HALCYON DAYS.

 angle of the road, the unexpected sight of two children,
 one of whom" had put his wide-brimmed straw-hat
 on the end of a rake which he was carrying to the
 field, so terrified the animal, that he suddenly shied
 and then started on a frightful gallop. Poor Louisa
 screamed, and to save herself from falling, clung in
 terror to Toby's mane. Minnie burst into tears, and
 sank trembling on the bank, while William, shouting
 after the flying pony, started in pursuit at the top of
 his speed, striving, but in vain, to overtake him. His
 loud cries attracted the attention of some reapers, one
 of whom, looking up, at once became aware of Louisa's
 danger. Quick as thought, he saw that by running
 across the corner of the field, he might be in time to
 catch Toby before he reached the steep hill at the turn
 of the lane. Off he ran as fast as his legs would carry
 him, and just as he had calculated, he jumped down
 into the narrow road at the instant that the pony, in
 turning the sharp corner, had somewhat slackened his
 speed. Seizing the animal by the bridle with a
 vigorous grasp, he stopped his career, and at the
 same time caught Louisa in his arm as she fell almost
 lifeless from the saddle.
 William now came running up, panting for breath,
"Is she hurt ? Oh is she dead ?" he cried, as he
looked in her pale face. She opened her eyes when
she heard his voice, but had not yet sufficiently re-
covered from her fright to be able to speak.
 "No, young master," said the man, placing her
gently on the bank under a spreading tree, she is
not a bit hurt, only dreadfully skeared."
 Oh, Price is it you ?" exclaimed the boy, recog-
nizing the worthy ploughman, how thankful I am to
you But where is Minnie? she is so frightened."
 "CI say, Bob Jones," called Price to a boy in tha