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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes index 6833f05..d7b82bc 100644 --- a/.gitattributes +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -1,3 +1,4 @@ -* text=auto -*.txt text -*.md text +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf @@ -1,29 +1,4 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Black Beauty - -Author: Anna Sewell - -Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #271] -Last Updated: March 16, 2018 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** - - - - -Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 271 *** @@ -6027,368 +6002,4 @@ in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the apple-trees. - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** - -***** This file should be named 271-0.txt or 271-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/271/ - -Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 271 *** diff --git a/271-0.zip b/271-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 20049d4..0000000 --- a/271-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/271-h.zip b/271-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index d56c10f..0000000 --- a/271-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/271-h/271-h.htm b/271-h/271-h.htm index 211bde5..d9369c7 100644 --- a/271-h/271-h.htm +++ b/271-h/271-h.htm @@ -1,16 +1,11 @@ -<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> - -<!DOCTYPE html - PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > - -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> <head> - <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> - <title> - Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell English Quaker (1820-1878) - </title> - <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + <meta charset="utf-8"> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" > + <title>Black Beauty | Project Gutenberg</title> +<link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } @@ -33,41 +28,8 @@ </style> </head> <body> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Black Beauty - -Author: Anna Sewell - -Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #271] -Last Updated: March 16, 2018 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** - - - - -Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger - - - - - -</pre> - <p> - <br /> <br /> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 271 ***</div> + <br > <br > </p> <h1> BLACK BEAUTY @@ -76,51 +38,51 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger The Autobiography of a Horse </h2> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <h2> by Anna Sewell [English Quaker — 1820-1878.] </h2> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> +<pre> [Note: 'Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. This etext was transcribed from an American edition of 1911. Some small corrections were made, after being confirmed against other sources.] </pre> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> - <hr /> + <hr > <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> +<pre> To my dear and honored Mother, whose life, no less than her pen, has been devoted to the welfare of others, this little book is affectionately dedicated. </pre> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> - <hr /> + <hr > <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> <blockquote> <p class="toc"> - <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + <span style="font-size: larger"><b>CONTENTS</b></span> </p> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <p class="toc"> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BLACK BEAUTY</b> </a> </p> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <p class="toc"> <a href="#link2H_PART"> <b>Part I</b> </a> @@ -189,7 +151,7 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> 21 The Parting </a> </p> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <p class="toc"> <a href="#link2H_PART2"> <b>Part II</b> </a> @@ -225,7 +187,7 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> 31 A Humbug </a> </p> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <p class="toc"> <a href="#link2H_PART3"> <b>Part III</b> </a> @@ -273,7 +235,7 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger <a href="#link2H_4_0049"> 45 Jerry's New Year </a> </p> <p> - <br /> + <br > </p> <p class="toc"> <a href="#link2H_PART4"> <b>Part IV</b> </a> @@ -293,32 +255,32 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger </p> </blockquote> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> - <hr /> + <hr > <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> - <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + <a id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br > <br > </p> <h2> Black Beauty </h2> <p> - <a name="link2H_PART" id="link2H_PART"> + <a id="link2H_PART"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> Part I </h2> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <a id="link2H_4_0003"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 01 My Early Home @@ -403,11 +365,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger as gentle as our master, so we were well off. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <a id="link2H_4_0004"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 02 The Hunt @@ -523,11 +485,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger all for one little hare. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <a id="link2H_4_0005"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 03 My Breaking In @@ -662,11 +624,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger best wherever it is, and keep up your good name.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <a id="link2H_4_0006"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 04 Birtwick Park @@ -782,11 +744,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger so that it is all Ginger's own fault that she did not stay in that box.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <a id="link2H_4_0007"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 05 A Fair Start @@ -940,11 +902,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger Ginger, who stood in the same stable. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <a id="link2H_4_0008"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 06 Liberty @@ -997,11 +959,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger the large chestnut tree. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <a id="link2H_4_0009"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 07 Ginger @@ -1134,11 +1096,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <a id="link2H_4_0010"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 08 Ginger's Story Continued @@ -1269,11 +1231,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger sense, and given to the horse every day. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <a id="link2H_4_0011"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 09 Merrylegs @@ -1374,11 +1336,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger here; no,” said he, shaking his head, “I hope I shall never come to that.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <a id="link2H_4_0012"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 10 A Talk in the Orchard @@ -1575,11 +1537,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger scattered on the grass. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <a id="link2H_4_0013"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 11 Plain Speaking @@ -1696,11 +1658,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger and so they parted. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <a id="link2H_4_0014"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 12 A Stormy Day @@ -1827,11 +1789,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger of it, for I was tired. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <a id="link2H_4_0015"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 13 The Devil's Trade Mark @@ -1934,11 +1896,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger when things come to be turned inside out.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <a id="link2H_4_0016"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 14 James Howard @@ -2057,11 +2019,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger wits about them. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <a id="link2H_4_0017"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 15 The Old Hostler @@ -2170,11 +2132,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger corn, and James and the old man left the stable together. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <a id="link2H_4_0018"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 16 The Fire @@ -2329,11 +2291,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <a id="link2H_4_0019"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 17 John Manly's Talk @@ -2485,11 +2447,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger encouraged about him. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <a id="link2H_4_0020"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 18 Going for the Doctor @@ -2623,11 +2585,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger speed, and that it was for the sake of the mistress. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <a id="link2H_4_0021"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 19 Only Ignorance @@ -2716,11 +2678,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger John's words when I came to know more of the world. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <a id="link2H_4_0022"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 20 Joe Green @@ -2836,11 +2798,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger boy into a man. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <a id="link2H_4_0023"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 21 The Parting @@ -2949,21 +2911,21 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger now. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_PART2" id="link2H_PART2"> + <a id="link2H_PART2"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> Part II </h2> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> + <a id="link2H_4_0025"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 22 Earlshall @@ -3113,11 +3075,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger worst was not come. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <a id="link2H_4_0026"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 23 A Strike for Liberty @@ -3232,11 +3194,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <a id="link2H_4_0027"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse @@ -3464,11 +3426,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger to a happy life. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <a id="link2H_4_0028"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 25 Reuben Smith @@ -3581,11 +3543,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger mother in the green pleasant meadow at Farmer Grey's. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <a id="link2H_4_0029"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 26 How it Ended @@ -3690,11 +3652,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger gloomy Union House. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <a id="link2H_4_0030"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 27 Ruined and Going Downhill @@ -3792,11 +3754,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger to gentlemen or ladies who drove themselves. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <a id="link2H_4_0031"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers @@ -3935,11 +3897,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <a id="link2H_4_0032"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 29 Cockneys @@ -4164,11 +4126,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <a id="link2H_4_0033"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 30 A Thief @@ -4267,11 +4229,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <a id="link2H_4_0034"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 31 A Humbug @@ -4382,21 +4344,21 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_PART3" id="link2H_PART3"> + <a id="link2H_PART3"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> Part III </h2> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <a id="link2H_4_0036"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 32 A Horse Fair @@ -4542,11 +4504,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger to be happy. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <a id="link2H_4_0037"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 33 A London Cab Horse @@ -4681,11 +4643,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger I learned my companion's history. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <a id="link2H_4_0038"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 34 An Old War Horse @@ -4865,11 +4827,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger over the sea on purpose to kill them.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <a id="link2H_4_0039"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 35 Jerry Barker @@ -4881,7 +4843,7 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger little songs, and singing them to himself. One he was very fond of was this: </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> +<pre> “Come, father and mother, And sister and brother, Come, all of you, turn to @@ -4897,7 +4859,7 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger than if we had heard scolding and hard words. They were always early in the morning, for Jerry would say: </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> +<pre> “If you in the morning Throw minutes away, You can't pick them up @@ -5110,11 +5072,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger to their cabs. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <a id="link2H_4_0040"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 36 The Sunday Cab @@ -5233,7 +5195,7 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, “Never mind, father, never, mind. </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> +<pre> “'Do your best, And leave the rest, 'Twill all come right @@ -5303,11 +5265,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger for the church-goers.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> + <a id="link2H_4_0041"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 37 The Golden Rule @@ -5450,11 +5412,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> + <a id="link2H_4_0042"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman @@ -5598,11 +5560,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger in the guilt.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> + <a id="link2H_4_0043"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 39 Seedy Sam @@ -5737,11 +5699,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger mates, this is a warning for us.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> + <a id="link2H_4_0044"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 40 Poor Ginger @@ -5820,11 +5782,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger were more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> + <a id="link2H_4_0045"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 41 The Butcher @@ -5925,11 +5887,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger happy an old horse might be in a poor place. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"> + <a id="link2H_4_0046"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 42 The Election @@ -6017,11 +5979,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger neighbor do the same.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> + <a id="link2H_4_0047"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 43 A Friend in Need @@ -6191,11 +6153,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"> + <a id="link2H_4_0048"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 44 Old Captain and His Successor @@ -6350,11 +6312,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger him very much. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"> + <a id="link2H_4_0049"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 45 Jerry's New Year @@ -6603,21 +6565,21 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger I was led away to my new place. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_PART4" id="link2H_PART4"> + <a id="link2H_PART4"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> Part IV </h2> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"> + <a id="link2H_4_0051"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 46 Jakes and the Lady @@ -6763,11 +6725,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab owner. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"> + <a id="link2H_4_0052"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 47 Hard Times @@ -6925,11 +6887,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger best. </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"> + <a id="link2H_4_0053"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie @@ -7091,11 +7053,11 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, where he will be valued.” </p> <p> - <a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"> + <a id="link2H_4_0054"> <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> </p> <div style="height: 4em;"> - <br /><br /><br /><br /> + <br ><br ><br ><br > </div> <h2> 49 My Last Home @@ -7228,377 +7190,8 @@ Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the apple-trees. </p> <p> - <br /> <br /> + <br > <br > </p> -<pre xml:space="preserve"> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** - -***** This file should be named 271-h.htm or 271-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/271/ - -Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily -keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. - - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: - - http://www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - -</pre> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 271 ***</div> <p> </body> </html> diff --git a/271-h/images/cover.jpg b/271-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0683d9e --- /dev/null +++ b/271-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/271.txt b/271.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5be07bf..0000000 --- a/271.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6393 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Black Beauty - -Author: Anna Sewell - -Release Date: January 16, 2006 [EBook #271] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** - - - - -Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger - - - - - -BLACK BEAUTY - -The Autobiography of a Horse - -by Anna Sewell [English Quaker -- 1820-1878.] - - - -[Note: 'Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. This etext was -transcribed from an American edition of 1911. Some small corrections -were made, after being confirmed against other sources.] - - - - - To my dear and honored Mother, - whose life, no less than her pen, - has been devoted to the welfare of others, - this little book is affectionately dedicated. - - - - -Contents - - - Part I - - Chapter - 01 My Early Home - 02 The Hunt - 03 My Breaking In - 04 Birtwick Park - 05 A Fair Start - 06 Liberty - 07 Ginger - 08 Ginger's Story Continued - 09 Merrylegs - 10 A Talk in the Orchard - 11 Plain Speaking - 12 A Stormy Day - 13 The Devil's Trade Mark - 14 James Howard - 15 The Old Hostler - 16 The Fire - 17 John Manly's Talk - 18 Going for the Doctor - 19 Only Ignorance - 20 Joe Green - 21 The Parting - - - Part II - - 22 Earlshall - 23 A Strike for Liberty - 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse - 25 Reuben Smith - 26 How it Ended - 27 Ruined and Going Downhill - 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers - 29 Cockneys - 30 A Thief - 31 A Humbug - - - Part III - - 32 A Horse Fair - 33 A London Cab Horse - 34 An Old War Horse - 35 Jerry Barker - 36 The Sunday Cab - 37 The Golden Rule - 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman - 39 Seedy Sam - 40 Poor Ginger - 41 The Butcher - 42 The Election - 43 A Friend in Need - 44 Old Captain and His Successor - 45 Jerry's New Year - - - Part IV - - 46 Jakes and the Lady - 47 Hard Times - 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie - 49 My Last Home - - - - - -Black Beauty - - - - -Part I - - - - -01 My Early Home - - -The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow -with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, and -rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side -we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate -at our master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the -meadow was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook -overhung by a steep bank. - -While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat -grass. In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close -by her. When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the -trees, and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. - -As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to -work in the daytime, and come back in the evening. - -There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; they were older -than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run -with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together round and -round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had rather rough -play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. - -One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me -to come to her, and then she said: - -"I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. The colts -who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, and -of course they have not learned manners. You have been well-bred -and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, and -your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; your -grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, and I -think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up -gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good -will, lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even -in play." - -I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old -horse, and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, -but he often called her Pet. - -Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and -kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. -We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. When she saw -him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. He would -pat and stroke her and say, "Well, old Pet, and how is your little -Darkie?" I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he would give -me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a -carrot for my mother. All the horses would come to him, but I think we -were his favorites. My mother always took him to the town on a market -day in a light gig. - -There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck -blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted he would -have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at -them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop -off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. - -One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the -next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; over the hedge -he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a -box on the ear as made him roar with the pain and surprise. As soon as -we saw the master we trotted up nearer to see what went on. - -"Bad boy!" he said, "bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not the first -time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There--take your money -and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again." So we never saw -Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after the horses, was just -as gentle as our master, so we were well off. - - - - -02 The Hunt - - -Before I was two years old a circumstance happened which I have never -forgotten. It was early in the spring; there had been a little frost in -the night, and a light mist still hung over the woods and meadows. I -and the other colts were feeding at the lower part of the field when -we heard, quite in the distance, what sounded like the cry of dogs. The -oldest of the colts raised his head, pricked his ears, and said, "There -are the hounds!" and immediately cantered off, followed by the rest of -us to the upper part of the field, where we could look over the hedge -and see several fields beyond. My mother and an old riding horse of our -master's were also standing near, and seemed to know all about it. - -"They have found a hare," said my mother, "and if they come this way we -shall see the hunt." - -And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat next -to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, nor -howl, nor whine, but kept on a "yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!" at the top -of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, some of -them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. The old horse -snorted and looked eagerly after them, and we young colts wanted to be -galloping with them, but they were soon away into the fields lower -down; here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off -barking, and ran about every way with their noses to the ground. - -"They have lost the scent," said the old horse; "perhaps the hare will -get off." - -"What hare?" I said. - -"Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own -hares out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and -men to run after;" and before long the dogs began their "yo! yo, o, o!" -again, and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for -our meadow at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. - -"Now we shall see the hare," said my mother; and just then a hare wild -with fright rushed by and made for the woods. On came the dogs; they -burst over the bank, leaped the stream, and came dashing across the -field followed by the huntsmen. Six or eight men leaped their horses -clean over, close upon the dogs. The hare tried to get through the -fence; it was too thick, and she turned sharp round to make for the -road, but it was too late; the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; -we heard one shriek, and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen -rode up and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to -pieces. He held her up by the leg torn and bleeding, and all the -gentlemen seemed well pleased. - -As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was -going on by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; two -fine horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, and the other -was groaning on the grass. One of the riders was getting out of the -water covered with mud, the other lay quite still. - -"His neck is broke," said my mother. - -"And serve him right, too," said one of the colts. - -I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. - -"Well, no," she said, "you must not say that; but though I am an old -horse, and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out -why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, often -spoil good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, -or a stag, that they could get more easily some other way; but we are -only horses, and don't know." - -While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. Many of the -riders had gone to the young man; but my master, who had been watching -what was going on, was the first to raise him. His head fell back and -his arms hung down, and every one looked very serious. There was no -noise now; even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know that something -was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. I heard afterward -that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, a fine, tall -young man, and the pride of his family. - -There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the -farrier's, and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his -son. When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse that -lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; one -of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house and came -back with a gun; presently there was a loud bang and a dreadful shriek, -and then all was still; the black horse moved no more. - -My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for -years, and that his name was "Rob Roy"; he was a good horse, and -there was no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field -afterward. - -Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, -and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach that was -covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; after that came -another and another and another, and all were black, while the bell kept -tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon to the churchyard to -bury him. He would never ride again. What they did with Rob Roy I never -knew; but 'twas all for one little hare. - - - - -03 My Breaking In - - -I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, -and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star on my -forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me till -I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, and colts -ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. - -When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. He examined -my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; and then I had -to walk and trot and gallop before him. He seemed to like me, and said, -"When he has been well broken in he will do very well." My master said -he would break me in himself, as he should not like me to be frightened -or hurt, and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. - -Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe -it. It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, and to carry -on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, and to -go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, -and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; then to have -a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot without -dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver -wishes. He must never start at what he sees, nor speak to other horses, -nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; but always do his -master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; but the worst -of all is, when his harness is once on, he may neither jump for joy nor -lie down for weariness. So you see this breaking in is a great thing. - -I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, and to be -led about in the fields and lanes quietly, but now I was to have a bit -and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, and after a good deal -of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, and the bridle fixed, but it -was a nasty thing! Those who have never had a bit in their mouths cannot -think how bad it feels; a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as -a man's finger to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and -over one's tongue, with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, -and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, round -your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world can you get -rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! at least I -thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one when she went out, and -all horses did when they were grown up; and so, what with the nice oats, -and what with my master's pats, kind words, and gentle ways, I got to -wear my bit and bridle. - -Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; my master put it -on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; he then made the -girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me all the time; then -I had a few oats, then a little leading about; and this he did every -day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. At length, one -morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow on the -soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say I felt rather -proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me a little every -day I soon became accustomed to it. - -The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too was -very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, to see -that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet in -his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. It did not -pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. Then -he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, and -drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, so that the shoe -was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, but in time I got used -to it. - -And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; -there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar just -on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes called -blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see on either -side, but only straight in front of me; next, there was a small saddle -with a nasty stiff strap that went right under my tail; that was the -crupper. I hated the crupper; to have my long tail doubled up and poked -through that strap was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like -kicking, but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so -in time I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my -mother. - -I must not forget to mention one part of my training, which I have -always considered a very great advantage. My master sent me for a -fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, who had a meadow which was skirted -on one side by the railway. Here were some sheep and cows, and I was -turned in among them. - -I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly -near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, when I heard -a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came--with -a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke--a long black train of -something flew by, and was gone almost before I could draw my breath. I -turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow as fast as I could -go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. In the course -of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; these drew up -at the station close by, and sometimes made an awful shriek and groan -before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, but the cows went -on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads as the black -frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. - -For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found that -this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, I -began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little about the passing -of a train as the cows and sheep did. - -Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive at the sight -or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, I am as -fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. - -Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. - -My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, because she -was steady and could teach me how to go better than a strange horse. She -told me the better I behaved the better I should be treated, and that -it was wisest always to do my best to please my master; "but," said she, -"there are a great many kinds of men; there are good thoughtful men like -our master, that any horse may be proud to serve; and there are bad, -cruel men, who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. -Besides, there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and -careless, who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses -than all, just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for -all that. I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows -who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; but -still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name." - - - - -04 Birtwick Park - - -At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every -day till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there -came a man from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master -said, "Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best." I -could not say "good-by", so I put my nose into his hand; he patted me -kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years with Squire -Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place. - -Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. It was entered by -a large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, and then you trotted -along on a smooth road between clumps of large old trees; then another -lodge and another gate, which brought you to the house and the gardens. -Beyond this lay the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. -There was accommodation for many horses and carriages; but I need only -describe the stable into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with -four good stalls; a large swinging window opened into the yard, which -made it pleasant and airy. - -The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden -gate; the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so -large; it had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; it was -called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it was not tied -up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing to have a -loose box. - -Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. I -never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high but -that I could see all that went on through the iron rails that were at -the top. - -He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, and then -went away. - -When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine stood -a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, -and a pert little nose. - -I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, "How -do you do? What is your name?" - -He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, -and said, "My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young -ladies on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low -chair. They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going -to live next door to me in the box?" - -I said, "Yes." - -"Well, then," he said, "I hope you are good-tempered; I do not like any -one next door who bites." - -Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; the ears -were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. This was a tall -chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. She looked across to me and -said: - -"So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange -thing for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home." - -"I beg your pardon," I said, "I have turned no one out; the man who -brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; and as to my -being a colt, I am turned four years old and am a grown-up horse. I -never had words yet with horse or mare, and it is my wish to live at -peace." - -"Well," she said, "we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words -with a young thing like you." I said no more. - -In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. - -"The thing is this," said Merrylegs. "Ginger has a bad habit of biting -and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, and when she was in the -loose box she used to snap very much. One day she bit James in the arm -and made it bleed, and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond -of me, were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me nice -things to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, but after -Ginger stood in that box they dared not come, and I missed them very -much. I hope they will now come again, if you do not bite or snap." - -I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not -think what pleasure Ginger found it. - -"Well, I don't think she does find pleasure," says Merrylegs; "it is -just a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, and why should -she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; but I am sure, if all -she says be true, she must have been very ill-used before she came here. -John does all he can to please her, and James does all he can, and our -master never uses a whip if a horse acts right; so I think she might be -good-tempered here. You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve -years old; I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better -place for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best -groom that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw -such a kind boy as James is; so that it is all Ginger's own fault that -she did not stay in that box." - - - - -05 A Fair Start - - -The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little -child, and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables. - -The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, -and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the -squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. "John," he said, -"I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, but I have other -business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; go by the -common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; that -will show his paces." - -"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me with a -bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in the straps, -to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, but it was not -broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute and went for another, -which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then a trot, then a -canter, and when we were on the common he gave me a light touch with his -whip, and we had a splendid gallop. - -"Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like to follow -the hounds, I think." - -As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon -walking; they stopped, and John jumped off. - -"Well, John, how does he go?" - -"First-rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, and has a -fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. Down -at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts hung all -over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses will -not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, and then -went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. They were shooting rabbits -near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; he pulled up a little -and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. I just held the -rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion he has not been -frightened or ill-used while he was young." - -"That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow." - -The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's -counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly what he -wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, and thoughtful for -his horse too. When he came home the lady was at the hall door as he -rode up. - -"Well, my dear," she said, "how do you like him?" - -"He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature I -never wish to mount. What shall we call him?" - -"Would you like Ebony?" said she; "he is as black as ebony." - -"No, not Ebony." - -"Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?" - -"No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was." - -"Yes," she said, "he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, -good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye--what do you say to -calling him Black Beauty?" - -"Black Beauty--why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you like -it shall be his name;" and so it was. - -When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress -had chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; -not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, and James -said, "If it was not for bringing back the past, I should have named him -Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike." - -"That's no wonder," said John; "didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old -Duchess was the mother of them both?" - -I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy who was killed -at that hunt was my brother! I did not wonder that my mother was so -troubled. It seems that horses have no relations; at least they never -know each other after they are sold. - -John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail almost as -smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; of course -I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more to know -what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, he -was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, and -when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; -when he brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes as if they -were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper. - -James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his -way, so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in -the yard, but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. - -A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I -wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears -back when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work -honestly, and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better -partner in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening -her pace, she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull -away straight up. We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and -John had oftener to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to -use the whip with either of us; then our paces were much the same, and -I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, which made it -pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, and so did -John. After we had been out two or three times together we grew quite -friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. - -As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a -cheerful, plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite -with every one, and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to -ride him about in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their -little dog Frisky. - -Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. One was -Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; the other -was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, but was -a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; he -sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, or carried one of -the young ladies when they rode out with their father, for he was very -gentle and could be trusted with a child as well as Merrylegs. The cob -was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, and we sometimes had a -little chat in the paddock, but of course I could not be so intimate -with him as with Ginger, who stood in the same stable. - - - - -06 Liberty - - -I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I -missed it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with -me were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. What -more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life -I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, -month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a -stable night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be just -as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. Straps -here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. -Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say -that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, who has been used -to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head and toss up -his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again with -a snort to his companions--I say it is hard never to have a bit more -liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had less exercise than -usual, I have felt so full of life and spring that when John has taken -me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; do what I would, it -seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, and many a good shake I -know I must have given him, especially at the first; but he was always -good and patient. - -"Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, and we will have a -good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." Then as soon as -we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles at a spanking -trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, only clear of the -fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, when not enough exercised, -are often called skittish, when it is only play; and some grooms will -punish them, but our John did not; he knew it was only high spirits. -Still, he had his own ways of making me understand by the tone of -his voice or the touch of the rein. If he was very serious and quite -determined, I always knew it by his voice, and that had more power with -me than anything else, for I was very fond of him. - -I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; this -used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. The carriage never went -out on Sundays, because the church was not far off. - -It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or -the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so -sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant--to gallop, to -lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. -Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the -shade of the large chestnut tree. - - - - -07 Ginger - - -One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, we had a -great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up and -breaking in, and I told her. - -"Well," said she, "if I had had your bringing up I might have had as -good a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall." - -"Why not?" I said. - -"Because it has been all so different with me," she replied. "I never -had any one, horse or man, that was kind to me, or that I cared to -please, for in the first place I was taken from my mother as soon as I -was weaned, and put with a lot of other young colts; none of them cared -for me, and I cared for none of them. There was no kind master like -yours to look after me, and talk to me, and bring me nice things to eat. -The man that had the care of us never gave me a kind word in my life. -I do not mean that he ill-used me, but he did not care for us one -bit further than to see that we had plenty to eat, and shelter in the -winter. A footpath ran through our field, and very often the great boys -passing through would fling stones to make us gallop. I was never hit, -but one fine young colt was badly cut in the face, and I should think -it would be a scar for life. We did not care for them, but of course -it made us more wild, and we settled it in our minds that boys were our -enemies. We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down -and chasing each other round and round the field; then standing still -under the shade of the trees. But when it came to breaking in, that was -a bad time for me; several men came to catch me, and when at last they -closed me in at one corner of the field, one caught me by the forelock, -another caught me by the nose and held it so tight I could hardly draw -my breath; then another took my under jaw in his hard hand and wrenched -my mouth open, and so by force they got on the halter and the bar into -my mouth; then one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging -behind, and this was the first experience I had of men's kindness; it -was all force. They did not give me a chance to know what they wanted. -I was high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and was very wild, no -doubt, and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble, but then it was -dreadful to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my -liberty, and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know -yourself it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of -coaxing, but there was nothing of that sort for me. - -"There was one--the old master, Mr. Ryder--who, I think, could soon have -brought me round, and could have done anything with me; but he had given -up all the hard part of the trade to his son and to another experienced -man, and he only came at times to oversee. His son was a strong, tall, -bold man; they called him Samson, and he used to boast that he had never -found a horse that could throw him. There was no gentleness in him, as -there was in his father, but only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a -hard hand; and I felt from the first that what he wanted was to wear all -the spirit out of me, and just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient -piece of horseflesh. 'Horseflesh'! Yes, that is all that he thought -about," and Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him made -her angry. Then she went on: - -"If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out, and make -me run round with that long rein in the training field till he had -tired me out. I think he drank a good deal, and I am quite sure that the -oftener he drank the worse it was for me. One day he had worked me hard -in every way he could, and when I lay down I was tired, and miserable, -and angry; it all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early, -and ran me round again for a long time. I had scarcely had an hour's -rest, when he came again for me with a saddle and bridle and a new kind -of bit. I could never quite tell how it came about; he had only just -mounted me on the training ground, when something I did put him out -of temper, and he chucked me hard with the rein. The new bit was very -painful, and I reared up suddenly, which angered him still more, and he -began to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set against him, and I began -to kick, and plunge, and rear as I had never done before, and we had a -regular fight; for a long time he stuck to the saddle and punished me -cruelly with his whip and spurs, but my blood was thoroughly up, and I -cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off. At last after -a terrible struggle I threw him off backward. I heard him fall heavily -on the turf, and without looking behind me, I galloped off to the other -end of the field; there I turned round and saw my persecutor slowly -rising from the ground and going into the stable. I stood under an oak -tree and watched, but no one came to catch me. The time went on, and the -sun was very hot; the flies swarmed round me and settled on my bleeding -flanks where the spurs had dug in. I felt hungry, for I had not eaten -since the early morning, but there was not enough grass in that meadow -for a goose to live on. I wanted to lie down and rest, but with the -saddle strapped tightly on there was no comfort, and there was not a -drop of water to drink. The afternoon wore on, and the sun got low. I -saw the other colts led in, and I knew they were having a good feed. - -"At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the old master come out with -a sieve in his hand. He was a very fine old gentleman with quite white -hair, but his voice was what I should know him by among a thousand. It -was not high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, and kind, and when -he gave orders it was so steady and decided that every one knew, both -horses and men, that he expected to be obeyed. He came quietly along, -now and then shaking the oats about that he had in the sieve, and -speaking cheerfully and gently to me: 'Come along, lassie, come along, -lassie; come along, come along.' I stood still and let him come up; he -held the oats to me, and I began to eat without fear; his voice took all -my fear away. He stood by, patting and stroking me while I was eating, -and seeing the clots of blood on my side he seemed very vexed. 'Poor -lassie! it was a bad business, a bad business;' then he quietly took the -rein and led me to the stable; just at the door stood Samson. I laid my -ears back and snapped at him. 'Stand back,' said the master, 'and keep -out of her way; you've done a bad day's work for this filly.' He growled -out something about a vicious brute. 'Hark ye,' said the father, 'a -bad-tempered man will never make a good-tempered horse. You've not -learned your trade yet, Samson.' Then he led me into my box, took off -the saddle and bridle with his own hands, and tied me up; then he called -for a pail of warm water and a sponge, took off his coat, and while the -stable-man held the pail, he sponged my sides a good while, so tenderly -that I was sure he knew how sore and bruised they were. 'Whoa! my pretty -one,' he said, 'stand still, stand still.' His very voice did me good, -and the bathing was very comfortable. The skin was so broken at the -corners of my mouth that I could not eat the hay, the stalks hurt me. He -looked closely at it, shook his head, and told the man to fetch a good -bran mash and put some meal into it. How good that mash was! and so soft -and healing to my mouth. He stood by all the time I was eating, stroking -me and talking to the man. 'If a high-mettled creature like this,' -said he, 'can't be broken by fair means, she will never be good for -anything.' - -"After that he often came to see me, and when my mouth was healed the -other breaker, Job, they called him, went on training me; he was steady -and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted." - - - - -08 Ginger's Story Continued - - -The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me -about her first place. - -"After my breaking in," she said, "I was bought by a dealer to match -another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together, and then we -were sold to a fashionable gentleman, and were sent up to London. I had -been driven with a check-rein by the dealer, and I hated it worse -than anything else; but in this place we were reined far tighter, the -coachman and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. We were -often driven about in the park and other fashionable places. You who -never had a check-rein on don't know what it is, but I can tell you it -is dreadful. - -"I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse; but -fancy now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged to -hold it there, and that for hours together, not able to move it at all, -except with a jerk still higher, your neck aching till you did not know -how to bear it. Besides that, to have two bits instead of one--and mine -was a sharp one, it hurt my tongue and my jaw, and the blood from my -tongue colored the froth that kept flying from my lips as I chafed and -fretted at the bits and rein. It was worst when we had to stand by the -hour waiting for our mistress at some grand party or entertainment, and -if I fretted or stamped with impatience the whip was laid on. It was -enough to drive one mad." - -"Did not your master take any thought for you?" I said. - -"No," said she, "he only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they -call it; I think he knew very little about horses; he left that to his -coachman, who told him I had an irritable temper! that I had not been -well broken to the check-rein, but I should soon get used to it; but he -was not the man to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and -angry, instead of being smoothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a -surly word or a blow. If he had been civil I would have tried to -bear it. I was willing to work, and ready to work hard too; but to be -tormented for nothing but their fancies angered me. What right had they -to make me suffer like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth, and -the pain in my neck, it always made my windpipe feel bad, and if I had -stopped there long I know it would have spoiled my breathing; but I grew -more and more restless and irritable, I could not help it; and I began -to snap and kick when any one came to harness me; for this the groom -beat me, and one day, as they had just buckled us into the carriage, -and were straining my head up with that rein, I began to plunge and -kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of harness, and kicked myself -clear; so that was an end of that place. - -"After this I was sent to Tattersall's to be sold; of course I could not -be warranted free from vice, so nothing was said about that. My handsome -appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me, and I -was bought by another dealer; he tried me in all kinds of ways and with -different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear. At last -he drove me quite without a check-rein, and then sold me as a perfectly -quiet horse to a gentleman in the country; he was a good master, and I -was getting on very well, but his old groom left him and a new one came. -This man was as hard-tempered and hard-handed as Samson; he always spoke -in a rough, impatient voice, and if I did not move in the stall the -moment he wanted me, he would hit me above the hocks with his stable -broom or the fork, whichever he might have in his hand. Everything he -did was rough, and I began to hate him; he wanted to make me afraid -of him, but I was too high-mettled for that, and one day when he had -aggravated me more than usual I bit him, which of course put him in a -great rage, and he began to hit me about the head with a riding whip. -After that he never dared to come into my stall again; either my heels -or my teeth were ready for him, and he knew it. I was quite quiet with -my master, but of course he listened to what the man said, and so I was -sold again. - -"The same dealer heard of me, and said he thought he knew one place -where I should do well. ''Twas a pity,' he said, 'that such a fine horse -should go to the bad, for want of a real good chance,' and the end of it -was that I came here not long before you did; but I had then made up my -mind that men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself. Of -course it is very different here, but who knows how long it will last? I -wish I could think about things as you do; but I can't, after all I have -gone through." - -"Well," I said, "I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or -kick John or James." - -"I don't mean to," she said, "while they are good to me. I did bite -James once pretty sharp, but John said, 'Try her with kindness,' and -instead of punishing me as I expected, James came to me with his arm -bound up, and brought me a bran mash and stroked me; and I have never -snapped at him since, and I won't either." - -I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then, and I -thought most likely she made the worst of it; however, I found that as -the weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful, and had lost -the watchful, defiant look that she used to turn on any strange person -who came near her; and one day James said, "I do believe that mare is -getting fond of me, she quite whinnied after me this morning when I had -been rubbing her forehead." - -"Ay, ay, Jim, 'tis 'the Birtwick balls'," said John, "she'll be as good -as Black Beauty by and by; kindness is all the physic she wants, poor -thing!" Master noticed the change, too, and one day when he got out of -the carriage and came to speak to us, as he often did, he stroked her -beautiful neck. "Well, my pretty one, well, how do things go with you -now? You are a good bit happier than when you came to us, I think." - -She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, while he rubbed -it gently. - -"We shall make a cure of her, John," he said. - -"Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature that -she was; it's 'the Birtwick balls', sir," said John, laughing. - -This was a little joke of John's; he used to say that a regular course -of "the Birtwick horseballs" would cure almost any vicious horse; these -balls, he said, were made up of patience and gentleness, firmness and -petting, one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint of common -sense, and given to the horse every day. - - - - -09 Merrylegs - - -Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls; -sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. One -of the girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, and -there were several little ones. When they came there was plenty of work -for Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by -turns and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, and -this they would do by the hour together. - -One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, and when James -brought him in and put on his halter he said: - -"There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get into -trouble." - -"What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked. - -"Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving those -young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, nor -when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; that was the -only thing they could understand." - -"What!" