PONY ROLLO RHYMES

Barney was the children's donkey, Full of tricks was he, But no beast of sober merits More beloved could be. Though to tricksy little Barney They were loyal yet, All the children coaxed and pleaded For another pet. Yes, they wanted now a pony, One which they could ride. "Ride on Barney?" that suggestion Shows you never tried. For with double donkey firmness Barney's mind is set That he never will be ridden. (Never has been yet!) Barney has a plan of action, Simple, clear, and bold; And the fate of would-be riders Can be well foretold. Puffing, swelling, artful Barney Rounds his body out Till the strap will scarcely fasten, He has grown so stout! When at last the girth is buckled By the coachman's might, Lo! how freely slips the saddle, Which was thought so tight. Since his trick has made the saddle Loose and insecure, Barney's face is meek and placid, Of success he's sure. When the daring would-be rider Mounts the donkey's back, Barney seems resigned: and starting, Trots along till—Whack! Tableau—Barney standing pensive With a guileless stare. In the dust or mud, the rider! How did he get there? Many riders, big and little, Many times have tried; No one ever mastered Barney,— Ever had a ride. And since Barney is so stub—well, Firm, at any rate, Till a pony comes, the children Must for riding wait.

"Here's the pony! here's the pony!" Fast the tidings flew As the longed-for pony trotted Up the avenue. And the children, such news hearing, Quickly gathered near; Saw and loved the pretty creature, Voted him "a dear." "Father! Mother! Come and see him!" "Auntie, do come! do!" "Hurry, nurse, and let the baby See the pony, too." "Oh, at last we've got a pony," Cried the children all. "Every one must come to see him, Call the people! call!" From the farm and from the garden, From each household nook, Men and maids with pleasure hastened At the pet to look.

Close around the gentle pony Did the children crowd, Patting, stroking, gazing, praising, Eager, fond, and proud. Near them flocked the grown-up people, With admiring eyes. For 'twas plain the pretty pony Was a wondrous prize. Such a shape! and such a color! Such a mane and tail! Legs so slender, hoofs so dainty, Words to picture fail. And not only for his beauty Did he merit praise, But for all his tricks so clever, And his gentle ways.

"Shake hands, pony," said the coachman. Quickly, at command, Pony placed his forefoot gently In the coachman's hand. "Pony," said the coachman, slowly, "I have heard it said That you're fond of oats for supper;" Pony bowed his head. "What! Another trick! Oh, watch him!" "Pony, show them now How you like to roll and frolic; Roll, sir! You know how!" Down upon the grass went pony, Rolled from side to side. And the children watched his capers With delight and pride. In the stable pony showed them He knew one trick more. With his nose the latch he lifted Of the stable door.

"Ha, ha!" said the coachman, gayly, "I'll look out for you! Stable doors by ponies opened? That would never do!" "Oh! the cunning little fellow! How much he does know!" Laughed the children, "He's as funny As a circus show!"

With them all, the pretty pony Was the theme for days; Parents, children, groom, and coachman Joined in words of praise. Soon arose the weighty question What his name should be, And the children long debated Ere they could agree. "Call him 'Beauty.'" "That's too common!" "Merrylegs." "Too long!" Gipsy, Bijou, Firefly, Diamond, Names in plenty throng. But, not suited yet, the children One and all discard. If the pony were less precious, Choice would be less hard! But at last they named him "Rollo," Saying, "For you know One of his best tricks is rolling, And he loves it so." And ere long the clever pony To the children came From the stall or from the pasture When they called his name.

Pony Rollo was a beauty, As you've heard before, But his beautiful behavior Made him loved the more. When upon his back he carried Children large or small, With what care went Pony Rollo Lest the child should fall. Patient, docile Pony Rollo Did so well his part That the children very quickly Gained the rider's art. But one day not even Rollo Could a fall prevent, And the reckless little Teddy From the saddle went. There he lay beneath the pony, All in quaking dread. Oh! those heavy hoofs would surely On him quickly tread!

