her father stopped short, and said to a man who stood by the door, "Mr.
Hill, my daughter has come to look at her pony."

Prudy was in a great fright at sight of so many horses, and needed all
her auntie's attention; but Susy had no fear, and Mr. Parlin led her
along to a stall where stood a beautiful black pony, as gentle-looking
as a Newfoundland dog.

"How do you like him, Susy? Stroke his face, and talk to him."

"But, O, papa, you don't mean, you can't mean, he's my very own! A whole
pony all to myself!"

"See what you think of his saddle, miss," said Mr. Hill, laughing at
Susy's eagerness; and he led pony out, and threw over his back a
handsome side-saddle.

"Why, it seems as if I could just jump on without anybody touching me,"
cried Susy.

"Not afraid a bit?" said Mr. Hill, as Mr. Parlin seated Susy in the
saddle, and gave her the reins. "Ponies throw people, sometimes."

"O, but my papa would never give me a bad pony," answered Susy, with
perfect confidence.

Mr. Hill laughed again. He was a rough man; but he thought a child's
faith in a parent was a beautiful thing.

He did not know many passages of Scripture, but thought he had read