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did know -better than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?" - -He looked very much offended, and said: - -"Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats that ever -came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies as the -master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them to -ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back I go as -smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird; and when they -are all right I go on again faster, you see, just to use them to it; so -don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; I am the best friend and the -best riding-master those children have. It is not them, it is the boys; -boys," said he, shaking his mane, "are quite different; they must be -broken in as we were broken in when we were colts, and just be taught -what's what. The other children had ridden me about for nearly two -hours, and then the boys thought it was their turn, and so it was, and -I was quite agreeable. They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, -up and down the fields and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They -had each cut a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a -little too hard; but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we -had had enough, so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. -Boys, you see, think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine or a -thrashing-machine, and can go on as long and as fast as they please; -they never think that a pony can get tired, or have any feelings; so as -the one who was whipping me could not understand I just rose up on -my hind legs and let him slip off behind--that was all. He mounted me -again, and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, and as soon as -he began to use his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, till they -were able to understand--that was all. They are not bad boys; they don't -wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see I had to give them -a lesson. When they brought me to James and told him I think he was very -angry to see such big sticks. He said they were only fit for drovers or -gypsies, and not for young gentlemen." - -"If I had been you," said Ginger, "I would have given those boys a good -kick, and that would have given them a lesson." - -"No doubt you would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite such a -fool (begging your pardon) as to anger our master or make James ashamed -of me. Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; -I tell you they are intrusted to me. Why, only the other day I heard our -master say to Mrs. Blomefield, 'My dear madam, you need not be anxious -about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them as -you or I could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, -he is so perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think I am -such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment I have -had here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, and turn -vicious because a couple of ignorant boys used me badly? No, no! you -never had a good place where they were kind to you, and so you don't -know, and I'm sorry for you; but I can tell you good places make good -horses. I wouldn't vex our people for anything; I love them, I do," said -Merrylegs, and he gave a low "ho, ho, ho!" through his nose, as he used -to do in the morning when he heard James' footstep at the door. - -"Besides," he went on, "if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, -sold off in a jiffy, and no character, and I might find myself slaved -about under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place -where no one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, or be -flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it going out -for a Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in before -I came here; no," said he, shaking his head, "I hope I shall never come -to that." - - - - -10 A Talk in the Orchard - - -Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had -more of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands -high; we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving, -and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that -could do but one thing; and as he did not want to show off in London -parks, he preferred a more active and useful kind of horse. As for us, -our greatest pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party; the -master on Ginger, the mistress on me, and the young ladies on Sir Oliver -and Merrylegs. It was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering all -together that it always put us in high spirits. I had the best of it, -for I always carried the mistress; her weight was little, her voice was -sweet, and her hand was so light on the rein that I was guided almost -without feeling it. - -Oh! if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it -keeps a good mouth and a good temper, they surely would not chuck, and -drag, and pull at the rein as they often do. Our mouths are so tender -that where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant -treatment, they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and -we know in an instant what is required of us. My mouth has never been -spoiled, and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to Ginger, -although her paces were certainly quite as good. She used often to envy -me, and said it was all the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in -London, that her mouth was not so perfect as mine; and then old Sir -Oliver would say, "There, there! don't vex yourself; you have the -greatest honor; a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight, -with all your spring and sprightly action, does not need to hold her -head down because she does not carry the lady; we horses must take -things as they come, and always be contented and willing so long as we -are kindly used." - -I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short -tail; it really was only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of hair -hanging from it; and on one of our holidays in the orchard I ventured to -ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail. "Accident!" -he snorted with a fierce look, "it was no accident! it was a cruel, -shameful, cold-blooded act! When I was young I was taken to a place -where these cruel things were done; I was tied up, and made fast so that -I could not stir, and then they came and cut off my long and beautiful -tail, through the flesh and through the bone, and took it away. - -"How dreadful!" I exclaimed. - -"Dreadful, ah! it was dreadful; but it was not only the pain, though -that was terrible and lasted a long time; it was not only the indignity -of having my best ornament taken from me, though that was bad; but it -was this, how could I ever brush the flies off my sides and my hind legs -any more? You who have tails just whisk the flies off without thinking -about it, and you can't tell what a torment it is to have them settle -upon you and sting and sting, and have nothing in the world to lash them -off with. I tell you it is a lifelong wrong, and a lifelong loss; but -thank heaven, they don't do it now." - -"What did they do it for then?" said Ginger. - -"For fashion!" said the old horse with a stamp of his foot; "for -fashion! if you know what that means; there was not a well-bred young -horse in my time that had not his tail docked in that shameful way, just -as if the good God that made us did not know what we wanted and what -looked best." - -"I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up with those -horrid bits that I was tortured with in London," said Ginger. - -"Of course it is," said he; "to my mind, fashion is one of the wickedest -things in the world. Now look, for instance, at the way they serve dogs, -cutting off their tails to make them look plucky, and shearing up their -pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp, forsooth. I -had a dear friend once, a brown terrier; 'Skye' they called her. She was -so fond of me that she never would sleep out of my stall; she made -her bed under the manger, and there she had a litter of five as pretty -little puppies as need be; none were drowned, for they were a valuable -kind, and how pleased she was with them! and when they got their eyes -open and crawled about, it was a real pretty sight; but one day the man -came and took them all away; I thought he might be afraid I should tread -upon them. But it was not so; in the evening poor Skye brought them back -again, one by one in her mouth; not the happy little things that they -were, but bleeding and crying pitifully; they had all had a piece of -their tails cut off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears was -cut quite off. How their mother licked them, and how troubled she was, -poor thing! I never forgot it. They healed in time, and they forgot the -pain, but the nice soft flap, that of course was intended to protect the -delicate part of their ears from dust and injury, was gone forever. Why -don't they cut their own children's ears into points to make them look -sharp? Why don't they cut the end off their noses to make them look -plucky? One would be just as sensible as the other. What right have they -to torment and disfigure God's creatures?" - -Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a fiery old fellow, and what -he said was all so new to me, and so dreadful, that I found a bitter -feeling toward men rise up in my mind that I never had before. Of course -Ginger was very much excited; she flung up her head with flashing -eyes and distended nostrils, declaring that men were both brutes and -blockheads. - -"Who talks about blockheads?" said Merrylegs, who just came up from -the old apple-tree, where he had been rubbing himself against the low -branch. "Who talks about blockheads? I believe that is a bad word." - -"Bad words were made for bad things," said Ginger, and she told him what -Sir Oliver had said. - -"It is all true," said Merrylegs sadly, "and I've seen that about the -dogs over and over again where I lived first; but we won't talk about -it here. You know that master, and John and James are always good to -us, and talking against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair -or grateful, and you know there are good masters and good grooms beside -ours, though of course ours are the best." - -This wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we knew was quite true, -cooled us all down, especially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his -master; and to turn the subject I said, "Can any one tell me the use of -blinkers?" - -"No!" said Sir Oliver shortly, "because they are no use." - -"They are supposed," said Justice, the roan cob, in his calm way, "to -prevent horses from shying and starting, and getting so frightened as to -cause accidents." - -"Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; -especially on ladies' horses?" said I. - -"There is no reason at all," said he quietly, "except the fashion; they -say that a horse would be so frightened to see the wheels of his own -cart or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure to run away, -although of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him if the -streets are crowded. I admit they do sometimes come too close to be -pleasant, but we don't run away; we are used to it, and understand it, -and if we never had blinkers put on we should never want them; we should -see what was there, and know what was what, and be much less frightened -than by only seeing bits of things that we can't understand. Of course -there may be some nervous horses who have been hurt or frightened when -they were young, who may be the better for them; but as I never was -nervous, I can't judge." - -"I consider," said Sir Oliver, "that blinkers are dangerous things in -the night; we horses can see much better in the dark than men can, and -many an accident would never have happened if horses might have had the -full use of their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, there was a hearse -with two horses returning one dark night, and just by Farmer Sparrow's -house, where the pond is close to the road, the wheels went too near the -edge, and the hearse was overturned into the water; both the horses were -drowned, and the driver hardly escaped. Of course after this accident -a stout white rail was put up that might be easily seen, but if those -horses had not been partly blinded, they would of themselves have kept -further from the edge, and no accident would have happened. When our -master's carriage was overturned, before you came here, it was said that -if the lamp on the left side had not gone out, John would have seen the -great hole that the road-makers had left; and so he might, but if old -Colin had not had blinkers on he would have seen it, lamp or no lamp, -for he was far too knowing an old horse to run into danger. As it was, -he was very much hurt, the carriage was broken, and how John escaped -nobody knew." - -"I should say," said Ginger, curling her nostril, "that these men, who -are so wise, had better give orders that in the future all foals should -be born with their eyes set just in the middle of their foreheads, -instead of on the side; they always think they can improve upon nature -and mend what God has made." - -Things were getting rather sore again, when Merrylegs held up his -knowing little face and said, "I'll tell you a secret: I believe John -does not approve of blinkers; I heard him talking with master about it -one day. The master said that 'if horses had been used to them, it might -be dangerous in some cases to leave them off'; and John said he thought -it would be a good thing if all colts were broken in without blinkers, -as was the case in some foreign countries. So let us cheer up, and have -a run to the other end of the orchard; I believe the wind has blown down -some apples, and we might just as well eat them as the slugs." - -Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke off our long conversation, -and got up our spirits by munching some very sweet apples which lay -scattered on the grass. - - - - -11 Plain Speaking - - -The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt at having -such a place. Our master and mistress were respected and beloved by all -who knew them; they were good and kind to everybody and everything; not -only men and women, but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, cattle and -birds; there was no oppressed or ill-used creature that had not a friend -in them, and their servants took the same tone. If any of the village -children were known to treat any creature cruelly they soon heard about -it from the Hall. - -The squire and Farmer Grey had worked together, as they said, for more -than twenty years to get check-reins on the cart-horses done away with, -and in our parts you seldom saw them; and sometimes, if mistress met -a heavily laden horse with his head strained up she would stop the -carriage and get out, and reason with the driver in her sweet serious -voice, and try to show him how foolish and cruel it was. - -I don't think any man could withstand our mistress. I wish all ladies -were like her. Our master, too, used to come down very heavy sometimes. -I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw a -powerful man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, with a beautiful -little bay pony, with slender legs and a high-bred sensitive head and -face. Just as he came to the park gates the little thing turned toward -them; the man, without word or warning, wrenched the creature's head -round with such a force and suddenness that he nearly threw it on its -haunches. Recovering itself it was going on, when he began to lash it -furiously. The pony plunged forward, but the strong, heavy hand held the -pretty creature back with force almost enough to break its jaw, while -the whip still cut into him. It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew -what fearful pain it gave that delicate little mouth; but master gave me -the word, and we were up with him in a second. - -"Sawyer," he cried in a stern voice, "is that pony made of flesh and -blood?" - -"Flesh and blood and temper," he said; "he's too fond of his own will, -and that won't suit me." He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. He -was a builder who had often been to the park on business. - -"And do you think," said master sternly, "that treatment like this will -make him fond of your will?" - -"He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!" said -the man roughly. - -"You have often driven that pony up to my place," said master; "it only -shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know that you -were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. I must -say, Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment of a little -pony it was never my painful lot to witness, and by giving way to such -passion you injure your own character as much, nay more, than you injure -your horse; and remember, we shall all have to be judged according to -our works, whether they be toward man or toward beast." - -Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice how the thing -had grieved him. He was just as free to speak to gentlemen of his own -rank as to those below him; for another day, when we were out, we met -a Captain Langley, a friend of our master's; he was driving a splendid -pair of grays in a kind of break. After a little conversation the -captain said: - -"What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, you are the -judge of horses in these parts, and I should like your opinion." - -The master backed me a little, so as to get a good view of them. "They -are an uncommonly handsome pair," he said, "and if they are as good as -they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better; but I see -you still hold that pet scheme of yours for worrying your horses and -lessening their power." - -"What do you mean," said the other, "the check-reins? Oh, ah! I know -that's a hobby of yours; well, the fact is, I like to see my horses hold -their heads up." - -"So do I," said master, "as well as any man, but I don't like to -see them held up; that takes all the shine out of it. Now, you are a -military man, Langley, and no doubt like to see your regiment look well -on parade, 'heads up', and all that; but you would not take much credit -for your drill if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard! It -might not be much harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue them; but -how would it be in a bayonet charge against the enemy, when they want -the free use of every muscle, and all their strength thrown forward? I -would not give much for their chance of victory. And it is just the same -with horses: you fret and worry their tempers, and decrease their power; -you will not let them throw their weight against their work, and so -they have to do too much with their joints and muscles, and of course -it wears them up faster. You may depend upon it, horses were intended -to have their heads free, as free as men's are; and if we could act a -little more according to common sense, and a good deal less according -to fashion, we should find many things work easier; besides, you know as -well as I that if a horse makes a false step, he has much less chance -of recovering himself if his head and neck are fastened back. And now," -said the master, laughing, "I have given my hobby a good trot out, can't -you make up your mind to mount him, too, captain? Your example would go -a long way." - -"I believe you are right in theory," said the other, "and that's rather -a hard hit about the soldiers; but--well--I'll think about it," and so -they parted. - - - - -12 A Stormy Day - - -One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on -business. I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. I -always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels -ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, and now -the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road in a -shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar and the low -wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, and the bridge, instead -of rising, went across just level, so that in the middle, if the river -was full, the water would be nearly up to the woodwork and planks; but -as there were good substantial rails on each side, people did not mind -it. - -The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it -would be a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one -low part of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom -was good, and master drove gently, so it was no matter. - -When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, but as the master's -business engaged him a long time we did not start for home till rather -late in the afternoon. The wind was then much higher, and I heard the -master say to John that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I -thought, as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches -were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible. - -"I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master. - -"Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these -branches came down upon us." - -The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a -crack, and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other -trees came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the -road just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. I -stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round -or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out and was in a -moment at my head. - -"That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?" - -"Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; there -will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, and that -will be a good six miles before we get round to the wooden bridge again; -it will make us late, but the horse is fresh." - -So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got to -the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water was -over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes when the floods -were out, master did not stop. We were going along at a good pace, but -the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge I felt sure -there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, and I made a dead -stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, and he gave me a touch with the -whip, but I dare not stir; he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare -not go forward. - -"There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the -dog-cart and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me -forward. "Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not -tell him, but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe. - -Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the -house, tossing a torch about like one mad. - -"Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried. - -"What's the matter?" shouted my master. - -"The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if -you come on you'll be into the river." - -"Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the -bridle and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river -side. The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off -after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and -darker, stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly -making a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor -John spoke, and then master began in a serious voice. I could not -understand much of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had -gone on as the master wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given -way under us, and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into -the river; and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was -no light and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have -been drowned. Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could -find out things for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which -did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in -its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had -many stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they -had done; he thought people did not value their animals half enough nor -make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure he makes friends of -them if ever a man did. - -At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for -us. He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, -fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off on -Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after -us. - -We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, and as we came -up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? Oh! I -have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. Have you had no -accident?" - -"No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were -we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." -I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the -stable. Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash -and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! and -I was glad of it, for I was tired. - - - - -13 The Devil's Trade Mark - - -One day when John and I had been out on some business of our master's, -and were returning gently on a long, straight road, at some distance we -saw a boy trying to leap a pony over a gate; the pony would not take the -leap, and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only turned off on one -side. He whipped him again, but the pony turned off on the other side. -Then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him -about the head; then he got up again and tried to make him leap the -gate, kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the pony refused. -When we were nearly at the spot the pony put down his head and threw up -his heels, and sent the boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge, and -with the rein dangling from his head he set off home at a full gallop. -John laughed out quite loud. "Served him right," he said. - -"Oh, oh, oh!" cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; "I -say, come and help me out." - -"Thank ye," said John, "I think you are quite in the right place, and -maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate -that is too high for him," and so with that John rode off. "It may be," -said he to himself, "that young fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one; -we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's, Beauty, and then if anybody wants -to know you and I can tell 'em, ye see." So we turned off to the right, -and soon came up to the stack-yard, and within sight of the house. The -farmer was hurrying out into the road, and his wife was standing at the -gate, looking very frightened. - -"Have you seen my boy?" said Mr. Bushby as we came up; "he went out an -hour ago on my black pony, and the creature is just come back without a -rider." - -"I should think, sir," said John, "he had better be without a rider, -unless he can be ridden properly." - -"What do you mean?" said the farmer. - -"Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and kicking, and knocking that good -little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate that was -too high for him. The pony behaved well, sir, and showed no vice; but at -last he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman into the -thorn hedge. He wanted me to help him out, but I hope you will excuse -me, sir, I did not feel inclined to do so. There's no bones broken, sir; -he'll only get a few scratches. I love horses, and it riles me to see -them badly used; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal till he uses -his heels; the first time is not always the last." - -During this time the mother began to cry, "Oh, my poor Bill, I must go -and meet him; he must be hurt." - -"You had better go into the house, wife," said the farmer; "Bill wants a -lesson about this, and I must see that he gets it; this is not the first -time, nor the second, that he has ill-used that pony, and I shall stop -it. I am much obliged to you, Manly. Good-evening." - -So we went on, John chuckling all the way home; then he told James about -it, who laughed and said, "Serve him right. I knew that boy at school; -he took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son; he used to -swagger about and bully the little boys. Of course, we elder ones would -not have any of that nonsense, and let him know that in the school and -the playground farmers' sons and laborers' sons were all alike. I well -remember one day, just before afternoon school, I found him at the large -window catching flies and pulling off their wings. He did not see me and -I gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling on the floor. Well, -angry as I was, I was almost frightened, he roared and bellowed in such -a style. The boys rushed in from the playground, and the master ran in -from the road to see who was being murdered. Of course I said fair and -square at once what I had done, and why; then I showed the master the -flies, some crushed and some crawling about helpless, and I showed him -the wings on the window sill. I never saw him so angry before; but as -Bill was still howling and whining, like the coward that he was, he did -not give him any more punishment of that kind, but set him up on a stool -for the rest of the afternoon, and said that he should not go out to -play for that week. Then he talked to all the boys very seriously about -cruelty, and said how hard-hearted and cowardly it was to hurt the -weak and the helpless; but what stuck in my mind was this, he said that -cruelty was the devil's own trade-mark, and if we saw any one who took -pleasure in cruelty we might know who he belonged to, for the devil was -a murderer from the beginning, and a tormentor to the end. On the other -hand, where we saw people who loved their neighbors, and were kind to -man and beast, we might know that was God's mark." - -"Your master never taught you a truer thing," said John; "there is no -religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about -their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man -and beast it is all a sham--all a sham, James, and it won't stand when -things come to be turned inside out." - - - - -14 James Howard - - -Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box after my -daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on and James was coming in -from the corn chamber with some oats, when the master came into the -stable. He looked rather serious, and held an open letter in his hand. -John fastened the door of my box, touched his cap, and waited for -orders. - -"Good-morning, John," said the master. "I want to know if you have any -complaint to make of James." - -"Complaint, sir? No, sir." - -"Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?" - -"Yes, sir, always." - -"You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?" - -"Never, sir." - -"That's well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason to -suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them or to take a -message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, or goes into -houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?" - -"No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about -James, I don't believe it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have -it fairly proved before witnesses; it's not for me to say who has been -trying to take away James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a -steadier, pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this -stable. I can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and -clever with the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him -than with half the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; -and whoever wants a character of James Howard," said John, with a -decided jerk of his head, "let them come to John Manly." - -The master stood all this time grave and attentive, but as John finished -his speech a broad smile spread over his face, and looking kindly -across at James, who all this time had stood still at the door, he said, -"James, my lad, set down the oats and come here; I am very glad to find -that John's opinion of your character agrees so exactly with my own. -John is a cautious man," he said, with a droll smile, "and it is not -always easy to get his opinion about people, so I thought if I beat the -bush on this side the birds would fly out, and I should learn what I -wanted to know quickly; so now we will come to business. I have a letter -from my brother-in-law, Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford Hall. -He wants me to find him a trustworthy young groom, about twenty or -twenty-one, who knows his business. His old coachman, who has lived with -him thirty years, is getting feeble, and he wants a man to work with him -and get into his ways, who would be able, when the old man was pensioned -off, to step into his place. He would have eighteen shillings a week at -first, a stable suit, a driving suit, a bedroom over the coachhouse, and -a boy under him. Sir Clifford is a good master, and if you could get the -place it would be a good start for you. I don't want to part with you, -and if you left us I know John would lose his right hand." - -"That I should, sir," said John, "but I would not stand in his light for -the world." - -"How old are you, James?" said master. - -"Nineteen next May, sir." - -"That's young; what do you think, John?" - -"Well, sir, it is young; but he is as steady as a man, and is strong, -and well grown, and though he has not had much experience in driving, he -has a light firm hand and a quick eye, and he is very careful, and I am -quite sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having his feet -and shoes looked after." - -"Your word will go the furthest, John," said the master, "for Sir -Clifford adds in a postscript, 'If I could find a man trained by your -John I should like him better than any other;' so, James, lad, think it -over, talk to your mother at dinner-time, and then let me know what you -wish." - -In a few days after this conversation it was fully settled that James -should go to Clifford Hall, in a month or six weeks, as it suited his -master, and in the meantime he was to get all the practice in driving -that could be given to him. I never knew the carriage to go out so often -before; when the mistress did not go out the master drove himself in the -two-wheeled chaise; but now, whether it was master or the young ladies, -or only an errand, Ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove -us. At the first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and -that, and after that James drove alone. - -Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to in -the city on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through. He -was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in, -and cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over -the bridge together; that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers -when the railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there was a -very sharp turn up to the station, where it would not have been at all -difficult for people to run into each other, if they did not look sharp -and keep their wits about them. - - - - -15 The Old Hostler - - -After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit to -some friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home, and James -was to drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles. -There were some long, heavy hills, but James drove so carefully and -thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed. He never forgot to put on -the brake as we went downhill, nor to take it off at the right place. He -kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill was -very long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road, so as -not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All these little things help a -horse very much, particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain. - -We stopped once or twice on the road, and just as the sun was going down -we reached the town where we were to spend the night. We stopped at the -principal hotel, which was in the market-place; it was a very large one; -we drove under an archway into a long yard, at the further end of which -were the stables and coachhouses. Two hostlers came to take us out. The -head hostler was a pleasant, active little man, with a crooked leg, -and a yellow striped waistcoat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness so -quickly as he did, and with a pat and a good word he led me to a long -stable, with six or eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. The -other man brought Ginger; James stood by while we were rubbed down and -cleaned. - -I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man. -When he had done James stepped up and felt me over, as if he thought I -could not be thoroughly done, but he found my coat as clean and smooth -as silk. - -"Well," he said, "I thought I was pretty quick, and our John quicker -still, but you do beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough at -the same time." - -"Practice makes perfect," said the crooked little hostler, "and 'twould -be a pity if it didn't; forty years' practice, and not perfect! ha, ha! -that would be a pity; and as to being quick, why, bless you! that is -only a matter of habit; if you get into the habit of being quick it is -just as easy as being slow; easier, I should say; in fact it don't agree -with my health to be hulking about over a job twice as long as it need -take. Bless you! I couldn't whistle if I crawled over my work as some -folks do! You see, I have been about horses ever since I was twelve -years old, in hunting stables, and racing stables; and being small, ye -see, I was jockey for several years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, the -turf was very slippery and my poor Larkspur got a fall, and I broke my -knee, and so of course I was of no more use there. But I could not live -without horses, of course I couldn't, so I took to the hotels. And I -can tell ye it is a downright pleasure to handle an animal like this, -well-bred, well-mannered, well-cared-for; bless ye! I can tell how a -horse is treated. Give me the handling of a horse for twenty minutes, -and I'll tell you what sort of a groom he has had. Look at this one, -pleasant, quiet, turns about just as you want him, holds up his feet to -be cleaned out, or anything else you please to wish; then you'll find -another fidgety, fretty, won't move the right way, or starts across the -stall, tosses up his head as soon as you come near him, lays his ears, -and seems afraid of you; or else squares about at you with his heels. -Poor things! I know what sort of treatment they have had. If they are -timid it makes them start or shy; if they are high-mettled it makes them -vicious or dangerous; their tempers are mostly made when they are young. -Bless you! they are like children, train 'em up in the way they should -go, as the good book says, and when they are old they will not depart -from it, if they have a chance." - -"I like to hear you talk," said James, "that's the way we lay it down at -home, at our master's." - -"Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. I should -judge he is a good one, from what I see." - -"He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon -Hills," said James. - -"Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? -the best rider in the county." - -"I believe he is," said James, "but he rides very little now, since the -poor young master was killed." - -"Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. A -fine horse killed, too, wasn't there?" - -"Yes," said James; "he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, and -just like him." - -"Pity! pity!" said the old man; "'twas a bad place to leap, if I -remember; a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't -it? No chance for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold -riding as much as any man, but still there are some leaps that only -a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take. A man's life and a -horse's life are worth more than a fox's tail; at least, I should say -they ought to be." - -During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our -corn, and James and the old man left the stable together. - - - - -16 The Fire - - -Later on in the evening a traveler's horse was brought in by the second -hostler, and while he was cleaning him a young man with a pipe in his -mouth lounged into the stable to gossip. - -"I say, Towler," said the hostler, "just run up the ladder into the loft -and put some hay down into this horse's rack, will you? only lay down -your pipe." - -"All right," said the other, and went up through the trapdoor; and I -heard him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay. James -came in to look at us the last thing, and then the door was locked. - -I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what time in the night it was, -but I woke up very uncomfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got up; -the air seemed all thick and choking. I heard Ginger coughing and one -of the other horses seemed very restless; it was quite dark, and I could -see nothing, but the stable seemed full of smoke, and I hardly knew how -to breathe. - -The trapdoor had been left open, and I thought that was the place it -came through. I listened, and heard a soft rushing sort of noise and a -low crackling and snapping. I did not know what it was, but there was -something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over. The -other horses were all awake; some were pulling at their halters, others -stamping. - -At last I heard steps outside, and the hostler who had put up the -traveler's horse burst into the stable with a lantern, and began to -untie the horses, and try to lead them out; but he seemed in such a -hurry and so frightened himself that he frightened me still more. The -first horse would not go with him; he tried the second and third, and -they too would not stir. He came to me next and tried to drag me out of -the stall by force; of course that was no use. He tried us all by turns -and then left the stable. - -No doubt we were very foolish, but danger seemed to be all round, and -there was nobody we knew to trust in, and all was strange and uncertain. -The fresh air that had come in through the open door made it easier to -breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, and as I looked -upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light flickering -on the wall. Then I heard a cry of "Fire!" outside, and the old hostler -quietly and quickly came in; he got one horse out, and went to another, -but the flames were playing round the trapdoor, and the roaring overhead -was dreadful. - -The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always -was. - -"Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off, so wake up and come -along." I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as -he came in. - -"Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy, we'll soon be out of this -smother." It was on in no time; then he took the scarf off his neck, and -tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and coaxing he led me out -of the stable. Safe in the yard, he slipped the scarf off my eyes, and -shouted, "Here somebody! take this horse while I go back for the other." - -A tall, broad man stepped forward and took me, and James darted back -into the stable. I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. Ginger told -me afterward that whinny was the best thing I could have done for her, -for had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage to -come out. - -There was much confusion in the yard; the horses being got out of other -stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out of houses and -sheds, lest the flames should spread further. On the other side the yard -windows were thrown up, and people were shouting all sorts of things; -but I kept my eye fixed on the stable door, where the smoke poured out -thicker than ever, and I could see flashes of red light; presently I -heard above all the stir and din a loud, clear voice, which I knew was -master's: - -"James Howard! James Howard! Are you there?" There was no answer, but I -heard a crash of something falling in the stable, and the next moment -I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James coming through the smoke -leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, and he was not able -to speak. - -"My brave lad!" said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, "are you -hurt?" - -James shook his head, for he could not yet speak. - -"Ay," said the big man who held me; "he is a brave lad, and no mistake." - -"And now," said master, "when you have got your breath, James, we'll get -out of this place as quickly as we can," and we were moving toward the -entry, when from the market-place there came a sound of galloping feet -and loud rumbling wheels. - -"'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine!" shouted two or three voices, -"stand back, make way!" and clattering and thundering over the stones -two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The -firemen leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire -was--it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof. - -We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; the -stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still. -Master led the way to a large hotel on the other side, and as soon as -the hostler came, he said, "James, I must now hasten to your mistress; -I trust the horses entirely to you, order whatever you think is needed," -and with that he was gone. The master did not run, but I never saw -mortal man walk so fast as he did that night. - -There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls--the shrieks of -those poor horses that were left burning to death in the stable--it was -very terrible! and made both Ginger and me feel very bad. We, however, -were taken in and well done by. - -The next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to -James. I did not hear much, for the hostler was rubbing me down, but -I could see that James looked very happy, and I thought the master was -proud of him. Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night that -the journey was put off till the afternoon, so James had the morning -on hand, and went first to the inn to see about our harness and the -carriage, and then to hear more about the fire. When he came back we -heard him tell the hostler about it. At first no one could guess how the -fire had been caused, but at last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into -the stable with a pipe in his mouth, and when he came out he had not -one, and went to the tap for another. Then the under hostler said he had -asked Dick to go up the ladder to put down some hay, but told him to lay -down his pipe first. Dick denied taking the pipe with him, but no one -believed him. I remember our John Manly's rule, never to allow a pipe in -the stable, and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere. - -James said the roof and floor had all fallen in, and that only the black -walls were standing; the two poor horses that could not be got out were -buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. - - - - -17 John Manly's Talk - - -The rest of our journey was very easy, and a little after sunset we -reached the house of my master's friend. We were taken into a clean, -snug stable; there was a kind coachman, who made us very comfortable, -and who seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the -fire. - -"There is one thing quite clear, young man," he said, "your horses know -who they can trust; it is one of the hardest things in the world to get -horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood. I don't know -why they won't come out, but they won't--not one in twenty." - -We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home. All -went well on the journey; we were glad to be in our own stable again, -and John was equally glad to see us. - -Before he and James left us for the night James said, "I wonder who is -coming in my place." - -"Little Joe Green at the lodge," said John. - -"Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!" - -"He is fourteen and a half," said John. - -"But he is such a little chap!" - -"Yes, he is small, but he is quick and willing, and kind-hearted, too, -and then he wishes very much to come, and his father would like it; -and I know the master would like to give him the chance. He said if I -thought he would not do he would look out for a bigger boy; but I said I -was quite agreeable to try him for six weeks." - -"Six weeks!" said James; "why, it will be six months before he can be of -much use! It will make you a deal of work, John." - -"Well," said John with a laugh, "work and I are very good friends; I -never was afraid of work yet." - -"You are a very good man," said James. "I wish I may ever be like you." - -"I don't often speak of myself," said John, "but as you are going away -from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you how -I look on these things. I was just as old as Joseph when my father and -mother died of the fever within ten days of each other, and left me and -my cripple sister Nelly alone in the world, without a relation that we -could look to for help. I was a farmer's boy, not earning enough to keep -myself, much less both of us, and she must have gone to the workhouse -but for our mistress (Nelly calls her her angel, and she has good right -to do so). She went and hired a room for her with old Widow Mallet, and -she gave her knitting and needlework when she was able to do it; and -when she was ill she sent her dinners and many nice, comfortable things, -and was like a mother to her. Then the master he took me into the stable -under old Norman, the coachman that was then. I had my food at the house -and my bed in the loft, and a suit of clothes, and three shillings a -week, so that I could help Nelly. Then there was Norman; he might have -turned round and said at his age he could not be troubled with a raw boy -from the plow-tail, but he was like a father to me, and took no end of -pains with me. When the old man died some years after I stepped into his -place, and now of course I have top wages, and can lay by for a rainy -day or a sunny day, as it may happen, and Nelly is as happy as a bird. -So you see, James, I am not the man that should turn up his nose at a -little boy and vex a good, kind master. No, no! I shall miss you very -much, James, but we shall pull through, and there's nothing like doing a -kindness when 'tis put in your way, and I am glad I can do it." - -"Then," said James, "you don't hold with that saying, 'Everybody look -after himself, and take care of number one'?" - -"No, indeed," said John, "where should I and Nelly have been if master -and mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one? Why, -she in the workhouse and I hoeing turnips! Where would Black Beauty and -Ginger have been if you had only thought of number one? why, roasted to -death! No, Jim, no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, whoever uses -it; and any man who thinks he has nothing to do but take care of number -one, why, it's a pity but what he had been drowned like a puppy or a -kitten, before he got his eyes open; that's what I think," said John, -with a very decided jerk of his head. - -James laughed at this; but there was a thickness in his voice when he -said, "You have been my best friend except my mother; I hope you won't -forget me." - -"No, lad, no!" said John, "and if ever I can do you a good turn I hope -you won't forget me." - -The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James -left. He learned to sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay; he -began to clean the harness, and helped to wash the carriage. As he was -quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming Ginger and me, -James taught him upon Merrylegs, for he was to have full charge of -him, under John. He was a nice little bright fellow, and always came -whistling to his work. - -Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being "mauled about," as he said, -"by a boy who knew nothing;" but toward the end of the second week he -told me confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well. - -At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always -was, he looked quite down-hearted that morning. - -"You see," he said to John, "I am leaving a great deal behind; my mother -and Betsy, and you, and a good master and mistress, and then the horses, -and my old Merrylegs. At the new place there will not be a soul that I -shall know. If it were not that I shall get a higher place, and be able -to help my mother better, I don't think I should have made up my mind to -it; it is a real pinch, John." - -"Ay, James, lad, so it is; but I should not think much of you if you -could leave your home for the first time and not feel it. Cheer up, -you'll make friends there; and if you get on well, as I am sure you -will, it will be a fine thing for your mother, and she will be proud -enough that you have got into such a good place as that." - -So John cheered him up, but every one was sorry to lose James; as for -Merrylegs, he pined after him for several days, and went quite off his -appetite. So John took him out several mornings with a leading rein, -when he exercised me, and, trotting and galloping by my side, got up the -little fellow's spirits again, and he was soon all right. - -Joe's father would often come in and give a little help, as he -understood the work; and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn, and -John was quite encouraged about him. - - - - -18 Going for the Doctor - - -One night, a few days after James had left, I had eaten my hay and was -lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly roused by the -stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John's house open, -and his feet running up to the hall. He was back again in no time; he -unlocked the stable door, and came in, calling out, "Wake up, Beauty! -You must go well now, if ever you did;" and almost before I could think -he had got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head. He just -ran round for his coat, and then took me at a quick trot up to the hall -door. The squire stood there, with a lamp in his hand. - -"Now, John," he said, "ride for your life--that is, for your mistress' -life; there is not a moment to lose. Give this note to Dr. White; give -your horse a rest at the inn, and be back as soon as you can." - -John said, "Yes, sir," and was on my back in a minute. The gardener who -lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, and was ready with the gate -open, and away we went through the park, and through the village, and -down the hill till we came to the toll-gate. John called very loud and -thumped upon the door; the man was soon out and flung open the gate. - -"Now," said John, "do you keep the gate open for the doctor; here's the -money," and off he went again. - -There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; John -said to me, "Now, Beauty, do your best," and so I did; I wanted no whip -nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as I could lay my feet to -the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, who won the race -at Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came to the bridge John -pulled me up a little and patted my neck. "Well done, Beauty! good old -fellow," he said. He would have let me go slower, but my spirit was up, -and I was off again as fast as before. The air was frosty, the moon was -bright; it was very pleasant. We came through a village, then through -a dark wood, then uphill, then downhill, till after eight miles' run we -came to the town, through the streets and into the market-place. It was -all quite still except the clatter of my feet on the stones--everybody -was asleep. The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's -door. John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like -thunder. A window was thrown up, and Dr. White, in his nightcap, put his -head out and said, "What do you want?" - -"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; he thinks -she will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note." - -"Wait," he said, "I will come." - -He shut the window, and was soon at the door. - -"The worst of it is," he said, "that my horse has been out all day and -is quite done up; my son has just been sent for, and he has taken the -other. What is to be done? Can I have your horse?" - -"He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him -a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, if you think -fit, sir." - -"All right," he said; "I will soon be ready." - -John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came -out with his riding-whip. - -"You need not take that, sir," said John; "Black Beauty will go till he -drops. Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like any harm to -come to him." - -"No, no, John," said the doctor, "I hope not," and in a minute we had -left John far behind. - -I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than -John, and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. The man at -the toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill the doctor drew me -up. "Now, my good fellow," he said, "take some breath." I was glad he -did, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, and soon -we were in the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; my master was at the -hall door, for he had heard us coming. He spoke not a word; the doctor -went into the house with him, and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad -to get home; my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. I -had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, and I steamed -all over, Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire. Poor Joe! he was -young and small, and as yet he knew very little, and his father, who -would have helped him, had been sent to the next village; but I am sure -he did the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs and my chest, but he did -not put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot I should not like -it. Then he gave me a pailful of water to drink; it was cold and very -good, and I drank it all; then he gave me some hay and some corn, and -thinking he had done right, he went away. Soon I began to shake and -tremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs ached, my loins ached, and my -chest ached, and I felt sore all over. Oh! how I wished for my warm, -thick cloth, as I stood and trembled. I wished for John, but he had -eight miles to walk, so I lay down in my straw and tried to go to sleep. -After a long while I heard John at the door; I gave a low moan, for I -was in great pain. He was at my side in a moment, stooping down by me. I -could not tell him how I felt, but he seemed to know it all; he covered -me up with two or three warm cloths, and then ran to the house for some -hot water; he made me some warm gruel, which I drank, and then I think I -went to sleep. - -John seemed to be very much put out. I heard him say to himself over and -over again, "Stupid boy! stupid boy! no cloth put on, and I dare say the -water was cold, too; boys are no good;" but Joe was a good boy, after -all. - -I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, and I -could not draw my breath without pain. John nursed me night and day; he -would get up two or three times in the night to come to me. My master, -too, often came to see me. "My poor Beauty," he said one day, "my good -horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; yes, you saved her life." -I was very glad to hear that, for it seems the doctor had said if we had -been a little longer it would have been too late. John told my master he -never saw a horse go so fast in his life. It seemed as if the horse knew -what was the matter. Of course I did, though John thought not; at least -I knew as much as this--that John and I must go at the top of our speed, -and that it was for the sake of the mistress. - - - - -19 Only Ignorance - - -I do not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, came every -day. One day he bled me; John held a pail for the blood. I felt very -faint after it and thought I should die, and I believe they all thought -so too. - -Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into the other stable, so that I -might be quiet, for the fever made me very quick of hearing; any little -noise seemed quite loud, and I could tell every one's footstep going to -and from the house. I knew all that was going on. One night John had to -give me a draught; Thomas Green came in to help him. After I had taken -it and John had made me as comfortable as he could, he said he should -stay half an hour to see how the medicine settled. Thomas said he -would stay with him, so they went and sat down on a bench that had been -brought into Merrylegs' stall, and put down the lantern at their feet, -that I might not be disturbed with the light. - -For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice: - -"I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. The boy is quite -broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile. He says he -knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best he knew, -and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. It goes -to my heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; he is -not a bad boy." - -After a short pause John said slowly, "You must not be too hard upon me, -Tom. I know he meant no harm, I never said he did; I know he is not a -bad boy. But you see, I am sore myself; that horse is the pride of my -heart, to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and -mistress; and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner is -more than I can bear. But if you think I am hard on the boy I will try -to give him a good word to-morrow--that is, I mean if Beauty is better." - -"Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, and I am -glad you see it was only ignorance." - -John's voice almost startled me as he answered: - -"Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? -Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to -wickedness?--and which does the most mischief heaven only knows. If -people can say, 'Oh! I did not know, I did not mean any harm,' they -think it is all right. I suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill -that baby when she dosed it with Dalby and soothing syrups; but she did -kill it, and was tried for manslaughter." - -"And serve her right, too," said Tom. "A woman should not undertake to -nurse a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad -for it." - -"Bill Starkey," continued John, "did not mean to frighten his brother -into fits when he dressed up like a ghost and ran after him in the -moonlight; but he did; and that bright, handsome little fellow, that -might have been the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than -an idiot, and never will be, if he lives to be eighty years old. You -were a good deal cut up yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, when those young -ladies left your hothouse door open, with a frosty east wind blowing -right in; you said it killed a good many of your plants." - -"A good many!" said Tom; "there was not one of the tender cuttings that -was not nipped off. I shall have to strike all over again, and the worst -of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones. I was nearly -mad when I came in and saw what was done." - -"And yet," said John, "I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; it -was only ignorance." - -I heard no more of this conversation, for the medicine did well and sent -me to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better; but I often thought -of John's words when I came to know more of the world. - - - - -20 Joe Green - - -Joe Green went on very well; he learned quickly, and was so attentive -and careful that John began to trust him in many things; but as I have -said, he was small of his age, and it was seldom that he was allowed to -exercise either Ginger or me; but it so happened one morning that John -was out with Justice in the luggage cart, and the master wanted a -note to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house, about three miles -distant, and sent his orders for Joe to saddle me and take it, adding -the caution that he was to ride steadily. - -The note was delivered, and we were quietly returning when we came -to the brick-field. Here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks; the -wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mud of some deep ruts, and the carter -was shouting and flogging the two horses unmercifully. Joe pulled up. It -was a sad sight. There were the two horses straining and struggling with -all their might to drag the cart out, but they could not move it; the -sweat streamed from their legs and flanks, their sides heaved, and every -muscle was strained, while the man, fiercely pulling at the head of the -fore horse, swore and lashed most brutally. - -"Hold hard," said Joe; "don't go on flogging the horses like that; the -wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart." - -The man took no heed, but went on lashing. - -"Stop! pray stop!" said Joe. "I'll help you to lighten the cart; they -can't move it now." - -"Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!" -The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, and laid on -the whip again. Joe turned my head, and the next moment we were going at -a round gallop toward the house of the master brick-maker. I cannot say -if John would have approved of our pace, but Joe and I were both of one -mind, and so angry that we could not have gone slower. - -The house stood close by the roadside. Joe knocked at the door, and -shouted, "Halloo! Is Mr. Clay at home?" The door was opened, and Mr. -Clay himself came out. - -"Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire this -morning?" - -"No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your brick-yard flogging two -horses to death. I told him to stop, and he wouldn't; I said I'd help -him to lighten the cart, and he wouldn't; so I have come to tell you. -Pray, sir, go." Joe's voice shook with excitement. - -"Thank ye, my lad," said the man, running in for his hat; then pausing -for a moment, "Will you give evidence of what you saw if I should bring -the fellow up before a magistrate?" - -"That I will," said Joe, "and glad too." The man was gone, and we were -on our way home at a smart trot. - -"Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over," said -John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle. - -"I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the boy, and then in -hurried, excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually -such a quiet, gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so -roused. - -"Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or -not. Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their -business to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is -everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my -boy." - -Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, -and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than -usual. - -They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the -stable to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; -there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was -wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. "They -shall have it," said he. - -"Put yourself a bit straight," said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie -and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being -one of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to -settle, or say what should be done. In the stable we heard no more for -some time, as it was the men's dinner hour, but when Joe came next into -the stable I saw he was in high spirits; he gave me a good-natured slap, -and said, "We won't see such things done, will we, old fellow?" We heard -afterward that he had given his evidence so clearly, and the horses were -in such an exhausted state, bearing marks of such brutal usage, that the -carter was committed to take his trial, and might possibly be sentenced -to two or three months in prison. - -It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe. John laughed, and said -he had grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe he had. He -was just as kind and gentle as before, but there was more purpose and -determination in all that he did--as if he had jumped at once from a boy -into a man. - - - - -21 The Parting - - -Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were -about to come over us. We heard from time to time that our mistress was -ill. The doctor was often at the house, and the master looked grave and -anxious. Then we heard that she must leave her home at once, and go to -a warm country for two or three years. The news fell upon the household -like the tolling of a deathbell. Everybody was sorry; but the master -began directly to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment -and leaving England. We used to hear it talked about in our stable; -indeed, nothing else was talked about. - -John went about his work silent and sad, and Joe scarcely whistled. -There was a great deal of coming and going; Ginger and I had full work. - -The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora, with their -governess. They came to bid us good-by. They hugged poor Merrylegs -like an old friend, and so indeed he was. Then we heard what had been -arranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me to his old friend, -the Earl of W----, for he thought we should have a good place there. -Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, who was wanting a pony for Mrs. -Blomefield, but it was on the condition that he should never be sold, -and that when he was past work he should be shot and buried. - -Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house, so I -thought that Merrylegs was well off. John had the offer of several good -places, but he said he should wait a little and look round. - -The evening before they left the master came into the stable to give -some directions, and to give his horses the last pat. He seemed very -low-spirited; I knew that by his voice. I believe we horses can tell -more by the voice than many men can. - -"Have you decided what to do, John?" he said. "I find you have not -accepted either of those offers." - -"No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation with -some first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be the right -thing for me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled by wrong -treatment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. I -always get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them to a -fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good. What do you think -of it, sir?" - -"I don't know a man anywhere," said master, "that I should think so -suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, and somehow they -understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself; I think you -could not do better. If in any way I can help you, write to me. I shall -speak to my agent in London, and leave your character with him." - -Master gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him for his -long and faithful service; but that was too much for John. "Pray, don't, -sir, I can't bear it; you and my dear mistress have done so much for -me that I could never repay it. But we shall never forget you, sir, and -please God, we may some day see mistress back again like herself; we -must keep up hope, sir." Master gave John his hand, but he did not -speak, and they both left the stable. - -The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had gone -off the day before, and there were only master and mistress and her -maid. Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last -time. The servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things; -and when all were arranged master came down the steps carrying the -mistress in his arms (I was on the side next to the house, and could see -all that went on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, while the -house servants stood round crying. - -"Good-by, again," he said; "we shall not forget any of you," and he got -in. "Drive on, John." - -Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through the park and through the -village, where the people were standing at their doors to have a last -look and to say, "God bless them." - -When we reached the railway station I think mistress walked from the -carriage to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, -"Good-by, John. God bless you." I felt the rein twitch, but John made no -answer; perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken the things -out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses, while he -went on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads to hide -his tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; then -two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to, the guard whistled, -and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke -and some very heavy hearts. - -When it was quite out of sight John came back. - -"We shall never see her again," he said--"never." He took the reins, -mounted the box, and with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home -now. - - - - -Part II - - - - -22 Earlshall - - -The next morning after breakfast Joe put Merrylegs into the mistress' -low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first and said good-by -to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. Then John put the -saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, and rode us across the -country about fifteen miles to Earlshall Park, where the Earl of W---- -lived. There was a very fine house and a great deal of stabling. We went -into the yard through a stone gateway, and John asked for Mr. York. It -was some time before he came. He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, -and his voice said at once that he expected to be obeyed. He was very -friendly and polite to John, and after giving us a slight look he -called a groom to take us to our boxes, and invited John to take some -refreshment. - -We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes adjoining -each other, where we were rubbed down and fed. In about half an hour -John and Mr. York, who was to be our new coachman, came in to see us. - -"Now, Mr. Manly," he said, after carefully looking at us both, "I can -see no fault in these horses; but we all know that horses have their -peculiarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need different -treatment. I should like to know if there is anything particular in -either of these that you would like to mention." - -"Well," said John, "I don't believe there is a better pair of horses in -the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, but they are not -alike. The black one is the most perfect temper I ever knew; I suppose -he has never known a hard word or a blow since he was foaled, and all -his pleasure seems to be to do what you wish; but the chestnut, I fancy, -must have had bad treatment; we heard as much from the dealer. She came -to us snappish and suspicious, but when she found what sort of place -ours was, it all went off by degrees; for three years I have never seen -the smallest sign of temper, and if she is well treated there is not -a better, more willing animal than she is. But she is naturally a more -irritable constitution than the black horse; flies tease her more; -anything wrong in the harness frets her more; and if she were ill-used -or unfairly treated she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You -know that many high-mettled horses will do so." - -"Of course," said York, "I quite understand; but you know it is not easy -in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. I -do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have said -about the mare." - -They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, "I had -better mention that we have never used the check-rein with either of -them; the black horse never had one on, and the dealer said it was the -gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper." - -"Well," said York, "if they come here they must wear the check-rein. I -prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable -about horses; but my lady--that's another thing; she will have style, -and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at -them. I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, but it -must be tight up when my lady rides!" - -"I am sorry for it, very sorry," said John; "but I must go now, or I -shall lose the train." - -He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; -his voice sounded very sad. - -I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-by; and -then he was gone, and I have never seen him since. - -The next day Lord W---- came to look at us; he seemed pleased with our -appearance. - -"I have great confidence in these horses," he said, "from the character -my friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them. Of course they are not a -match in color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the -carriage while we are in the country. Before we go to London I must try -to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding." - -York then told him what John had said about us. - -"Well," said he, "you must keep an eye to the mare, and put the -check-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well with a little -humoring at first. I'll mention it to your lady." - -In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage, and as the -stable clock struck three we were led round to the front of the house. -It was all very grand, and three or four times as large as the old house -at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, if a horse may have an opinion. -Two footmen were standing ready, dressed in drab livery, with scarlet -breeches and white stockings. Presently we heard the rustling sound of -silk as my lady came down the flight of stone steps. She stepped round -to look at us; she was a tall, proud-looking woman, and did not -seem pleased about something, but she said nothing, and got into the -carriage. This was the first time of wearing a check-rein, and I must -say, though it certainly was a nuisance not to be able to get my head -down now and then, it did not pull my head higher than I was accustomed -to carry it. I felt anxious about Ginger, but she seemed to be quiet and -content. - -The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, and the footmen -as before; we heard the silk dress rustle and the lady came down the -steps, and in an imperious voice she said, "York, you must put those -horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be seen." - -York got down, and said very respectfully, "I beg your pardon, my lady, -but these horses have not been reined up for three years, and my lord -said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; but if your -ladyship pleases I can take them up a little more." - -"Do so," she said. - -York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself--one hole, -I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, and -that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I began to understand what -I had heard of. Of course, I wanted to put my head forward and take the -carriage up with a will, as we had been used to do; but no, I had to -pull with my head up now, and that took all the spirit out of me, and -the strain came on my back and legs. When we came in Ginger said, "Now -you see what it is like; but this is not bad, and if it does not get -much worse than this I shall say nothing about it, for we are very well -treated here; but if they strain me up tight, why, let 'em look out! I -can't bear it, and I won't." - -Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, and instead -of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, as I used -to do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, though she -said very little. At last I thought the worst was over; for several days -there was no more shortening, and I determined to make the best of -it and do my duty, though it was now a constant harass instead of a -pleasure; but the worst was not come. - - - - -23 A Strike for Liberty - - -One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled more -than ever. - -"Drive to the Duchess of B----'s," she said, and then after a pause, -"Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? Raise them at -once and let us have no more of this humoring and nonsense." - -York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head. He drew -my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was almost intolerable; -then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently jerking her head up and down -against the bit, as was her way now. She had a good idea of what was -coming, and the moment York took the rein off the terret in order to -shorten it she took her opportunity and reared up so suddenly that York -had his nose roughly hit and his hat knocked off; the groom was nearly -thrown off his legs. At once they both flew to her head; but she was -a match for them, and went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most -desperate manner. At last she kicked right over the carriage pole and -fell down, after giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no -knowing what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly -sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, at the -same time calling out, "Unbuckle the black horse! Run for the winch and -unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, somebody, if you can't -unhitch it!" One of the footmen ran for the winch, and another brought -a knife from the house. The groom soon set me free from Ginger and the -carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned me in as I was and ran -back to York. I was much excited by what had happened, and if I had ever -been used to kick or rear I am sure I should have done it then; but -I never had, and there I stood, angry, sore in my leg, my head still -strained up to the terret on the saddle, and no power to get it down. I -was very miserable and felt much inclined to kick the first person who -came near me. - -Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal -knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, and -then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my head. - -"Confound these check-reins!" he said to himself; "I thought we should -have some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But there, if a -woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant can't; so I wash my -hands of it, and if she can't get to the duchess' garden party I can't -help it." - -York did not say this before the men; he always spoke respectfully when -they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon found the place above my -hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; he ordered it -to be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on. - -Lord W---- was much put out when he learned what had happened; he blamed -York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied that in future -he would much prefer to receive his orders only from his lordship; but -I think nothing came of it, for things went on the same as before. I -thought York might have stood up better for his horses, but perhaps I am -no judge. - -Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was well of -her bruises one of the Lord W----'s younger sons said he should like -to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. As for me, I was -obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner called Max; -he had always been used to the tight rein. I asked him how it was he -bore it. - -"Well," he said, "I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my -life, and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to it." - -"Do you think," I said, "that our masters know how bad it is for us?" - -"I can't say," he replied, "but the dealers and the horse-doctors know -it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me and another -horse to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, a little -higher and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there asked -him why he did so. 'Because,' said he, 'people won't buy them unless we -do. The London people always want their horses to carry their heads high -and to step high. Of course it is very bad for the horses, but then it -is good for trade. The horses soon wear up, or get diseased, and they -come for another pair.' That," said Max, "is what he said in my hearing, -and you can judge for yourself." - -What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's -carriage it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it -lasted much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. -Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, but now -the action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, and the constrained -position of my head and throat, always caused me to froth at the mouth -more or less. Some people think it very fine to see this, and say, "What -fine spirited creatures!" But it is just as unnatural for horses as -for men to foam at the mouth; it is a sure sign of some discomfort, -and should be attended to. Besides this, there was a pressure on my -windpipe, which often made my breathing very uncomfortable; when I -returned from my work my neck and chest were strained and painful, my -mouth and tongue tender, and I felt worn and depressed. - -In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends; -but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. -York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed -me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be -helped; at any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. - - - - -24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse - - -Early in the spring, Lord W---- and part of his family went up to -London, and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses were -left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. - -The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid, and -never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred riding on -horseback with her brother or cousins. She was a perfect horsewoman, and -as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. She chose me for her horse, and -named me "Black Auster". I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear -cold air, sometimes with Ginger, sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was -a bright bay mare, almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the -gentlemen, on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, -who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous. - -There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the hall; -he always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne -ordered the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. -When we came to the door the gentleman seemed very uneasy. - -"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black Auster?" - -"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough to let you -ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. You must confess -that in size and appearance she is far more like a lady's horse than my -own favorite." - -"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said; "she is a charming -creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. I assure you, she is not -perfectly safe; let me beg you to have the saddles changed." - -"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble your -good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman ever since I was a -baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many times, though I know -you do not approve of ladies hunting; but still that is the fact, and -I intend to try this Lizzie that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so -please help me to mount, like a good friend as you are." - -There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle, -looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, and -then mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman came out with a -slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet. "Would they ask this -question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?" - -The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last -in it. We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a -short drive up to the house between tall evergreens. - -Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, -but she said, "I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein -on the gate." - -He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he said. - -"Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you." - -He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden among the -trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road a few paces -off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily with a -loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps -until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door. There was -a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which stood open; -just then some cart horses and several young colts came trotting out in -a very disorderly manner, while a boy behind was cracking a great whip. -The colts were wild and frolicsome, and one of them bolted across the -road and blundered up against Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was -the stupid colt, or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I -cannot say, but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong -gallop. It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, but she -soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill neigh for help; again and -again I neighed, pawing the ground impatiently, and tossing my head to -get the rein loose. I had not long to wait. Blantyre came running to -the gate; he looked anxiously about, and just caught sight of the flying -figure, now far away on the road. In an instant he sprang to the saddle. -I needed no whip, no spur, for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it, -and giving me a free rein, and leaning a little forward, we dashed after -them. - -For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, and then bent to the -right, after which it divided into two roads. Long before we came to -the bend she was out of sight. Which way had she turned? A woman was -standing at her garden gate, shading her eyes with her hand, and looking -eagerly up the road. Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, "Which -way?" "To the right!" cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away -we went up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of -her; another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught -glimpses, and then lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon -them at all. An old road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his -shovel dropped and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to -speak. Blantyre drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common, -sir; she has turned off there." I knew this common very well; it was for -the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather and dark-green -furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old thorn-tree; there were -also open spaces of fine short grass, with ant-hills and mole-turns -everywhere; the worst place I ever knew for a headlong gallop. - -We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again of the -green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, and her long -brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body were thrown back, -as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength, and as if that -strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear that the roughness of the -ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, and there seemed a chance -that we might overtake her. - -While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head; but now, -with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground in -such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, and we were -decidedly gaining on them. - -About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut, -and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. -Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause Lizzie took -the leap, stumbled among the rough clods and fell. Blantyre groaned, -"Now, Auster, do your best!" He gave me a steady rein. I gathered myself -well together and with one determined leap cleared both dike and bank. - -Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, lay my poor -young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name: there was no -sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was ghastly white and -the eyes were closed. "Annie, dear Annie, do speak!" But there was no -answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, felt her hands and -wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him for help. - -At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, seeing Lizzie -running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. - -Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man seemed -much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do. - -"Can you ride?" - -"Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck for the -Lady Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter." - -"Then mount this horse, my friend--your neck will be quite safe--and -ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the hall; -tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage, with -Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here." - -"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady may -open her eyes soon." Then, seeing the other man, he called out, "Here, -Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come as quick as she can -to the Lady Anne." - -He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a "Gee up" and a -clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, making -a little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, which seemed to -trouble him; but my pace soon cured that difficulty, and he found the -best thing he could do was to stick to the saddle and hold me in, which -he did manfully. I shook him as little as I could help, but once or -twice on the rough ground he called out, "Steady! Woah! Steady!" On the -highroad we were all right; and at the doctor's and the hall he did his -errand like a good man and true. They asked him in to take a drop of -something. "No, no," he said; "I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut -through the fields, and be there afore the carriage." - -There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became -known. I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken -off, and a cloth thrown over me. - -Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, and I -soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard. - -It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left -alone; and then she told me all that she had seen. - -"I can't tell much," she said. "We went a gallop nearly all the way, and -got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman sitting on the -ground with the lady's head in her lap. The doctor poured something into -her mouth, but all that I heard was, 'She is not dead.' Then I was led -off by a man to a little distance. After awhile she was taken to -the carriage, and we came home together. I heard my master say to -a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, that he hoped no bones were -broken, but that she had not spoken yet." - -When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; he said -it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, and -not a random rider like Lord George. - -Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back I -could see that she had been very much strained, and now and then she -gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, but I could not -help feeling anxious about her. - -Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; he patted me and -praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure the horse -knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. "I could not have held him in -if I would," said he, "she ought never to ride any other horse." I found -by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, and -would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me and I looked -forward to a happy life. - - - - -25 Reuben Smith - - -Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge of -the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly understood -his business than he did, and when he was all right there could not be -a more faithful or valuable man. He was gentle and very clever in his -management of horses, and could doctor them almost as well as a -farrier, for he had lived two years with a veterinary surgeon. He was a -first-rate driver; he could take a four-in-hand or a tandem as easily -as a pair. He was a handsome man, a good scholar, and had very pleasant -manners. I believe everybody liked him; certainly the horses did. The -only wonder was that he should be in an under situation and not in the -place of a head coachman like York; but he had one great fault and that -was the love of drink. He was not like some men, always at it; he used -to keep steady for weeks or months together, and then he would break -out and have a "bout" of it, as York called it, and be a disgrace to -himself, a terror to his wife, and a nuisance to all that had to do with -him. He was, however, so useful that two or three times York had hushed -the matter up and kept it from the earl's knowledge; but one night, when -Reuben had to drive a party home from a ball he was so drunk that he -could not hold the reins, and a gentleman of the party had to mount the -box and drive the ladies home. Of course, this could not be hidden, and -Reuben was at once dismissed; his poor wife and little children had to -turn out of the pretty cottage by the park gate and go where they could. -Old Max told me all this, for it happened a good while ago; but shortly -before Ginger and I came Smith had been taken back again. York had -interceded for him with the earl, who is very kind-hearted, and the man -had promised faithfully that he would never taste another drop as long -as he lived there. He had kept his promise so well that York thought he -might be safely trusted to fill his place while he was away, and he was -so clever and honest that no one else seemed so well fitted for it. - -It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some time in -May. The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre -was obliged to return to his regiment it was arranged that Smith should -drive him to the town in it, and ride back; for this purpose he took the -saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. At the station the -colonel put some money into Smith's hand and bid him good-by, saying, -"Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, and don't let Black Auster be -hacked about by any random young prig that wants to ride him--keep him -for the lady." - -We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White -Lion, and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him -at four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came -along, but the hostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. -Smith did not come into the yard till five, and then he said he should -not leave till six, as he had met with some old friends. The man then -told him of the nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to. - -"No," said Smith, "that will be all right till we get home." - -He spoke in a very loud, offhand way, and I thought it very unlike him -not to see about the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully particular -about loose nails in our shoes. He did not come at six nor seven, nor -eight, and it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me, and then -it was with a loud, rough voice. He seemed in a very bad temper, and -abused the hostler, though I could not tell what for. - -The landlord stood at the door and said, "Have a care, Mr. Smith!" but -he answered angrily with an oath; and almost before he was out of the -town he began to gallop, frequently giving me a sharp cut with his whip, -though I was going at full speed. The moon had not yet risen, and it was -very dark. The roads were stony, having been recently mended; going over -them at this pace, my shoe became looser, and as we neared the turnpike -gate it came off. - -If Smith had been in his right senses he would have been sensible of -something wrong in my pace, but he was too drunk to notice. - -Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road, upon which fresh stones -had just been laid--large sharp stones, over which no horse could be -driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with one shoe -gone, I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile -cutting into me with his whip, and with wild curses urging me to go -still faster. Of course my shoeless foot suffered dreadfully; the hoof -was broken and split down to the very quick, and the inside was terribly -cut by the sharpness of the stones. - -This could not go on; no horse could keep his footing under such -circumstances; the pain was too great. I stumbled, and fell with -violence on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my fall, and, owing to -the speed I was going at, he must have fallen with great force. I soon -recovered my feet and limped to the side of the road, where it was free -from stones. The moon had just risen above the hedge, and by its light -I could see Smith lying a few yards beyond me. He did not rise; he made -one slight effort to do so, and then there was a heavy groan. I could -have groaned, too, for I was suffering intense pain both from my foot -and knees; but horses are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered -no sound, but I stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from -Smith; but though he now lay in the full moonlight I could see no -motion. I could do nothing for him nor myself, but, oh! how I listened -for the sound of horse, or wheels, or footsteps! The road was not much -frequented, and at this time of the night we might stay for hours before -help came to us. I stood watching and listening. It was a calm, sweet -April night; there were no sounds but a few low notes of a nightingale, -and nothing moved but the white clouds near the moon and a brown owl -that flitted over the hedge. It made me think of the summer nights long -ago, when I used to lie beside my mother in the green pleasant meadow at -Farmer Grey's. - - - - -26 How it Ended - - -It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at a great distance the -sound of a horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away, then it grew -clearer again and nearer. The road to Earlshall led through woods that -belonged to the earl; the sound came in that direction, and I hoped it -might be some one coming in search of us. As the sound came nearer and -nearer I was almost sure I could distinguish Ginger's step; a little -nearer still, and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. I neighed -loudly, and was overjoyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger, and -men's voices. They came slowly over the stones, and stopped at the dark -figure that lay upon the ground. - -One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. "It is Reuben," he -said, "and he does not stir!" - -The other man followed, and bent over him. "He's dead," he said; "feel -how cold his hands are." - -They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked with -blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. They soon -saw my cut knees. - -"Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought the -black horse would have done that? Nobody thought he could fall. Reuben -must have been lying here for hours! Odd, too, that the horse has not -moved from the place." - -Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, but almost fell -again. - -"Halloo! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here--his hoof -is cut all to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! I tell you -what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. Just think -of his riding a horse over these stones without a shoe! Why, if he had -been in his right senses he would just as soon have tried to ride him -over the moon. I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again. Poor -Susan! she looked awfully pale when she came to my house to ask if -he had not come home. She made believe she was not a bit anxious, and -talked of a lot of things that might have kept him. But for all that she -begged me to go and meet him. But what must we do? There's the horse to -get home as well as the body, and that will be no easy matter." - -Then followed a conversation between them, till it was agreed that -Robert, as the groom, should lead me, and that Ned must take the body. -It was a hard job to get it into the dog-cart, for there was no one to -hold Ginger; but she knew as well as I did what was going on, and stood -as still as a stone. I noticed that, because, if she had a fault, it was -that she was impatient in standing. - -Ned started off very slowly with his sad load, and Robert came and -looked at my foot again; then he took his handkerchief and bound it -closely round, and so he led me home. I shall never forget that night -walk; it was more than three miles. Robert led me on very slowly, and I -limped and hobbled on as well as I could with great pain. I am sure he -was sorry for me, for he often patted and encouraged me, talking to me -in a pleasant voice. - -At last I reached my own box, and had some corn; and after Robert -had wrapped up my knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a bran -poultice, to draw out the heat and cleanse it before the horse-doctor -saw it in the morning, and I managed to get myself down on the straw, -and slept in spite of the pain. - -The next day after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he hoped -the joint was not injured; and if so, I should not be spoiled for work, -but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did the best to make -a good cure, but it was a long and painful one. Proud flesh, as they -called it, came up in my knees, and was burned out with caustic; and -when at last it was healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front -of both knees to bring all the hair off; they had some reason for this, -and I suppose it was all right. - -As Smith's death had been so sudden, and no one was there to see it, -there was an inquest held. The landlord and hostler at the White Lion, -with several other people, gave evidence that he was intoxicated when he -started from the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate said he rode at a hard -gallop through the gate; and my shoe was picked up among the stones, so -that the case was quite plain to them, and I was cleared of all blame. - -Everybody pitied Susan. She was nearly out of her mind; she kept saying -over and over again, "Oh! he was so good--so good! It was all that -cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink? Oh Reuben, Reuben!" -So she went on till after he was buried; and then, as she had no home or -relations, she, with her six little children, was obliged once more to -leave the pleasant home by the tall oak-trees, and go into that great -gloomy Union House. - - - - -27 Ruined and Going Downhill - - -As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small -meadow for a month or two; no other creature was there; and though I -enjoyed the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to -society that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, -and now I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard -horses' feet passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; till one -morning the gate was opened, and who should come in but dear old Ginger. -The man slipped off her halter, and left her there. With a joyful whinny -I trotted up to her; we were both glad to meet, but I soon found that it -was not for our pleasure that she was brought to be with me. Her story -would be too long to tell, but the end of it was that she had been -ruined by hard riding, and was now turned off to see what rest would do. - -Lord George was young and would take no warning; he was a hard rider, -and would hunt whenever he could get the chance, quite careless of his -horse. Soon after I left the stable there was a steeplechase, and he -determined to ride. Though the groom told him she was a little strained, -and was not fit for the race, he did not believe it, and on the day of -the race urged Ginger to keep up with the foremost riders. With her high -spirit, she strained herself to the utmost; she came in with the first -three horses, but her wind was touched, besides which he was too heavy -for her, and her back was strained. "And so," she said, "here we are, -ruined in the prime of our youth and strength, you by a drunkard, and I -by a fool; it is very hard." We both felt in ourselves that we were not -what we had been. However, that did not spoil the pleasure we had in -each other's company; we did not gallop about as we once did, but we -used to feed, and lie down together, and stand for hours under one -of the shady lime-trees with our heads close to each other; and so we -passed our time till the family returned from town. - -One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with him. -Seeing who it was, we stood still under our lime-tree, and let them come -up to us. They examined us carefully. The earl seemed much annoyed. - -"There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use," said he; -"but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, who -thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. The mare shall -have a twelve-month's run, and we shall see what that will do for her; -but the black one, he must be sold; 'tis a great pity, but I could not -have knees like these in my stables." - -"No, my lord, of course not," said York; "but he might get a place where -appearance is not of much consequence, and still be well treated. I know -a man in Bath, the master of some livery stables, who often wants a -good horse at a low figure; I know he looks well after his horses. -The inquest cleared the horse's character, and your lordship's -recommendation, or mine, would be sufficient warrant for him." - -"You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular about -the place than the money he would fetch." - -After this they left us. - -"They'll soon take you away," said Ginger, "and I shall lose the only -friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. 'Tis -a hard world!" - -About a week after this Robert came into the field with a halter, which -he slipped over my head, and led me away. There was no leave-taking -of Ginger; we neighed to each other as I was led off, and she trotted -anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me as long as she could hear -the sound of my feet. - -Through the recommendation of York, I was bought by the master of the -livery stables. I had to go by train, which was new to me, and required -a good deal of courage the first time; but as I found the puffing, -rushing, whistling, and, more than all, the trembling of the horse-box -in which I stood did me no real harm, I soon took it quietly. - -When I reached the end of my journey I found myself in a tolerably -comfortable stable, and well attended to. These stables were not so -airy and pleasant as those I had been used to. The stalls were laid on -a slope instead of being level, and as my head was kept tied to the -manger, I was obliged always to stand on the slope, which was very -fatiguing. Men do not seem to know yet that horses can do more work if -they can stand comfortably and can turn about; however, I was well fed -and well cleaned, and, on the whole, I think our master took as much -care of us as he could. He kept a good many horses and carriages of -different kinds for hire. Sometimes his own men drove them; at -others, the horse and chaise were let to gentlemen or ladies who drove -themselves. - - - - -28 A Job Horse and His Drivers - - -Hitherto I had always been driven by people who at least knew how to -drive; but in this place I was to get my experience of all the different -kinds of bad and ignorant driving to which we horses are subjected; for -I was a "job horse", and was let out to all sorts of people who wished -to hire me; and as I was good-tempered and gentle, I think I was oftener -let out to the ignorant drivers than some of the other horses, because -I could be depended upon. It would take a long time to tell of all the -different styles in which I was driven, but I will mention a few of -them. - -First, there were the tight-rein drivers--men who seemed to think that -all depended on holding the reins as hard as they could, never relaxing -the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving him the least liberty of -movement. They are always talking about "keeping the horse well in -hand", and "holding a horse up", just as if a horse was not made to hold -himself up. - -Some poor, broken-down horses, whose mouths have been made hard and -insensible by just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, find some -support in it; but for a horse who can depend upon his own legs, and who -has a tender mouth and is easily guided, it is not only tormenting, but -it is stupid. - -Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who let the reins lie easily on -our backs, and their own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course, -such gentlemen have no control over a horse, if anything happens -suddenly. If a horse shies, or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere, -and cannot help the horse or themselves till the mischief is done. Of -course, for myself I had no objection to it, as I was not in the habit -either of starting or stumbling, and had only been used to depend on my -driver for guidance and encouragement. Still, one likes to feel the rein -a little in going downhill, and likes to know that one's driver is not -gone to sleep. - -Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a horse into bad and often lazy -habits, and when he changes hands he has to be whipped out of them with -more or less pain and trouble. Squire Gordon always kept us to our best -paces and our best manners. He said that spoiling a horse and letting -him get into bad habits was just as cruel as spoiling a child, and both -had to suffer for it afterward. - -Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, and will attend to -anything else more than their horses. I went out in the phaeton one day -with one of them; he had a lady and two children behind. He flopped the -reins about as we started, and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts -with the whip, though I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of -road-mending going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid -down there were a great many loose ones about. My driver was laughing -and joking with the lady and the children, and talking about the country -to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while to keep -an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; and -so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet. - -Now, if Mr. Gordon or John, or in fact any good driver, had been there, -he would have seen that something was wrong before I had gone three -paces. Or even if it had been dark a practiced hand would have felt by -the rein that there was something wrong in the step, and they would have -got down and picked out the stone. But this man went on laughing and -talking, while at every step the stone became more firmly wedged between -my shoe and the frog of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside and -round on the outside, which, as every one knows, is the most dangerous -kind that a horse can pick up, at the same time cutting his foot and -making him most liable to stumble and fall. - -Whether the man was partly blind or only very careless I can't say, but -he drove me with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile before he -saw anything. By that time I was going so lame with the pain that at -last he saw it, and called out, "Well, here's a go! Why, they have sent -us out with a lame horse! What a shame!" - -He then chucked the reins and flipped about with the whip, saying, "Now, -then, it's no use playing the old soldier with me; there's the journey -to go, and it's no use turning lame and lazy." - -Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. He lifted his -hat and pulled up. - -"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, "but I think there is something the -matter with your horse; he goes very much as if he had a stone in -his shoe. If you will allow me I will look at his feet; these loose -scattered stones are confounded dangerous things for the horses." - -"He's a hired horse," said my driver. "I don't know what's the matter -with him, but it is a great shame to send out a lame beast like this." - -The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm at once took -up my near foot. - -"Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!" - -At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand, but as it was now -very tightly wedged he drew a stone-pick out of his pocket, and very -carefully and with some trouble got it out. Then holding it up he said, -"There, that's the stone your horse had picked up. It is a wonder he did -not fall down and break his knees into the bargain!" - -"Well, to be sure!" said my driver; "that is a queer thing! I never knew -that horses picked up stones before." - -"Didn't you?" said the farmer rather contemptuously; "but they do, -though, and the best of them will do it, and can't help it sometimes on -such roads as these. And if you don't want to lame your horse you must -look sharp and get them out quickly. This foot is very much bruised," -he said, setting it gently down and patting me. "If I might advise, -sir, you had better drive him gently for awhile; the foot is a good deal -hurt, and the lameness will not go off directly." - -Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off. - -When he was gone my driver began to flop the reins about and whip the -harness, by which I understood that I was to go on, which of course I -did, glad that the stone was gone, but still in a good deal of pain. - -This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. - - - - -29 Cockneys - - -Then there is the steam-engine style of driving; these drivers were -mostly people from towns, who never had a horse of their own and -generally traveled by rail. - -They always seemed to think that a horse was something like a -steam-engine, only smaller. At any rate, they think that if only they -pay for it a horse is bound to go just as far and just as fast and with -just as heavy a load as they please. And be the roads heavy and muddy, -or dry and good; be they stony or smooth, uphill or downhill, it is all -the same--on, on, on, one must go, at the same pace, with no relief and -no consideration. - -These people never think of getting out to walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, -they have paid to ride, and ride they will! The horse? Oh, he's used -to it! What were horses made for, if not to drag people uphill? Walk! A -good joke indeed! And so the whip is plied and the rein is chucked and -often a rough, scolding voice cries out, "Go along, you lazy beast!" And -then another slash of the whip, when all the time we are doing our -very best to get along, uncomplaining and obedient, though often sorely -harassed and down-hearted. - -This steam-engine style of driving wears us up faster than any other -kind. I would far rather go twenty miles with a good considerate driver -than I would go ten with some of these; it would take less out of me. - -Another thing, they scarcely ever put on the brake, however steep the -downhill may be, and thus bad accidents sometimes happen; or if they do -put it on, they often forget to take it off at the bottom of the hill, -and more than once I have had to pull halfway up the next hill, with one -of the wheels held by the brake, before my driver chose to think about -it; and that is a terrible strain on a horse. - -Then these cockneys, instead of starting at an easy pace, as a gentleman -would do, generally set off at full speed from the very stable-yard; and -when they want to stop, they first whip us, and then pull up so suddenly -that we are nearly thrown on our haunches, and our mouths jagged with -the bit--they call that pulling up with a dash; and when they turn a -corner they do it as sharply as if there were no right side or wrong -side of the road. - -I well remember one spring evening I and Rory had been out for the day. -(Rory was the horse that mostly went with me when a pair was ordered, -and a good honest fellow he was.) We had our own driver, and as he was -always considerate and gentle with us, we had a very pleasant day. We -were coming home at a good smart pace, about twilight. Our road turned -sharp to the left; but as we were close to the hedge on our own side, -and there was plenty of room to pass, our driver did not pull us in. As -we neared the corner I heard a horse and two wheels coming rapidly down -the hill toward us. The hedge was high, and I could