But the knowing little pony, Wise as he is good, Lifting not a hoof, nor moving, Like a statue stood. Waiting, waiting, Pony Rollo Still as marble kept, Till the frightened, grateful Teddy From beneath had crept. Then was Rollo more than ever Feasted and caressed, And pronounced of all good ponies Wisest, dearest, best.

Oh! the flurry and the bustle! Weeks of seashore joys Were in store for all the children. "Ready, girls and boys!" But the children lingered, lingered At the stable door; "Good-by, Barney," "Good-by, Rollo," Saying yet once more. "Don't forget us, Rollo, Barney, We'll come back again! And more fun we'll have together, Riding, driving then." Then to Barney and to Rollo Soon there came a change. With the absence of the children Life seemed new and strange. Barney Gray was sent to pasture With the lambs and sheep, There to run and roll in freedom, Kick and prance and leap. Still more lonely then was Rollo, But he, too, found joy, For the care of him was given To the farmer's boy. In the golden summer weather, Happy little Jack Drove the cows, from pasture daily, On the pony's back. Down the road the cattle straggled;— If they turned aside, Then would Jack with much halloaing Toward them quickly ride. "There goes Brindle! At her, Rollo! Now for Lady Bess! There! Good pony! We can keep them In the road, I guess!" And the pony, clever fellow, Learned so well the knack, That to drive the cows he scarcely Needed help from Jack. Let a cow but turn a little From the road to stray, In an instant Rollo joined her, And, as if in play. He would push the truant gently With his velvet nose, Till she yielded to his guiding, And the right way chose. When the children from the seashore Back to Rollo came, As a cowboy had their pony Won some extra fame.

Pony Rollo clattered gayly Through the farmyard gate, Oh! such news! such news for Dobbin! Scarcely could he wait. When at last the barn was fastened And they were alone, Pony Rollo told his story In most joyful tone. "Oh! this morning as I trotted I could plainly hear What they said,—my little lady And her mother dear. "They were talking of the check-rein, And at last they said: 'Pony Rollo need not wear it!' Then I tossed my head, "And I shook my mane and whinnied. 'Why, he understands!' Said my little lady, laughing. Then with her own hands "Off she took the check-rein, Dobbin, Chatting fast the while. 'There! you darling Pony Rollo, We won't care for style. "'You shan't wear the horrid check-rein, Little pony mine; And we'll both be just as happy If we're not so fine.' "That I held my head up proudly As I tried to show All my joy in this new freedom You will surely know. "And I heard them,—Yes, I heard them Say the time was near When all check-reins should be banished; And,—now you shall hear!— "Then they said, old Dobbin's check-rein No more would they use! There!" said joyful Pony Rollo, "Isn't that good news?"

Boy or girl with horse or pony Which you love full well, Has he any check-rein story Glad as this to tell?

Midget, little Midget, Was the household pet, And his pretty cunning ways Ne'er can we forget. Trotting legs the nimblest, Liveliest of tails, Such a bark for yelps of joy, Or for saddest wails! Fluffy little Midget, When he quiet lay Seemed a bunch of shaded floss, Silky, soft, and gray. But a whispered "Midget," Or the merest sound, And the mop of silken hair Life and voice soon found. Midget, little Midget, Was so bright and quick That he learned without delay Many a cunning trick. Standing up and begging, Fetching back a ball; Playing dead, but roused to life At his master's call. Holding tempting morsels On his pert black nose; From the farmer's field of corn Driving off the crows. Bringing Father's slippers, Jumping high in air, Mother's basket carrying With a pompous air. These and all his other Tricks of doggish skill, Midget would at any time Do with eager will. But his pet performance, And his greatest pride, Was to mount the pony's back, There to sit and ride.

Proudly on the pony He would sit in state, While good Rollo walked about With a step sedate. At the signal "Bravo! Thank the pony now!" Down the little dog would jump With a sharp "Bow-wow!" Pretty little doggies Just of Midget's kind, Lively, clever, full of tricks, You will often find. Which of them is Midget You can surely tell By this horseback-riding trick That he does so well.