®eath of Old Charlie.

RANDPA BROWN had invited little May and her papa and

mamma to visit him New Year’s Day. Little May was so
delighted when papa and mamma said they would go.
She looked longingly forward to the day, and not the least
of her enjoyment was the thought that she would have such
a jolly, jolly ride. Grandpa Brown lived some twenty miles
away, and as there were no cars they would have to go
with a horse and sleigh.

May’s papa had a large, bay horse, which was called Old Charlie. He
was kind and gentle and May and her mamma could drive him anywhere. As
there was plenty of snow on the ground, and the roads were well broken, papa
said they would drive over the day before New Year.

The day came, bright and sunny. May was so excited she could hardly
eat her breakfast. When her papa came in from the barn, he said Old Charlie
did not seem well, and if he had another horse he would let Old Charlie rest, as
he did not think him fit to drive. May’s face grew cloudy, and she said: “Oh,
papa, do go!” So her papa concluded that they would start. After breakfast