Lizzie is taking a ride on her pet Fashion. She is not afraid of
falling, for she can ride very well. Fashion seems proud to feel
such a nice little burden on his back. See how he capers and prances.
He knows Lizzie will not fall, and so he amuses himself and her, by
jumping about. Lizzie rides every morning and evening. She is delicate,
and so her Pa bought her a fine horse. She rides out alone. She is not
pretty--but she is happy and good natured. When the other girls see her
riding they sneer at her and say, "There goes ugly Liz on the pretty
horse." The girls are silly and thoughtless. They should reflect that
a happy face looks much more agreeable than a handsome one.
As soon as Lizzie has said her prayers in the morning, she goes out on
her horse. She rides some miles and then returns to breakfast. As she is
delicate, she does not go to school, but studies under her mother. She
studies hard, and is very obedient. After dinner she goes out again and
rides for two or three hours. It is pleasant to see how Fashion loves
her. As soon as she appears at the door--he is impatient of restraint,
and wishes to rush to her. When she has been riding, and returned, and
he is going to the stable, he will turn frequently to see her as she
goes along the piazza. She has learned him many tricks. He stands up
on his hind legs. He will dance: in fact, he will do almost anything
she will command him. She has accomplished it all by kindness and a
smiling face.
[Illustration: Eva's Pet.]