|Charlie visited a park with his mother and younger brothers. It was a
pleasant place. There was a high tower, and stands, and pavilions, and
it was well shaded.
It was just as he was ready to leave the park that he saw a deer. The
deer came towards him.
[Illustration: 8122]
He seemed very tame. He licked Charlie's hand and the hands of the
others. He seemed delighted at being caressed.
But somehow he really seemed to be most pleased with Charlie's
attentions.
He rubbed his head against Charlie, as if he wanted to say, "I love
you." Sometimes his manner was a little too earnest to be quite
agreeable. There was, perhaps, just the least hint in the world of
bunting; but Charlie thought it only the deer's way of showing his love.
"O mamma," he cried, "he loves me better than any of you!"
Then mamma and the children walked slowly towards the gateway. Charlie
followed, still playing with the deer. She was startled by a sudden
sharp cry of distress: "Mamma, mamma, help me!" All looked. There
was the deer bounding off at full speed with Charlie on his back. And
Charlie could not even held on to the deer's neck, for he was riding
backwards.
The deer was frightened, and was making his best jumps. He went like the
wind. No one laughed, for it was a very dangerous ride. In a few seconds
Charlie was thrown. Over and over he went, and struck on the edge of a
muddy pond.
[Illustration: 0123]
Luckily he was not badly hurt; but he was very much surprised at his
ride, for he had not expected it at all.
The deer had suddenly "bunted" under him while he stood facing him.
As he threw up his head Charlie was thrown on the deer's back, facing
backwards. And then the ride. The deer was frightened. Charlie was
frightened. Mamma and the children were frightened. But what a laugh,
all at Charlie's expense, after it was over! A laugh that broke out
again and again for hours after. And how many times Charlie's words were
repeated with laughter.--"Mamma, he loves me better thar any of you!"
--CHARLES T. JEROME,
[Illustration: 0124]