed her eyesliad she been told on a recent Friday morning that before the day was out Queen Alexandra would be shaking hands with her and in her oivn royal person bestowing oil this plucky little horse-woman the much-coveted pony riding prize. Quite unexpectedly the Queen announced her intention that- morning of visiting tho Agricultural Show, where polo and riding ponies were, on view. This was tho second visit there that week of her Majesty, and both the Queen and Princess Victoria were immensely taken witli tho "musical chair" rides, small sheds as it wero having been erected, into which tlieir riders inveigled tbo polo ponies (just as children scramble for tho chairs in "musical chairs" games) when the music stopped suddenly as they rode round tho ring. But nothing pleased tlio Queen and Princess more than tho fine riding of tho above-mentioned little girl.as she steered her pony Queenie to victory, riding like any man to houjid-s, over hurdles, hedges, a stone wall,' and even. a gate, so that tho crowd present wero simply delighted when tlicy found that little Miss Preece had actually been sent for by tlio Queou, who congratulated her warmly on her exhibition of horsewomanship, and shook hands with her when'presenting the prize.