He was sitting on the steps, whistling and trying not to care.

“Boy Blue,” called his father, “I have something to show you out here.”

The little boy jumped up and ran to the barn as fast as he could.

Perhaps he was going to have some fire-works after all!

He ran into the barn, and what do you think he saw?

There stood a little pony.

He had a glossy brown coat and a white star on his forehead.

“Oh! oh!” cried Boy Blue.  “Is this pony for me?”

“Yes, my boy, it is for your very own.”

“What a beautiful pony!  What is his name, Papa?”

“I do not know his name.”

[Illustration]

“You must name him yourself.”

“‘Star’ would be a good name,—­or I might call him ‘Brownie.’

“Oh, I know a good name!  I shall call him ‘Fire-cracker.’”

“This is the Fourth of July, you know, and I did want some fire-crackers so much!”

Fire-cracker was a good little pony.

He and his master soon became very fond of each other.

Boy Blue learned to ride on his pony’s back, and he took long rides with his father.

One day he said, “I wish I had a pony cart, then I could take Little Sister to ride.

“Fire-cracker is very strong.  I am sure he could draw both of us, if we did not go very fast.”

Papa thought that was a good idea.

The next day he took Boy Blue to town to buy a pony cart.

They went to two or three stores but they could not find one small enough for Fire-cracker to draw.

At last Boy Blue saw one in a window.

It was painted blue and had red wheels.

It had a seat just big enough for Boy Blue and Little Sister.

So Papa and Boy Blue went into the store and bought it.

The next morning Boy Blue took Little Sister for a ride.

Fire-cracker was very careful.

He walked slowly and looked around very often to see the two children.

Perhaps he was thinking, “How fine we all look this morning!

“That is a very pretty carriage, and I like this harness, too.

“My coat shines in the sun and Boy Blue put a red ribbon in my mane.

“How proud he looks, holding the reins!

“I think he likes to take Little Sister for a ride.

“I like to see them both so happy.

“Good-bye, I am going to trot fast now.”

BOY BLUE’S DREAM

It was a very hot day.

Boy Blue had played all the morning and he was tired.

Little Sister had been making mud pies and she was tired, too.

Mamma was too busy to read to them.

“Come, Little Sister,” said Boy Blue, “It is too hot to play.  I will read my story-book to you.”

“Where shall we go?” asked the little girl.