see nothing, but the -next moment we were upon each other. Happily for me, I was on the side -next the hedge. Rory was on the left side of the pole, and had not even -a shaft to protect him. The man who was driving was making straight for -the corner, and when he came in sight of us he had no time to pull over -to his own side. The whole shock came upon Rory. The gig shaft ran right -into the chest, making him stagger back with a cry that I shall never -forget. The other horse was thrown upon his haunches and one shaft -broken. It turned out that it was a horse from our own stables, with the -high-wheeled gig that the young men were so fond of. - -The driver was one of those random, ignorant fellows, who don't even -know which is their own side of the road, or, if they know, don't care. -And there was poor Rory with his flesh torn open and bleeding, and the -blood streaming down. They said if it had been a little more to one side -it would have killed him; and a good thing for him, poor fellow, if it -had. - -As it was, it was a long time before the wound healed, and then he was -sold for coal-carting; and what that is, up and down those steep hills, -only horses know. Some of the sights I saw there, where a horse had to -come downhill with a heavily loaded two-wheel cart behind him, on which -no brake could be placed, make me sad even now to think of. - -After Rory was disabled I often went in the carriage with a mare named -Peggy, who stood in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-made -animal, of a bright dun color, beautifully dappled, and with a -dark-brown mane and tail. There was no high breeding about her, but she -was very pretty and remarkably sweet-tempered and willing. Still, there -was an anxious look about her eye, by which I knew that she had some -trouble. The first time we went out together I thought she had a very -odd pace; she seemed to go partly a trot, partly a canter, three or four -paces, and then a little jump forward. - -It was very unpleasant for any horse who pulled with her, and made me -quite fidgety. When we got home I asked her what made her go in that -odd, awkward way. - -"Ah," she said in a troubled manner, "I know my paces are very bad, but -what can I do? It really is not my fault; it is just because my legs are -so short. I stand nearly as high as you, but your legs are a good three -inches longer above your knee than mine, and of course you can take a -much longer step and go much faster. You see I did not make myself. -I wish I could have done so; I would have had long legs then. All my -troubles come from my short legs," said Peggy, in a desponding tone. - -"But how is it," I said, "when you are so strong and good-tempered and -willing?" - -"Why, you see," said she, "men will go so fast, and if one can't keep up -to other horses it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time. And so -I have had to keep up as I could, and have got into this ugly shuffling -pace. It was not always so; when I lived with my first master I always -went a good regular trot, but then he was not in such a hurry. He was a -young clergyman in the country, and a good, kind master he was. He had -two churches a good way apart, and a great deal of work, but he never -scolded or whipped me for not going faster. He was very fond of me. -I only wish I was with him now; but he had to leave and go to a large -town, and then I was sold to a farmer. - -"Some farmers, you know, are capital masters; but I think this one was a -low sort of man. He cared nothing about good horses or good driving; he -only cared for going fast. I went as fast as I could, but that would -not do, and he was always whipping; so I got into this way of making a -spring forward to keep up. On market nights he used to stay very late at -the inn, and then drive home at a gallop. - -"One dark night he was galloping home as usual, when all of a sudden the -wheel came against some great heavy thing in the road, and turned the -gig over in a minute. He was thrown out and his arm broken, and some of -his ribs, I think. At any rate, it was the end of my living with him, -and I was not sorry. But you see it will be the same everywhere for me, -if men must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer!" - -Poor Peggy! I was very sorry for her, and I could not comfort her, for -I knew how hard it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with fast ones; -all the whipping comes to their share, and they can't help it. - -She was often used in the phaeton, and was very much liked by some of -the ladies, because she was so gentle; and some time after this she was -sold to two ladies who drove themselves, and wanted a safe, good horse. - -I met her several times out in the country, going a good steady pace, -and looking as gay and contented as a horse could be. I was very glad to -see her, for she deserved a good place. - -After she left us another horse came in her stead. He was young, and had -a bad name for shying and starting, by which he had lost a good place. I -asked him what made him shy. - -"Well, I hardly know," he said. "I was timid when I was young, and was a -good deal frightened several times, and if I saw anything strange I -used to turn and look at it--you see, with our blinkers one can't see -or understand what a thing is unless one looks round--and then my master -always gave me a whipping, which of course made me start on, and did not -make me less afraid. I think if he would have let me just look at things -quietly, and see that there was nothing to hurt me, it would have been -all right, and I should have got used to them. One day an old gentleman -was riding with him, and a large piece of white paper or rag blew across -just on one side of me. I shied and started forward. My master as usual -whipped me smartly, but the old man cried out, 'You're wrong! you're -wrong! You should never whip a horse for shying; he shies because he is -frightened, and you only frighten him more and make the habit worse.' -So I suppose all men don't do so. I am sure I don't want to shy for the -sake of it; but how should one know what is dangerous and what is not, -if one is never allowed to get used to anything? I am never afraid of -what I know. Now I was brought up in a park where there were deer; of -course I knew them as well as I did a sheep or a cow, but they are not -common, and I know many sensible horses who are frightened at them, and -who kick up quite a shindy before they will pass a paddock where there -are deer." - -I knew what my companion said was true, and I wished that every young -horse had as good masters as Farmer Grey and Squire Gordon. - -Of course we sometimes came in for good driving here. I remember one -morning I was put into the light gig, and taken to a house in Pulteney -Street. Two gentlemen came out; the taller of them came round to my -head; he looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted the collar with -his hand, to see if it fitted comfortably. - -"Do you consider this horse wants a curb?" he said to the hostler. - -"Well," said the man, "I should say he would go just as well without; -he has an uncommon good mouth, and though he has a fine spirit he has no -vice; but we generally find people like the curb." - -"I don't like it," said the gentleman; "be so good as to take it off, -and put the rein in at the cheek. An easy mouth is a great thing on a -long journey, is it not, old fellow?" he said, patting my neck. - -Then he took the reins, and they both got up. I can remember now how -quietly he turned me round, and then with a light feel of the rein, and -drawing the whip gently across my back, we were off. - -I arched my neck and set off at my best pace. I found I had some one -behind me who knew how a good horse ought to be driven. It seemed like -old times again, and made me feel quite gay. - -This gentleman took a great liking to me, and after trying me several -times with the saddle he prevailed upon my master to sell me to a friend -of his, who wanted a safe, pleasant horse for riding. And so it came to -pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. - - - - -30 A Thief - - -My new master was an unmarried man. He lived at Bath, and was much -engaged in business. His doctor advised him to take horse exercise, and -for this purpose he bought me. He hired a stable a short distance from -his lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher as groom. My master knew -very little about horses, but he treated me well, and I should have had -a good and easy place but for circumstances of which he was ignorant. He -ordered the best hay with plenty of oats, crushed beans, and bran, -with vetches, or rye grass, as the man might think needful. I heard the -master give the order, so I knew there was plenty of good food, and I -thought I was well off. - -For a few days all went on well. I found that my groom understood -his business. He kept the stable clean and airy, and he groomed me -thoroughly; and was never otherwise than gentle. He had been an hostler -in one of the great hotels in Bath. He had given that up, and now -cultivated fruit and vegetables for the market, and his wife bred and -fattened poultry and rabbits for sale. After awhile it seemed to me that -my oats came very short; I had the beans, but bran was mixed with them -instead of oats, of which there were very few; certainly not more than a -quarter of what there should have been. In two or three weeks this began -to tell upon my strength and spirits. The grass food, though very good, -was not the thing to keep up my condition without corn. However, I -could not complain, nor make known my wants. So it went on for about two -months; and I wondered that my master did not see that something was -the matter. However, one afternoon he rode out into the country to see a -friend of his, a gentleman farmer, who lived on the road to Wells. - -This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had -welcomed his friend he said, casting his eye over me: - -"It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does not look so well as he did -when you first had him; has he been well?" - -"Yes, I believe so," said my master; "but he is not nearly so lively as -he was; my groom tells me that horses are always dull and weak in the -autumn, and that I must expect it." - -"Autumn, fiddlesticks!" said the farmer. "Why, this is only August; and -with your light work and good food he ought not to go down like this, -even if it was autumn. How do you feed him?" - -My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, and began to feel -me over. - -"I can't say who eats your corn, my dear fellow, but I am much mistaken -if your horse gets it. Have you ridden very fast?" - -"No, very gently." - -"Then just put your hand here," said he, passing his hand over my neck -and shoulder; "he is as warm and damp as a horse just come up from -grass. I advise you to look into your stable a little more. I hate to be -suspicious, and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, for I can trust my -men, present or absent; but there are mean scoundrels, wicked enough to -rob a dumb beast of his food. You must look into it." And turning to -his man, who had come to take me, "Give this horse a right good feed of -bruised oats, and don't stint him." - -"Dumb beasts!" Yes, we are; but if I could have spoken I could have told -my master where his oats went to. My groom used to come every morning -about six o'clock, and with him a little boy, who always had a covered -basket with him. He used to go with his father into the harness-room, -where the corn was kept, and I could see them, when the door stood ajar, -fill a little bag with oats out of the bin, and then he used to be off. - -Five or six mornings after this, just as the boy had left the stable, -the door was pushed open, and a policeman walked in, holding the child -tight by the arm; another policeman followed, and locked the door on the -inside, saying, "Show me the place where your father keeps his rabbits' -food." - -The boy looked very frightened and began to cry; but there was no -escape, and he led the way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found -another empty bag like that which was found full of oats in the boy's -basket. - -Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but they soon saw him, and -though he blustered a good deal they walked him off to the "lock-up", -and his boy with him. I heard afterward that the boy was not held to be -guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. - - - - -31 A Humbug - - -My master was not immediately suited, but in a few days my new groom -came. He was a tall, good-looking fellow enough; but if ever there was -a humbug in the shape of a groom Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very -civil to me, and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of -stroking and patting when his master was there to see it. He always -brushed my mane and tail with water and my hoofs with oil before he -brought me to the door, to make me look smart; but as to cleaning my -feet or looking to my shoes, or grooming me thoroughly, he thought no -more of that than if I had been a cow. He left my bit rusty, my saddle -damp, and my crupper stiff. - -Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome; he spent a great deal of -time about his hair, whiskers and necktie, before a little looking-glass -in the harness-room. When his master was speaking to him it was always, -"Yes, sir; yes, sir"--touching his hat at every word; and every one -thought he was a very nice young man and that Mr. Barry was very -fortunate to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest, most -conceited fellow I ever came near. Of course, it was a great thing not -to be ill-used, but then a horse wants more than that. I had a loose -box, and might have been very comfortable if he had not been too -indolent to clean it out. He never took all the straw away, and the -smell from what lay underneath was very bad; while the strong vapors -that rose made my eyes smart and inflame, and I did not feel the same -appetite for my food. - -One day his master came in and said, "Alfred, the stable smells rather -strong; should not you give that stall a good scrub and throw down -plenty of water?" - -"Well, sir," he said, touching his cap, "I'll do so if you please, sir; -but it is rather dangerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's box; -they are very apt to take cold, sir. I should not like to do him an -injury, but I'll do it if you please, sir." - -"Well," said his master, "I should not like him to take cold; but I -don't like the smell of this stable. Do you think the drains are all -right?" - -"Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes send -back a smell; there may be something wrong, sir." - -"Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to," said his master. - -"Yes, sir, I will." - -The bricklayer came and pulled up a great many bricks, but found nothing -amiss; so he put down some lime and charged the master five shillings, -and the smell in my box was as bad as ever. But that was not all: -standing as I did on a quantity of moist straw my feet grew unhealthy -and tender, and the master used to say: - -"I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very -fumble-footed. I am sometimes afraid he will stumble." - -"Yes, sir," said Alfred, "I have noticed the same myself, when I have -exercised him." - -Now the fact was that he hardly ever did exercise me, and when the -master was busy I often stood for days together without stretching my -legs at all, and yet being fed just as high as if I were at hard work. -This often disordered my health, and made me sometimes heavy and dull, -but more often restless and feverish. He never even gave me a meal -of green food or a bran mash, which would have cooled me, for he -was altogether as ignorant as he was conceited; and then, instead of -exercise or change of food, I had to take horse balls and draughts; -which, beside the nuisance of having them poured down my throat, used to -make me feel ill and uncomfortable. - -One day my feet were so tender that, trotting over some fresh stones -with my master on my back, I made two such serious stumbles that, as he -came down Lansdown into the city, he stopped at the farrier's, and asked -him to see what was the matter with me. The man took up my feet one -by one and examined them; then standing up and dusting his hands one -against the other, he said: - -"Your horse has got the 'thrush', and badly, too; his feet are very -tender; it is fortunate that he has not been down. I wonder your groom -has not seen to it before. This is the sort of thing we find in foul -stables, where the litter is never properly cleaned out. If you will -send him here to-morrow I will attend to the hoof, and I will direct -your man how to apply the liniment which I will give him." - -The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow -soaked in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was. - -The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken out of my box day by day, -and the floor kept very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes, a little -green food, and not so much corn, till my feet were well again. With -this treatment I soon regained my spirits; but Mr. Barry was so much -disgusted at being twice deceived by his grooms that he determined to -give up keeping a horse, and to hire when he wanted one. I was therefore -kept till my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. - - - - -Part III - - - - -32 A Horse Fair - - -No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have nothing -to lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. - -Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes; -and droves of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; and -hundreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails -braided up and tied with scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, -handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some -accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. There -were some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything; -they were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high -style, as they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running -by the side. But round in the background there were a number of poor -things, sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling -over and their hind legs swinging out at every step, and there were some -very dejected-looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down and -the ears lying back heavily, as if there were no more pleasure in life, -and no more hope; there were some so thin you might see all their ribs, -and some with old sores on their backs and hips. These were sad sights -for a horse to look upon, who knows not but he may come to the same -state. - -There was a great deal of bargaining, of running up and beating down; -and if a horse may speak his mind so far as he understands, I should say -there were more lies told and more trickery at that horse fair than a -clever man could give an account of. I was put with two or three other -strong, useful-looking horses, and a good many people came to look at -us. The gentlemen always turned from me when they saw my broken knees; -though the man who had me swore it was only a slip in the stall. - -The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, then -feel all the way down my legs, and give me a hard feel of the skin and -flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful what a difference there -was in the way these things were done. Some did it in a rough, offhand -way, as if one was only a piece of wood; while others would take their -hands gently over one's body, with a pat now and then, as much as to -say, "By your leave." Of course I judged a good deal of the buyers by -their manners to myself. - -There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. -He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort that call -themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, and quick in -all his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me, that he -was used to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly, -cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say--but it is true all the -same--that the clean, fresh smell there was about him made me take to -him; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, but a fresh smell -as if he had come out of a hayloft. He offered twenty-three pounds for -me, but that was refused, and he walked away. I looked after him, but -he was gone, and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was -dreadfully afraid he would have me; but he walked off. One or two more -came who did not mean business. Then the hard-faced man came back again -and offered twenty-three pounds. A very close bargain was being driven, -for my salesman began to think he should not get all he asked, and must -come down; but just then the gray-eyed man came back again. I could not -help reaching out my head toward him. He stroked my face kindly. - -"Well, old chap," he said, "I think we should suit each other. I'll give -twenty-four for him." - -"Say twenty-five and you shall have him." - -"Twenty-four ten," said my friend, in a very decided tone, "and not -another sixpence--yes or no?" - -"Done," said the salesman; "and you may depend upon it there's a -monstrous deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him for cab -work he's a bargain." - -The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, and -led me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle -ready. He gave me a good feed of oats and stood by while I ate it, -talking to himself and talking to me. Half an hour after we were on our -way to London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, until we came -into the great London thoroughfare, on which we traveled steadily, till -in the twilight we reached the great city. The gas lamps were already -lighted; there were streets to the right, and streets to the left, and -streets crossing each other, for mile upon mile. I thought we should -never come to the end of them. At last, in passing through one, we -came to a long cab stand, when my rider called out in a cheery voice, -"Good-night, governor!" - -"Halloo!" cried a voice. "Have you got a good one?" - -"I think so," replied my owner. - -"I wish you luck with him." - -"Thank you, governor," and he rode on. We soon turned up one of the side -streets, and about halfway up that we turned into a very narrow street, -with rather poor-looking houses on one side, and what seemed to be -coach-houses and stables on the other. - -My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door flew -open, and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. -There was a very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. - -"Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us the -lantern." - -The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard. - -"Is he gentle, father?" - -"Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him." - -At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without -fear. How good it felt! - -"Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down," said the mother. - -"Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful -mash ready for me." - -"Sausage dumpling and apple turnover!" shouted the boy, which set them -all laughing. I was led into a comfortable, clean-smelling stall, with -plenty of dry straw, and after a capital supper I lay down, thinking I -was going to be happy. - - - - -33 A London Cab Horse - - -Jeremiah Barker was my new master's name, but as every one called him -Jerry, I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good a match as -a man could have. She was a plump, trim, tidy little woman, with smooth, -dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. The boy was twelve years -old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; and little Dorothy (Dolly they -called her) was her mother over again, at eight years old. They were all -wonderfully fond of each other; I never knew such a happy, merry family -before or since. Jerry had a cab of his own, and two horses, which he -drove and attended to himself. His other horse was a tall, white, rather -large-boned animal called "Captain". He was old now, but when he was -young he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of -holding his head and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, -fine-mannered, noble old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in -his early youth he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer -in the cavalry, and used to lead the regiment. I will tell more of that -hereafter. - -The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the -yard to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his father since -the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out a -"regular brick". Polly brought me a slice of apple, and Dolly a piece -of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been the "Black Beauty" of -olden time. It was a great treat to be petted again and talked to in a -gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could that I wished to be -friendly. Polly thought I was very handsome, and a great deal too good -for a cab, if it was not for the broken knees. - -"Of course there's no one to tell us whose fault that was," said Jerry, -"and as long as I don't know I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; -for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him 'Jack', after -the old one--shall we, Polly?" - -"Do," she said, "for I like to keep a good name going." - -Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school -to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the -cab. Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted -comfortably as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper -was let out a hole or two it all fitted well. There was no check-rein, -no curb, nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! - -After driving through the side street we came to the large cab stand -where Jerry had said "Good-night". On one side of this wide street were -high houses with wonderful shop fronts, and on the other was an old -church and churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. Alongside these -iron rails a number of cabs were drawn up, waiting for passengers; bits -of hay were lying about on the ground; some of the men were standing -together talking; some were sitting on their boxes reading the -newspaper; and one or two were feeding their horses with bits of hay, -and giving them a drink of water. We pulled up in the rank at the back -of the last cab. Two or three men came round and began to look at me and -pass their remarks. - -"Very good for a funeral," said one. - -"Too smart-looking," said another, shaking his head in a very wise way; -"you'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, or my name -isn't Jones." - -"Well," said Jerry pleasantly, "I suppose I need not find it out till it -finds me out, eh? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer." - -Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat -with great gray cape and great white buttons, a gray hat, and a blue -comforter loosely tied round his neck; his hair was gray, too; but -he was a jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. -He looked me all over, as if he had been going to buy me; and then -straightening himself up with a grunt, he said, "He's the right sort for -you, Jerry; I don't care what you gave for him, he'll be worth it." Thus -my character was established on the stand. - -This man's name was Grant, but he was called "Gray Grant", or "Governor -Grant". He had been the longest on that stand of any of the men, and -he took it upon himself to settle matters and stop disputes. He was -generally a good-humored, sensible man; but if his temper was a little -out, as it was sometimes when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to -come too near his fist, for he could deal a very heavy blow. - -The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. I had never -been used to London, and the noise, the hurry, the crowds of horses, -carts, and carriages that I had to make my way through made me feel -anxious and harassed; but I soon found that I could perfectly trust my -driver, and then I made myself easy and got used to it. - -Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever known, and what was better, he -took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself. He soon found -out that I was willing to work and do my best, and he never laid the -whip on me unless it was gently drawing the end of it over my back when -I was to go on; but generally I knew this quite well by the way in which -he took up the reins, and I believe his whip was more frequently stuck -up by his side than in his hand. - -In a short time I and my master understood each other as well as horse -and man can do. In the stable, too, he did all that he could for our -comfort. The stalls were the old-fashioned style, too much on the slope; -but he had two movable bars fixed across the back of our stalls, so that -at night, and when we were resting, he just took off our halters and -put up the bars, and thus we could turn about and stand whichever way we -pleased, which is a great comfort. - -Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he -could, and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us -plenty of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both night -and day, except of course when we came in warm. Some people say that a -horse ought not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to -drink when we want it we drink only a little at a time, and it does us -a great deal more good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, -because we have been left without till we are thirsty and miserable. -Some grooms will go home to their beer and leave us for hours with our -dry hay and oats and nothing to moisten them; then of course we gulp -down too much at once, which helps to spoil our breathing and sometimes -chills our stomachs. But the best thing we had here was our Sundays for -rest; we worked so hard in the week that I do not think we could have -kept up to it but for that day; besides, we had then time to enjoy each -other's company. It was on these days that I learned my companion's -history. - - - - -34 An Old War Horse - - -Captain had been broken in and trained for an army horse; his first -owner was an officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean war. He said he -quite enjoyed the training with all the other horses, trotting together, -turning together, to the right hand or the left, halting at the word of -command, or dashing forward at full speed at the sound of the trumpet -or signal of the officer. He was, when young, a dark, dappled iron-gray, -and considered very handsome. His master, a young, high-spirited -gentleman, was very fond of him, and treated him from the first with the -greatest care and kindness. He told me he thought the life of an army -horse was very pleasant; but when it came to being sent abroad over the -sea in a great ship, he almost changed his mind. - -"That part of it," said he, "was dreadful! Of course we could not walk -off the land into the ship; so they were obliged to put strong straps -under our bodies, and then we were lifted off our legs in spite of our -struggles, and were swung through the air over the water, to the deck of -the great vessel. There we were placed in small close stalls, and never -for a long time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our legs. The ship -sometimes rolled about in high winds, and we were knocked about, and -felt bad enough. - -"However, at last it came to an end, and we were hauled up, and swung -over again to the land; we were very glad, and snorted and neighed for -joy, when we once more felt firm ground under our feet. - -"We soon found that the country we had come to was very different from -our own and that we had many hardships to endure besides the fighting; -but many of the men were so fond of their horses that they did -everything they could to make them comfortable in spite of snow, wet, -and all things out of order." - -"But what about the fighting?" said I, "was not that worse than anything -else?" - -"Well," said he, "I hardly know; we always liked to hear the trumpet -sound, and to be called out, and were impatient to start off, though -sometimes we had to stand for hours, waiting for the word of command; -and when the word was given we used to spring forward as gayly and -eagerly as if there were no cannon balls, bayonets, or bullets. I -believe so long as we felt our rider firm in the saddle, and his hand -steady on the bridle, not one of us gave way to fear, not even when the -terrible bomb-shells whirled through the air and burst into a thousand -pieces. - -"I, with my noble master, went into many actions together without a -wound; and though I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced through -with lances, and gashed with fearful saber-cuts; though we left them -dead on the field, or dying in the agony of their wounds, I don't think -I feared for myself. My master's cheery voice, as he encouraged his -men, made me feel as if he and I could not be killed. I had such perfect -trust in him that while he was guiding me I was ready to charge up -to the very cannon's mouth. I saw many brave men cut down, many fall -mortally wounded from their saddles. I had heard the cries and groans -of the dying, I had cantered over ground slippery with blood, and -frequently had to turn aside to avoid trampling on wounded man or horse, -but, until one dreadful day, I had never felt terror; that day I shall -never forget." - -Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, and -he went on. - -"It was one autumn morning, and as usual, an hour before daybreak our -cavalry had turned out, ready caparisoned for the day's work, whether -it might be fighting or waiting. The men stood by their horses waiting, -ready for orders. As the light increased there seemed to be some -excitement among the officers; and before the day was well begun we -heard the firing of the enemy's guns. - -"Then one of the officers rode up and gave the word for the men to -mount, and in a second every man was in his saddle, and every horse -stood expecting the touch of the rein, or the pressure of his rider's -heels, all animated, all eager; but still we had been trained so well -that, except by the champing of our bits, and the restive tossing of our -heads from time to time, it could not be said that we stirred. - -"My dear master and I were at the head of the line, and as all sat -motionless and watchful, he took a little stray lock of my mane which -had turned over on the wrong side, laid it over on the right, and -smoothed it down with his hand; then patting my neck, he said, 'We shall -have a day of it to-day, Bayard, my beauty; but we'll do our duty as we -have done.' He stroked my neck that morning more, I think, than he had -ever done before; quietly on and on, as if he were thinking of something -else. I loved to feel his hand on my neck, and arched my crest proudly -and happily; but I stood very still, for I knew all his moods, and when -he liked me to be quiet, and when gay. - -"I cannot tell all that happened on that day, but I will tell of the -last charge that we made together; it was across a valley right in front -of the enemy's cannon. By this time we were well used to the roar of -heavy guns, the rattle of musket fire, and the flying of shot near us; -but never had I been under such a fire as we rode through on that day. -From the right, from the left, and from the front, shot and shell poured -in upon us. Many a brave man went down, many a horse fell, flinging his -rider to the earth; many a horse without a rider ran wildly out of the -ranks; then terrified at being alone, with no hand to guide him, came -pressing in among his old companions, to gallop with them to the charge. - -"Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one turned back. Every moment the -ranks were thinned, but as our comrades fell, we closed in to keep -them together; and instead of being shaken or staggered in our pace our -gallop became faster and faster as we neared the cannon. - -"My master, my dear master was cheering on his comrades with his right -arm raised on high, when one of the balls whizzing close to my head -struck him. I felt him stagger with the shock, though he uttered no cry; -I tried to check my speed, but the sword dropped from his right hand, -the rein fell loose from the left, and sinking backward from the saddle -he fell to the earth; the other riders swept past us, and by the force -of their charge I was driven from the spot. - -"I wanted to keep my place by his side and not leave him under that -rush of horses' feet, but it was in vain; and now without a master or a -friend I was alone on that great slaughter ground; then fear took hold -on me, and I trembled as I had never trembled before; and I too, as I -had seen other horses do, tried to join in the ranks and gallop with -them; but I was beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just then a -soldier whose horse had been killed under him caught at my bridle and -mounted me, and with this new master I was again going forward; but our -gallant company was cruelly overpowered, and those who remained alive -after the fierce fight for the guns came galloping back over the same -ground. Some of the horses had been so badly wounded that they could -scarcely move from the loss of blood; other noble creatures were trying -on three legs to drag themselves along, and others were struggling to -rise on their fore feet, when their hind legs had been shattered by -shot. After the battle the wounded men were brought in and the dead were -buried." - -"And what about the wounded horses?" I said; "were they left to die?" - -"No, the army farriers went over the field with their pistols and shot -all that were ruined; some that had only slight wounds were brought back -and attended to, but the greater part of the noble, willing creatures -that went out that morning never came back! In our stables there was -only about one in four that returned. - -"I never saw my dear master again. I believe he fell dead from the -saddle. I never loved any other master so well. I went into many other -engagements, but was only once wounded, and then not seriously; and when -the war was over I came back again to England, as sound and strong as -when I went out." - -I said, "I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine -thing." - -"Ah!" said he, "I should think they never saw it. No doubt it is very -fine when there is no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade and -sham fight. Yes, it is very fine then; but when thousands of good brave -men and horses are killed or crippled for life, it has a very different -look." - -"Do you know what they fought about?" said I. - -"No," he said, "that is more than a horse can understand, but the enemy -must have been awfully wicked people, if it was right to go all that way -over the sea on purpose to kill them." - - - - -35 Jerry Barker - - -I never knew a better man than my new master. He was kind and good, and -as strong for the right as John Manly; and so good-tempered and merry -that very few people could pick a quarrel with him. He was very fond of -making little songs, and singing them to himself. One he was very fond -of was this: - - "Come, father and mother, - And sister and brother, - Come, all of you, turn to - And help one another." - -And so they did; Harry was as clever at stable-work as a much older boy, -and always wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and Dolly used to come -in the morning to help with the cab--to brush and beat the cushions, -and rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard, and -Harry was rubbing the harness. There used to be a great deal of laughing -and fun between them, and it put Captain and me in much better spirits -than if we had heard scolding and hard words. They were always early in -the morning, for Jerry would say: - - "If you in the morning - Throw minutes away, - You can't pick them up - In the course of a day. - You may hurry and scurry, - And flurry and worry, - You've lost them forever, - Forever and aye." - -He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time; and nothing -was so near making him angry as to find people, who were always late, -wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, to make up for their idleness. - -One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the -stand, and called Jerry. - -"Here, cabby! look sharp, we are rather late; put on the steam, will -you, and take us to the Victoria in time for the one o'clock train? You -shall have a shilling extra." - -"I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay for -putting on the steam like that." - -Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he flung open the door, and said, -"I'm your man, gentlemen! take my cab, my horse will get you there all -right;" and as he shut them in, with a wink toward Jerry, said, "It's -against his conscience to go beyond a jog-trot." Then slashing his jaded -horse, he set off as hard as he could. Jerry patted me on the neck: "No, -Jack, a shilling would not pay for that sort of thing, would it, old -boy?" - -Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving, to please -careless people, he always went a good fair pace, and was not against -putting on the steam, as he said, if only he knew why. - -I well remember one morning, as we were on the stand waiting for a -fare, that a young man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a piece of -orange peel which lay on the pavement, and fell down with great force. - -Jerry was the first to run and lift him up. He seemed much stunned, and -as they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain. Jerry -of course came back to the stand, but in about ten minutes one of the -shopmen called him, so we drew up to the pavement. - -"Can you take me to the South-Eastern Railway?" said the young man; -"this unlucky fall has made me late, I fear; but it is of great -importance that I should not lose the twelve o'clock train. I should be -most thankful if you could get me there in time, and will gladly pay you -an extra fare." - -"I'll do my very best," said Jerry heartily, "if you think you are well -enough, sir," for he looked dreadfully white and ill. - -"I must go," he said earnestly, "please to open the door, and let us -lose no time." - -The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, and a -twitch of the rein that I well understood. - -"Now then, Jack, my boy," said he, "spin along, we'll show them how we -can get over the ground, if we only know why." - -It is always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the -day, when the streets are full of traffic, but we did what could be -done; and when a good driver and a good horse, who understand each -other, are of one mind, it is wonderful what they can do. I had a very -good mouth--that is I could be guided by the slightest touch of the -rein; and that is a great thing in London, among carriages, omnibuses, -carts, vans, trucks, cabs, and great wagons creeping along at a walking -pace; some going one way, some another, some going slowly, others -wanting to pass them; omnibuses stopping short every few minutes to take -up a passenger, obliging the horse that is coming behind to pull up too, -or to pass, and get before them; perhaps you try to pass, but just then -something else comes dashing in through the narrow opening, and you -have to keep in behind the omnibus again; presently you think you see a -chance, and manage to get to the front, going so near the wheels on each -side that half an inch nearer and they would scrape. Well, you get along -for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages -all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come to a regular block-up, and -have to stand still for minutes together, till something clears out into -a side street, or the policeman interferes; you have to be ready for -any chance--to dash forward if there be an opening, and be quick as a -rat-dog to see if there be room and if there be time, lest you get your -own wheels locked or smashed, or the shaft of some other vehicle run -into your chest or shoulder. All this is what you have to be ready for. -If you want to get through London fast in the middle of the day it wants -a deal of practice. - -Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through -when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust -my driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, and could trust -his horse, which was a great thing too. He very seldom used the whip; I -knew by his voice, and his click, click, when he wanted to get on fast, -and by the rein where I was to go; so there was no need for whipping; -but I must go back to my story. - -The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far -as the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four -minutes. The young man put his head out and said anxiously, "I think I -had better get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on." - -"I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry; "I think we shall be -in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage is very -heavy for you to carry, sir." - -Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, and then we had a -good turn. In and out, in and out we went, as fast as horseflesh could -do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time on London Bridge, for -there was a whole train of cabs and carriages all going our way at a -quick trot, perhaps wanting to catch that very train. At any rate, we -whirled into the station with many more, just as the great clock pointed -to eight minutes to twelve o'clock. - -"Thank God! we are in time," said the young man, "and thank you, too, my -friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money can ever -pay for. Take this extra half-crown." - -"No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir; -but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter! take this -gentleman's luggage--Dover line twelve o'clock train--that's it," and -without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round to make room for -other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, and drew up on one -side till the crush was past. - -"'So glad!' he said, 'so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was -that made him so anxious!" - -Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we -were not moving. - -On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing and -chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, as they -said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know how much he -had pocketed. - -"A good deal more than I generally get," said he, nodding slyly; "what -he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days." - -"Gammon!" said one. - -"He's a humbug," said another; "preaching to us and then doing the same -himself." - -"Look here, mates," said Jerry; "the gentleman offered me half a crown -extra, but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how -glad he was to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a -quick run now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not -yours." - -"Well," said Larry, "you'll never be a rich man." - -"Most likely not," said Jerry; "but I don't know that I shall be the -less happy for that. I have heard the commandments read a great many -times and I never noticed that any of them said, 'Thou shalt be rich'; -and there are a good many curious things said in the New Testament about -rich men that I think would make me feel rather queer if I was one of -them." - -"If you ever do get rich," said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder -across the top of his cab, "you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find -a curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor; you -spend too much in whipcord." - -"Well," said Larry, "what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go -without it?" - -"You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it; your whip -is always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, and -if it does not wear you out it wears your horse out; you know you are -always changing your horses; and why? Because you never give them any -peace or encouragement." - -"Well, I have not had good luck," said Larry, "that's where it is." - -"And you never will," said the governor. "Good Luck is rather particular -who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense -and a good heart; at least that is my experience." - -Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men -went to their cabs. - - - - -36 The Sunday Cab - - -One morning, as Jerry had just put me into the shafts and was fastening -the traces, a gentleman walked into the yard. "Your servant, sir," said -Jerry. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the gentleman. "I should be glad to -make some arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs regularly to -church on Sunday mornings. We go to the New Church now, and that is -rather further than she can walk." - -"Thank you, sir," said Jerry, "but I have only taken out a six-days' -license,* and therefore I could not take a fare on a Sunday; it would -not be legal." - - -* A few years since the annual charge for a cab license was very much -reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days' cabs was -abolished. - - -"Oh!" said the other, "I did not know yours was a six-days' cab; but of -course it would be very easy to alter your license. I would see that you -did not lose by it; the fact is, Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to -drive her." - -"I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but I had a seven-days' -license once, and the work was too hard for me, and too hard for my -horses. Year in and year out, not a day's rest, and never a Sunday with -my wife and children; and never able to go to a place of worship, which -I had always been used to do before I took to the driving box. So for -the last five years I have only taken a six-days' license, and I find it -better all the way round." - -"Well, of course," replied Mr. Briggs, "it is very proper that every -person should have rest, and be able to go to church on Sundays, but I -should have thought you would not have minded such a short distance for -the horse, and only once a day; you would have all the afternoon and -evening for yourself, and we are very good customers, you know." - -"Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for all favors, I am sure; -and anything that I could do to oblige you, or the lady, I should be -proud and happy to do; but I can't give up my Sundays, sir, indeed I -can't. I read that God made man, and he made horses and all the other -beasts, and as soon as He had made them He made a day of rest, and bade -that all should rest one day in seven; and I think, sir, He must have -known what was good for them, and I am sure it is good for me; I am -stronger and healthier altogether, now that I have a day of rest; the -horses are fresh too, and do not wear up nearly so fast. The six-day -drivers all tell me the same, and I have laid by more money in the -savings bank than ever I did before; and as for the wife and children, -sir, why, heart alive! they would not go back to the seven days for all -they could see." - -"Oh, very well," said the gentleman. "Don't trouble yourself, Mr. -Barker, any further. I will inquire somewhere else," and he walked away. - -"Well," says Jerry to me, "we can't help it, Jack, old boy; we must have -our Sundays." - -"Polly!" he shouted, "Polly! come here." - -She was there in a minute. - -"What is it all about, Jerry?" - -"Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take Mrs. Briggs to church every -Sunday morning. I say I have only a six-days' license. He says, 'Get a -seven-days' license, and I'll make it worth your while;' and you know, -Polly, they are very good customers to us. Mrs. Briggs often goes out -shopping for hours, or making calls, and then she pays down fair and -honorable like a lady; there's no beating down or making three hours -into two hours and a half, as some folks do; and it is easy work for -the horses; not like tearing along to catch trains for people that are -always a quarter of an hour too late; and if I don't oblige her in this -matter it is very likely we shall lose them altogether. What do you say, -little woman?" - -"I say, Jerry," says she, speaking very slowly, "I say, if Mrs. Briggs -would give you a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would not have you a -seven-days' cabman again. We have known what it was to have no Sundays, -and now we know what it is to call them our own. Thank God, you earn -enough to keep us, though it is sometimes close work to pay for all the -oats and hay, the license, and the rent besides; but Harry will soon be -earning something, and I would rather struggle on harder than we do than -go back to those horrid times when you hardly had a minute to look at -your own children, and we never could go to a place of worship together, -or have a happy, quiet day. God forbid that we should ever turn back to -those times; that's what I say, Jerry." - -"And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear," said Jerry, "and -what I mean to stick to. So don't go and fret yourself, Polly" (for she -had begun to cry); "I would not go back to the old times if I earned -twice as much, so that is settled, little woman. Now, cheer up, and I'll -be off to the stand." - -Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had -come from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the -stand. Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was -harder for horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, -"Never mind, father, never, mind. - - "'Do your best, - And leave the rest, - 'Twill all come right - Some day or night.'" - -It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, and for what -reason. Most of the men said he was a fool, but two or three took his -part. - -"If workingmen don't stick to their Sunday," said Truman, "they'll soon -have none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By -God's law we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day -of rest; and I say we ought to hold to the rights these laws give us and -keep them for our children." - -"All very well for you religious chaps to talk so," said Larry; "but -I'll turn a shilling when I can. I don't believe in religion, for I -don't see that your religious people are any better than the rest." - -"If they are not better," put in Jerry, "it is because they are not -religious. You might as well say that our country's laws are not good -because some people break them. If a man gives way to his temper, and -speaks evil of his neighbor, and does not pay his debts, he is not -religious, I don't care how much he goes to church. If some men are -shams and humbugs, that does not make religion untrue. Real religion is -the best and truest thing in the world, and the only thing that can make -a man really happy or make the world we live in any better." - -"If religion was good for anything," said Jones, "it would prevent your -religious people from making us work on Sundays, as you know many of -them do, and that's why I say religion is nothing but a sham; why, if it -was not for the church and chapel-goers it would be hardly worth while -our coming out on a Sunday. But they have their privileges, as they call -them, and I go without. I shall expect them to answer for my soul, if I -can't get a chance of saving it." - -Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said: - -"That may sound well enough, but it won't do; every man must look -after his own soul; you can't lay it down at another man's door like a -foundling and expect him to take care of it; and don't you see, if you -are always sitting on your box waiting for a fare, they will say, 'If we -don't take him some one else will, and he does not look for any Sunday.' -Of course, they don't go to the bottom of it, or they would see if they -never came for a cab it would be no use your standing there; but -people don't always like to go to the bottom of things; it may not be -convenient to do it; but if you Sunday drivers would all strike for a -day of rest the thing would be done." - -"And what would all the good people do if they could not get to their -favorite preachers?" said Larry. - -"'Tis not for me to lay down plans for other people," said Jerry, "but -if they can't walk so far they can go to what is nearer; and if it -should rain they can put on their mackintoshes as they do on a week-day. -If a thing is right it can be done, and if it is wrong it can be done -without; and a good man will find a way. And that is as true for us -cabmen as it is for the church-goers." - - - - -37 The Golden Rule - - -Two or three weeks after this, as we came into the yard rather late in -the evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern (she -always brought it to him if it was not very wet). - -"It has all come right, Jerry; Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this -afternoon to ask you to take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I -said, 'Yes, I thought so, but we supposed she employed some one else -now.'" - -"'Well,' said he, 'the real fact is, master was put out because Mr. -Barker refused to come on Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs, -but there's something wrong with them all; some drive too fast, and some -too slow, and the mistress says there is not one of them so nice and -clean as yours, and nothing will suit her but Mr. Barker's cab again.'" - -Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh. - -"''Twill all come right some day or night': you were right, my dear; you -generally are. Run in and get the supper, and I'll have Jack's harness -off and make him snug and happy in no time." - -After this Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab quite as often as before, -never, however, on a Sunday; but there came a day when we had Sunday -work, and this was how it happened. We had all come home on the Saturday -night very tired, and very glad to think that the next day would be all -rest, but so it was not to be. - -On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, when Polly stepped -up to him, looking very full of something. - -"What is it?" said Jerry. - -"Well, my dear," she said, "poor Dinah Brown has just had a letter -brought to say that her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must -go directly if she wishes to see her alive. The place is more than ten -miles away from here, out in the country, and she says if she takes the -train she should still have four miles to walk; and so weak as she is, -and the baby only four weeks old, of course that would be impossible; -and she wants to know if you would take her in your cab, and she -promises to pay you faithfully, as she can get the money." - -"Tut, tut! we'll see about that. It was not the money I was thinking -about, but of losing our Sunday; the horses are tired, and I am tired, -too--that's where it pinches." - -"It pinches all round, for that matter," said Polly, "for it's only -half Sunday without you, but you know we should do to other people as -we should like they should do to us; and I know very well what I should -like if my mother was dying; and Jerry, dear, I am sure it won't break -the Sabbath; for if pulling a poor beast or donkey out of a pit would -not spoil it, I am quite sure taking poor Dinah would not do it." - -"Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've had my -Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah that I'll -be ready for her as the clock strikes ten; but stop--just step round to -butcher Braydon's with my compliments, and ask him if he would lend me -his light trap; I know he never uses it on the Sunday, and it would make -a wonderful difference to the horse." - -Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap and -welcome. - -"All right," said he; "now put me up a bit of bread and cheese, and I'll -be back in the afternoon as soon as I can." - -"And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for -dinner," said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations -to the tune of "Polly's the woman and no mistake", of which tune he was -very fond. - -I was selected for the journey, and at ten o'clock we started, in a -light, high-wheeled gig, which ran so easily that after the four-wheeled -cab it seemed like nothing. - -It was a fine May day, and as soon as we were out of the town, the sweet -air, the smell of the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were as -pleasant as they used to be in the old times, and I soon began to feel -quite fresh. - -Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, up a green lane, close by a -meadow with some fine shady trees; there were two cows feeding in it. -A young man asked Jerry to bring his trap into the meadow, and he would -tie me up in the cowshed; he wished he had a better stable to offer. - -"If your cows would not be offended," said Jerry, "there is nothing my -horse would like so well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful -meadow; he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat for him." - -"Do, and welcome," said the young man; "the best we have is at your -service for your kindness to my sister; we shall be having some dinner -in an hour, and I hope you'll come in, though with mother so ill we are -all out of sorts in the house." - -Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had some dinner with him there -was nothing he should like so well as walking about in the meadow. - -When my harness was taken off I did not know what I should do -first--whether to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down -and rest, or have a gallop across the meadow out of sheer spirits at -being free; and I did all by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy -as I was; he sat down by a bank under a shady tree, and listened to the -birds, then he sang himself, and read out of the little brown book he is -so fond of, then wandered round the meadow, and down by a little brook, -where he picked the flowers and the hawthorn, and tied them up with -long sprays of ivy; then he gave me a good feed of the oats which he had -brought with him; but the time seemed all too short--I had not been in a -field since I left poor Ginger at Earlshall. - -We came home gently, and Jerry's first words were, as we came into the -yard, "Well, Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds -were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service; and as -for Jack, he was like a young colt." - -When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. - - - - -38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman - - -Winter came in early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was snow, -or sleet, or rain almost every day for weeks, changing only for keen -driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. When -it is a dry cold a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us; -but when it is soaking rain they soon get wet through and are no good. -Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, which was a -fine thing; but some of the men were so poor that they could not protect -either themselves or their horses, and many of them suffered very much -that winter. When we horses had worked half the day we went to our dry -stables, and could rest, while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes -staying out as late as one or two o'clock in the morning if they had a -party to wait for. - -When the streets were slippery with frost or snow that was the worst of -all for us horses. One mile of such traveling, with a weight to draw -and no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good -road; every nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our -balance; and, added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting than -anything else. If the roads are very bad indeed our shoes are roughed, -but that makes us feel nervous at first. - -When the weather was very bad many of the men would go and sit in the -tavern close by, and get some one to watch for them; but they often -lost a fare in that way, and could not, as Jerry said, be there without -spending money. He never went to the Rising Sun; there was a coffee-shop -near, where he now and then went, or he bought of an old man, who came -to our rank with tins of hot coffee and pies. It was his opinion that -spirits and beer made a man colder afterward, and that dry clothes, good -food, cheerfulness, and a comfortable wife at home, were the best things -to keep a cabman warm. Polly always supplied him with something to eat -when he could not get home, and sometimes he would see little Dolly -peeping from the corner of the street, to make sure if "father" was on -the stand. If she saw him she would run off at full speed and soon come -back with something in a tin or basket, some hot soup or pudding Polly -had ready. It was wonderful how such a little thing could get safely -across the street, often thronged with horses and carriages; but she was -a brave little maid, and felt it quite an honor to bring "father's first -course", as he used to call it. She was a general favorite on the stand, -and there was not a man who would not have seen her safely across the -street, if Jerry had not been able to do it. - -One cold windy day Dolly had brought Jerry a basin of something hot, -and was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun when -a gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. Jerry -touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, and was taking off -my cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, "No, no, finish -your soup, my friend; I have not much time to spare, but I can wait -till you have done, and set your little girl safe on the pavement." So -saying, he seated himself in the cab. Jerry thanked him kindly, and came -back to Dolly. - -"There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a real gentleman, Dolly; he -has got time and thought for the comfort of a poor cabman and a little -girl." - -Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders -to drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that the same gentleman -took our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, for whenever -we took him to his own door two or three dogs would come bounding out -to meet him. Sometimes he came round and patted me, saying in his quiet, -pleasant way, "This horse has got a good master, and he deserves it." -It was a very rare thing for any one to notice the horse that had been -working for him. I have known ladies to do it now and then, and this -gentleman, and one or two others have given me a pat and a kind word; -but ninety-nine persons out of a hundred would as soon think of patting -the steam engine that drew the train. - -The gentleman was not young, and there was a forward stoop in his -shoulders as if he was always going at something. His lips were thin and -close shut, though they had a very pleasant smile; his eye was keen, and -there was something in his jaw and the motion of his head that made one -think he was very determined in anything he set about. His voice was -pleasant and kind; any horse would trust that voice, though it was just -as decided as everything else about him. - -One day he and another gentleman took our cab; they stopped at a shop -in R---- Street, and while his friend went in he stood at the door. A -little ahead of us on the other side of the street a cart with two very -fine horses was standing before some wine vaults; the carter was not -with them, and I cannot tell how long they had been standing, but they -seemed to think they had waited long enough, and began to move off. -Before they had gone many paces the carter came running out and caught -them. He seemed furious at their having moved, and with whip and rein -punished them brutally, even beating them about the head. Our gentleman -saw it all, and stepping quickly across the street, said in a decided -voice: - -"If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested for leaving -your horses, and for brutal conduct." - -The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive -language, but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the -reins, got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a -note-book from his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted -on the cart, he wrote something down. - -"What do you want with that?" growled the carter, as he cracked his whip -and was moving on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. - -On returning to the cab our friend was joined by his companion, who said -laughingly, "I should have thought, Wright, you had enough business of -your own to look after, without troubling yourself about other people's -horses and servants." - -Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little -back, "Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?" - -"No," said the other. - -"Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about their own -business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up for the oppressed, -nor bring the wrongdoer to light. I never see a wicked thing like this -without doing what I can, and many a master has thanked me for letting -him know how his horses have been used." - -"I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir," said Jerry, "for they -are wanted badly enough in this city." - -After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab our -friend was saying, "My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or -wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves -sharers in the guilt." - - - - -39 Seedy Sam - - -I should say that for a cab-horse I was very well off indeed; my driver -was my owner, and it was his interest to treat me well and not overwork -me, even had he not been so good a man as he was; but there were a great -many horses which belonged to the large cab-owners, who let them out to -their drivers for so much money a day. As the horses did not belong to -these men the only thing they thought of was how to get their money out -of them, first, to pay the master, and then to provide for their own -living; and a dreadful time some of these horses had of it. Of course, -I understood but little, but it was often talked over on the stand, -and the governor, who was a kind-hearted man and fond of horses, would -sometimes speak up if one came in very much jaded or ill-used. - -One day a shabby, miserable-looking driver, who went by the name of -"Seedy Sam", brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat, and the -governor said: - -"You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this -rank." - -The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round upon -the Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate: - -"If the police have any business with the matter it ought to be with the -masters who charge us so much, or with the fares that are fixed so low. -If a man has to pay eighteen shillings a day for the use of a cab and -two horses, as many of us have to do in the season, and must make that -up before we earn a penny for ourselves I say 'tis more than hard work; -nine shillings a day to get out of each horse before you begin to get -your own living. You know that's true, and if the horses don't work we -must starve, and I and my children have known what that is before now. -I've six of 'em, and only one earns anything; I am on the stand fourteen -or sixteen hours a day, and I haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve -weeks; you know Skinner never gives a day if he can help it, and if I -don't work hard, tell me who does! I want a warm coat and a mackintosh, -but with so many to feed how can a man get it? I had to pledge my clock -a week ago to pay Skinner, and I shall never see it again." - -Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads and saying he -was right. The man went on: - -"You that have your own horses and cabs, or drive for good masters, have -a chance of getting on and a chance of doing right; I haven't. We can't -charge more than sixpence a mile after the first, within the four-mile -radius. This very morning I had to go a clear six miles and only took -three shillings. I could not get a return fare, and had to come all the -way back; there's twelve miles for the horse and three shillings for me. -After that I had a three-mile fare, and there were bags and boxes enough -to have brought in a good many twopences if they had been put outside; -but you know how people do; all that could be piled up inside on the -front seat were put in and three heavy boxes went on the top. That -was sixpence, and the fare one and sixpence; then I got a return for a -shilling. Now that makes eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings -for me; there's three shillings still for that horse to earn and nine -shillings for the afternoon horse before I touch a penny. Of course, it -is not always so bad as that, but you know it often is, and I say 'tis -a mockery to tell a man that he must not overwork his horse, for when a -beast is downright tired there's nothing but the whip that will keep -his legs a-going; you can't help yourself--you must put your wife and -children before the horse; the masters must look to that, we can't. I -don't ill-use my horse for the sake of it; none of you can say I do. -There's wrong lays somewhere--never a day's rest, never a quiet hour -with the wife and children. I often feel like an old man, though I'm -only forty-five. You know how quick some of the gentry are to suspect us -of cheating and overcharging; why, they stand with their purses in -their hands counting it over to a penny and looking at us as if we were -pickpockets. I wish some of 'em had got to sit on my box sixteen hours -a day and get a living out of it and eighteen shillings beside, and that -in all weathers; they would not be so uncommon particular never to give -us a sixpence over or to cram all the luggage inside. Of course, some of -'em tip us pretty handsome now and then, or else we could not live; but -you can't depend upon that." - -The men who stood round much approved this speech, and one of them said, -"It is desperate hard, and if a man sometimes does what is wrong it is -no wonder, and if he gets a dram too much who's to blow him up?" - -Jerry had taken no part in this conversation, but I never saw his face -look so sad before. The governor had stood with both his hands in his -pockets; now he took his handkerchief out of his hat and wiped his -forehead. - -"You've beaten me, Sam," he said, "for it's all true, and I won't cast -it up to you any more about the police; it was the look in that horse's -eye that came over me. It is hard lines for man and it is hard lines for -beast, and who's to mend it I don't know: but anyway you might tell -the poor beast that you were sorry to take it out of him in that way. -Sometimes a kind word is all we can give 'em, poor brutes, and 'tis -wonderful what they do understand." - -A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's -cab. - -"Halloo!" said one, "what's up with Seedy Sam?" - -"He's ill in bed," said the man; "he was taken last night in the yard, -and could scarcely crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning to -say his father was in a high fever and could not get out, so I'm here -instead." - -The next morning the same man came again. - -"How is Sam?" inquired the governor. - -"He's gone," said the man. - -"What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?" - -"Just snuffed out," said the other; "he died at four o'clock this -morning; all yesterday he was raving--raving about Skinner, and having -no Sundays. 'I never had a Sunday's rest,' these were his last words." - -No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, "I'll tell you -what, mates, this is a warning for us." - - - - -40 Poor Ginger - - -One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of the -parks where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside ours. -The horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, and -bones that showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, and the -fore-legs were very unsteady. I had been eating some hay, and the wind -rolled a little lock of it that way, and the poor creature put out her -long thin neck and picked it up, and then turned and looked about for -more. There was a hopeless look in the dull eye that I could not help -noticing, and then, as I was thinking where I had seen that horse -before, she looked full at me and said, "Black Beauty, is that you?" - -It was Ginger! but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy neck -was now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean straight legs and -delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape with -hard work; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, was now -full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides, and her -frequent cough, how bad her breath was. - -Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to -her a step or two, that we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad -tale that she had to tell. - -After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be fit -for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while she -got on very well, but after a longer gallop than usual the old strain -returned, and after being rested and doctored she was again sold. In -this way she changed hands several times, but always getting lower down. - -"And so at last," said she, "I was bought by a man who keeps a number of -cabs and horses, and lets them out. You look well off, and I am glad of -it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. When they found out -my weakness they said I was not worth what they gave for me, and that I -must go into one of the low cabs, and just be used up; that is what -they are doing, whipping and working with never one thought of what I -suffer--they paid for me, and must get it out of me, they say. The man -who hires me now pays a deal of money to the owner every day, and so he -has to get it out of me too; and so it's all the week round and round, -with never a Sunday rest." - -I said, "You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used." - -"Ah!" she said, "I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, and if -they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do, but -just bear it--bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, -I wish I was dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not -suffer pain; I wish I may drop down dead at my work, and not be sent off -to the knackers." - -I was very much troubled, and I put my nose up to hers, but I could say -nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, for she said, -"You are the only friend I ever had." - -Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth backed her out -of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. - -A short time after this a cart with a dead horse in it passed our -cab-stand. The head hung out of the cart-tail, the lifeless tongue was -slowly dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of -them, the sight was too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a long, -thin neck. I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was -Ginger; I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh! if men -were more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. - - - - -41 The Butcher - - -I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, and much of -it might have been prevented by a little common sense. We horses do not -mind hard work if we are treated reasonably, and I am sure there are -many driven by quite poor men who have a happier life than I had when I -used to go in the Countess of W----'s carriage, with my silver-mounted -harness and high feeding. - -It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies were used, -straining along with heavy loads or staggering under heavy blows from -some low, cruel boy. Once I saw a little gray pony with a thick mane -and a pretty head, and so much like Merrylegs that if I had not been in -harness I should have neighed to him. He was doing his best to pull a -heavy cart, while a strong rough boy was cutting him under the belly -with his whip and chucking cruelly at his little mouth. Could it be -Merrylegs? It was just like him; but then Mr. Blomefield was never to -sell him, and I think he would not do it; but this might have been quite -as good a little fellow, and had as happy a place when he was young. - -I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horses were made to -go, though I did not know why it was so till one day when we had to wait -some time in St. John's Wood. There was a butcher's shop next door, and -as we were standing a butcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. -The horse was hot and much exhausted; he hung his head down, while his -heaving sides and trembling legs showed how hard he had been driven. The -lad jumped out of the cart and was getting the basket when the master -came out of the shop much displeased. After looking at the horse he -turned angrily to the lad. - -"How many times shall I tell you not to drive in this way? You ruined -the last horse and broke his wind, and you are going to ruin this in the -same way. If you were not my own son I would dismiss you on the spot; -it is a disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop in a condition like -that; you are liable to be taken up by the police for such driving, and -if you are you need not look to me for bail, for I have spoken to you -till I'm tired; you must look out for yourself." - -During this speech the boy had stood by, sullen and dogged, but when his -father ceased he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, and he wouldn't -take the blame; he was only going by orders all the time. - -"You always say, 'Now be quick; now look sharp!' and when I go to the -houses one wants a leg of mutton for an early dinner and I must be back -with it in a quarter of an hour; another cook has forgotten to order -the beef; I must go and fetch it and be back in no time, or the -mistress will scold; and the housekeeper says they have company coming -unexpectedly and must have some chops sent up directly; and the lady at -No. 4, in the Crescent, never orders her dinner till the meat comes -in for lunch, and it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all the time. If the -gentry would think of what they want, and order their meat the day -before, there need not be this blow up!" - -"I wish to goodness they would," said the butcher; "'twould save me a -wonderful deal of harass, and I could suit my customers much better if -I knew beforehand--But there! what's the use of talking--who ever thinks -of a butcher's convenience or a butcher's horse! Now, then, take him -in and look to him well; mind, he does not go out again to-day, and if -anything else is wanted you must carry it yourself in the basket." With -that he went in, and the horse was led away. - -But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some as fond of their pony or -donkey as if it had been a favorite dog, and the little creatures have -worked away as cheerfully and willingly for their young drivers as I -work for Jerry. It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's hand and -voice make it easy. - -There was a young coster-boy who came up our street with greens and -potatoes; he had an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheerfullest -and pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and to see how fond those two -were of each other was a treat. The pony followed his master like a dog, -and when he got into his cart would trot off without a whip or a word, -and rattle down the street as merrily as if he had come out of the -queen's stables. Jerry liked the boy, and called him "Prince Charlie", -for he said he would make a king of drivers some day. - -There was an old man, too, who used to come up our street with a little -coal cart; he wore a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and black. He -and his old horse used to plod together along the street, like two good -partners who understood each other; the horse would stop of his own -accord at the doors where they took coal of him; he used to keep one ear -bent toward his master. The old man's cry could be heard up the street -long before he came near. I never knew what he said, but the children -called him "Old Ba-a-ar Hoo", for it sounded like that. Polly took her -coal of him, and was very friendly, and Jerry said it was a comfort to -think how happy an old horse might be in a poor place. - - - - -42 The Election - - -As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. "Jerry! I've had -Mr. B---- here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your cab for -the election; he will call for an answer." - -"Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. I -should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, and as -to making Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses to bring up -half-drunken voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult to the horses. -No, I shan't do it." - -"I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your -politics." - -"So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; you know -what his trade is?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, a man who gets rich by that trade may be all very well in some -ways, but he is blind as to what workingmen want; I could not in my -conscience send him up to make the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, -but every man must do what he thinks to be the best for his country." - -On the morning before the election, Jerry was putting me into the -shafts, when Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her -little blue frock and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. - -"Why, Dolly, what is the matter?" - -"Those naughty boys," she sobbed, "have thrown the dirt all over me, and -called me a little raga--raga--" - -"They called her a little 'blue' ragamuffin, father," said Harry, who -ran in looking very angry; "but I have given it to them; they won't -insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing they will -remember; a set of cowardly, rascally 'orange' blackguards." - -Jerry kissed the child and said, "Run in to mother, my pet, and tell her -I think you had better stay at home to-day and help her." - -Then turning gravely to Harry: - -"My boy, I hope you will always defend your sister, and give anybody who -insults her a good thrashing--that is as it should be; but mind, I won't -have any election blackguarding on my premises. There are as many -'blue' blackguards as there are 'orange', and as many white as there are -purple, or any other color, and I won't have any of my family mixed up -with it. Even women and children are ready to quarrel for the sake of a -color, and not one in ten of them knows what it is about." - -"Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty." - -"My boy, Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, and -all the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk at -other people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, -liberty to abuse any one that does not wear your color, and to shout -yourself hoarse at what you only half-understand--that's your liberty!" - -"Oh, father, you are laughing." - -"No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed to see how men go on who -ought to know better. An election is a very serious thing; at least it -ought to be, and every man ought to vote according to his conscience, -and let his neighbor do the same." - - - - -43 A Friend in Need - - -The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and -me. First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to -go to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party who wished -to be taken to the Regent's Park; and next we were wanted in a side -street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken to the -bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, and just as we had -set her down a red-faced gentleman, with a handful of papers, came -running up out of breath, and before Jerry could get down he had opened -the door, popped himself in, and called out, "Bow Street Police Station, -quick!" so off we went with him, and when after another turn or two -we came back, there was no other cab on the stand. Jerry put on my -nose-bag, for as he said, "We must eat when we can on such days as -these; so munch away, Jack, and make the best of your time, old boy." - -I found I had a good feed of crushed oats wetted up with a little bran; -this would be a treat any day, but very refreshing then. Jerry was so -thoughtful and kind--what horse would not do his best for such a master? -Then he took out one of Polly's meat pies, and standing near me, he -began to eat it. The streets were very full, and the cabs, with the -candidates' colors on them, were dashing about through the crowd as if -life and limb were of no consequence; we saw two people knocked down -that day, and one was a woman. The horses were having a bad time of it, -poor things! but the voters inside thought nothing of that; many of them -were half-drunk, hurrahing out of the cab windows if their own party -came by. It was the first election I had seen, and I don't want to be in -another, though I have heard things are better now. - -Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman, -carrying a heavy child, came along the street. She was looking this way -and that way, and seemed quite bewildered. Presently she made her way up -to Jerry and asked if he could tell her the way to St. Thomas' Hospital, -and how far it was to get there. She had come from the country that -morning, she said, in a market cart; she did not know about the -election, and was quite a stranger in London. She had got an order for -the hospital for her little boy. The child was crying with a feeble, -pining cry. - -"Poor little fellow!" she said, "he suffers a deal of pain; he is four -years old and can't walk any more than a baby; but the doctor said if I -could get him into the hospital he might get well; pray, sir, how far is -it; and which way is it?" - -"Why, missis," said Jerry, "you can't get there walking through crowds -like this! why, it is three miles away, and that child is heavy." - -"Yes, bless him, he is; but I am strong, thank God, and if I knew the -way I think I should get on somehow; please tell me the way." - -"You can't do it," said Jerry, "you might be knocked down and the child -be run over. Now look here, just get into this cab, and I'll drive you -safe to the hospital. Don't you see the rain is coming on?" - -"No, sir, no; I can't do that, thank you, I have only just money enough -to get back with. Please tell me the way." - -"Look you here, missis," said Jerry, "I've got a wife and dear children -at home, and I know a father's feelings; now get you into that cab, and -I'll take you there for nothing. I'd be ashamed of myself to let a woman -and a sick child run a risk like that." - -"Heaven bless you!" said the woman, and burst into tears. - -"There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; come, let me -put you inside." - -As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats and -buttonholes, ran up calling out, "Cab!" - -"Engaged," cried Jerry; but one of the men, pushing past the woman, -sprang into the cab, followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern as a -policeman. "This cab is already engaged, gentlemen, by that lady." - -"Lady!" said one of them; "oh! she can wait; our business is very -important, besides we were in first, it is our right, and we shall stay -in." - -A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the door upon them. "All -right, gentlemen, pray stay in as long as it suits you; I can wait while -you rest yourselves." And turning his back upon them he walked up to the -young woman, who was standing near me. "They'll soon be gone," he said, -laughing; "don't trouble yourself, my dear." - -And they soon were gone, for when they understood Jerry's dodge they got -out, calling him all sorts of bad names and blustering about his number -and getting a summons. After this little stoppage we were soon on our -way to the hospital, going as much as possible through by-streets. Jerry -rung the great bell and helped the young woman out. - -"Thank you a thousand times," she said; "I could never have got here -alone." - -"You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better." - -He watched her go in at the door, and gently he said to himself, -"Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these." Then he -patted my neck, which was always his way when anything pleased him. - -The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the -hospital the door opened again, and the porter called out, "Cab!" We -stopped, and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at -once; she put back her veil and said, "Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it -you? I am very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want, -for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day." - -"I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be -here. Where may I take you to, ma'am?" - -"To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, as I think -we shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children." - -We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady -stood a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's -mistress, and after many inquiries about her she said: - -"How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary was rather -anxious about you last year." - -"Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into -the warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself a -good deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, and that -does try a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, and I -should feel quite lost if I had not horses to look after. I was brought -up to it, and I am afraid I should not do so well at anything else." - -"Well, Barker," she said, "it would be a great pity that you should -seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own but for -Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places where good drivers -or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think you ought to give up -this cab work let me know." - -Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand, -saying, "There is five shillings each for the two children; Mary will -know how to spend it." - -Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the -station we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. - - - - -44 Old Captain and His Successor - - -Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, and he was -very good company. I never thought that he would have to leave his home -and go down the hill; but his turn came, and this was how it happened. I -was not there, but I heard all about it. - -He and Jerry had taken a party to the great railway station over London -Bridge, and were coming back, somewhere between the bridge and the -monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's empty dray coming along, drawn by -two powerful horses. The drayman was lashing his horses with his heavy -whip; the dray was light, and they started off at a furious rate; the -man had no control over them, and the street was full of traffic. - -One young girl was knocked down and run over, and the next moment they -dashed up against our cab; both the wheels were torn off and the cab was -thrown over. Captain was dragged down, the shafts splintered, and one -of them ran into his side. Jerry, too, was thrown, but was only bruised; -nobody could tell how he escaped; he always said 'twas a miracle. When -poor Captain was got up he was found to be very much cut and knocked -about. Jerry led him home gently, and a sad sight it was to see the -blood soaking into his white coat and dropping from his side and -shoulder. The drayman was proved to be very drunk, and was fined, and -the brewer had to pay damages to our master; but there was no one to pay -damages to poor Captain. - -The farrier and Jerry did the best they could to ease his pain and make -him comfortable. The fly had to be mended, and for several days I did -not go out, and Jerry earned nothing. The first time we went to the -stand after the accident the governor came up to hear how Captain was. - -"He'll never get over it," said Jerry, "at least not for my work, so the -farrier said this morning. He says he may do for carting, and that sort -of work. It has put me out very much. Carting, indeed! I've seen what -horses come to at that work round London. I only wish all the drunkards -could be put in a lunatic asylum instead of being allowed to run foul of -sober people. If they would break their own bones, and smash their own -carts, and lame their own horses, that would be their own affair, and -we might let them alone, but it seems to me that the innocent -always suffer; and then they talk about compensation! You can't make -compensation; there's all the trouble, and vexation, and loss of time, -besides losing a good horse that's like an old friend--it's nonsense -talking of compensation! If there's one devil that I should like to see -in the bottomless pit more than another, it's the drink devil." - -"I say, Jerry," said the governor, "you are treading pretty hard on my -toes, you know; I'm not so good as you are, more shame to me; I wish I -was." - -"Well," said Jerry, "why don't you cut with it, governor? You are too -good a man to be the slave of such a thing." - -"I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, and I thought I -should have died; how did you do?" - -"I had hard work at it for several weeks; you see I never did get drunk, -but I found that I was not my own master, and that when the craving came -on it was hard work to say 'no'. I saw that one of us must knock under, -the drink devil or Jerry Barker, and I said that it should not be Jerry -Barker, God helping me; but it was a struggle, and I wanted all the -help I could get, for till I tried to break the habit I did not know how -strong it was; but then Polly took such pains that I should have good -food, and when the craving came on I used to get a cup of coffee, or -some peppermint, or read a bit in my book, and that was a help to me; -sometimes I had to say over and over to myself, 'Give up the drink or -lose your soul! Give up the drink or break Polly's heart!' But thanks be -to God, and my dear wife, my chains were broken, and now for ten years I -have not tasted a drop, and never wish for it." - -"I've a great mind to try at it," said Grant, "for 'tis a poor thing not -to be one's own master." - -"Do, governor, do, you'll never repent it, and what a help it would be -to some of the poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do without it. I -know there's two or three would like to keep out of that tavern if they -could." - -At first Captain seemed to do well, but he was a very old horse, and it -was only his wonderful constitution, and Jerry's care, that had kept -him up at the cab work so long; now he broke down very much. The farrier -said he might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds, but Jerry said, -no! a few pounds got by selling a good old servant into hard work -and misery would canker all the rest of his money, and he thought the -kindest thing he could do for the fine old fellow would be to put a sure -bullet through his head, and then he would never suffer more; for he did -not know where to find a kind master for the rest of his days. - -The day after this was decided Harry took me to the forge for some new -shoes; when I returned Captain was gone. I and the family all felt it -very much. - -Jerry had now to look out for another horse, and he soon heard of one -through an acquaintance who was under-groom in a nobleman's stables. He -was a valuable young horse, but he had run away, smashed into another -carriage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and blemished himself that -he was no longer fit for a gentleman's stables, and the coachman had -orders to look round, and sell him as well as he could. - -"I can do with high spirits," said Jerry, "if a horse is not vicious or -hard-mouthed." - -"There is not a bit of vice in him," said the man; "his mouth is very -tender, and I think myself that was the cause of the accident; you see -he had just been clipped, and the weather was bad, and he had not had -exercise enough, and when he did go out he was as full of spring as a -balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I mean) had him harnessed in as -tight and strong as he could, with the martingale, and the check-rein, a -very sharp curb, and the reins put in at the bottom bar. It is my belief -that it made the horse mad, being tender in the mouth and so full of -spirit." - -"Likely enough; I'll come and see him," said Jerry. - -The next day Hotspur, that was his name, came home; he was a fine brown -horse, without a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, with a very -handsome head, and only five years old. I gave him a friendly greeting -by way of good fellowship, but did not ask him any questions. The first -night he was very restless. Instead of lying down, he kept jerking his -halter rope up and down through the ring, and knocking the block about -against the manger till I could not sleep. However, the next day, after -five or six hours in the cab, he came in quiet and sensible. Jerry -patted and talked to him a good deal, and very soon they understood each -other, and Jerry said that with an easy bit and plenty of work he would -be as gentle as a lamb; and that it was an ill wind that blew nobody -good, for if his lordship had lost a hundred-guinea favorite, the cabman -had gained a good horse with all his strength in him. - -Hotspur thought it a great come-down to be a cab-horse, and was -disgusted at standing in the rank, but he confessed to me at the end of -the week that an easy mouth and a free head made up for a great deal, -and after all, the work was not so degrading as having one's head and -tail fastened to each other at the saddle. In fact, he settled in well, -and Jerry liked him very much. - - - - -45 Jerry's New Year - - -For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; but for -cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be a harvest. -There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open that the -work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse have to wait -for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry -people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful -ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, and his -patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. - -I had now most of the evening work, as I was well accustomed to -standing, and Jerry was also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We had -a great deal of late work in the Christmas week, and Jerry's cough was -bad; but however late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came out with a -lantern to meet him, looking anxious and troubled. - -On the evening of the New Year we had to take two gentlemen to a house -in one of the West End Squares. We set them down at nine o'clock, and -were told to come again at eleven, "but," said one, "as it is a card -party, you may have to wait a few minutes, but don't be late." - -As the clock struck eleven we were at the door, for Jerry was always -punctual. The clock chimed the quarters, one, two, three, and then -struck twelve, but the door did not open. - -The wind had been very changeable, with squalls of rain during the day, -but now it came on sharp, driving sleet, which seemed to come all the -way round; it was very cold, and there was no shelter. Jerry got off -his box and came and pulled one of my cloths a little more over my neck; -then he took a turn or two up and down, stamping his feet; then he began -to beat his arms, but that set him off coughing; so he opened the cab -door and sat at the bottom with his feet on the pavement, and was a -little sheltered. Still the clock chimed the quarters, and no one came. -At half-past twelve he rang the bell and asked the servant if he would -be wanted that night. - -"Oh, yes, you'll be wanted safe enough," said the man; "you must not go, -it will soon be over," and again Jerry sat down, but his voice was so -hoarse I could hardly hear him. - -At a quarter past one the door opened, and the two gentlemen came out; -they got into the cab without a word, and told Jerry where to drive, -that was nearly two miles. My legs were numb with cold, and I thought -I should have stumbled. When the men got out they never said they were -sorry to have kept us waiting so long, but were angry at the charge; -however, as Jerry never charged more than was his due, so he never took -less, and they had to pay for the two hours and a quarter waiting; but -it was hard-earned money to Jerry. - -At last we got home; he could hardly speak, and his cough was dreadful. -Polly asked no questions, but opened the door and held the lantern for -him. - -"Can't I do something?" she said. - -"Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel." - -This was said in a hoarse whisper; he could hardly get his breath, but -he gave me a rub-down as usual, and even went up into the hayloft for an -extra bundle of straw for my bed. Polly brought me a warm mash that made -me comfortable, and then they locked the door. - -It was late the next morning before any one came, and then it was only -Harry. He cleaned us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he put -the straw back again as if it was Sunday. He was very still, and neither -whistled nor sang. At noon he came again and gave us our food and water; -this time Dolly came with him; she was crying, and I could gather from -what they said that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the doctor said it -was a bad case. So two days passed, and there was great trouble indoors. -We only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I think she came for company, -for Polly was always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very quiet. - -On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door, -and Governor Grant came in. - -"I wouldn't go to the house, my boy," he said, "but I want to know how -your father is." - -"He is very bad," said Harry, "he can't be much worse; they call -it 'bronchitis'; the doctor thinks it will turn one way or another -to-night." - -"That's bad, very bad," said Grant, shaking his head; "I know two men -who died of that last week; it takes 'em off in no time; but while -there's life there's hope, so you must keep up your spirits." - -"Yes," said Harry quickly, "and the doctor said that father had a better -chance than most men, because he didn't drink. He said yesterday the -fever was so high that if father had been a drinking man it would have -burned him up like a piece of paper; but I believe he thinks he will get -over it; don't you think he will, Mr. Grant?" - -The governor looked puzzled. - -"If there's any rule that good men should get over these things, I'm -sure he will, my boy; he's the best man I know. I'll look in early -to-morrow." - -Early next morning he was there. - -"Well?" said he. - -"Father is better," said Harry. "Mother hopes he will get over it." - -"Thank God!" said the governor, "and now you must keep him warm, and -keep his mind easy, and that brings me to the horses; you see Jack will -be all the better for the rest of a week or two in a warm stable, and -you can easily take him a turn up and down the street to stretch his -legs; but this young one, if he does not get work, he will soon be all -up on end, as you may say, and will be rather too much for you; and when -he does go out there'll be an accident." - -"It is like that now," said Harry. "I have kept him short of corn, but -he's so full of spirit I don't know what to do with him." - -"Just so," said Grant. "Now look here, will you tell your mother that -if she is agreeable I will come for him every day till something is -arranged, and take him for a good spell of work, and whatever he earns, -I'll bring your mother half of it, and that will help with the horses' -feed. Your father is in a good club, I know, but that won't keep the -horses, and they'll be eating their heads off all this time; I'll come -at noon and hear what she says," and without waiting for Harry's thanks -he was gone. - -At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry came to the -stable together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out. - -For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and when Harry thanked him or -said anything about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying it was all -good luck for him, for his horses were wanting a little rest which they -would not otherwise have had. - -Jerry grew better steadily, but the doctor said that he must never go -back to the cab work again if he wished to be an old man. The children -had many consultations together about what father and mother would do, -and how they could help to earn money. - -One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty. - -"The streets are nothing but slush," said the governor; "it will give -you a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry." - -"All right, governor," said Harry, "I shall not leave him till he is; -you know I have been trained by my father." - -"I wish all the boys had been trained like you," said the governor. - -While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs Dolly -came in, looking very full of something. - -"Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe; -she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it." - -"Don't you know? Why, it is the name of Mrs. Fowler's place--mother's -old mistress, you know--the lady that father met last summer, who sent -you and me five shillings each." - -"Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what she is -writing to mother about." - -"Mother wrote to her last week," said Harry; "you know she told father -if ever he gave up the cab work she would like to know. I wonder what -she says; run in and see, Dolly." - -Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old -hostler. In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable. - -"Oh! Harry, there never was anything so beautiful; Mrs. Fowler says we -are all to go and live near her. There is a cottage now empty that -will just suit us, with a garden and a henhouse, and apple-trees, and -everything! and her coachman is going away in the spring, and then she -will want father in his place; and there are good families round, where -you can get a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy; -and there's a good school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by -turns, and father does look so happy!" - -"That's uncommon jolly," said Harry, "and just the right thing, I should -say; it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a -page-boy with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a -gardener." - -It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough they should -remove to the country, and that the cab and horses should be sold as -soon as possible. - -This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look -for any improvement in my condition. Since I left Birtwick I had never -been so happy as with my dear master Jerry; but three years of cab work, -even under the best conditions, will tell on one's strength, and I felt -that I was not the horse that I had been. - -Grant said at once that he would take Hotspur, and there were men on the -stand who would have bought me; but Jerry said I should not go to cab -work again with just anybody, and the governor promised to find a place -for me where I should be comfortable. - -The day came for going away. Jerry had not been allowed to go out yet, -and I never saw him after that New Year's eve. Polly and the children -came to bid me good-by. "Poor old Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could -take you with us," she said, and then laying her hand on my mane she put -her face close to my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying and kissed -me too. Harry stroked me a great deal, but said nothing, only he seemed -very sad, and so I was led away to my new place. - - - - -Part IV - - - - -46 Jakes and the Lady - - -I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him he -thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first he was quite -right, and if my master had always been on the premises I do not think -I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman who was always -hurrying and driving every one, and frequently when I had quite a full -load he would order something else to be taken on. My carter, whose name -was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, but the other -always overruled him. "'Twas no use going twice when once would do, and -he chose to get business forward." - -Jakes, like the other carters, always had the check-rein up, which -prevented me from drawing easily, and by the time I had been there three -or four months I found the work telling very much on my strength. - -One day I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road was a steep -uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, and was obliged -continually to stop. This did not please my driver, and he laid his whip -on badly. "Get on, you lazy fellow," he said, "or I'll make you." - -Again I started the heavy load, and struggled on a few yards; again the -whip came down, and again I struggled forward. The pain of that great -cart whip was sharp, but my mind was hurt quite as much as my poor -sides. To be punished and abused when I was doing my very best was -so hard it took the heart out of me. A third time he was flogging me -cruelly, when a lady stepped quickly up to him, and said in a sweet, -earnest voice: - -"Oh! pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is doing -all he can, and the road is very steep; I am sure he is doing his best." - -"If doing his best won't get this load up he must do something more than -his best; that's all I know, ma'am," said Jakes. - -"But is it not a heavy load?" she said. - -"Yes, yes, too heavy," he said; "but that's not my fault; the foreman -came just as we were starting, and would have three hundredweight more -put on to save him trouble, and I must get on with it as well as I can." - -He was raising the whip again, when the lady said: - -"Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me." - -The man laughed. - -"You see," she said, "you do not give him a fair chance; he cannot use -all his power with his head held back as it is with that check-rein; if -you would take it off I am sure he would do better--do try it," she said -persuasively, "I should be very glad if you would." - -"Well, well," said Jakes, with a short laugh, "anything to please a -lady, of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?" - -"Quite down, give him his head altogether." - -The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my very -knees. What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down several times -to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. - -"Poor fellow! that is what you wanted," said she, patting and stroking -me with her gentle hand; "and now if you will speak kindly to him and -lead him on I believe he will be able to do better." - -Jakes took the rein. "Come on, Blackie." I put down my head, and threw -my whole weight against the collar; I spared no strength; the load -moved on, and I pulled it steadily up the hill, and then stopped to take -breath. - -The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into the -road. She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted for many -a long day. - -"You see he was quite willing when you gave him the chance; I am sure he -is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. You -won't put that rein on again, will you?" for he was just going to hitch -it up on the old plan. - -"Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his head has helped him up the -hill, and I'll remember it another time, and thank you, ma'am; but if -he went without a check-rein I should be the laughing-stock of all the -carters; it is the fashion, you see." - -"Is it not better," she said, "to lead a good fashion than to follow a -bad one? A great many gentlemen do not use check-reins now; our carriage -horses have not worn them for fifteen years, and work with much less -fatigue than those who have them; besides," she added in a very serious -voice, "we have no right to distress any of God's creatures without a -very good reason; we call them dumb animals, and so they are, for they -cannot tell us how they feel, but they do not suffer less because they -have no words. But I must not detain you now; I thank you for trying -my plan with your good horse, and I am sure you will find it far better -than the whip. Good-day," and with another soft pat on my neck she -stepped lightly across the path, and I saw her no more. - -"That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it," said Jakes to himself; -"she spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her -plan, uphill, at any rate;" and I must do him the justice to say that -he let my rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, he always -gave me my head; but the heavy loads went on. Good feed and fair rest -will keep up one's strength under full work, but no horse can stand -against overloading; and I was getting so thoroughly pulled down from -this cause that a younger horse was bought in my place. I may as well -mention here what I suffered at this time from another cause. I had -heard horses speak of it, but had never myself had experience of the -evil; this was a badly-lighted stable; there was only one very small -window at the end, and the consequence was that the stalls were almost -dark. - -Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, it very much -weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out of the darkness -into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes. Several times -I stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely see where I was going. - -I believe, had I stayed there very long, I should have become purblind, -and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say -that a stone-blind horse was safer to drive than one which had imperfect -sight, as it generally makes them very timid. However, I escaped without -any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold to a large cab owner. - - - - -47 Hard Times - - -My new master I shall never forget; he had black eyes and a hooked nose, -his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice was as -harsh as the grinding of cart wheels over graveled stones. His name was -Nicholas Skinner, and I believe he was the man that poor Seedy Sam drove -for. - -I have heard men say that seeing is believing; but I should say that -feeling is believing; for much as I had seen before, I never knew till -now the utter misery of a cab-horse's life. - -Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers; he was hard on -the men, and the men were hard on the horses. In this place we had no -Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of summer. - -Sometimes on a Sunday morning a party of fast men would hire the cab for -the day; four of them inside and another with the driver, and I had to -take them ten or fifteen miles out into the country, and back again; -never would any of them get down to walk up a hill, let it be ever -so steep, or the day ever so hot--unless, indeed, when the driver was -afraid I should not manage it, and sometimes I was so fevered and worn -that I could hardly touch my food. How I used to long for the nice bran -mash with niter in it that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights in -hot weather, that used to cool us down and make us so comfortable. -Then we had two nights and a whole day for unbroken rest, and on Monday -morning we were as fresh as young horses again; but here there was no -rest, and my driver was just as hard as his master. He had a cruel whip -with something so sharp at the end that it sometimes drew blood, and he -would even whip me under the belly, and flip the lash out at my head. -Indignities like these took the heart out of me terribly, but still I -did my best and never hung back; for, as poor Ginger said, it was no -use; men are the strongest. - -My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Ginger, -drop down dead at my work and be out of my misery, and one day my wish -very nearly came to pass. - -I went on the stand at eight in the morning, and had done a good share -of work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. A long train was -just expected in, so my driver pulled up at the back of some of the -outside cabs to take the chance of a return fare. It was a very heavy -train, and as all the cabs were soon engaged ours was called for. There -was a party of four; a noisy, blustering man with a lady, a little boy -and a young girl, and a great deal of luggage. The lady and the boy got -into the cab, and while the man ordered about the luggage the young girl -came and looked at me. - -"Papa," she said, "I am sure this poor horse cannot take us and all our -luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn up. Do look at him." - -"Oh! he's all right, miss," said my driver, "he's strong enough." - -The porter, who was pulling about some heavy boxes, suggested to the -gentleman, as there was so much luggage, whether he would not take a -second cab. - -"Can your horse do it, or can't he?" said the blustering man. - -"Oh! he can do it all right, sir; send up the boxes, porter; he could -take more than that;" and he helped to haul up a box so heavy that I -could feel the springs go down. - -"Papa, papa, do take a second cab," said the young girl in a beseeching -tone. "I am sure we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel." - -"Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; a pretty -thing it would be if a man of business had to examine every cab-horse -before he hired it--the man knows his own business of course; there, get -in and hold your tongue!" - -My gentle friend had to obey, and box after box was dragged up and -lodged on the top of the cab or settled by the side of the driver. At -last all was ready, and with his usual jerk at the rein and slash of the -whip he drove out of the station. - -The load was very heavy and I had had neither food nor rest since -morning; but I did my best, as I always had done, in spite of cruelty -and injustice. - -I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy -load and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on, -goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, when in a -single moment--I cannot tell how--my feet slipped from under me, and I -fell heavily to the ground on my side; the suddenness and the force -with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath out of my body. I lay -perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move, and I thought now I was -going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me, loud, angry voices, -and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all like a dream. I -thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying, "Oh! that poor horse! -it is all our fault." Some one came and loosened the throat strap of -my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar so tight upon me. -Some one said, "He's dead, he'll never get up again." Then I could hear -a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes; I could only -draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water was thrown over -my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth, and something was -covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there, but I found my life -coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me and encouraging me to -rise. After some more cordial had been given me, and after one or two -attempts, I staggered to my feet, and was gently led to some stables -which were close by. Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some -warm gruel was brought to me, which I drank thankfully. - -In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back to Skinner's -stables, where I think they did the best for me they could. In the -morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me. He examined me very -closely and said: - -"This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him -a run off for six months he would be able to work again; but now there -is not an ounce of strength left in him." - -"Then he must just go to the dogs," said Skinner. "I have no meadows to -nurse sick horses in--he might get well or he might not; that sort of -thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em as long as they'll -go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, at the knacker's or -elsewhere." - -"If he was broken-winded," said the farrier, "you had better have him -killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off -in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up, and -you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate." - -Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders that -I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me, -carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had in -giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, hay, -bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them, did more to get up my -condition than anything else could have done; those linseed mashes were -delicious, and I began to think, after all, it might be better to live -than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day after the accident came, I -was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London. I felt that any change -from my present place must be an improvement, so I held up my head, and -hoped for the best. - - - - -48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie - - -At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old -broken-down horses--some lame, some broken-winded, some old, and some -that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot. - -The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off -than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old -men, trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag -about some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell -a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater -loss of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times -had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have -willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby, but -kind and human, with voices that I could trust. There was one tottering -old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him, but I was not strong -enough--it was an anxious time! Coming from the better part of the fair, -I noticed a man who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by -his side; he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face, -and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions -he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye -rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something for my -appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him. - -"There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days." - -"Poor old fellow!" said the boy, "do you think, grandpapa, he was ever a -carriage horse?" - -"Oh, yes! my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have been -anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears, the shape -of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding about that horse." -He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck. I put out my -nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face. - -"Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness. -Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with -Ladybird?" - -"My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides, Ladybird was -not so very old, as she was run down and badly used." - -"Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old; look at his mane -and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth, and then you could tell; -though he is so very thin, his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'." - -The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey as his old -grandfather." - -"But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; I am sure he -would grow young in our meadows." - -The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. - -"The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is, this -'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs; he's not an old -one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say, that a six months' run -off would set him right up, being as how his wind was not broken. -I've had the tending of him these ten days past, and a gratefuller, -pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth a gentleman's -while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have a chance. I'll -be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring." - -The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly. - -"Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more than -you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one." - -The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained; -then he looked at my mouth. "Thirteen or fourteen, I should say; just -trot him out, will you?" - -I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my -legs as well as I could, for they were very stiff. - -"What is the lowest you will take for him?" said the farmer as I came -back. - -"Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set." - -"'Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman, shaking his head, but at -the same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation! Have -you any more business here?" he said, counting the sovereigns into his -hand. - -"No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please." - -"Do so, I am now going there." - -They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control -his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure. I had a -good feed at the inn, and was then gently ridden home by a servant of my -new master's, and turned into a large meadow with a shed in one corner -of it. - -Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, gave orders -that I should have hay and oats every night and morning, and the run of -the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he, "must take the -oversight of him; I give him in charge to you." - -The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. -There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking -me out from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, or -something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. He -always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond -of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field -and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather, who always -looked closely at my legs. - -"This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so -steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the -spring." - -The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, -soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good -constitution from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, -so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked -before they came to their full strength. During the winter my legs -improved so much that I began to feel quite young again. The spring came -round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined that he would -try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased, and he and Willie drove me a -few miles. My legs were not stiff now, and I did the work with perfect -ease. - -"He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, -and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful -mouth and good paces; they can't be better." - -"Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!" - -"So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; we must now -be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, where he will be -valued." - - - - -49 My Last Home - - -One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me with such -extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; he -trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, and -even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. Willie -seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise with his -grandfather. - -"If the ladies take to him," said the old gentleman, "they'll be suited -and he'll be suited. We can but try." - -At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty, -low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the -door. Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen -was at home. Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. -Thoroughgood went into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, -followed by three ladies; one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, -leaned on a younger lady, with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, -a very stately-looking person, was Miss Blomefield. They all came -and looked at me and asked questions. The younger lady--that was Miss -Ellen--took to me very much; she said she was sure she should like me, I -had such a good face. The tall, pale lady said that she should always -be nervous in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might -come down again, and if I did she should never get over the fright. - -"You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses have -had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers without -any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse I should say -that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. If you -incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see what -he thinks of him." - -"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses," said -the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me, -and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer of -a trial, with thanks." - -It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. - -In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked -pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice: - -"I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished -horse like that." - -"'Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking -him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. If he -is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back." - -I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left -to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said: - -"That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same -height, too. I wonder where he is now." - -A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and -where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and began -to look me over carefully, talking to himself. - -"White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little -knot just in that place;" then looking at the middle of my back--"and, -as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that John used -to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, -Beauty! Beauty! do you know me?--little Joe Green, that almost killed -you?" And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed. - -I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young -fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure he knew -me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up -to him, and tried to say that we were friends. I never saw a man so -pleased. - -"Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who the -rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been -badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault if you -haven't good times of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you." - -In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair and brought to the -door. Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon -found that she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. -I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire -Gordon's old "Black Beauty". - -When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved -myself. She told them what she had just heard, and said: - -"I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite -horse has come to us. How pleased she will be!" - -After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared -to be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close -carriage. After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my -old name of "Black Beauty". - -I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best and -kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel my strength -and spirits all coming back again. Mr. Thoroughgood said to Joe the -other day: - -"In your place he will last till he is twenty years old--perhaps more." - -Willie always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special -friend. My ladies have promised that I shall never be sold, and so I -have nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, -and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still -in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the -apple-trees. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BLACK BEAUTY *** - -***** This file should be named 271.txt or 271.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/271/ - -Produced by A. Light, Linda Bowser, and David Widger - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - - - - -Black Beauty - -by Anna Sewell [English Quaker -- 1820-1878.] - - - -[Note: `Black Beauty' was originally published in 1877. -This etext was transcribed from an American edition of 1911. -Some small corrections were made, after being confirmed -against other sources.] - - - - - - -Black Beauty - -The Autobiography of a Horse - - - -by Anna Sewell - - - - - - -To my dear and honored Mother, -whose life, no less than her pen, -has been devoted to the welfare of others, -this little book is affectionately dedicated. - - - - - - -Contents - - - - Part I - -Chapter -01 My Early Home -02 The Hunt -03 My Breaking In -04 Birtwick Park -05 A Fair Start -06 Liberty -07 Ginger -08 Ginger's Story Continued -09 Merrylegs -10 A Talk in the Orchard -11 Plain Speaking -12 A Stormy Day -13 The Devil's Trade Mark -14 James Howard -15 The Old Hostler -16 The Fire -17 John Manly's Talk -18 Going for the Doctor -19 Only Ignorance -20 Joe Green -21 The Parting - - - Part II - -22 Earlshall -23 A Strike for Liberty -24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse -25 Reuben Smith -26 How it Ended -27 Ruined and Going Downhill -28 A Job Horse and His Drivers -29 Cockneys -30 A Thief -31 A Humbug - - - Part III - -32 A Horse Fair -33 A London Cab Horse -34 An Old War Horse -35 Jerry Barker -36 The Sunday Cab -37 The Golden Rule -38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman -39 Seedy Sam -40 Poor Ginger -41 The Butcher -42 The Election -43 A Friend in Need -44 Old Captain and His Successor -45 Jerry's New Year - - - Part IV - -46 Jakes and the Lady -47 Hard Times -48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie -49 My Last Home - - - - - - -Black Beauty - - - - - - - Part I - - - - - - -01 My Early Home - - - -The first place that I can well remember was a large pleasant meadow -with a pond of clear water in it. Some shady trees leaned over it, -and rushes and water-lilies grew at the deep end. Over the hedge on one side -we looked into a plowed field, and on the other we looked over a gate -at our master's house, which stood by the roadside; at the top of the meadow -was a grove of fir trees, and at the bottom a running brook -overhung by a steep bank. - -While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat grass. -In the daytime I ran by her side, and at night I lay down close by her. -When it was hot we used to stand by the pond in the shade of the trees, -and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. - -As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my mother used to go out to work -in the daytime, and come back in the evening. - -There were six young colts in the meadow besides me; -they were older than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. -I used to run with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together -round and round the field as hard as we could go. Sometimes we had -rather rough play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop. - -One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me -to come to her, and then she said: - -"I wish you to pay attention to what I am going to say to you. -The colts who live here are very good colts, but they are cart-horse colts, -and of course they have not learned manners. You have been -well-bred and well-born; your father has a great name in these parts, -and your grandfather won the cup two years at the Newmarket races; -your grandmother had the sweetest temper of any horse I ever knew, -and I think you have never seen me kick or bite. I hope you will grow up -gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, -lift your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play." - -I have never forgotten my mother's advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, -and our master thought a great deal of her. Her name was Duchess, -but he often called her Pet. - -Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, -and kind words; he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children. -We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much. -When she saw him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. -He would pat and stroke her and say, "Well, old Pet, -and how is your little Darkie?" I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; -then he would give me a piece of bread, which was very good, -and sometimes he brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses -would come to him, but I think we were his favorites. -My mother always took him to the town on a market day in a light gig. - -There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field -to pluck blackberries from the hedge. When he had eaten all he wanted -he would have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks -at them to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, -for we could gallop off; but sometimes a stone would hit and hurt us. - -One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master -was in the next field; but he was there, watching what was going on; -over the hedge he jumped in a snap, and catching Dick by the arm, -he gave him such a box on the ear as made him roar -with the pain and surprise. As soon as we saw the master -we trotted up nearer to see what went on. - -"Bad boy!" he said, "bad boy! to chase the colts. This is not -the first time, nor the second, but it shall be the last. There -- -take your money and go home; I shall not want you on my farm again." -So we never saw Dick any more. Old Daniel, the man who looked after -the horses, was just as gentle as our master, so we were well off. - - - - -02 The Hunt - - - -Before I was two years old a circumstance happened -which I have never forgotten. It was early in the spring; -there had been a little frost in the night, and a light mist -still hung over the woods and meadows. I and the other colts were feeding -at the lower part of the field when we heard, quite in the distance, -what sounded like the cry of dogs. The oldest of the colts raised his head, -pricked his ears, and said, "There are the hounds!" and immediately -cantered off, followed by the rest of us to the upper part of the field, -where we could look over the hedge and see several fields beyond. -My mother and an old riding horse of our master's were also standing near, -and seemed to know all about it. - -"They have found a hare," said my mother, "and if they come this way -we shall see the hunt." - -And soon the dogs were all tearing down the field of young wheat -next to ours. I never heard such a noise as they made. They did not bark, -nor howl, nor whine, but kept on a "yo! yo, o, o! yo! yo, o, o!" -at the top of their voices. After them came a number of men on horseback, -some of them in green coats, all galloping as fast as they could. -The old horse snorted and looked eagerly after them, -and we young colts wanted to be galloping with them, -but they were soon away into the fields lower down; -here it seemed as if they had come to a stand; the dogs left off barking, -and ran about every way with their noses to the ground. - -"They have lost the scent," said the old horse; "perhaps the hare -will get off." - -"What hare?" I said. - -"Oh! I don't know what hare; likely enough it may be one of our own hares -out of the woods; any hare they can find will do for the dogs and men -to run after;" and before long the dogs began their "yo! yo, o, o!" again, -and back they came altogether at full speed, making straight for our meadow -at the part where the high bank and hedge overhang the brook. - -"Now we shall see the hare," said my mother; and just then -a hare wild with fright rushed by and made for the woods. -On came the dogs; they burst over the bank, leaped the stream, -and came dashing across the field followed by the huntsmen. -Six or eight men leaped their horses clean over, close upon the dogs. -The hare tried to get through the fence; it was too thick, -and she turned sharp round to make for the road, but it was too late; -the dogs were upon her with their wild cries; we heard one shriek, -and that was the end of her. One of the huntsmen rode up -and whipped off the dogs, who would soon have torn her to pieces. -He held her up by the leg torn and bleeding, and all the gentlemen -seemed well pleased. - -As for me, I was so astonished that I did not at first see what was going on -by the brook; but when I did look there was a sad sight; -two fine horses were down, one was struggling in the stream, -and the other was groaning on the grass. One of the riders -was getting out of the water covered with mud, the other lay quite still. - -"His neck is broke," said my mother. - -"And serve him right, too," said one of the colts. - -I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us. - -"Well, no," she said, "you must not say that; but though I am an old horse, -and have seen and heard a great deal, I never yet could make out -why men are so fond of this sport; they often hurt themselves, -often spoil good horses, and tear up the fields, and all for a hare or a fox, -or a stag, that they could get more easily some other way; -but we are only horses, and don't know." - -While my mother was saying this we stood and looked on. -Many of the riders had gone to the young man; but my master, -who had been watching what was going on, was the first to raise him. -His head fell back and his arms hung down, and every one looked very serious. -There was no noise now; even the dogs were quiet, and seemed to know -that something was wrong. They carried him to our master's house. -I heard afterward that it was young George Gordon, the squire's only son, -a fine, tall young man, and the pride of his family. - -There was now riding off in all directions to the doctor's, to the farrier's, -and no doubt to Squire Gordon's, to let him know about his son. -When Mr. Bond, the farrier, came to look at the black horse -that lay groaning on the grass, he felt him all over, and shook his head; -one of his legs was broken. Then some one ran to our master's house -and came back with a gun; presently there was a loud bang -and a dreadful shriek, and then all was still; the black horse moved no more. - -My mother seemed much troubled; she said she had known that horse for years, -and that his name was "Rob Roy"; he was a good horse, and there was -no vice in him. She never would go to that part of the field afterward. - -Not many days after we heard the church-bell tolling for a long time, -and looking over the gate we saw a long, strange black coach -that was covered with black cloth and was drawn by black horses; -after that came another and another and another, and all were black, -while the bell kept tolling, tolling. They were carrying young Gordon -to the churchyard to bury him. He would never ride again. -What they did with Rob Roy I never knew; but 'twas all for one little hare. - - - - -03 My Breaking In - - - -I was now beginning to grow handsome; my coat had grown fine and soft, -and was bright black. I had one white foot and a pretty white star -on my forehead. I was thought very handsome; my master would not sell me -till I was four years old; he said lads ought not to work like men, -and colts ought not to work like horses till they were quite grown up. - -When I was four years old Squire Gordon came to look at me. -He examined my eyes, my mouth, and my legs; he felt them all down; -and then I had to walk and trot and gallop before him. -He seemed to like me, and said, "When he has been well broken in -he will do very well." My master said he would break me in himself, -as he should not like me to be frightened or hurt, -and he lost no time about it, for the next day he began. - -Every one may not know what breaking in is, therefore I will describe it. -It means to teach a horse to wear a saddle and bridle, -and to carry on his back a man, woman or child; to go just the way they wish, -and to go quietly. Besides this he has to learn to wear a collar, a crupper, -and a breeching, and to stand still while they are put on; -then to have a cart or a chaise fixed behind, so that he cannot walk or trot -without dragging it after him; and he must go fast or slow, -just as his driver wishes. He must never start at what he sees, -nor speak to other horses, nor bite, nor kick, nor have any will of his own; -but always do his master's will, even though he may be very tired or hungry; -but the worst of all is, when his harness is once on, -he may neither jump for joy nor lie down for weariness. -So you see this breaking in is a great thing. - -I had of course long been used to a halter and a headstall, -and to be led about in the fields and lanes quietly, -but now I was to have a bit and bridle; my master gave me some oats as usual, -and after a good deal of coaxing he got the bit into my mouth, -and the bridle fixed, but it was a nasty thing! Those who have never had -a bit in their mouths cannot think how bad it feels; -a great piece of cold hard steel as thick as a man's finger -to be pushed into one's mouth, between one's teeth, and over one's tongue, -with the ends coming out at the corner of your mouth, -and held fast there by straps over your head, under your throat, -round your nose, and under your chin; so that no way in the world -can you get rid of the nasty hard thing; it is very bad! yes, very bad! -at least I thought so; but I knew my mother always wore one -when she went out, and all horses did when they were grown up; -and so, what with the nice oats, and what with my master's pats, -kind words, and gentle ways, I got to wear my bit and bridle. - -Next came the saddle, but that was not half so bad; -my master put it on my back very gently, while old Daniel held my head; -he then made the girths fast under my body, patting and talking to me -all the time; then I had a few oats, then a little leading about; -and this he did every day till I began to look for the oats and the saddle. -At length, one morning, my master got on my back and rode me round the meadow -on the soft grass. It certainly did feel queer; but I must say -I felt rather proud to carry my master, and as he continued to ride me -a little every day I soon became accustomed to it. - -The next unpleasant business was putting on the iron shoes; that too -was very hard at first. My master went with me to the smith's forge, -to see that I was not hurt or got any fright. The blacksmith took my feet -in his hand, one after the other, and cut away some of the hoof. -It did not pain me, so I stood still on three legs till he had done them all. -Then he took a piece of iron the shape of my foot, and clapped it on, -and drove some nails through the shoe quite into my hoof, -so that the shoe was firmly on. My feet felt very stiff and heavy, -but in time I got used to it. - -And now having got so far, my master went on to break me to harness; -there were more new things to wear. First, a stiff heavy collar -just on my neck, and a bridle with great side-pieces against my eyes -called blinkers, and blinkers indeed they were, for I could not see -on either side, but only straight in front of me; next, -there was a small saddle with a nasty stiff strap that went -right under my tail; that was the crupper. I hated the crupper; -to have my long tail doubled up and poked through that strap -was almost as bad as the bit. I never felt more like kicking, -but of course I could not kick such a good master, and so in time -I got used to everything, and could do my work as well as my mother. - -I must not forget to mention one part of my training, -which I have always considered a very great advantage. -My master sent me for a fortnight to a neighboring farmer's, -who had a meadow which was skirted on one side by the railway. -Here were some sheep and cows, and I was turned in among them. - -I shall never forget the first train that ran by. I was feeding quietly -near the pales which separated the meadow from the railway, -when I heard a strange sound at a distance, and before I knew whence it came --- with a rush and a clatter, and a puffing out of smoke -- -a long black train of something flew by, and was gone almost before I could -draw my breath. I turned and galloped to the further side of the meadow -as fast as I could go, and there I stood snorting with astonishment and fear. -In the course of the day many other trains went by, some more slowly; -these drew up at the station close by, and sometimes made -an awful shriek and groan before they stopped. I thought it very dreadful, -but the cows went on eating very quietly, and hardly raised their heads -as the black frightful thing came puffing and grinding past. - -For the first few days I could not feed in peace; but as I found -that this terrible creature never came into the field, or did me any harm, -I began to disregard it, and very soon I cared as little -about the passing of a train as the cows and sheep did. - -Since then I have seen many horses much alarmed and restive -at the sight or sound of a steam engine; but thanks to my good master's care, -I am as fearless at railway stations as in my own stable. - -Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way. - -My master often drove me in double harness with my mother, -because she was steady and could teach me how to go -better than a strange horse. She told me the better I behaved -the better I should be treated, and that it was wisest always to do my best -to please my master; "but," said she, "there are a great many kinds of men; -there are good thoughtful men like our master, that any horse -may be proud to serve; and there are bad, cruel men, -who never ought to have a horse or dog to call their own. Besides, -there are a great many foolish men, vain, ignorant, and careless, -who never trouble themselves to think; these spoil more horses than all, -just for want of sense; they don't mean it, but they do it for all that. -I hope you will fall into good hands; but a horse never knows -who may buy him, or who may drive him; it is all a chance for us; -but still I say, do your best wherever it is, and keep up your good name." - - - - -04 Birtwick Park - - - -At this time I used to stand in the stable and my coat was brushed every day -till it shone like a rook's wing. It was early in May, when there came a man -from Squire Gordon's, who took me away to the hall. My master said, -"Good-by, Darkie; be a good horse, and always do your best." -I could not say "good-by", so I put my nose into his hand; -he patted me kindly, and I left my first home. As I lived some years -with Squire Gordon, I may as well tell something about the place. - -Squire Gordon's park skirted the village of Birtwick. -It was entered by a large iron gate, at which stood the first lodge, -and then you trotted along on a smooth road between clumps -of large old trees; then another lodge and another gate, -which brought you to the house and the gardens. Beyond this lay -the home paddock, the old orchard, and the stables. There was accommodation -for many horses and carriages; but I need only describe the stable -into which I was taken; this was very roomy, with four good stalls; -a large swinging window opened into the yard, which made it pleasant and airy. - -The first stall was a large square one, shut in behind with a wooden gate; -the others were common stalls, good stalls, but not nearly so large; -it had a low rack for hay and a low manger for corn; -it was called a loose box, because the horse that was put into it -was not tied up, but left loose, to do as he liked. It is a great thing -to have a loose box. - -Into this fine box the groom put me; it was clean, sweet, and airy. -I never was in a better box than that, and the sides were not so high -but that I could see all that went on through the iron rails -that were at the top. - -He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, -and then went away. - -When I had eaten my corn I looked round. In the stall next to mine -stood a little fat gray pony, with a thick mane and tail, a very pretty head, -and a pert little nose. - -I put my head up to the iron rails at the top of my box, and said, -"How do you do? What is your name?" - -He turned round as far as his halter would allow, held up his head, and said, -"My name is Merrylegs. I am very handsome; I carry the young ladies -on my back, and sometimes I take our mistress out in the low chair. -They think a great deal of me, and so does James. Are you going to live -next door to me in the box?" - -I said, "Yes." - -"Well, then," he said, "I hope you are good-tempered; -I do not like any one next door who bites." - -Just then a horse's head looked over from the stall beyond; -the ears were laid back, and the eye looked rather ill-tempered. -This was a tall chestnut mare, with a long handsome neck. -She looked across to me and said: - -"So it is you who have turned me out of my box; it is a very strange thing -for a colt like you to come and turn a lady out of her own home." - -"I beg your pardon," I said, "I have turned no one out; -the man who brought me put me here, and I had nothing to do with it; -and as to my being a colt, I am turned four years old and am -a grown-up horse. I never had words yet with horse or mare, -and it is my wish to live at peace." - -"Well," she said, "we shall see. Of course, I do not want to have words -with a young thing like you." I said no more. - -In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it. - -"The thing is this," said Merrylegs. "Ginger has a bad habit -of biting and snapping; that is why they call her Ginger, -and when she was in the loose box she used to snap very much. -One day she bit James in the arm and made it bleed, -and so Miss Flora and Miss Jessie, who are very fond of me, -were afraid to come into the stable. They used to bring me -nice things to eat, an apple or a carrot, or a piece of bread, -but after Ginger stood in that box they dared not come, -and I missed them very much. I hope they will now come again, -if you do not bite or snap." - -I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, -and could not think what pleasure Ginger found it. - -"Well, I don't think she does find pleasure," says Merrylegs; -"it is just a bad habit; she says no one was ever kind to her, -and why should she not bite? Of course, it is a very bad habit; -but I am sure, if all she says be true, she must have been very ill-used -before she came here. John does all he can to please her, -and James does all he can, and our master never uses a whip -if a horse acts right; so I think she might be good-tempered here. -You see," he said, with a wise look, "I am twelve years old; -I know a great deal, and I can tell you there is not a better place -for a horse all round the country than this. John is the best groom -that ever was; he has been here fourteen years; and you never saw -such a kind boy as James is; so that it is all Ginger's own fault -that she did not stay in that box." - - - - -05 A Fair Start - - - -The name of the coachman was John Manly; he had a wife and one little child, -and they lived in the coachman's cottage, very near the stables. - -The next morning he took me into the yard and gave me a good grooming, -and just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, -the squire came in to look at me, and seemed pleased. -"John," he said, "I meant to have tried the new horse this morning, -but I have other business. You may as well take him around after breakfast; -go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river; -that will show his paces." - -"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast he came and fitted me -with a bridle. He was very particular in letting out and taking in -the straps, to fit my head comfortably; then he brought a saddle, -but it was not broad enough for my back; he saw it in a minute -and went for another, which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, -then a trot, then a canter, and when we were on the common -he gave me a light touch with his whip, and we had a splendid gallop. - -"Ho, ho! my boy," he said, as he pulled me up, "you would like -to follow the hounds, I think." - -As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon walking; -they stopped, and John jumped off. - -"Well, John, how does he go?" - -"First-rate, sir," answered John; "he is as fleet as a deer, -and has a fine spirit too; but the lightest touch of the rein will guide him. -Down at the end of the common we met one of those traveling carts -hung all over with baskets, rugs, and such like; you know, sir, many horses -will not pass those carts quietly; he just took a good look at it, -and then went on as quiet and pleasant as could be. -They were shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by; -he pulled up a little and looked, but did not stir a step to right or left. -I just held the rein steady and did not hurry him, and it's my opinion -he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young." - -"That's well," said the squire, "I will try him myself to-morrow." - -The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered -my mother's counsel and my good old master's, and I tried to do exactly -what he wanted me to do. I found he was a very good rider, -and thoughtful for his horse too. When he came home -the lady was at the hall door as he rode up. - -"Well, my dear," she said, "how do you like him?" - -"He is exactly what John said," he replied; "a pleasanter creature -I never wish to mount. What shall we call him?" - -"Would you like Ebony?" said she; "he is as black as ebony." - -"No, not Ebony." - -"Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?" - -"No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was." - -"Yes," she said, "he is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet, -good-tempered face, and such a fine, intelligent eye -- what do you say -to calling him Black Beauty?" - -"Black Beauty -- why, yes, I think that is a very good name. -If you like it shall be his name;" and so it was. - -When John went into the stable he told James that master and mistress -had chosen a good, sensible English name for me, that meant something; -not like Marengo, or Pegasus, or Abdallah. They both laughed, -and James said, "If it was not for bringing back the past, -I should have named him Rob Roy, for I never saw two horses more alike." - -"That's no wonder," said John; "didn't you know that Farmer Grey's -old Duchess was the mother of them both?" - -I had never heard that before; and so poor Rob Roy -who was killed at that hunt was my brother! I did not wonder -that my mother was so troubled. It seems that horses have no relations; -at least they never know each other after they are sold. - -John seemed very proud of me; he used to make my mane and tail -almost as smooth as a lady's hair, and he would talk to me a great deal; -of course I did not understand all he said, but I learned more and more -to know what he meant, and what he wanted me to do. I grew very fond of him, -he was so gentle and kind; he seemed to know just how a horse feels, -and when he cleaned me he knew the tender places and the ticklish places; -when he brushed my head he went as carefully over my eyes -as if they were his own, and never stirred up any ill-temper. - -James Howard, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant in his way, -so I thought myself well off. There was another man who helped in the yard, -but he had very little to do with Ginger and me. - -A few days after this I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. -I wondered how we should get on together; but except laying her ears back -when I was led up to her, she behaved very well. She did her work honestly, -and did her full share, and I never wish to have a better partner -in double harness. When we came to a hill, instead of slackening her pace, -she would throw her weight right into the collar, and pull away straight up. -We had both the same sort of courage at our work, and John had oftener -to hold us in than to urge us forward; he never had to use the whip -with either of us; then our paces were much the same, -and I found it very easy to keep step with her when trotting, -which made it pleasant, and master always liked it when we kept step well, -and so did John. After we had been out two or three times together -we grew quite friendly and sociable, which made me feel very much at home. - -As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends; he was such a cheerful, -plucky, good-tempered little fellow that he was a favorite with every one, -and especially with Miss Jessie and Flora, who used to ride him about -in the orchard, and have fine games with him and their little dog Frisky. - -Our master had two other horses that stood in another stable. -One was Justice, a roan cob, used for riding or for the luggage cart; -the other was an old brown hunter, named Sir Oliver; he was past work now, -but was a great favorite with the master, who gave him the run of the park; -he sometimes did a little light carting on the estate, -or carried one of the young ladies when they rode out with their father, -for he was very gentle and could be trusted with a child -as well as Merrylegs. The cob was a strong, well-made, good-tempered horse, -and we sometimes had a little chat in the paddock, -but of course I could not be so intimate with him as with Ginger, -who stood in the same stable. - - - - -06 Liberty - - - -I was quite happy in my new place, and if there was one thing that I missed -it must not be thought I was discontented; all who had to do with me -were good and I had a light airy stable and the best of food. -What more could I want? Why, liberty! For three years and a half of my life -I had had all the liberty I could wish for; but now, week after week, -month after month, and no doubt year after year, I must stand up in a stable -night and day except when I am wanted, and then I must be -just as steady and quiet as any old horse who has worked twenty years. -Straps here and straps there, a bit in my mouth, and blinkers over my eyes. -Now, I am not complaining, for I know it must be so. I only mean to say -that for a young horse full of strength and spirits, -who has been used to some large field or plain where he can fling up his head -and toss up his tail and gallop away at full speed, then round and back again -with a snort to his companions -- I say it is hard never to have -a bit more liberty to do as you like. Sometimes, when I have had -less exercise than usual, I have felt so full of life and spring -that when John has taken me out to exercise I really could not keep quiet; -do what I would, it seemed as if I must jump, or dance, or prance, -and many a good shake I know I must have given him, especially at the first; -but he was always good and patient. - -"Steady, steady, my boy," he would say; "wait a bit, -and we will have a good swing, and soon get the tickle out of your feet." -Then as soon as we were out of the village, he would give me a few miles -at a spanking trot, and then bring me back as fresh as before, -only clear of the fidgets, as he called them. Spirited horses, -when not enough exercised, are often called skittish, when it is only play; -and some grooms will punish them, but our John did not; -he knew it was only high spirits. Still, he had his own ways -of making me understand by the tone of his voice or the touch of the rein. -If he was very serious and quite determined, I always knew it by his voice, -and that had more power with me than anything else, -for I was very fond of him. - -I ought to say that sometimes we had our liberty for a few hours; -this used to be on fine Sundays in the summer-time. -The carriage never went out on Sundays, because the church was not far off. - -It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock -or the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, -the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant -- -to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on our backs, -or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking, -as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree. - - - - -07 Ginger - - - -One day when Ginger and I were standing alone in the shade, -we had a great deal of talk; she wanted to know all about my bringing up -and breaking in, and I told her. - -"Well," said she, "if I had had your bringing up I might have had -as good a temper as you, but now I don't believe I ever shall." - -"Why not?" I said. - -"Because it has been all so different with me," she replied. -"I never had any one, horse or man, that was kind to me, -or that I cared to please, for in the first place I was taken from my mother -as soon as I was weaned, and put with a lot of other young colts; -none of them cared for me, and I cared for none of them. -There was no kind master like yours to look after me, and talk to me, -and bring me nice things to eat. The man that had the care of us -never gave me a kind word in my life. I do not mean that he ill-used me, -but he did not care for us one bit further than to see that we had -plenty to eat, and shelter in the winter. A footpath ran through our field, -and very often the great boys passing through would fling stones -to make us gallop. I was never hit, but one fine young colt -was badly cut in the face, and I should think it would be a scar for life. -We did not care for them, but of course it made us more wild, -and we settled it in our minds that boys were our enemies. -We had very good fun in the free meadows, galloping up and down -and chasing each other round and round the field; then standing still -under the shade of the trees. But when it came to breaking in, -that was a bad time for me; several men came to catch me, -and when at last they closed me in at one corner of the field, -one caught me by the forelock, another caught me by the nose -and held it so tight I could hardly draw my breath; -then another took my under jaw in his hard hand and wrenched my mouth open, -and so by force they got on the halter and the bar into my mouth; -then one dragged me along by the halter, another flogging behind, -and this was the first experience I had of men's kindness; it was all force. -They did not give me a chance to know what they wanted. -I was high bred and had a great deal of spirit, and was very wild, no doubt, -and gave them, I dare say, plenty of trouble, but then it was dreadful -to be shut up in a stall day after day instead of having my liberty, -and I fretted and pined and wanted to get loose. You know yourself -it's bad enough when you have a kind master and plenty of coaxing, -but there was nothing of that sort for me. - -"There was one -- the old master, Mr. Ryder -- who, I think, -could soon have brought me round, and could have done anything with me; -but he had given up all the hard part of the trade to his son -and to another experienced man, and he only came at times to oversee. -His son was a strong, tall, bold man; they called him Samson, -and he used to boast that he had never found a horse that could throw him. -There was no gentleness in him, as there was in his father, -but only hardness, a hard voice, a hard eye, a hard hand; and I felt -from the first that what he wanted was to wear all the spirit out of me, -and just make me into a quiet, humble, obedient piece of horseflesh. -`Horseflesh'! Yes, that is all that he thought about," -and Ginger stamped her foot as if the very thought of him made her angry. -Then she went on: - -"If I did not do exactly what he wanted he would get put out, -and make me run round with that long rein in the training field -till he had tired me out. I think he drank a good deal, -and I am quite sure that the oftener he drank the worse it was for me. -One day he had worked me hard in every way he could, -and when I lay down I was tired, and miserable, and angry; -it all seemed so hard. The next morning he came for me early, -and ran me round again for a long time. I had scarcely had an hour's rest, -when he came again for me with a saddle and bridle and a new kind of bit. -I could never quite tell how it came about; he had only just mounted me -on the training ground, when something I did put him out of temper, -and he chucked me hard with the rein. The new bit was very painful, -and I reared up suddenly, which angered him still more, and he began -to flog me. I felt my whole spirit set against him, and I began to kick, -and plunge, and rear as I had never done before, and we had a regular fight; -for a long time he stuck to the saddle and punished me cruelly -with his whip and spurs, but my blood was thoroughly up, -and I cared for nothing he could do if only I could get him off. -At last after a terrible struggle I threw him off backward. -I heard him fall heavily on the turf, and without looking behind me, -I galloped off to the other end of the field; there I turned round and saw -my persecutor slowly rising from the ground and going into the stable. -I stood under an oak tree and watched, but no one came to catch me. -The time went on, and the sun was very hot; the flies swarmed round me -and settled on my bleeding flanks where the spurs had dug in. -I felt hungry, for I had not eaten since the early morning, -but there was not enough grass in that meadow for a goose to live on. -I wanted to lie down and rest, but with the saddle strapped tightly on -there was no comfort, and there was not a drop of water to drink. -The afternoon wore on, and the sun got low. I saw the other colts led in, -and I knew they were having a good feed. - -"At last, just as the sun went down, I saw the old master come out -with a sieve in his hand. He was a very fine old gentleman -with quite white hair, but his voice was what I should know him by -among a thousand. It was not high, nor yet low, but full, and clear, -and kind, and when he gave orders it was so steady and decided -that every one knew, both horses and men, that he expected to be obeyed. -He came quietly along, now and then shaking the oats about -that he had in the sieve, and speaking cheerfully and gently to me: -`Come along, lassie, come along, lassie; come along, come along.' -I stood still and let him come up; he held the oats to me, -and I began to eat without fear; his voice took all my fear away. -He stood by, patting and stroking me while I was eating, -and seeing the clots of blood on my side he seemed very vexed. -`Poor lassie! it was a bad business, a bad business;' -then he quietly took the rein and led me to the stable; -just at the door stood Samson. I laid my ears back and snapped at him. -`Stand back,' said the master, `and keep out of her way; -you've done a bad day's work for this filly.' He growled out something -about a vicious brute. `Hark ye,' said the father, `a bad-tempered man -will never make a good-tempered horse. You've not learned your trade yet, -Samson.' Then he led me into my box, took off the saddle and bridle -with his own hands, and tied me up; then he called for a pail of warm water -and a sponge, took off his coat, and while the stable-man held the pail, -he sponged my sides a good while, so tenderly that I was sure he knew -how sore and bruised they were. `Whoa! my pretty one,' he said, -`stand still, stand still.' His very voice did me good, and the bathing -was very comfortable. The skin was so broken at the corners of my mouth -that I could not eat the hay, the stalks hurt me. He looked closely at it, -shook his head, and told the man to fetch a good bran mash and put some meal -into it. How good that mash was! and so soft and healing to my mouth. -He stood by all the time I was eating, stroking me and talking to the man. -`If a high-mettled creature like this,' said he, `can't be broken -by fair means, she will never be good for anything.' - -"After that he often came to see me, and when my mouth was healed -the other breaker, Job, they called him, went on training me; -he was steady and thoughtful, and I soon learned what he wanted." - - - - -08 Ginger's Story Continued - - - -The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me -about her first place. - -"After my breaking in," she said, "I was bought by a dealer -to match another chestnut horse. For some weeks he drove us together, -and then we were sold to a fashionable gentleman, and were sent up to London. -I had been driven with a check-rein by the dealer, and I hated it worse -than anything else; but in this place we were reined far tighter, -the coachman and his master thinking we looked more stylish so. -We were often driven about in the park and other fashionable places. -You who never had a check-rein on don't know what it is, -but I can tell you it is dreadful. - -"I like to toss my head about and hold it as high as any horse; -but fancy now yourself, if you tossed your head up high and were obliged -to hold it there, and that for hours together, not able to move it at all, -except with a jerk still higher, your neck aching till you did not know -how to bear it. Besides that, to have two bits instead of one -- -and mine was a sharp one, it hurt my tongue and my jaw, -and the blood from my tongue colored the froth that kept flying from my lips -as I chafed and fretted at the bits and rein. It was worst -when we had to stand by the hour waiting for our mistress at some -grand party or entertainment, and if I fretted or stamped with impatience -the whip was laid on. It was enough to drive one mad." - -"Did not your master take any thought for you?" I said. - -"No," said she, "he only cared to have a stylish turnout, as they call it; -I think he knew very little about horses; he left that to his coachman, -who told him I had an irritable temper! that I had not been well broken -to the check-rein, but I should soon get used to it; but he was not -the man to do it, for when I was in the stable, miserable and angry, -instead of being smoothed and quieted by kindness, I got only a surly word -or a blow. If he had been civil I would have tried to bear it. -I was willing to work, and ready to work hard too; but to be tormented -for nothing but their fancies angered me. What right had they -to make me suffer like that? Besides the soreness in my mouth, -and the pain in my neck, it always made my windpipe feel bad, -and if I had stopped there long I know it would have spoiled my breathing; -but I grew more and more restless and irritable, I could not help it; -and I began to snap and kick when any one came to harness me; -for this the groom beat me, and one day, as they had just buckled us -into the carriage, and were straining my head up with that rein, -I began to plunge and kick with all my might. I soon broke a lot of harness, -and kicked myself clear; so that was an end of that place. - -"After this I was sent to Tattersall's to be sold; of course I could not be -warranted free from vice, so nothing was said about that. -My handsome appearance and good paces soon brought a gentleman to bid for me, -and I was bought by another dealer; he tried me in all kinds of ways -and with different bits, and he soon found out what I could not bear. -At last he drove me quite without a check-rein, and then sold me -as a perfectly quiet horse to a gentleman in the country; -he was a good master, and I was getting on very well, but his old groom -left him and a new one came. This man was as hard-tempered and hard-handed -as Samson; he always spoke in a rough, impatient voice, -and if I did not move in the stall the moment he wanted me, -he would hit me above the hocks with his stable broom or the fork, -whichever he might have in his hand. Everything he did was rough, -and I began to hate him; he wanted to make me afraid of him, -but I was too high-mettled for that, and one day when he had aggravated me -more than usual I bit him, which of course put him in a great rage, -and he began to hit me about the head with a riding whip. -After that he never dared to come into my stall again; -either my heels or my teeth were ready for him, and he knew it. -I was quite quiet with my master, but of course he listened -to what the man said, and so I was sold again. - -"The same dealer heard of me, and said he thought he knew one place -where I should do well. `'Twas a pity,' he said, `that such a fine horse -should go to the bad, for want of a real good chance,' and the end of it was -that I came here not long before you did; but I had then made up my mind -that men were my natural enemies and that I must defend myself. -Of course it is very different here, but who knows how long it will last? -I wish I could think about things as you do; but I can't, -after all I have gone through." - -"Well," I said, "I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or kick -John or James." - -"I don't mean to," she said, "while they are good to me. -I did bite James once pretty sharp, but John said, `Try her with kindness,' -and instead of punishing me as I expected, James came to me -with his arm bound up, and brought me a bran mash and stroked me; -and I have never snapped at him since, and I won't either." - -I was sorry for Ginger, but of course I knew very little then, -and I thought most likely she made the worst of it; however, -I found that as the weeks went on she grew much more gentle and cheerful, -and had lost the watchful, defiant look that she used to turn -on any strange person who came near her; and one day James said, -"I do believe that mare is getting fond of me, she quite whinnied after me -this morning when I had been rubbing her forehead." - -"Ay, ay, Jim, 'tis `the Birtwick balls'," said John, "she'll be as good -as Black Beauty by and by; kindness is all the physic she wants, poor thing!" -Master noticed the change, too, and one day when he got out of the carriage -and came to speak to us, as he often did, he stroked her beautiful neck. -"Well, my pretty one, well, how do things go with you now? -You are a good bit happier than when you came to us, I think." - -She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, -while he rubbed it gently. - -"We shall make a cure of her, John," he said. - -"Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature -that she was; it's `the Birtwick balls', sir," said John, laughing. - -This was a little joke of John's; he used to say that a regular course -of "the Birtwick horseballs" would cure almost any vicious horse; -these balls, he said, were made up of patience and gentleness, -firmness and petting, one pound of each to be mixed up with half a pint -of common sense, and given to the horse every day. - - - - -09 Merrylegs - - - -Mr. Blomefield, the vicar, had a large family of boys and girls; -sometimes they used to come and play with Miss Jessie and Flora. -One of the girls was as old as Miss Jessie; two of the boys were older, -and there were several little ones. When they came there was plenty of work -for Merrylegs, for nothing pleased them so much as getting on him by turns -and riding him all about the orchard and the home paddock, -and this they would do by the hour together. - -One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, -and when James brought him in and put on his halter he said: - -"There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get -into trouble." - -"What have you been doing, Merrylegs?" I asked. - -"Oh!" said he, tossing his little head, "I have only been giving -those young people a lesson; they did not know when they had had enough, -nor when I had had enough, so I just pitched them off backward; -that was the only thing they could understand." - -"What!" said I, "you threw the children off? I thought you did know better -than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?" - -He looked very much offended, and said: - -"Of course not; I would not do such a thing for the best oats -that ever came into the stable; why, I am as careful of our young ladies -as the master could be, and as for the little ones it is I who teach them -to ride. When they seem frightened or a little unsteady on my back -I go as smooth and as quiet as old pussy when she is after a bird; -and when they are all right I go on again faster, you see, -just to use them to it; so don't you trouble yourself preaching to me; -I am the best friend and the best riding-master those children have. -It is not them, it is the boys; boys," said he, shaking his mane, -"are quite different; they must be broken in as we were broken in -when we were colts, and just be taught what's what. The other children -had ridden me about for nearly two hours, and then the boys thought -it was their turn, and so it was, and I was quite agreeable. -They rode me by turns, and I galloped them about, up and down the fields -and all about the orchard, for a good hour. They had each cut -a great hazel stick for a riding-whip, and laid it on a little too hard; -but I took it in good part, till at last I thought we had had enough, -so I stopped two or three times by way of a hint. Boys, you see, -think a horse or pony is like a steam-engine or a thrashing-machine, -and can go on as long and as fast as they please; they never think -that a pony can get tired, or have any feelings; so as the one -who was whipping me could not understand I just rose up on my hind legs -and let him slip off behind -- that was all. He mounted me again, -and I did the same. Then the other boy got up, and as soon -as he began to use his stick I laid him on the grass, and so on, -till they were able to understand -- that was all. They are not bad boys; -they don't wish to be cruel. I like them very well; but you see -I had to give them a lesson. When they brought me to James and told him -I think he was very angry to see such big sticks. He said they were only fit -for drovers or gypsies, and not for young gentlemen." - -"If I had been you," said Ginger, "I would have given those boys a good kick, -and that would have given them a lesson." - -"No doubt you would," said Merrylegs; "but then I am not quite such a fool -(begging your pardon) as to anger our master or make James ashamed of me. -Besides, those children are under my charge when they are riding; -I tell you they are intrusted to me. Why, only the other day -I heard our master say to Mrs. Blomefield, `My dear madam, you need not be -anxious about the children; my old Merrylegs will take as much care of them -as