Mary had been assured that "Dolly" was absolutely dependable, would
not shy, had a kind and gentle disposition, and was easy to manage;
but now she was actually gazing upon this amiable annihilator, the
courage oozed out of her suddenly pounding heart and her eyes widened
with fright and suspicion. She wished now she hadn't been so desirous
of tempting fate on such a seemingly ferocious and unnatural brute.
"Dolly," on the other hand, happily unaware of his savageness and
unnatural spirit, drooped his homely, ungainly head in a dejected
manner. To him, Mary was only one more burden, one more wriggling,
gasping infliction, to be jogged slowly about for her first ride. He
snorted in disdain. Mary jumped. Why didn't she use her own feet?
"Dolly" didn't want to be bothered. Finally he rolled an eye back to
survey his passenger.
The groom was gradually coaxing Mary on--onto something terrible. She
just knew it! "Dolly" seemed to assume supernatural proportions as
Mary reached out a hand to grasp the reins which were handed to her.
Someone boosted her on. Goodness! She was going right over on the
other side! But no! She found herself sitting up on the broad back of
"Dolly"; it was a very precarious position. How did one keep one's
balance? She just knew she couldn't stay on. There was nothing to hang
onto, and her....
"Help!" she shrieked, as her steed casually stamped a clumsy foot, in
the endeavor to rid himself of a persistent fly.
The groom, now mounted, led her horse out into the ring. Mary hoped
he'd hang onto the reins. If he didn't.... Mary pictured herself a
mangled, shapeless mass. She shuddered. She'd seen those movie actors
dart gaily about and had thought it would be lovely to learn to dart.
But now--she wondered if they had been tied on!
Oh! they were jogging. Mary didn't seem to understand the nature of
the jog. She was out of breath. Grasping the pommel, she looked
miserably at the long neck swaying in front of her. Two long ears
fascinated her. Up and down, up and down. Ah! why didn't he stop? She
attempted to shriek, but only succeeded in emitting faint gasps as
"Dolly" swerved to avoid a small hole. Inside she seemed to be jolted
to pieces. Her heart shook her chest, and a giddy feeling overpowered
her. Her vision blurred, and her breath came in short gasps.
"Dolly" had now slowed down to a walk, but to Mary this was the
wildest of gaits. Every minute she fully expected to die on the spot.
She couldn't stand it another second. She couldn't--she couldn't!
"Time is up, Miss," announced a cheery voice. "Do you wish to
dismount?"
Mary came up from the depths of agony, and hope lit her face.
"Oh-h-h!" she moaned. "Yes, I--Yes! Yes!"
She was lifted, or rather dragged, off, she didn't know which, didn't
care as long as she was off. The ground seemed to come up to meet her.
Why didn't things stand still? Even the unsuspicious "Dolly" appeared
to be performing grotesque antics. Mary took a step, just one. It was
not necessary for her to take more to realize that she was very stiff.
"Heavens!" She slowly gathered up her coat and hat, and limped
painfully out of the Academy. Now she could realize that an amateur,
in riding anyway, had her troubles in walking!