Reckless Ina, she was called, because she did so many reckless things.
But her name was Ina Bradford. She had no brothers, so she used to tell
her father that she would be his boy. And it was no trial to Ina do
boy's work.
Dish-washing she particularly disliked. And as to sewing--why, she had
rather go ragged any time than sew up the rents in her dress.
The one thing that Ina enjoyed more than anything else in the world, was
riding on horseback. Her father kept several horses. And he was
perfectly willing she should use any of the farm horses whenever she
liked. But Black Jupiter she must never touch. He was a large,
high-spirited horse, very unsafe for a young girl. But oh! how Ina
longed to get on Jupiter's back.
One day when her father had gone away Ina resolved to try. She put
bridle and saddle on without trouble. But the moment Black Jupiter felt
her weight on his back, he started on a run up the street. At first Ina
thought it great fun, but by and by her arms ached so she could scarcely
hold the bridle. And when Jupiter jumped at the cackling of a goose, Ina
would have fallen if a strong, brave boy had not caught the bridle. Ina
did not care to ride Black Jupiter again.
[Illustration: A RECKLESS RIDE.]