you or I could; I assure you I would not sell that pony for any money, -he is so perfectly good-tempered and trustworthy;' and do you think -I am such an ungrateful brute as to forget all the kind treatment -I have had here for five years, and all the trust they place in me, -and turn vicious because a couple of ignorant boys used me badly? -No, no! you never had a good place where they were kind to you, -and so you don't know, and I'm sorry for you; but I can tell you -good places make good horses. I wouldn't vex our people for anything; -I love them, I do," said Merrylegs, and he gave a low "ho, ho, ho!" -through his nose, as he used to do in the morning when he heard -James' footstep at the door. - -"Besides," he went on, "if I took to kicking where should I be? Why, -sold off in a jiffy, and no character, and I might find myself slaved about -under a butcher's boy, or worked to death at some seaside place -where no one cared for me, except to find out how fast I could go, -or be flogged along in some cart with three or four great men in it -going out for a Sunday spree, as I have often seen in the place I lived in -before I came here; no," said he, shaking his head, "I hope I shall never -come to that." - - - - -10 A Talk in the Orchard - - - -Ginger and I were not of the regular tall carriage horse breed, we had more -of the racing blood in us. We stood about fifteen and a half hands high; -we were therefore just as good for riding as we were for driving, -and our master used to say that he disliked either horse or man that could do -but one thing; and as he did not want to show off in London parks, -he preferred a more active and useful kind of horse. As for us, -our greatest pleasure was when we were saddled for a riding party; -the master on Ginger, the mistress on me, and the young ladies -on Sir Oliver and Merrylegs. It was so cheerful to be trotting and cantering -all together that it always put us in high spirits. I had the best of it, -for I always carried the mistress; her weight was little, -her voice was sweet, and her hand was so light on the rein -that I was guided almost without feeling it. - -Oh! if people knew what a comfort to horses a light hand is, and how it keeps -a good mouth and a good temper, they surely would not chuck, and drag, -and pull at the rein as they often do. Our mouths are so tender that -where they have not been spoiled or hardened with bad or ignorant treatment, -they feel the slightest movement of the driver's hand, and we know -in an instant what is required of us. My mouth has never been spoiled, -and I believe that was why the mistress preferred me to Ginger, -although her paces were certainly quite as good. She used often to envy me, -and said it was all the fault of breaking in, and the gag bit in London, -that her mouth was not so perfect as mine; and then old Sir Oliver would say, -"There, there! don't vex yourself; you have the greatest honor; -a mare that can carry a tall man of our master's weight, -with all your spring and sprightly action, does not need -to hold her head down because she does not carry the lady; -we horses must take things as they come, and always be contented and willing -so long as we are kindly used." - -I had often wondered how it was that Sir Oliver had such a very short tail; -it really was only six or seven inches long, with a tassel of hair -hanging from it; and on one of our holidays in the orchard -I ventured to ask him by what accident it was that he had lost his tail. -"Accident!" he snorted with a fierce look, "it was no accident! -it was a cruel, shameful, cold-blooded act! When I was young -I was taken to a place where these cruel things were done; I was tied up, -and made fast so that I could not stir, and then they came and cut off -my long and beautiful tail, through the flesh and through the bone, -and took it away. - -"How dreadful!" I exclaimed. - -"Dreadful, ah! it was dreadful; but it was not only the pain, -though that was terrible and lasted a long time; it was not only -the indignity of having my best ornament taken from me, though that was bad; -but it was this, how could I ever brush the flies off -my sides and my hind legs any more? You who have tails -just whisk the flies off without thinking about it, and you can't tell -what a torment it is to have them settle upon you and sting and sting, -and have nothing in the world to lash them off with. I tell you -it is a lifelong wrong, and a lifelong loss; but thank heaven, -they don't do it now." - -"What did they do it for then?" said Ginger. - -"For fashion!" said the old horse with a stamp of his foot; "for fashion! -if you know what that means; there was not a well-bred young horse in my time -that had not his tail docked in that shameful way, just as if -the good God that made us did not know what we wanted and what looked best." - -"I suppose it is fashion that makes them strap our heads up -with those horrid bits that I was tortured with in London," said Ginger. - -"Of course it is," said he; "to my mind, fashion is one of the wickedest -things in the world. Now look, for instance, at the way they serve dogs, -cutting off their tails to make them look plucky, and shearing up -their pretty little ears to a point to make them both look sharp, forsooth. -I had a dear friend once, a brown terrier; `Skye' they called her. -She was so fond of me that she never would sleep out of my stall; -she made her bed under the manger, and there she had a litter -of five as pretty little puppies as need be; none were drowned, -for they were a valuable kind, and how pleased she was with them! and when -they got their eyes open and crawled about, it was a real pretty sight; -but one day the man came and took them all away; I thought he might be afraid -I should tread upon them. But it was not so; in the evening poor Skye -brought them back again, one by one in her mouth; not the happy little things -that they were, but bleeding and crying pitifully; they had all had -a piece of their tails cut off, and the soft flap of their pretty little ears -was cut quite off. How their mother licked them, and how troubled she was, -poor thing! I never forgot it. They healed in time, -and they forgot the pain, but the nice soft flap, that of course was intended -to protect the delicate part of their ears from dust and injury, -was gone forever. Why don't they cut their own children's ears into points -to make them look sharp? Why don't they cut the end off their noses -to make them look plucky? One would be just as sensible as the other. -What right have they to torment and disfigure God's creatures?" - -Sir Oliver, though he was so gentle, was a fiery old fellow, -and what he said was all so new to me, and so dreadful, -that I found a bitter feeling toward men rise up in my mind -that I never had before. Of course Ginger was very much excited; -she flung up her head with flashing eyes and distended nostrils, -declaring that men were both brutes and blockheads. - -"Who talks about blockheads?" said Merrylegs, who just came up -from the old apple-tree, where he had been rubbing himself against -the low branch. "Who talks about blockheads? I believe that is a bad word." - -"Bad words were made for bad things," said Ginger, and she told him -what Sir Oliver had said. - -"It is all true," said Merrylegs sadly, "and I've seen that about the dogs -over and over again where I lived first; but we won't talk about it here. -You know that master, and John and James are always good to us, and talking -against men in such a place as this doesn't seem fair or grateful, -and you know there are good masters and good grooms beside ours, -though of course ours are the best." - -This wise speech of good little Merrylegs, which we knew was quite true, -cooled us all down, especially Sir Oliver, who was dearly fond of his master; -and to turn the subject I said, "Can any one tell me the use of blinkers?" - -"No!" said Sir Oliver shortly, "because they are no use." - -"They are supposed," said Justice, the roan cob, in his calm way, -"to prevent horses from shying and starting, and getting so frightened -as to cause accidents." - -"Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; -especially on ladies' horses?" said I. - -"There is no reason at all," said he quietly, "except the fashion; -they say that a horse would be so frightened to see the wheels -of his own cart or carriage coming behind him that he would be sure -to run away, although of course when he is ridden he sees them all about him -if the streets are crowded. I admit they do sometimes come too close -to be pleasant, but we don't run away; we are used to it, and understand it, -and if we never had blinkers put on we should never want them; -we should see what was there, and know what was what, -and be much less frightened than by only seeing bits of things -that we can't understand. Of course there may be some nervous horses -who have been hurt or frightened when they were young, -who may be the better for them; but as I never was nervous, I can't judge." - -"I consider," said Sir Oliver, "that blinkers are dangerous things -in the night; we horses can see much better in the dark than men can, -and many an accident would never have happened if horses might have had -the full use of their eyes. Some years ago, I remember, -there was a hearse with two horses returning one dark night, -and just by Farmer Sparrow's house, where the pond is close to the road, -the wheels went too near the edge, and the hearse was overturned -into the water; both the horses were drowned, and the driver hardly escaped. -Of course after this accident a stout white rail was put up that might be -easily seen, but if those horses had not been partly blinded, -they would of themselves have kept further from the edge, and no accident -would have happened. When our master's carriage was overturned, -before you came here, it was said that if the lamp on the left side had not -gone out, John would have seen the great hole that the road-makers had left; -and so he might, but if old Colin had not had blinkers on he would have -seen it, lamp or no lamp, for he was far too knowing an old horse -to run into danger. As it was, he was very much hurt, -the carriage was broken, and how John escaped nobody knew." - -"I should say," said Ginger, curling her nostril, "that these men, -who are so wise, had better give orders that in the future -all foals should be born with their eyes set just in the middle -of their foreheads, instead of on the side; they always think -they can improve upon nature and mend what God has made." - -Things were getting rather sore again, when Merrylegs held up -his knowing little face and said, "I'll tell you a secret: I believe -John does not approve of blinkers; I heard him talking with master about it -one day. The master said that `if horses had been used to them, -it might be dangerous in some cases to leave them off'; -and John said he thought it would be a good thing if all colts -were broken in without blinkers, as was the case in some foreign countries. -So let us cheer up, and have a run to the other end of the orchard; -I believe the wind has blown down some apples, and we might -just as well eat them as the slugs." - -Merrylegs could not be resisted, so we broke off our long conversation, -and got up our spirits by munching some very sweet apples -which lay scattered on the grass. - - - - -11 Plain Speaking - - - -The longer I lived at Birtwick the more proud and happy I felt -at having such a place. Our master and mistress were respected and beloved -by all who knew them; they were good and kind to everybody and everything; -not only men and women, but horses and donkeys, dogs and cats, -cattle and birds; there was no oppressed or ill-used creature -that had not a friend in them, and their servants took the same tone. -If any of the village children were known to treat any creature cruelly -they soon heard about it from the Hall. - -The squire and Farmer Grey had worked together, as they said, -for more than twenty years to get check-reins on the cart-horses -done away with, and in our parts you seldom saw them; and sometimes, -if mistress met a heavily laden horse with his head strained up -she would stop the carriage and get out, and reason with the driver -in her sweet serious voice, and try to show him how foolish and cruel it was. - -I don't think any man could withstand our mistress. I wish all ladies -were like her. Our master, too, used to come down very heavy sometimes. -I remember he was riding me toward home one morning when we saw -a powerful man driving toward us in a light pony chaise, -with a beautiful little bay pony, with slender legs and a high-bred -sensitive head and face. Just as he came to the park gates -the little thing turned toward them; the man, without word or warning, -wrenched the creature's head round with such a force and suddenness -that he nearly threw it on its haunches. Recovering itself it was going on, -when he began to lash it furiously. The pony plunged forward, -but the strong, heavy hand held the pretty creature back -with force almost enough to break its jaw, while the whip still cut into him. -It was a dreadful sight to me, for I knew what fearful pain it gave -that delicate little mouth; but master gave me the word, -and we were up with him in a second. - -"Sawyer," he cried in a stern voice, "is that pony made of flesh and blood?" - -"Flesh and blood and temper," he said; "he's too fond of his own will, -and that won't suit me." He spoke as if he was in a strong passion. -He was a builder who had often been to the park on business. - -"And do you think," said master sternly, "that treatment like this -will make him fond of your will?" - -"He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!" -said the man roughly. - -"You have often driven that pony up to my place," said master; -"it only shows the creature's memory and intelligence; how did he know -that you were not going there again? But that has little to do with it. -I must say, Mr. Sawyer, that a more unmanly, brutal treatment -of a little pony it was never my painful lot to witness, -and by giving way to such passion you injure your own character as much, -nay more, than you injure your horse; and remember, we shall all have to be -judged according to our works, whether they be toward man or toward beast." - -Master rode me home slowly, and I could tell by his voice -how the thing had grieved him. He was just as free to speak -to gentlemen of his own rank as to those below him; for another day, -when we were out, we met a Captain Langley, a friend of our master's; -he was driving a splendid pair of grays in a kind of break. -After a little conversation the captain said: - -"What do you think of my new team, Mr. Douglas? You know, -you are the judge of horses in these parts, and I should like your opinion." - -The master backed me a little, so as to get a good view of them. -"They are an uncommonly handsome pair," he said, "and if they are -as good as they look I am sure you need not wish for anything better; -but I see you still hold that pet scheme of yours for worrying your horses -and lessening their power." - -"What do you mean," said the other, "the check-reins? Oh, ah! -I know that's a hobby of yours; well, the fact is, I like to see my horses -hold their heads up." - -"So do I," said master, "as well as any man, but I don't like to see them -held up; that takes all the shine out of it. Now, you are a military man, -Langley, and no doubt like to see your regiment look well on parade, -`heads up', and all that; but you would not take much credit for your drill -if all your men had their heads tied to a backboard! It might not be -much harm on parade, except to worry and fatigue them; but how would it be -in a bayonet charge against the enemy, when they want the free use -of every muscle, and all their strength thrown forward? -I would not give much for their chance of victory. And it is just the same -with horses: you fret and worry their tempers, and decrease their power; -you will not let them throw their weight against their work, -and so they have to do too much with their joints and muscles, -and of course it wears them up faster. You may depend upon it, -horses were intended to have their heads free, as free as men's are; -and if we could act a little more according to common sense, -and a good deal less according to fashion, we should find many things -work easier; besides, you know as well as I that if a horse makes -a false step, he has much less chance of recovering himself -if his head and neck are fastened back. And now," said the master, laughing, -"I have given my hobby a good trot out, can't you make up your mind -to mount him, too, captain? Your example would go a long way." - -"I believe you are right in theory," said the other, -"and that's rather a hard hit about the soldiers; but -- well -- -I'll think about it," and so they parted. - - - - -12 A Stormy Day - - - -One day late in the autumn my master had a long journey to go on business. -I was put into the dog-cart, and John went with his master. -I always liked to go in the dog-cart, it was so light and the high wheels -ran along so pleasantly. There had been a great deal of rain, -and now the wind was very high and blew the dry leaves across the road -in a shower. We went along merrily till we came to the toll-bar -and the low wooden bridge. The river banks were rather high, -and the bridge, instead of rising, went across just level, -so that in the middle, if the river was full, the water would be nearly up to -the woodwork and planks; but as there were good substantial rails -on each side, people did not mind it. - -The man at the gate said the river was rising fast, and he feared it would be -a bad night. Many of the meadows were under water, and in one low part -of the road the water was halfway up to my knees; the bottom was good, -and master drove gently, so it was no matter. - -When we got to the town of course I had a good bait, -but as the master's business engaged him a long time -we did not start for home till rather late in the afternoon. -The wind was then much higher, and I heard the master say to John -that he had never been out in such a storm; and so I thought, -as we went along the skirts of a wood, where the great branches -were swaying about like twigs, and the rushing sound was terrible. - -"I wish we were well out of this wood," said my master. - -"Yes, sir," said John, "it would be rather awkward if one of these branches -came down upon us." - -The words were scarcely out of his mouth when there was a groan, and a crack, -and a splitting sound, and tearing, crashing down among the other trees -came an oak, torn up by the roots, and it fell right across the road -just before us. I will never say I was not frightened, for I was. -I stopped still, and I believe I trembled; of course I did not turn round -or run away; I was not brought up to that. John jumped out -and was in a moment at my head. - -"That was a very near touch," said my master. "What's to be done now?" - -"Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree, nor yet get round it; -there will be nothing for it, but to go back to the four crossways, -and that will be a good six miles before we get round -to the wooden bridge again; it will make us late, but the horse is fresh." - -So back we went and round by the crossroads, but by the time we got -to the bridge it was very nearly dark; we could just see that the water -was over the middle of it; but as that happened sometimes -when the floods were out, master did not stop. We were going along -at a good pace, but the moment my feet touched the first part of the bridge -I felt sure there was something wrong. I dare not go forward, -and I made a dead stop. "Go on, Beauty," said my master, -and he gave me a touch with the whip, but I dare not stir; -he gave me a sharp cut; I jumped, but I dare not go forward. - -"There's something wrong, sir," said John, and he sprang out of the dog-cart -and came to my head and looked all about. He tried to lead me forward. -"Come on, Beauty, what's the matter?" Of course I could not tell him, -but I knew very well that the bridge was not safe. - -Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house, -tossing a torch about like one mad. - -"Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!" he cried. - -"What's the matter?" shouted my master. - -"The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; -if you come on you'll be into the river." - -"Thank God!" said my master. "You Beauty!" said John, and took the bridle -and gently turned me round to the right-hand road by the river side. -The sun had set some time; the wind seemed to have lulled off -after that furious blast which tore up the tree. It grew darker and darker, -stiller and stiller. I trotted quietly along, the wheels hardly making -a sound on the soft road. For a good while neither master nor John spoke, -and then master began in a serious voice. I could not understand much -of what they said, but I found they thought, if I had gone on as the master -wanted me, most likely the bridge would have given way under us, -and horse, chaise, master, and man would have fallen into the river; -and as the current was flowing very strongly, and there was no light -and no help at hand, it was more than likely we should all have been drowned. -Master said, God had given men reason, by which they could find out things -for themselves; but he had given animals knowledge which did not -depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, -and by which they had often saved the lives of men. John had many -stories to tell of dogs and horses, and the wonderful things they had done; -he thought people did not value their animals half enough -nor make friends of them as they ought to do. I am sure -he makes friends of them if ever a man did. - -At last we came to the park gates and found the gardener looking out for us. -He said that mistress had been in a dreadful way ever since dark, -fearing some accident had happened, and that she had sent James off -on Justice, the roan cob, toward the wooden bridge to make inquiry after us. - -We saw a light at the hall-door and at the upper windows, -and as we came up mistress ran out, saying, "Are you really safe, my dear? -Oh! I have been so anxious, fancying all sorts of things. -Have you had no accident?" - -"No, my dear; but if your Black Beauty had not been wiser than we were -we should all have been carried down the river at the wooden bridge." -I heard no more, as they went into the house, and John took me to the stable. -Oh, what a good supper he gave me that night, a good bran mash -and some crushed beans with my oats, and such a thick bed of straw! -and I was glad of it, for I was tired. - - - - -13 The Devil's Trade Mark - - - -One day when John and I had been out on some business of our master's, -and were returning gently on a long, straight road, at some distance we saw -a boy trying to leap a pony over a gate; the pony would not take the leap, -and the boy cut him with the whip, but he only turned off on one side. -He whipped him again, but the pony turned off on the other side. -Then the boy got off and gave him a hard thrashing, and knocked him -about the head; then he got up again and tried to make him leap the gate, -kicking him all the time shamefully, but still the pony refused. -When we were nearly at the spot the pony put down his head and threw up -his heels, and sent the boy neatly over into a broad quickset hedge, -and with the rein dangling from his head he set off home at a full gallop. -John laughed out quite loud. "Served him right," he said. - -"Oh, oh, oh!" cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; -"I say, come and help me out." - -"Thank ye," said John, "I think you are quite in the right place, -and maybe a little scratching will teach you not to leap a pony over a gate -that is too high for him," and so with that John rode off. "It may be," -said he to himself, "that young fellow is a liar as well as a cruel one; -we'll just go home by Farmer Bushby's, Beauty, and then -if anybody wants to know you and I can tell 'em, ye see." -So we turned off to the right, and soon came up to the stack-yard, -and within sight of the house. The farmer was hurrying out into the road, -and his wife was standing at the gate, looking very frightened. - -"Have you seen my boy?" said Mr. Bushby as we came up; -"he went out an hour ago on my black pony, and the creature is just come back -without a rider." - -"I should think, sir," said John, "he had better be without a rider, -unless he can be ridden properly." - -"What do you mean?" said the farmer. - -"Well, sir, I saw your son whipping, and kicking, and knocking -that good little pony about shamefully because he would not leap a gate -that was too high for him. The pony behaved well, sir, and showed no vice; -but at last he just threw up his heels and tipped the young gentleman -into the thorn hedge. He wanted me to help him out, but I hope you will -excuse me, sir, I did not feel inclined to do so. There's no bones broken, -sir; he'll only get a few scratches. I love horses, and it riles me -to see them badly used; it is a bad plan to aggravate an animal -till he uses his heels; the first time is not always the last." - -During this time the mother began to cry, "Oh, my poor Bill, -I must go and meet him; he must be hurt." - -"You had better go into the house, wife," said the farmer; -"Bill wants a lesson about this, and I must see that he gets it; -this is not the first time, nor the second, that he has ill-used that pony, -and I shall stop it. I am much obliged to you, Manly. Good-evening." - -So we went on, John chuckling all the way home; then he told James about it, -who laughed and said, "Serve him right. I knew that boy at school; -he took great airs on himself because he was a farmer's son; -he used to swagger about and bully the little boys. Of course, -we elder ones would not have any of that nonsense, and let him know -that in the school and the playground farmers' sons and laborers' sons -were all alike. I well remember one day, just before afternoon school, -I found him at the large window catching flies and pulling off their wings. -He did not see me and I gave him a box on the ears that laid him sprawling -on the floor. Well, angry as I was, I was almost frightened, -he roared and bellowed in such a style. The boys rushed in -from the playground, and the master ran in from the road to see -who was being murdered. Of course I said fair and square at once -what I had done, and why; then I showed the master the flies, -some crushed and some crawling about helpless, and I showed him the wings -on the window sill. I never saw him so angry before; -but as Bill was still howling and whining, like the coward that he was, -he did not give him any more punishment of that kind, -but set him up on a stool for the rest of the afternoon, -and said that he should not go out to play for that week. -Then he talked to all the boys very seriously about cruelty, and said -how hard-hearted and cowardly it was to hurt the weak and the helpless; -but what stuck in my mind was this, he said that cruelty was the devil's -own trade-mark, and if we saw any one who took pleasure in cruelty -we might know who he belonged to, for the devil was a murderer -from the beginning, and a tormentor to the end. On the other hand, -where we saw people who loved their neighbors, and were kind -to man and beast, we might know that was God's mark." - -"Your master never taught you a truer thing," said John; -"there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like -about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind -to man and beast it is all a sham -- all a sham, James, and it won't stand -when things come to be turned inside out." - - - - -14 James Howard - - - -Early one morning in December John had just led me into my box -after my daily exercise, and was strapping my cloth on -and James was coming in from the corn chamber with some oats, -when the master came into the stable. He looked rather serious, -and held an open letter in his hand. John fastened the door of my box, -touched his cap, and waited for orders. - -"Good-morning, John," said the master. "I want to know -if you have any complaint to make of James." - -"Complaint, sir? No, sir." - -"Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?" - -"Yes, sir, always." - -"You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?" - -"Never, sir." - -"That's well; but I must put another question. Have you no reason -to suspect, when he goes out with the horses to exercise them -or to take a message, that he stops about talking to his acquaintances, -or goes into houses where he has no business, leaving the horses outside?" - -"No, sir, certainly not; and if anybody has been saying that about James, -I don't believe it, and I don't mean to believe it unless I have it -fairly proved before witnesses; it's not for me to say who has been trying -to take away James' character, but I will say this, sir, that a steadier, -pleasanter, honester, smarter young fellow I never had in this stable. -I can trust his word and I can trust his work; he is gentle and clever -with the horses, and I would rather have them in charge with him -than with half the young fellows I know of in laced hats and liveries; -and whoever wants a character of James Howard," said John, -with a decided jerk of his head, "let them come to John Manly." - -The master stood all this time grave and attentive, -but as John finished his speech a broad smile spread over his face, -and looking kindly across at James, who all this time had stood still -at the door, he said, "James, my lad, set down the oats and come here; -I am very glad to find that John's opinion of your character -agrees so exactly with my own. John is a cautious man," he said, -with a droll smile, "and it is not always easy to get his opinion -about people, so I thought if I beat the bush on this side -the birds would fly out, and I should learn what I wanted to know quickly; -so now we will come to business. I have a letter from my brother-in-law, -Sir Clifford Williams, of Clifford Hall. He wants me to find him -a trustworthy young groom, about twenty or twenty-one, -who knows his business. His old coachman, who has lived with him -thirty years, is getting feeble, and he wants a man to work with him -and get into his ways, who would be able, when the old man was pensioned off, -to step into his place. He would have eighteen shillings a week at first, -a stable suit, a driving suit, a bedroom over the coachhouse, -and a boy under him. Sir Clifford is a good master, -and if you could get the place it would be a good start for you. -I don't want to part with you, and if you left us I know John would lose -his right hand." - -"That I should, sir," said John, "but I would not stand in his light -for the world." - -"How old are you, James?" said master. - -"Nineteen next May, sir." - -"That's young; what do you think, John?" - -"Well, sir, it is young; but he is as steady as a man, and is strong, -and well grown, and though he has not had much experience in driving, -he has a light firm hand and a quick eye, and he is very careful, -and I am quite sure no horse of his will be ruined for want of having -his feet and shoes looked after." - -"Your word will go the furthest, John," said the master, -"for Sir Clifford adds in a postscript, `If I could find a man -trained by your John I should like him better than any other;' -so, James, lad, think it over, talk to your mother at dinner-time, -and then let me know what you wish." - -In a few days after this conversation it was fully settled -that James should go to Clifford Hall, in a month or six weeks, -as it suited his master, and in the meantime he was to get -all the practice in driving that could be given to him. I never knew -the carriage to go out so often before; when the mistress did not go out -the master drove himself in the two-wheeled chaise; but now, -whether it was master or the young ladies, or only an errand, -Ginger and I were put in the carriage and James drove us. -At the first John rode with him on the box, telling him this and that, -and after that James drove alone. - -Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go to -in the city on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through. -He was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in, -and cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get over -the bridge together; that bridge wanted good horses and good drivers -when the railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there was -a very sharp turn up to the station, where it would not have been -at all difficult for people to run into each other, if they did not -look sharp and keep their wits about them. - - - - -15 The Old Hostler - - - -After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visit -to some friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home, -and James was to drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles. -There were some long, heavy hills, but James drove so carefully -and thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed. He never forgot to -put on the brake as we went downhill, nor to take it off at the right place. -He kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphill -was very long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road, -so as not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All these little things -help a horse very much, particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain. - -We stopped once or twice on the road, and just as the sun was going down -we reached the town where we were to spend the night. We stopped at -the principal hotel, which was in the market-place; it was a very large one; -we drove under an archway into a long yard, at the further end of which -were the stables and coachhouses. Two hostlers came to take us out. -The head hostler was a pleasant, active little man, with a crooked leg, -and a yellow striped waistcoat. I never saw a man unbuckle harness -so quickly as he did, and with a pat and a good word he led me -to a long stable, with six or eight stalls in it, and two or three horses. -The other man brought Ginger; James stood by while we were -rubbed down and cleaned. - -I never was cleaned so lightly and quickly as by that little old man. -When he had done James stepped up and felt me over, as if he thought -I could not be thoroughly done, but he found my coat as clean and smooth -as silk. - -"Well," he said, "I thought I was pretty quick, and our John quicker still, -but you do beat all I ever saw for being quick and thorough -at the same time." - -"Practice makes perfect," said the crooked little hostler, -"and 'twould be a pity if it didn't; forty years' practice, and not perfect! -ha, ha! that would be a pity; and as to being quick, why, bless you! -that is only a matter of habit; if you get into the habit of being quick -it is just as easy as being slow; easier, I should say; -in fact it don't agree with my health to be hulking about over a job -twice as long as it need take. Bless you! I couldn't whistle -if I crawled over my work as some folks do! You see, -I have been about horses ever since I was twelve years old, -in hunting stables, and racing stables; and being small, ye see, -I was jockey for several years; but at the Goodwood, ye see, -the turf was very slippery and my poor Larkspur got a fall, -and I broke my knee, and so of course I was of no more use there. -But I could not live without horses, of course I couldn't, -so I took to the hotels. And I can tell ye it is a downright pleasure -to handle an animal like this, well-bred, well-mannered, well-cared-for; -bless ye! I can tell how a horse is treated. Give me the handling of a horse -for twenty minutes, and I'll tell you what sort of a groom he has had. -Look at this one, pleasant, quiet, turns about just as you want him, -holds up his feet to be cleaned out, or anything else you please to wish; -then you'll find another fidgety, fretty, won't move the right way, -or starts across the stall, tosses up his head as soon as you come near him, -lays his ears, and seems afraid of you; or else squares about at you -with his heels. Poor things! I know what sort of treatment they have had. -If they are timid it makes them start or shy; if they are high-mettled -it makes them vicious or dangerous; their tempers are mostly made -when they are young. Bless you! they are like children, -train 'em up in the way they should go, as the good book says, -and when they are old they will not depart from it, if they have a chance." - -"I like to hear you talk," said James, "that's the way -we lay it down at home, at our master's." - -"Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. -I should judge he is a good one, from what I see." - -"He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon Hills," -said James. - -"Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? -the best rider in the county." - -"I believe he is," said James, "but he rides very little now, -since the poor young master was killed." - -"Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. -A fine horse killed, too, wasn't there?" - -"Yes," said James; "he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, -and just like him." - -"Pity! pity!" said the old man; "'twas a bad place to leap, if I remember; -a thin fence at top, a steep bank down to the stream, wasn't it? -No chance for a horse to see where he is going. Now, I am for bold riding -as much as any man, but still there are some leaps that only -a very knowing old huntsman has any right to take. A man's life -and a horse's life are worth more than a fox's tail; at least, -I should say they ought to be." - -During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our corn, -and James and the old man left the stable together. - - - - -16 The Fire - - - -Later on in the evening a traveler's horse was brought in -by the second hostler, and while he was cleaning him -a young man with a pipe in his mouth lounged into the stable to gossip. - -"I say, Towler," said the hostler, "just run up the ladder into the loft and -put some hay down into this horse's rack, will you? only lay down your pipe." - -"All right," said the other, and went up through the trapdoor; -and I heard him step across the floor overhead and put down the hay. -James came in to look at us the last thing, and then the door was locked. - -I cannot say how long I had slept, nor what time in the night it was, -but I woke up very uncomfortable, though I hardly knew why. I got up; -the air seemed all thick and choking. I heard Ginger coughing -and one of the other horses seemed very restless; it was quite dark, -and I could see nothing, but the stable seemed full of smoke, -and I hardly knew how to breathe. - -The trapdoor had been left open, and I thought that was the place -it came through. I listened, and heard a soft rushing sort of noise -and a low crackling and snapping. I did not know what it was, but there was -something in the sound so strange that it made me tremble all over. -The other horses were all awake; some were pulling at their halters, -others stamping. - -At last I heard steps outside, and the hostler who had put up -the traveler's horse burst into the stable with a lantern, -and began to untie the horses, and try to lead them out; -but he seemed in such a hurry and so frightened himself -that he frightened me still more. The first horse would not go with him; -he tried the second and third, and they too would not stir. -He came to me next and tried to drag me out of the stall by force; -of course that was no use. He tried us all by turns -and then left the stable. - -No doubt we were very foolish, but danger seemed to be all round, -and there was nobody we knew to trust in, and all was strange and uncertain. -The fresh air that had come in through the open door made it -easier to breathe, but the rushing sound overhead grew louder, -and as I looked upward through the bars of my empty rack I saw a red light -flickering on the wall. Then I heard a cry of "Fire!" outside, -and the old hostler quietly and quickly came in; he got one horse out, -and went to another, but the flames were playing round the trapdoor, -and the roaring overhead was dreadful. - -The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always was. - -"Come, my beauties, it is time for us to be off, so wake up and come along." -I stood nearest the door, so he came to me first, patting me as he came in. - -"Come, Beauty, on with your bridle, my boy, we'll soon be -out of this smother." It was on in no time; then he took the scarf -off his neck, and tied it lightly over my eyes, and patting and coaxing -he led me out of the stable. Safe in the yard, he slipped the scarf -off my eyes, and shouted, "Here somebody! take this horse while I go back -for the other." - -A tall, broad man stepped forward and took me, and James darted back -into the stable. I set up a shrill whinny as I saw him go. -Ginger told me afterward that whinny was the best thing I could have done -for her, for had she not heard me outside she would never have had courage -to come out. - -There was much confusion in the yard; the horses being got out -of other stables, and the carriages and gigs being pulled out -of houses and sheds, lest the flames should spread further. -On the other side the yard windows were thrown up, and people were shouting -all sorts of things; but I kept my eye fixed on the stable door, -where the smoke poured out thicker than ever, and I could see flashes -of red light; presently I heard above all the stir and din a loud, -clear voice, which I knew was master's: - -"James Howard! James Howard! Are you there?" There was no answer, -but I heard a crash of something falling in the stable, -and the next moment I gave a loud, joyful neigh, for I saw James -coming through the smoke leading Ginger with him; she was coughing violently, -and he was not able to speak. - -"My brave lad!" said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, -"are you hurt?" - -James shook his head, for he could not yet speak. - -"Ay," said the big man who held me; "he is a brave lad, and no mistake." - -"And now," said master, "when you have got your breath, James, -we'll get out of this place as quickly as we can," and we were moving -toward the entry, when from the market-place there came a sound -of galloping feet and loud rumbling wheels. - -"'Tis the fire-engine! the fire-engine!" shouted two or three voices, -"stand back, make way!" and clattering and thundering over the stones -two horses dashed into the yard with a heavy engine behind them. The firemen -leaped to the ground; there was no need to ask where the fire was -- -it was rolling up in a great blaze from the roof. - -We got out as fast as we could into the broad quiet market-place; -the stars were shining, and except the noise behind us, all was still. -Master led the way to a large hotel on the other side, -and as soon as the hostler came, he said, "James, I must now hasten -to your mistress; I trust the horses entirely to you, -order whatever you think is needed," and with that he was gone. -The master did not run, but I never saw mortal man walk so fast -as he did that night. - -There was a dreadful sound before we got into our stalls -- -the shrieks of those poor horses that were left burning to death -in the stable -- it was very terrible! and made both Ginger and me -feel very bad. We, however, were taken in and well done by. - -The next morning the master came to see how we were and to speak to James. -I did not hear much, for the hostler was rubbing me down, -but I could see that James looked very happy, and I thought the master -was proud of him. Our mistress had been so much alarmed in the night -that the journey was put off till the afternoon, so James had the morning -on hand, and went first to the inn to see about our harness and the carriage, -and then to hear more about the fire. When he came back we heard him tell -the hostler about it. At first no one could guess how the fire -had been caused, but at last a man said he saw Dick Towler go into the stable -with a pipe in his mouth, and when he came out he had not one, -and went to the tap for another. Then the under hostler said -he had asked Dick to go up the ladder to put down some hay, but told him -to lay down his pipe first. Dick denied taking the pipe with him, -but no one believed him. I remember our John Manly's rule, never to allow -a pipe in the stable, and thought it ought to be the rule everywhere. - -James said the roof and floor had all fallen in, and that only -the black walls were standing; the two poor horses that could not be got out -were buried under the burnt rafters and tiles. - - - - -17 John Manly's Talk - - - -The rest of our journey was very easy, and a little after sunset -we reached the house of my master's friend. We were taken into a clean, -snug stable; there was a kind coachman, who made us very comfortable, -and who seemed to think a good deal of James when he heard about the fire. - -"There is one thing quite clear, young man," he said, "your horses know -who they can trust; it is one of the hardest things in the world -to get horses out of a stable when there is either fire or flood. -I don't know why they won't come out, but they won't -- not one in twenty." - -We stopped two or three days at this place and then returned home. -All went well on the journey; we were glad to be in our own stable again, -and John was equally glad to see us. - -Before he and James left us for the night James said, -"I wonder who is coming in my place." - -"Little Joe Green at the lodge," said John. - -"Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!" - -"He is fourteen and a half," said John. - -"But he is such a little chap!" - -"Yes, he is small, but he is quick and willing, and kind-hearted, too, -and then he wishes very much to come, and his father would like it; -and I know the master would like to give him the chance. -He said if I thought he would not do he would look out for a bigger boy; -but I said I was quite agreeable to try him for six weeks." - -"Six weeks!" said James; "why, it will be six months before he can be -of much use! It will make you a deal of work, John." - -"Well," said John with a laugh, "work and I are very good friends; -I never was afraid of work yet." - -"You are a very good man," said James. "I wish I may ever be like you." - -"I don't often speak of myself," said John, "but as you are going -away from us out into the world to shift for yourself I'll just tell you -how I look on these things. I was just as old as Joseph -when my father and mother died of the fever within ten days of each other, -and left me and my cripple sister Nelly alone in the world, -without a relation that we could look to for help. I was a farmer's boy, -not earning enough to keep myself, much less both of us, -and she must have gone to the workhouse but for our mistress -(Nelly calls her her angel, and she has good right to do so). -She went and hired a room for her with old Widow Mallet, -and she gave her knitting and needlework when she was able to do it; -and when she was ill she sent her dinners and many nice, comfortable things, -and was like a mother to her. Then the master he took me into the stable -under old Norman, the coachman that was then. I had my food at the house -and my bed in the loft, and a suit of clothes, and three shillings a week, -so that I could help Nelly. Then there was Norman; -he might have turned round and said at his age he could not be troubled -with a raw boy from the plow-tail, but he was like a father to me, -and took no end of pains with me. When the old man died some years after -I stepped into his place, and now of course I have top wages, -and can lay by for a rainy day or a sunny day, as it may happen, -and Nelly is as happy as a bird. So you see, James, I am not the man -that should turn up his nose at a little boy and vex a good, kind master. -No, no! I shall miss you very much, James, but we shall pull through, -and there's nothing like doing a kindness when 'tis put in your way, -and I am glad I can do it." - -"Then," said James, "you don't hold with that saying, -`Everybody look after himself, and take care of number one'?" - -"No, indeed," said John, "where should I and Nelly have been -if master and mistress and old Norman had only taken care of number one? -Why, she in the workhouse and I hoeing turnips! Where would Black Beauty -and Ginger have been if you had only thought of number one? why, -roasted to death! No, Jim, no! that is a selfish, heathenish saying, -whoever uses it; and any man who thinks he has nothing to do -but take care of number one, why, it's a pity but what he had been drowned -like a puppy or a kitten, before he got his eyes open; that's what I think," -said John, with a very decided jerk of his head. - -James laughed at this; but there was a thickness in his voice when he said, -"You have been my best friend except my mother; I hope you won't forget me." - -"No, lad, no!" said John, "and if ever I can do you a good turn -I hope you won't forget me." - -The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he could before James left. -He learned to sweep the stable, to bring in the straw and hay; -he began to clean the harness, and helped to wash the carriage. -As he was quite too short to do anything in the way of grooming -Ginger and me, James taught him upon Merrylegs, for he was to have -full charge of him, under John. He was a nice little bright fellow, -and always came whistling to his work. - -Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being "mauled about," as he said, -"by a boy who knew nothing;" but toward the end of the second week -he told me confidentially that he thought the boy would turn out well. - -At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always was, -he looked quite down-hearted that morning. - -"You see," he said to John, "I am leaving a great deal behind; -my mother and Betsy, and you, and a good master and mistress, -and then the horses, and my old Merrylegs. At the new place -there will not be a soul that I shall know. If it were not that -I shall get a higher place, and be able to help my mother better, -I don't think I should have made up my mind to it; it is a real pinch, John." - -"Ay, James, lad, so it is; but I should not think much of you -if you could leave your home for the first time and not feel it. Cheer up, -you'll make friends there; and if you get on well, as I am sure you will, -it will be a fine thing for your mother, and she will be proud enough -that you have got into such a good place as that." - -So John cheered him up, but every one was sorry to lose James; -as for Merrylegs, he pined after him for several days, and went quite off -his appetite. So John took him out several mornings with a leading rein, -when he exercised me, and, trotting and galloping by my side, -got up the little fellow's spirits again, and he was soon all right. - -Joe's father would often come in and give a little help, -as he understood the work; and Joe took a great deal of pains to learn, -and John was quite encouraged about him. - - - - -18 Going for the Doctor - - - -One night, a few days after James had left, I had eaten my hay -and was lying down in my straw fast asleep, when I was suddenly roused -by the stable bell ringing very loud. I heard the door of John's house open, -and his feet running up to the hall. He was back again in no time; -he unlocked the stable door, and came in, calling out, "Wake up, Beauty! -You must go well now, if ever you did;" and almost before I could think -he had got the saddle on my back and the bridle on my head. -He just ran round for his coat, and then took me at a quick trot -up to the hall door. The squire stood there, with a lamp in his hand. - -"Now, John," he said, "ride for your life -- that is, -for your mistress' life; there is not a moment to lose. -Give this note to Dr. White; give your horse a rest at the inn, -and be back as soon as you can." - -John said, "Yes, sir," and was on my back in a minute. -The gardener who lived at the lodge had heard the bell ring, -and was ready with the gate open, and away we went through the park, -and through the village, and down the hill till we came to the toll-gate. -John called very loud and thumped upon the door; the man was soon out -and flung open the gate. - -"Now," said John, "do you keep the gate open for the doctor; -here's the money," and off he went again. - -There was before us a long piece of level road by the river side; -John said to me, "Now, Beauty, do your best," and so I did; -I wanted no whip nor spur, and for two miles I galloped as fast as -I could lay my feet to the ground; I don't believe that my old grandfather, -who won the race at Newmarket, could have gone faster. When we came -to the bridge John pulled me up a little and patted my neck. "Well done, -Beauty! good old fellow," he said. He would have let me go slower, -but my spirit was up, and I was off again as fast as before. -The air was frosty, the moon was bright; it was very pleasant. -We came through a village, then through a dark wood, then uphill, -then downhill, till after eight miles' run we came to the town, -through the streets and into the market-place. It was all quite still -except the clatter of my feet on the stones -- everybody was asleep. -The church clock struck three as we drew up at Dr. White's door. -John rang the bell twice, and then knocked at the door like thunder. -A window was thrown up, and Dr. White, in his nightcap, -put his head out and said, "What do you want?" - -"Mrs. Gordon is very ill, sir; master wants you to go at once; -he thinks she will die if you cannot get there. Here is a note." - -"Wait," he said, "I will come." - -He shut the window, and was soon at the door. - -"The worst of it is," he said, "that my horse has been out all day -and is quite done up; my son has just been sent for, -and he has taken the other. What is to be done? Can I have your horse?" - -"He has come at a gallop nearly all the way, sir, and I was to give him -a rest here; but I think my master would not be against it, -if you think fit, sir." - -"All right," he said; "I will soon be ready." - -John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came out -with his riding-whip. - -"You need not take that, sir," said John; "Black Beauty will go -till he drops. Take care of him, sir, if you can; I should not like -any harm to come to him." - -"No, no, John," said the doctor, "I hope not," and in a minute -we had left John far behind. - -I will not tell about our way back. The doctor was a heavier man than John, -and not so good a rider; however, I did my very best. -The man at the toll-gate had it open. When we came to the hill -the doctor drew me up. "Now, my good fellow," he said, "take some breath." -I was glad he did, for I was nearly spent, but that breathing helped me on, -and soon we were in the park. Joe was at the lodge gate; -my master was at the hall door, for he had heard us coming. -He spoke not a word; the doctor went into the house with him, -and Joe led me to the stable. I was glad to get home; -my legs shook under me, and I could only stand and pant. -I had not a dry hair on my body, the water ran down my legs, -and I steamed all over, Joe used to say, like a pot on the fire. -Poor Joe! he was young and small, and as yet he knew very little, -and his father, who would have helped him, had been sent to the next village; -but I am sure he did the very best he knew. He rubbed my legs and my chest, -but he did not put my warm cloth on me; he thought I was so hot -I should not like it. Then he gave me a pailful of water to drink; -it was cold and very good, and I drank it all; then he gave me -some hay and some corn, and thinking he had done right, he went away. -Soon I began to shake and tremble, and turned deadly cold; my legs ached, -my loins ached, and my chest ached, and I felt sore all over. -Oh! how I wished for my warm, thick cloth, as I stood and trembled. -I wished for John, but he had eight miles to walk, so I lay down in my straw -and tried to go to sleep. After a long while I heard John at the door; -I gave a low moan, for I was in great pain. He was at my side in a moment, -stooping down by me. I could not tell him how I felt, -but he seemed to know it all; he covered me up with two or three warm cloths, -and then ran to the house for some hot water; he made me some warm gruel, -which I drank, and then I think I went to sleep. - -John seemed to be very much put out. I heard him say to himself -over and over again, "Stupid boy! stupid boy! no cloth put on, -and I dare say the water was cold, too; boys are no good;" -but Joe was a good boy, after all. - -I was now very ill; a strong inflammation had attacked my lungs, -and I could not draw my breath without pain. John nursed me night and day; -he would get up two or three times in the night to come to me. -My master, too, often came to see me. "My poor Beauty," he said one day, -"my good horse, you saved your mistress' life, Beauty; -yes, you saved her life." I was very glad to hear that, -for it seems the doctor had said if we had been a little longer -it would have been too late. John told my master he never saw a horse -go so fast in his life. It seemed as if the horse knew what was the matter. -Of course I did, though John thought not; at least I knew as much as this -- -that John and I must go at the top of our speed, and that it was -for the sake of the mistress. - - - - -19 Only Ignorance - - - -I do not know how long I was ill. Mr. Bond, the horse-doctor, -came every day. One day he bled me; John held a pail for the blood. -I felt very faint after it and thought I should die, and I believe -they all thought so too. - -Ginger and Merrylegs had been moved into the other stable, -so that I might be quiet, for the fever made me very quick of hearing; -any little noise seemed quite loud, and I could tell every one's footstep -going to and from the house. I knew all that was going on. -One night John had to give me a draught; Thomas Green came in to help him. -After I had taken it and John had made me as comfortable as he could, -he said he should stay half an hour to see how the medicine settled. -Thomas said he would stay with him, so they went and sat down on a bench -that had been brought into Merrylegs' stall, and put down the lantern -at their feet, that I might not be disturbed with the light. - -For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice: - -"I wish, John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. -The boy is quite broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals, and he can't smile. -He says he knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best -he knew, and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. -It goes to my heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; -he is not a bad boy." - -After a short pause John said slowly, "You must not be too hard upon me, Tom. -I know he meant no harm, I never said he did; I know he is not a bad boy. -But you see, I am sore myself; that horse is the pride of my heart, -to say nothing of his being such a favorite with the master and mistress; -and to think that his life may be flung away in this manner -is more than I can bear. But if you think I am hard on the boy -I will try to give him a good word to-morrow -- that is, -I mean if Beauty is better." - -"Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, -and I am glad you see it was only ignorance." - -John's voice almost startled me as he answered: - -"Only ignorance! only ignorance! how can you talk about only ignorance? -Don't you know that it is the worst thing in the world, next to wickedness? --- and which does the most mischief heaven only knows. If people can say, -`Oh! I did not know, I did not mean any harm,' they think it is all right. -I suppose Martha Mulwash did not mean to kill that baby -when she dosed it with Dalby and soothing syrups; but she did kill it, -and was tried for manslaughter." - -"And serve her right, too," said Tom. "A woman should not undertake to nurse -a tender little child without knowing what is good and what is bad for it." - -"Bill Starkey," continued John, "did not mean to frighten his brother -into fits when he dressed up like a ghost and ran after him in the moonlight; -but he did; and that bright, handsome little fellow, that might have been -the pride of any mother's heart is just no better than an idiot, -and never will be, if he lives to be eighty years old. -You were a good deal cut up yourself, Tom, two weeks ago, -when those young ladies left your hothouse door open, with a frosty east wind -blowing right in; you said it killed a good many of your plants." - -"A good many!" said Tom; "there was not one of the tender cuttings -that was not nipped off. I shall have to strike all over again, -and the worst of it is that I don't know where to go to get fresh ones. -I was nearly mad when I came in and saw what was done." - -"And yet," said John, "I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; -it was only ignorance." - -I heard no more of this conversation, for the medicine did well -and sent me to sleep, and in the morning I felt much better; -but I often thought of John's words when I came to know more of the world. - - - - -20 Joe Green - - - -Joe Green went on very well; he learned quickly, and was so -attentive and careful that John began to trust him in many things; -but as I have said, he was small of his age, and it was seldom -that he was allowed to exercise either Ginger or me; but it so happened -one morning that John was out with Justice in the luggage cart, -and the master wanted a note to be taken immediately to a gentleman's house, -about three miles distant, and sent his orders for Joe to saddle me -and take it, adding the caution that he was to ride steadily. - -The note was delivered, and we were quietly returning when we came -to the brick-field. Here we saw a cart heavily laden with bricks; -the wheels had stuck fast in the stiff mud of some deep ruts, -and the carter was shouting and flogging the two horses unmercifully. -Joe pulled up. It was a sad sight. There were the two horses -straining and struggling with all their might to drag the cart out, -but they could not move it; the sweat streamed from their legs and flanks, -their sides heaved, and every muscle was strained, while the man, -fiercely pulling at the head of the fore horse, swore and lashed -most brutally. - -"Hold hard," said Joe; "don't go on flogging the horses like that; -the wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart." - -The man took no heed, but went on lashing. - -"Stop! pray stop!" said Joe. "I'll help you to lighten the cart; -they can't move it now." - -"Mind your own business, you impudent young rascal, and I'll mind mine!" -The man was in a towering passion and the