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George
Washington's mother had a span of iron grey horses of splendid
figure and remarkable spirit, of which she was very. fond. One of
these, though docile by the side of his mate in the carriage
harness, had never been broken to the saddle. It was said that the
spirited animal would allow no one to mount him. George, though then
a lad of but thirteen years of age, was very tall, strong and
athletic. One morning, as the colts were feeding upon the lawn,
George who had some companions visiting him, approached the high
blooded steed and after soothing him some time with caresses watched
his opportunity and leaped upon his back. The horse for a moment
seemed stupefied with surprise and indignation. Then after a few
desperate but unavailable attempts by rearing and plunging to throw
his rider, he dashed over the fields with the speed of the wind.
George, glorying in his achievement and inconsid- erate of the peril
to which he was exposing the animal, gave the panting steed the
rein. When the horse began to show signs of exhaustion, he urged him
on hoping thus to subdue him to perfect docility. The result was
that a blood vessel was burst and the horse dropped dead beneath his
rider. George, greatly agitated by the calamity hastened to his
mother with the tidings. Her characteristic reply was: "My son, I
forgive you because you have had the courage to tell me the truth at
once. Had you skulked away I should have despised you."
Mrs. Washington's Horses
A Fictional Short Story by
Agnes Taylor Ketchum & Ida M. Jorgensen
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