Before Johnnie Jones could stop him, he seized the whip and with it gave Fanny a sharp cut.  The little pony had never before been whipped, and was so surprised and hurt, that she began to run as fast as ever she could.  Bump!  Bump!  She dragged the cart over rocks and stones so fast that the little boys were almost thrown out on the road.

Johnnie Jones was just as surprised as Fanny.

“Give me that whip,” he said to Charley.  “I don’t allow anyone to use it on my pony.  You’ve hurt her and made her run away.  Give me the reins.  I will never again let you drive.”

“Leave me alone,” Charley answered.  “I’ll teach her a good lesson.”

He struck Fanny once more, and then began pulling on the reins with all his might, hurting the pony’s tender mouth, and making her toss her head and even kick.

Johnnie Jones was very angry and commanded Charley to give him the reins.  Charley was beginning to be frightened, so he obeyed.

“Whoa!  Fanny, don’t be afraid,” Johnnie Jones said to the little pony, as he took the reins and held them loosely in his hands.

As soon as Fanny heard the voice of her little master, she stopped running, and soon stood still.  Then Johnnie Jones jumped out of the cart and began to pat her.  Fanny was very much ashamed of herself, and rubbed her nose against his sleeve, as if to say:  “I am sorry, Johnnie Jones, but that boy surprised me.  I’ll never act so again.”

Johnnie Jones drove on to the shop and then back home, but he was so angry with Charley that he would not let him ride any further.

“I don’t like you any more,” he told him.

And I do not blame Johnnie Jones, do you?  For I could not like a boy who would be so cowardly and unkind as to hurt an animal.

* * * * *

Fanny and Little Brother

One day, Elizabeth came with her mother to spend the day in the country with Mrs. Jones and the little boys.  The children had enjoyed themselves very much, playing all the morning.  Just before lunch they ran down to the field where Fanny and Tim, the carriage horse, were, to pick some wild flowers for the table.  Little Brother was with them, and while the others were gathering the flowers, he toddled away, and lay down in the tall grass.

The two mothers were sitting under the trees near the house.  From where they sat they could see the children in the field.

“Aren’t you afraid to let the children play there where the horses are?” Elizabeth’s mother asked Mrs. Jones.

“No indeed,” she answered.  “Tim and Fanny love them too well to hurt them.”

But just then Tim and Fanny began to play “Tag,” as they often did, for they were great friends.  Fanny pretended to bite Tim, and came galloping up the field as fast as ever she could.  She did not see Little Brother, lying directly in front of her, hidden by the tall grass.  On she came, galloping rapidly towards him.