HE HAD FALLEN OFF.
Patrick was a new man in the light-horse regiment, but his cheerfulness and witty replies had already established him as a favorite. He had one drawback, however, and that was his awkwardness when on a horse's back. Naturally his position required the opposite of this, and Patrick worked hard and faithfully to acquire the ease and naturalness of his comrades when riding. He congratulated himself that this was at last accomplished; but one day when on parade his horse shied and threw him with considerable force. When he regained consciousness he found that his arm had broken with the fall. With his usual characteristic good humor the poor fellow smiled in his pain as he said:
"Well, well, it's too bad. I thought I had improved in my riding a great deal, but instead I have fallen off."