worse for drink, -and laid on the whip again. Joe turned my head, and the next moment -we were going at a round gallop toward the house of the master brick-maker. -I cannot say if John would have approved of our pace, but Joe and I -were both of one mind, and so angry that we could not have gone slower. - -The house stood close by the roadside. Joe knocked at the door, -and shouted, "Halloo! Is Mr. Clay at home?" The door was opened, -and Mr. Clay himself came out. - -"Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire -this morning?" - -"No, Mr. Clay, but there's a fellow in your brick-yard -flogging two horses to death. I told him to stop, and he wouldn't; -I said I'd help him to lighten the cart, and he wouldn't; so I have come -to tell you. Pray, sir, go." Joe's voice shook with excitement. - -"Thank ye, my lad," said the man, running in for his hat; -then pausing for a moment, "Will you give evidence of what you saw -if I should bring the fellow up before a magistrate?" - -"That I will," said Joe, "and glad too." The man was gone, -and we were on our way home at a smart trot. - -"Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over," said John, -as the boy flung himself from the saddle. - -"I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the boy, and then in hurried, -excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually such a quiet, -gentle little fellow that it was wonderful to see him so roused. - -"Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or not. -Many folks would have ridden by and said it was not their business -to interfere. Now I say that with cruelty and oppression it is -everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my boy." - -Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, -and cleaned out my feet and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than usual. - -They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the stable -to say that Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; -there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence -was wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. -"They shall have it," said he. - -"Put yourself a bit straight," said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie -and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being -one of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to settle, -or say what should be done. In the stable we heard no more for some time, -as it was the men's dinner hour, but when Joe came next into the stable -I saw he was in high spirits; he gave me a good-natured slap, and said, -"We won't see such things done, will we, old fellow?" We heard afterward -that he had given his evidence so clearly, and the horses were in such -an exhausted state, bearing marks of such brutal usage, that the carter -was committed to take his trial, and might possibly be sentenced -to two or three months in prison. - -It was wonderful what a change had come over Joe. John laughed, -and said he had grown an inch taller in that week, and I believe he had. -He was just as kind and gentle as before, but there was more purpose -and determination in all that he did -- as if he had jumped at once -from a boy into a man. - - - - -21 The Parting - - - -Now I had lived in this happy place three years, but sad changes were about -to come over us. We heard from time to time that our mistress was ill. -The doctor was often at the house, and the master looked grave and anxious. -Then we heard that she must leave her home at once, and go to a warm country -for two or three years. The news fell upon the household like the tolling -of a deathbell. Everybody was sorry; but the master began directly -to make arrangements for breaking up his establishment and leaving England. -We used to hear it talked about in our stable; indeed, -nothing else was talked about. - -John went about his work silent and sad, and Joe scarcely whistled. -There was a great deal of coming and going; Ginger and I had full work. - -The first of the party who went were Miss Jessie and Flora, -with their governess. They came to bid us good-by. -They hugged poor Merrylegs like an old friend, and so indeed he was. -Then we heard what had been arranged for us. Master had sold Ginger and me -to his old friend, the Earl of W----, for he thought we should have -a good place there. Merrylegs he had given to the vicar, -who was wanting a pony for Mrs. Blomefield, but it was on the condition -that he should never be sold, and that when he was past work -he should be shot and buried. - -Joe was engaged to take care of him and to help in the house, -so I thought that Merrylegs was well off. John had the offer -of several good places, but he said he should wait a little and look round. - -The evening before they left the master came into the stable -to give some directions, and to give his horses the last pat. -He seemed very low-spirited; I knew that by his voice. -I believe we horses can tell more by the voice than many men can. - -"Have you decided what to do, John?" he said. "I find you have not accepted -either of those offers." - -"No, sir; I have made up my mind that if I could get a situation -with some first-rate colt-breaker and horse-trainer, it would be -the right thing for me. Many young animals are frightened and spoiled -by wrong treatment, which need not be if the right man took them in hand. -I always get on well with horses, and if I could help some of them -to a fair start I should feel as if I was doing some good. -What do you think of it, sir?" - -"I don't know a man anywhere," said master, "that I should think -so suitable for it as yourself. You understand horses, -and somehow they understand you, and in time you might set up for yourself; -I think you could not do better. If in any way I can help you, write to me. -I shall speak to my agent in London, and leave your character with him." - -Master gave John the name and address, and then he thanked him -for his long and faithful service; but that was too much for John. -"Pray, don't, sir, I can't bear it; you and my dear mistress have done -so much for me that I could never repay it. But we shall never forget you, -sir, and please God, we may some day see mistress back again like herself; -we must keep up hope, sir." Master gave John his hand, but he did not speak, -and they both left the stable. - -The last sad day had come; the footman and the heavy luggage had gone off -the day before, and there were only master and mistress and her maid. -Ginger and I brought the carriage up to the hall door for the last time. -The servants brought out cushions and rugs and many other things; -and when all were arranged master came down the steps carrying the mistress -in his arms (I was on the side next to the house, and could see -all that went on); he placed her carefully in the carriage, -while the house servants stood round crying. - -"Good-by, again," he said; "we shall not forget any of you," and he got in. -"Drive on, John." - -Joe jumped up, and we trotted slowly through the park -and through the village, where the people were standing at their doors -to have a last look and to say, "God bless them." - -When we reached the railway station I think mistress walked from the carriage -to the waiting-room. I heard her say in her own sweet voice, "Good-by, John. -God bless you." I felt the rein twitch, but John made no answer; -perhaps he could not speak. As soon as Joe had taken the things -out of the carriage John called him to stand by the horses, -while he went on the platform. Poor Joe! he stood close up to our heads -to hide his tears. Very soon the train came puffing up into the station; -then two or three minutes, and the doors were slammed to, the guard whistled, -and the train glided away, leaving behind it only clouds of white smoke -and some very heavy hearts. - -When it was quite out of sight John came back. - -"We shall never see her again," he said -- "never." He took the reins, -mounted the box, and with Joe drove slowly home; but it was not our home now. - - - - - - - Part II - - - - - - -22 Earlshall - - - -The next morning after breakfast Joe put Merrylegs into -the mistress' low chaise to take him to the vicarage; he came first -and said good-by to us, and Merrylegs neighed to us from the yard. -Then John put the saddle on Ginger and the leading rein on me, -and rode us across the country about fifteen miles to Earlshall Park, -where the Earl of W---- lived. There was a very fine house -and a great deal of stabling. We went into the yard through a stone gateway, -and John asked for Mr. York. It was some time before he came. -He was a fine-looking, middle-aged man, and his voice said at once -that he expected to be obeyed. He was very friendly and polite to John, -and after giving us a slight look he called a groom to take us to our boxes, -and invited John to take some refreshment. - -We were taken to a light, airy stable, and placed in boxes -adjoining each other, where we were rubbed down and fed. -In about half an hour John and Mr. York, who was to be our new coachman, -came in to see us. - -"Now, Mr. Manly," he said, after carefully looking at us both, -"I can see no fault in these horses; but we all know that horses -have their peculiarities as well as men, and that sometimes they need -different treatment. I should like to know if there is anything particular -in either of these that you would like to mention." - -"Well," said John, "I don't believe there is a better pair of horses -in the country, and right grieved I am to part with them, -but they are not alike. The black one is the most perfect temper -I ever knew; I suppose he has never known a hard word or a blow -since he was foaled, and all his pleasure seems to be to do what you wish; -but the chestnut, I fancy, must have had bad treatment; -we heard as much from the dealer. She came to us snappish and suspicious, -but when she found what sort of place ours was, it all went off by degrees; -for three years I have never seen the smallest sign of temper, -and if she is well treated there is not a better, more willing animal -than she is. But she is naturally a more irritable constitution -than the black horse; flies tease her more; anything wrong in the harness -frets her more; and if she were ill-used or unfairly treated -she would not be unlikely to give tit for tat. You know that -many high-mettled horses will do so." - -"Of course," said York, "I quite understand; but you know it is not easy -in stables like these to have all the grooms just what they should be. -I do my best, and there I must leave it. I'll remember what you have said -about the mare." - -They were going out of the stable, when John stopped and said, -"I had better mention that we have never used the check-rein -with either of them; the black horse never had one on, -and the dealer said it was the gag-bit that spoiled the other's temper." - -"Well," said York, "if they come here they must wear the check-rein. -I prefer a loose rein myself, and his lordship is always very reasonable -about horses; but my lady -- that's another thing; she will have style, -and if her carriage horses are not reined up tight she wouldn't look at them. -I always stand out against the gag-bit, and shall do so, -but it must be tight up when my lady rides!" - -"I am sorry for it, very sorry," said John; "but I must go now, -or I shall lose the train." - -He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; -his voice sounded very sad. - -I held my face close to him; that was all I could do to say good-by; -and then he was gone, and I have never seen him since. - -The next day Lord W---- came to look at us; he seemed pleased -with our appearance. - -"I have great confidence in these horses," he said, "from the character -my friend Mr. Gordon has given me of them. Of course they are not -a match in color, but my idea is that they will do very well for the carriage -while we are in the country. Before we go to London I must try -to match Baron; the black horse, I believe, is perfect for riding." - -York then told him what John had said about us. - -"Well," said he, "you must keep an eye to the mare, -and put the check-rein easy; I dare say they will do very well -with a little humoring at first. I'll mention it to your lady." - -In the afternoon we were harnessed and put in the carriage, -and as the stable clock struck three we were led round to the front -of the house. It was all very grand, and three or four times as large -as the old house at Birtwick, but not half so pleasant, -if a horse may have an opinion. Two footmen were standing ready, -dressed in drab livery, with scarlet breeches and white stockings. -Presently we heard the rustling sound of silk as my lady came down -the flight of stone steps. She stepped round to look at us; she was a tall, -proud-looking woman, and did not seem pleased about something, -but she said nothing, and got into the carriage. This was the first time -of wearing a check-rein, and I must say, though it certainly was a nuisance -not to be able to get my head down now and then, it did not pull my head -higher than I was accustomed to carry it. I felt anxious about Ginger, -but she seemed to be quiet and content. - -The next day at three o'clock we were again at the door, -and the footmen as before; we heard the silk dress rustle -and the lady came down the steps, and in an imperious voice she said, -"York, you must put those horses' heads higher; they are not fit to be seen." - -York got down, and said very respectfully, "I beg your pardon, my lady, -but these horses have not been reined up for three years, -and my lord said it would be safer to bring them to it by degrees; -but if your ladyship pleases I can take them up a little more." - -"Do so," she said. - -York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself -- one hole, -I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, -and that day we had a steep hill to go up. Then I began to understand -what I had heard of. Of course, I wanted to put my head forward -and take the carriage up with a will, as we had been used to do; but no, -I had to pull with my head up now, and that took all the spirit out of me, -and the strain came on my back and legs. When we came in Ginger said, -"Now you see what it is like; but this is not bad, -and if it does not get much worse than this I shall say nothing about it, -for we are very well treated here; but if they strain me up tight, -why, let 'em look out! I can't bear it, and I won't." - -Day by day, hole by hole, our bearing reins were shortened, -and instead of looking forward with pleasure to having my harness put on, -as I used to do, I began to dread it. Ginger, too, seemed restless, -though she said very little. At last I thought the worst was over; -for several days there was no more shortening, and I determined -to make the best of it and do my duty, though it was now a constant harass -instead of a pleasure; but the worst was not come. - - - - -23 A Strike for Liberty - - - -One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled -more than ever. - -"Drive to the Duchess of B----'s," she said, and then after a pause, -"Are you never going to get those horses' heads up, York? -Raise them at once and let us have no more of this humoring and nonsense." - -York came to me first, while the groom stood at Ginger's head. -He drew my head back and fixed the rein so tight that it was -almost intolerable; then he went to Ginger, who was impatiently -jerking her head up and down against the bit, as was her way now. -She had a good idea of what was coming, and the moment York took the rein -off the terret in order to shorten it she took her opportunity -and reared up so suddenly that York had his nose roughly hit -and his hat knocked off; the groom was nearly thrown off his legs. -At once they both flew to her head; but she was a match for them, -and went on plunging, rearing, and kicking in a most desperate manner. -At last she kicked right over the carriage pole and fell down, -after giving me a severe blow on my near quarter. There is no knowing -what further mischief she might have done had not York promptly -sat himself down flat on her head to prevent her struggling, -at the same time calling out, "Unbuckle the black horse! -Run for the winch and unscrew the carriage pole! Cut the trace here, -somebody, if you can't unhitch it!" One of the footmen ran for the winch, -and another brought a knife from the house. The groom soon set me free -from Ginger and the carriage, and led me to my box. He just turned me in -as I was and ran back to York. I was much excited by what had happened, -and if I had ever been used to kick or rear I am sure I should have -done it then; but I never had, and there I stood, angry, sore in my leg, -my head still strained up to the terret on the saddle, -and no power to get it down. I was very miserable and felt much inclined -to kick the first person who came near me. - -Before long, however, Ginger was led in by two grooms, a good deal -knocked about and bruised. York came with her and gave his orders, -and then came to look at me. In a moment he let down my head. - -"Confound these check-reins!" he said to himself; "I thought we should have -some mischief soon. Master will be sorely vexed. But there, -if a woman's husband can't rule her of course a servant can't; -so I wash my hands of it, and if she can't get to the duchess' garden party -I can't help it." - -York did not say this before the men; he always spoke respectfully -when they were by. Now he felt me all over, and soon found the place -above my hock where I had been kicked. It was swelled and painful; -he ordered it to be sponged with hot water, and then some lotion was put on. - -Lord W---- was much put out when he learned what had happened; -he blamed York for giving way to his mistress, to which he replied -that in future he would much prefer to receive his orders only from -his lordship; but I think nothing came of it, for things went on -the same as before. I thought York might have stood up better -for his horses, but perhaps I am no judge. - -Ginger was never put into the carriage again, but when she was -well of her bruises one of the Lord W----'s younger sons -said he should like to have her; he was sure she would make a good hunter. -As for me, I was obliged still to go in the carriage, and had a fresh partner -called Max; he had always been used to the tight rein. -I asked him how it was he bore it. - -"Well," he said, "I bear it because I must; but it is shortening my life, -and it will shorten yours too if you have to stick to it." - -"Do you think," I said, "that our masters know how bad it is for us?" - -"I can't say," he replied, "but the dealers and the horse-doctors -know it very well. I was at a dealer's once, who was training me -and another horse to go as a pair; he was getting our heads up, as he said, -a little higher and a little higher every day. A gentleman who was there -asked him why he did so. `Because,' said he, `people won't buy them -unless we do. The London people always want their horses -to carry their heads high and to step high. Of course it is very bad -for the horses, but then it is good for trade. The horses soon wear up, -or get diseased, and they come for another pair.' That," said Max, -"is what he said in my hearing, and you can judge for yourself." - -What I suffered with that rein for four long months in my lady's carriage -it would be hard to describe; but I am quite sure that, had it lasted -much longer, either my health or my temper would have given way. -Before that, I never knew what it was to foam at the mouth, -but now the action of the sharp bit on my tongue and jaw, -and the constrained position of my head and throat, always caused me -to froth at the mouth more or less. Some people think it very fine -to see this, and say, "What fine spirited creatures!" But it is just -as unnatural for horses as for men to foam at the mouth; it is a sure sign -of some discomfort, and should be attended to. Besides this, -there was a pressure on my windpipe, which often made my breathing -very uncomfortable; when I returned from my work my neck and chest -were strained and painful, my mouth and tongue tender, -and I felt worn and depressed. - -In my old home I always knew that John and my master were my friends; -but here, although in many ways I was well treated, I had no friend. -York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed me; -but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that it could not be helped; -at any rate, nothing was done to relieve me. - - - - -24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse - - - -Early in the spring, Lord W---- and part of his family went up to London, -and took York with them. I and Ginger and some other horses -were left at home for use, and the head groom was left in charge. - -The Lady Harriet, who remained at the hall, was a great invalid, -and never went out in the carriage, and the Lady Anne preferred -riding on horseback with her brother or cousins. She was -a perfect horsewoman, and as gay and gentle as she was beautiful. -She chose me for her horse, and named me "Black Auster". -I enjoyed these rides very much in the clear cold air, sometimes with Ginger, -sometimes with Lizzie. This Lizzie was a bright bay mare, -almost thoroughbred, and a great favorite with the gentlemen, -on account of her fine action and lively spirit; but Ginger, -who knew more of her than I did, told me she was rather nervous. - -There was a gentleman of the name of Blantyre staying at the hall; -he always rode Lizzie, and praised her so much that one day Lady Anne ordered -the side-saddle to be put on her, and the other saddle on me. -When we came to the door the gentleman seemed very uneasy. - -"How is this?" he said. "Are you tired of your good Black Auster?" - -"Oh, no, not at all," she replied, "but I am amiable enough -to let you ride him for once, and I will try your charming Lizzie. -You must confess that in size and appearance she is far more like -a lady's horse than my own favorite." - -"Do let me advise you not to mount her," he said; -"she is a charming creature, but she is too nervous for a lady. -I assure you, she is not perfectly safe; let me beg you -to have the saddles changed." - -"My dear cousin," said Lady Anne, laughing, "pray do not trouble -your good careful head about me. I have been a horsewoman -ever since I was a baby, and I have followed the hounds a great many times, -though I know you do not approve of ladies hunting; -but still that is the fact, and I intend to try this Lizzie -that you gentlemen are all so fond of; so please help me to mount, -like a good friend as you are." - -There was no more to be said; he placed her carefully on the saddle, -looked to the bit and curb, gave the reins gently into her hand, -and then mounted me. Just as we were moving off a footman came out -with a slip of paper and message from the Lady Harriet. -"Would they ask this question for her at Dr. Ashley's, and bring the answer?" - -The village was about a mile off, and the doctor's house was the last in it. -We went along gayly enough till we came to his gate. There was a short drive -up to the house between tall evergreens. - -Blantyre alighted at the gate, and was going to open it for Lady Anne, -but she said, "I will wait for you here, and you can hang Auster's rein -on the gate." - -He looked at her doubtfully. "I will not be five minutes," he said. - -"Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you." - -He hung my rein on one of the iron spikes, and was soon hidden -among the trees. Lizzie was standing quietly by the side of the road -a few paces off, with her back to me. My young mistress was sitting easily -with a loose rein, humming a little song. I listened to my rider's footsteps -until they reached the house, and heard him knock at the door. -There was a meadow on the opposite side of the road, the gate of which -stood open; just then some cart horses and several young colts -came trotting out in a very disorderly manner, while a boy behind -was cracking a great whip. The colts were wild and frolicsome, -and one of them bolted across the road and blundered up against -Lizzie's hind legs, and whether it was the stupid colt, -or the loud cracking of the whip, or both together, I cannot say, -but she gave a violent kick, and dashed off into a headlong gallop. -It was so sudden that Lady Anne was nearly unseated, -but she soon recovered herself. I gave a loud, shrill neigh for help; -again and again I neighed, pawing the ground impatiently, -and tossing my head to get the rein loose. I had not long to wait. -Blantyre came running to the gate; he looked anxiously about, -and just caught sight of the flying figure, now far away on the road. -In an instant he sprang to the saddle. I needed no whip, no spur, -for I was as eager as my rider; he saw it, and giving me a free rein, -and leaning a little forward, we dashed after them. - -For about a mile and a half the road ran straight, -and then bent to the right, after which it divided into two roads. -Long before we came to the bend she was out of sight. -Which way had she turned? A woman was standing at her garden gate, -shading her eyes with her hand, and looking eagerly up the road. -Scarcely drawing the rein, Blantyre shouted, "Which way?" -"To the right!" cried the woman, pointing with her hand, and away we went -up the right-hand road; then for a moment we caught sight of her; -another bend and she was hidden again. Several times we caught glimpses, -and then lost them. We scarcely seemed to gain ground upon them at all. -An old road-mender was standing near a heap of stones, his shovel dropped -and his hands raised. As we came near he made a sign to speak. -Blantyre drew the rein a little. "To the common, to the common, sir; -she has turned off there." I knew this common very well; -it was for the most part very uneven ground, covered with heather -and dark-green furze bushes, with here and there a scrubby old thorn-tree; -there were also open spaces of fine short grass, with ant-hills -and mole-turns everywhere; the worst place I ever knew for a headlong gallop. - -We had hardly turned on the common, when we caught sight again -of the green habit flying on before us. My lady's hat was gone, -and her long brown hair was streaming behind her. Her head and body -were thrown back, as if she were pulling with all her remaining strength, -and as if that strength were nearly exhausted. It was clear -that the roughness of the ground had very much lessened Lizzie's speed, -and there seemed a chance that we might overtake her. - -While we were on the highroad, Blantyre had given me my head; but now, -with a light hand and a practiced eye, he guided me over the ground -in such a masterly manner that my pace was scarcely slackened, -and we were decidedly gaining on them. - -About halfway across the heath there had been a wide dike recently cut, -and the earth from the cutting was cast up roughly on the other side. -Surely this would stop them! But no; with scarcely a pause -Lizzie took the leap, stumbled among the rough clods and fell. -Blantyre groaned, "Now, Auster, do your best!" He gave me a steady rein. -I gathered myself well together and with one determined leap -cleared both dike and bank. - -Motionless among the heather, with her face to the earth, -lay my poor young mistress. Blantyre kneeled down and called her name: -there was no sound. Gently he turned her face upward: it was ghastly white -and the eyes were closed. "Annie, dear Annie, do speak!" -But there was no answer. He unbuttoned her habit, loosened her collar, -felt her hands and wrist, then started up and looked wildly round him -for help. - -At no great distance there were two men cutting turf, who, -seeing Lizzie running wild without a rider, had left their work to catch her. - -Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man -seemed much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do. - -"Can you ride?" - -"Well, sir, I bean't much of a horseman, but I'd risk my neck -for the Lady Anne; she was uncommon good to my wife in the winter." - -"Then mount this horse, my friend -- your neck will be quite safe -- -and ride to the doctor's and ask him to come instantly; then on to the hall; -tell them all that you know, and bid them send me the carriage, -with Lady Anne's maid and help. I shall stay here." - -"All right, sir, I'll do my best, and I pray God the dear young lady -may open her eyes soon." Then, seeing the other man, he called out, -"Here, Joe, run for some water, and tell my missis to come -as quick as she can to the Lady Anne." - -He then somehow scrambled into the saddle, and with a "Gee up" -and a clap on my sides with both his legs, he started on his journey, -making a little circuit to avoid the dike. He had no whip, -which seemed to trouble him; but my pace soon cured that difficulty, -and he found the best thing he could do was to stick to the saddle -and hold me in, which he did manfully. I shook him as little -as I could help, but once or twice on the rough ground he called out, -"Steady! Woah! Steady!" On the highroad we were all right; -and at the doctor's and the hall he did his errand like a good man and true. -They asked him in to take a drop of something. "No, no," he said; -"I'll be back to 'em again by a short cut through the fields, -and be there afore the carriage." - -There was a great deal of hurry and excitement after the news became known. -I was just turned into my box; the saddle and bridle were taken off, -and a cloth thrown over me. - -Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, -and I soon heard the carriage roll out of the yard. - -It seemed a long time before Ginger came back, and before we were left alone; -and then she told me all that she had seen. - -"I can't tell much," she said. "We went a gallop nearly all the way, -and got there just as the doctor rode up. There was a woman -sitting on the ground with the lady's head in her lap. -The doctor poured something into her mouth, but all that I heard was, -`She is not dead.' Then I was led off by a man to a little distance. -After awhile she was taken to the carriage, and we came home together. -I heard my master say to a gentleman who stopped him to inquire, -that he hoped no bones were broken, but that she had not spoken yet." - -When Lord George took Ginger for hunting, York shook his head; -he said it ought to be a steady hand to train a horse for the first season, -and not a random rider like Lord George. - -Ginger used to like it very much, but sometimes when she came back -I could see that she had been very much strained, and now and then -she gave a short cough. She had too much spirit to complain, -but I could not help feeling anxious about her. - -Two days after the accident Blantyre paid me a visit; -he patted me and praised me very much; he told Lord George that he was sure -the horse knew of Annie's danger as well as he did. "I could not have -held him in if I would," said he, "she ought never to ride any other horse." -I found by their conversation that my young mistress was now out of danger, -and would soon be able to ride again. This was good news to me -and I looked forward to a happy life. - - - - -25 Reuben Smith - - - -Now I must say a little about Reuben Smith, who was left in charge -of the stables when York went to London. No one more thoroughly -understood his business than he did, and when he was all right -there could not be a more faithful or valuable man. -He was gentle and very clever in his management of horses, -and could doctor them almost as well as a farrier, -for he had lived two years with a veterinary surgeon. -He was a first-rate driver; he could take a four-in-hand or a tandem -as easily as a pair. He was a handsome man, a good scholar, -and had very pleasant manners. I believe everybody liked him; -certainly the horses did. The only wonder was that he should be -in an under situation and not in the place of a head coachman like York; -but he had one great fault and that was the love of drink. -He was not like some men, always at it; he used to keep steady for weeks -or months together, and then he would break out and have a "bout" of it, -as York called it, and be a disgrace to himself, a terror to his wife, -and a nuisance to all that had to do with him. He was, however, so useful -that two or three times York had hushed the matter up and kept it -from the earl's knowledge; but one night, when Reuben had to drive a party -home from a ball he was so drunk that he could not hold the reins, -and a gentleman of the party had to mount the box and drive the ladies home. -Of course, this could not be hidden, and Reuben was at once dismissed; -his poor wife and little children had to turn out of the pretty cottage -by the park gate and go where they could. Old Max told me all this, -for it happened a good while ago; but shortly before Ginger and I came -Smith had been taken back again. York had interceded for him with the earl, -who is very kind-hearted, and the man had promised faithfully -that he would never taste another drop as long as he lived there. -He had kept his promise so well that York thought he might be safely trusted -to fill his place while he was away, and he was so clever and honest -that no one else seemed so well fitted for it. - -It was now early in April, and the family was expected home some time in May. -The light brougham was to be fresh done up, and as Colonel Blantyre -was obliged to return to his regiment it was arranged that Smith -should drive him to the town in it, and ride back; for this purpose -he took the saddle with him, and I was chosen for the journey. -At the station the colonel put some money into Smith's hand -and bid him good-by, saying, "Take care of your young mistress, Reuben, -and don't let Black Auster be hacked about by any random young prig -that wants to ride him -- keep him for the lady." - -We left the carriage at the maker's, and Smith rode me to the White Lion, -and ordered the hostler to feed me well, and have me ready for him at -four o'clock. A nail in one of my front shoes had started as I came along, -but the hostler did not notice it till just about four o'clock. -Smith did not come into the yard till five, and then he said he should -not leave till six, as he had met with some old friends. The man then -told him of the nail, and asked if he should have the shoe looked to. - -"No," said Smith, "that will be all right till we get home." - -He spoke in a very loud, offhand way, and I thought it very unlike him -not to see about the shoe, as he was generally wonderfully particular -about loose nails in our shoes. He did not come at six nor seven, nor eight, -and it was nearly nine o'clock before he called for me, -and then it was with a loud, rough voice. He seemed in a very bad temper, -and abused the hostler, though I could not tell what for. - -The landlord stood at the door and said, "Have a care, Mr. Smith!" -but he answered angrily with an oath; and almost before -he was out of the town he began to gallop, frequently giving me a sharp cut -with his whip, though I was going at full speed. The moon had not yet risen, -and it was very dark. The roads were stony, having been recently mended; -going over them at this pace, my shoe became looser, -and as we neared the turnpike gate it came off. - -If Smith had been in his right senses he would have been sensible -of something wrong in my pace, but he was too drunk to notice. - -Beyond the turnpike was a long piece of road, upon which fresh stones -had just been laid -- large sharp stones, over which no horse could be -driven quickly without risk of danger. Over this road, with one shoe gone, -I was forced to gallop at my utmost speed, my rider meanwhile cutting into me -with his whip, and with wild curses urging me to go still faster. -Of course my shoeless foot suffered dreadfully; the hoof was broken and split -down to the very quick, and the inside was terribly cut by the sharpness -of the stones. - -This could not go on; no horse could keep his footing -under such circumstances; the pain was too great. I stumbled, -and fell with violence on both my knees. Smith was flung off by my fall, -and, owing to the speed I was going at, he must have fallen with great force. -I soon recovered my feet and limped to the side of the road, -where it was free from stones. The moon had just risen above the hedge, -and by its light I could see Smith lying a few yards beyond me. -He did not rise; he made one slight effort to do so, -and then there was a heavy groan. I could have groaned, too, -for I was suffering intense pain both from my foot and knees; -but horses are used to bear their pain in silence. I uttered no sound, -but I stood there and listened. One more heavy groan from Smith; -but though he now lay in the full moonlight I could see no motion. -I could do nothing for him nor myself, but, oh! how I listened for the sound -of horse, or wheels, or footsteps! The road was not much frequented, -and at this time of the night we might stay for hours before help came to us. -I stood watching and listening. It was a calm, sweet April night; -there were no sounds but a few low notes of a nightingale, -and nothing moved but the white clouds near the moon and a brown owl -that flitted over the hedge. It made me think of the summer nights long ago, -when I used to lie beside my mother in the green pleasant meadow -at Farmer Grey's. - - - - -26 How it Ended - - - -It must have been nearly midnight when I heard at a great distance -the sound of a horse's feet. Sometimes the sound died away, then it grew -clearer again and nearer. The road to Earlshall led through woods -that belonged to the earl; the sound came in that direction, -and I hoped it might be some one coming in search of us. As the sound -came nearer and nearer I was almost sure I could distinguish Ginger's step; -a little nearer still, and I could tell she was in the dog-cart. -I neighed loudly, and was overjoyed to hear an answering neigh from Ginger, -and men's voices. They came slowly over the stones, and stopped at -the dark figure that lay upon the ground. - -One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. "It is Reuben," -he said, "and he does not stir!" - -The other man followed, and bent over him. "He's dead," he said; -"feel how cold his hands are." - -They raised him up, but there was no life, and his hair was soaked -with blood. They laid him down again, and came and looked at me. -They soon saw my cut knees. - -"Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought -the black horse would have done that? Nobody thought he could fall. -Reuben must have been lying here for hours! Odd, too, -that the horse has not moved from the place." - -Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, -but almost fell again. - -"Halloo! he's bad in his foot as well as his knees. Look here -- -his hoof is cut all to pieces; he might well come down, poor fellow! -I tell you what, Ned, I'm afraid it hasn't been all right with Reuben. -Just think of his riding a horse over these stones without a shoe! -Why, if he had been in his right senses he would just as soon have tried -to ride him over the moon. I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again. -Poor Susan! she looked awfully pale when she came to my house -to ask if he had not come home. She made believe she was not a bit anxious, -and talked of a lot of things that might have kept him. -But for all that she begged me to go and meet him. But what must we do? -There's the horse to get home as well as the body, and that will be -no easy matter." - -Then followed a conversation between them, till it was agreed that Robert, -as the groom, should lead me, and that Ned must take the body. -It was a hard job to get it into the dog-cart, for there was no one -to hold Ginger; but she knew as well as I did what was going on, -and stood as still as a stone. I noticed that, because, if she had a fault, -it was that she was impatient in standing. - -Ned started off very slowly with his sad load, and Robert came and looked -at my foot again; then he took his handkerchief and bound it closely round, -and so he led me home. I shall never forget that night walk; -it was more than three miles. Robert led me on very slowly, -and I limped and hobbled on as well as I could with great pain. -I am sure he was sorry for me, for he often patted and encouraged me, -talking to me in a pleasant voice. - -At last I reached my own box, and had some corn; and after Robert -had wrapped up my knees in wet cloths, he tied up my foot in a bran poultice, -to draw out the heat and cleanse it before the horse-doctor saw it -in the morning, and I managed to get myself down on the straw, -and slept in spite of the pain. - -The next day after the farrier had examined my wounds, he said he hoped -the joint was not injured; and if so, I should not be spoiled for work, -but I should never lose the blemish. I believe they did the best -to make a good cure, but it was a long and painful one. Proud flesh, -as they called it, came up in my knees, and was burned out with caustic; -and when at last it was healed, they put a blistering fluid over the front -of both knees to bring all the hair off; they had some reason for this, -and I suppose it was all right. - -As Smith's death had been so sudden, and no one was there to see it, -there was an inquest held. The landlord and hostler at the White Lion, -with several other people, gave evidence that he was intoxicated -when he started from the inn. The keeper of the toll-gate -said he rode at a hard gallop through the gate; and my shoe was picked up -among the stones, so that the case was quite plain to them, -and I was cleared of all blame. - -Everybody pitied Susan. She was nearly out of her mind; -she kept saying over and over again, "Oh! he was so good -- so good! -It was all that cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink? -Oh Reuben, Reuben!" So she went on till after he was buried; and then, -as she had no home or relations, she, with her six little children, -was obliged once more to leave the pleasant home by the tall oak-trees, -and go into that great gloomy Union House. - - - - -27 Ruined and Going Downhill - - - -As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed I was turned into a small meadow -for a month or two; no other creature was there; and though I enjoyed -the liberty and the sweet grass, yet I had been so long used to society -that I felt very lonely. Ginger and I had become fast friends, -and now I missed her company extremely. I often neighed when I heard -horses' feet passing in the road, but I seldom got an answer; -till one morning the gate was opened, and who should come in -but dear old Ginger. The man slipped off her halter, and left her there. -With a joyful whinny I trotted up to her; we were both glad to meet, -but I soon found that it was not for our pleasure that she was brought -to be with me. Her story would be too long to tell, but the end of it was -that she had been ruined by hard riding, and was now turned off -to see what rest would do. - -Lord George was young and would take no warning; he was a hard rider, -and would hunt whenever he could get the chance, quite careless of his horse. -Soon after I left the stable there was a steeplechase, and he determined -to ride. Though the groom told him she was a little strained, -and was not fit for the race, he did not believe it, -and on the day of the race urged Ginger to keep up with the foremost riders. -With her high spirit, she strained herself to the utmost; -she came in with the first three horses, but her wind was touched, -besides which he was too heavy for her, and her back was strained. -"And so," she said, "here we are, ruined in the prime of our -youth and strength, you by a drunkard, and I by a fool; it is very hard." -We both felt in ourselves that we were not what we had been. However, -that did not spoil the pleasure we had in each other's company; -we did not gallop about as we once did, but we used to feed, -and lie down together, and stand for hours under one of the shady lime-trees -with our heads close to each other; and so we passed our time -till the family returned from town. - -One day we saw the earl come into the meadow, and York was with him. -Seeing who it was, we stood still under our lime-tree, -and let them come up to us. They examined us carefully. -The earl seemed much annoyed. - -"There is three hundred pounds flung away for no earthly use," said he; -"but what I care most for is that these horses of my old friend, -who thought they would find a good home with me, are ruined. -The mare shall have a twelve-month's run, and we shall see -what that will do for her; but the black one, he must be sold; -'tis a great pity, but I could not have knees like these in my stables." - -"No, my lord, of course not," said York; "but he might get -a place where appearance is not of much consequence, -and still be well treated. I know a man in Bath, the master -of some livery stables, who often wants a good horse at a low figure; -I know he looks well after his horses. The inquest cleared -the horse's character, and your lordship's recommendation, or mine, -would be sufficient warrant for him." - -"You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular -about the place than the money he would fetch." - -After this they left us. - -"They'll soon take you away," said Ginger, "and I shall lose -the only friend I have, and most likely we shall never see each other again. -'Tis a hard world!" - -About a week after this Robert came into the field with a halter, -which he slipped over my head, and led me away. There was no leave-taking -of Ginger; we neighed to each other as I was led off, -and she trotted anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me -as long as she could hear the sound of my feet. - -Through the recommendation of York, I was bought by the master -of the livery stables. I had to go by train, which was new to me, -and required a good deal of courage the first time; -but as I found the puffing, rushing, whistling, and, more than all, -the trembling of the horse-box in which I stood did me no real harm, -I soon took it quietly. - -When I reached the end of my journey I found myself -in a tolerably comfortable stable, and well attended to. -These stables were not so airy and pleasant as those I had been used to. -The stalls were laid on a slope instead of being level, and as my head -was kept tied to the manger, I was obliged always to stand on the slope, -which was very fatiguing. Men do not seem to know yet that horses -can do more work if they can stand comfortably and can turn about; -however, I was well fed and well cleaned, and, on the whole, -I think our master took as much care of us as he could. -He kept a good many horses and carriages of different kinds for hire. -Sometimes his own men drove them; at others, the horse and chaise -were let to gentlemen or ladies who drove themselves. - - - - -28 A Job Horse and His Drivers - - - -Hitherto I had always been driven by people who at least knew how to drive; -but in this place I was to get my experience of all the different kinds -of bad and ignorant driving to which we horses are subjected; -for I was a "job horse", and was let out to all sorts of people -who wished to hire me; and as I was good-tempered and gentle, I think I was -oftener let out to the ignorant drivers than some of the other horses, -because I could be depended upon. It would take a long time -to tell of all the different styles in which I was driven, -but I will mention a few of them. - -First, there were the tight-rein drivers -- men who seemed to think -that all depended on holding the reins as hard as they could, never relaxing -the pull on the horse's mouth, or giving him the least liberty of movement. -They are always talking about "keeping the horse well in hand", -and "holding a horse up", just as if a horse was not made to hold himself up. - -Some poor, broken-down horses, whose mouths have been made -hard and insensible by just such drivers as these, may, perhaps, -find some support in it; but for a horse who can depend upon his own legs, -and who has a tender mouth and is easily guided, it is not only tormenting, -but it is stupid. - -Then there are the loose-rein drivers, who let the reins lie easily -on our backs, and their own hand rest lazily on their knees. Of course, -such gentlemen have no control over a horse, if anything happens suddenly. -If a horse shies, or starts, or stumbles, they are nowhere, -and cannot help the horse or themselves till the mischief is done. -Of course, for myself I had no objection to it, as I was not in the habit -either of starting or stumbling, and had only been used to depend on -my driver for guidance and encouragement. Still, one likes -to feel the rein a little in going downhill, and likes to know -that one's driver is not gone to sleep. - -Besides, a slovenly way of driving gets a horse into bad -and often lazy habits, and when he changes hands he has to be -whipped out of them with more or less pain and trouble. -Squire Gordon always kept us to our best paces and our best manners. -He said that spoiling a horse and letting him get into bad habits was -just as cruel as spoiling a child, and both had to suffer for it afterward. - -Besides, these drivers are often careless altogether, -and will attend to anything else more than their horses. -I went out in the phaeton one day with one of them; he had a lady -and two children behind. He flopped the reins about as we started, -and of course gave me several unmeaning cuts with the whip, -though I was fairly off. There had been a good deal of road-mending -going on, and even where the stones were not freshly laid down -there were a great many loose ones about. My driver was laughing and joking -with the lady and the children, and talking about the country -to the right and the left; but he never thought it worth while -to keep an eye on his horse or to drive on the smoothest parts of the road; -and so it easily happened that I got a stone in one of my fore feet. - -Now, if Mr. Gordon or John, or in fact any good driver, had been there, -he would have seen that something was wrong before I had gone three paces. -Or even if it had been dark a practiced hand would have felt by the rein -that there was something wrong in the step, and they would have got down -and picked out the stone. But this man went on laughing and talking, -while at every step the stone became more firmly wedged between -my shoe and the frog of my foot. The stone was sharp on the inside -and round on the outside, which, as every one knows, -is the most dangerous kind that a horse can pick up, at the same time -cutting his foot and making him most liable to stumble and fall. - -Whether the man was partly blind or only very careless I can't say, -but he drove me with that stone in my foot for a good half-mile -before he saw anything. By that time I was going so lame with the pain -that at last he saw it, and called out, "Well, here's a go! Why, -they have sent us out with a lame horse! What a shame!" - -He then chucked the reins and flipped about with the whip, saying, -"Now, then, it's no use playing the old soldier with me; -there's the journey to go, and it's no use turning lame and lazy." - -Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. -He lifted his hat and pulled up. - -"I beg your pardon, sir," he said, "but I think there is something the matter -with your horse; he goes very much as if he had a stone in his shoe. -If you will allow me I will look at his feet; these loose scattered stones -are confounded dangerous things for the horses." - -"He's a hired horse," said my driver. "I don't know what's the matter -with him, but it is a great shame to send out a lame beast like this." - -The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm -at once took up my near foot. - -"Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!" - -At first he tried to dislodge it with his hand, but as it was now -very tightly wedged he drew a stone-pick out of his pocket, -and very carefully and with some trouble got it out. Then holding it up -he said, "There, that's the stone your horse had picked up. -It is a wonder he did not fall down and break his knees into the bargain!" - -"Well, to be sure!" said my driver; "that is a queer thing! -I never knew that horses picked up stones before." - -"Didn't you?" said the farmer rather contemptuously; "but they do, though, -and the best of them will do it, and can't help it sometimes on such roads -as these. And if you don't want to lame your horse you must look sharp -and get them out quickly. This foot is very much bruised," he said, -setting it gently down and patting me. "If I might advise, sir, -you had better drive him gently for awhile; the foot is a good deal hurt, -and the lameness will not go off directly." - -Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off. - -When he was gone my driver began to flop the reins about -and whip the harness, by which I understood that I was to go on, -which of course I did, glad that the stone was gone, -but still in a good deal of pain. - -This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for. - - - - -29 Cockneys - - - -Then there is the steam-engine style of driving; these drivers -were mostly people from towns, who never had a horse of their own -and generally traveled by rail. - -They always seemed to think that a horse was something like a steam-engine, -only smaller. At any rate, they think that if only they pay for it -a horse is bound to go just as far and just as fast and with just as heavy -a load as they please. And be the roads heavy and muddy, or dry and good; -be they stony or smooth, uphill or downhill, it is all the same -- on, on, -on, one must go, at the same pace, with no relief and no consideration. - -These people never think of getting out to walk up a steep hill. Oh, no, -they have paid to ride, and ride they will! The horse? Oh, he's used to it! -What were horses made for, if not to drag people uphill? Walk! -A good joke indeed! And so the whip is plied and the rein is chucked -and often a rough, scolding voice cries out, "Go along, you lazy beast!" -And then another slash of the whip, when all the time we are doing -our very best to get along, uncomplaining and obedient, -though often sorely harassed and down-hearted. - -This steam-engine style of driving wears us up faster than any other kind. -I would far rather go twenty miles with a good considerate driver -than I would go ten with some of these; it would take less out of me. - -Another thing, they scarcely ever put on the brake, however steep -the downhill may be, and thus bad accidents sometimes happen; -or if they do put it on, they often forget to take it off -at the bottom of the hill, and more than once I have had to pull -halfway up the next hill, with one of the wheels held by the brake, -before my driver chose to think about it; and that is a terrible strain -on a horse. - -Then these cockneys, instead of starting at an easy pace, -as a gentleman would do, generally set off at full speed -from the very stable-yard; and when they want to stop, they first whip us, -and then pull up so suddenly that we are nearly thrown on our haunches, -and our mouths jagged with the bit -- they call that pulling up with a dash; -and when they turn a corner they do it as sharply as if there were -no right side or wrong side of the road. - -I well remember one spring evening I and Rory had been out for the day. -(Rory was the horse that mostly went with me when a pair was ordered, -and a good honest fellow he was.) We had our own driver, and as he was -always considerate and gentle with us, we had a very pleasant day. -We were coming home at a good smart pace, about twilight. -Our road turned sharp to the left; but as we were close to the hedge -on our own side, and there was plenty of room to pass, our driver did not -pull us in. As we neared the corner I heard a horse and two wheels -coming rapidly down the hill toward us. The hedge was high, -and I could see nothing, but the next moment we were upon each other. -Happily for me, I was on the side next the hedge. Rory was on -the left side of the pole, and had not even a shaft to protect him. -The man who was driving was making straight for the corner, -and when he came in sight of us he had no time to pull over to his own side. -The whole shock came upon Rory. The gig shaft ran right into the chest, -making him stagger back with a cry that I shall never forget. -The other horse was thrown upon his haunches and one shaft broken. -It turned out that it was a horse from our own stables, -with the high-wheeled gig that the young men were so fond of. - -The driver was one of those random, ignorant fellows, who don't even know -which is their own side of the road, or, if they know, don't care. -And there was poor Rory with his flesh torn open and bleeding, -and the blood streaming down. They said if it had been a little more -to one side it would have killed him; and a good thing for him, poor fellow, -if it had. - -As it was, it was a long time before the wound healed, -and then he was sold for coal-carting; and what that is, -up and down those steep hills, only horses know. Some of the sights -I saw there, where a horse had to come downhill with a heavily loaded -two-wheel cart behind him, on which no brake could be placed, -make me sad even now to think of. - -After Rory was disabled I often went in the carriage with a mare named Peggy, -who stood in the next stall to mine. She was a strong, well-made animal, -of a bright dun color, beautifully dappled, and with a dark-brown -mane and tail. There was no high breeding about her, -but she was very pretty and remarkably sweet-tempered and willing. -Still, there was an anxious look about her eye, by which I knew -that she had some trouble. The first time we went out together -I thought she had a very odd pace; she seemed to go partly a trot, -partly a canter, three or four paces, and then a little jump forward. - -It was very unpleasant for any horse who pulled with her, -and made me quite fidgety. When we got home I asked her -what made her go in that odd, awkward way. - -"Ah," she said in a troubled manner, "I know my paces are very bad, -but what can I do? It really is not my fault; it is just because -my legs are so short. I stand nearly as high as you, -but your legs are a good three inches longer above your knee than mine, -and of course you can take a much longer step and go much faster. -You see I did not make myself. I wish I could have done so; -I would have had long legs then. All my troubles come from my short legs," -said Peggy, in a desponding tone. - -"But how is it," I said, "when you are so strong and good-tempered -and willing?" - -"Why, you see," said she, "men will go so fast, and if one can't -keep up to other horses it is nothing but whip, whip, whip, all the time. -And so I have had to keep up as I could, and have got into this ugly -shuffling pace. It was not always so; when I lived with my first master -I always went a good regular trot, but then he was not in such a hurry. -He was a young clergyman in the country, and a good, kind master he was. -He had two churches a good way apart, and a great deal of work, -but he never scolded or whipped me for not going faster. -He was very fond of me. I only wish I was with him now; -but he had to leave and go to a large town, and then I was sold to a farmer. - -"Some farmers, you know, are capital masters; but I think this one -was a low sort of man. He cared nothing about good horses or good driving; -he only cared for going fast. I went as fast as I could, -but that would not do, and he was always whipping; so I got into this way -of making a spring forward to keep up. On market nights he used to stay -very late at the inn, and then drive home at a gallop. - -"One dark night he was galloping home as usual, when all of a sudden -the wheel came against some great heavy thing in the road, -and turned the gig over in a minute. He was thrown out and his arm broken, -and some of his ribs, I think. At any rate, it was the end -of my living with him, and I was not sorry. But you see it will be the same -everywhere for me, if men must go so fast. I wish my legs were longer!" - -Poor Peggy! I was very sorry for her, and I could not comfort her, -for I knew how hard it was upon slow-paced horses to be put with fast ones; -all the whipping comes to their share, and they can't help it. - -She was often used in the phaeton, and was very much liked by some of -the ladies, because she was so gentle; and some time after this she was sold -to two ladies who drove themselves, and wanted a safe, good horse. - -I met her several times out in the country, going a good steady pace, -and looking as gay and contented as a horse could be. I was very glad -to see her, for she deserved a good place. - -After she left us another horse came in her stead. He was young, -and had a bad name for shying and starting, by which he had lost -a good place. I asked him what made him shy. - -"Well, I hardly know," he said. "I was timid when I was young, -and was a good deal frightened several times, and if I saw anything strange -I used to turn and look at it -- you see, with our blinkers -one can't see or understand what a thing is unless one looks round -- -and then my master always gave me a whipping, which of course made me -start on, and did not make me less afraid. I think if he would have let me -just look at things quietly, and see that there was nothing to hurt me, -it would have been all right, and I should have got used to them. -One day an old gentleman was riding with him, and a large piece -of white paper or rag blew across just on one side of me. -I shied and started forward. My master as usual whipped me smartly, -but the old man cried out, `You're wrong! you're wrong! -You should never whip a horse for shying; he shies because he is frightened, -and you only frighten him more and make the habit worse.' -So I suppose all men don't do so. I am sure I don't want to shy -for the sake of it; but how should one know what is dangerous -and what is not, if one is never allowed to get used to anything? -I am never afraid of what I know. Now I was brought up in a park -where there were deer; of course I knew them as well as I did -a sheep or a cow, but they are not common, and I know many sensible horses -who are frightened at them, and who kick up quite a shindy -before they will pass a paddock where there are deer." - -I knew what my companion said was true, and I wished that every young horse -had as good masters as Farmer Grey and Squire Gordon. - -Of course we sometimes came in for good driving here. I remember one morning -I was put into the light gig, and taken to a house in Pulteney Street. -Two gentlemen came out; the taller of them came round to my head; -he looked at the bit and bridle, and just shifted the collar with his hand, -to see if it fitted comfortably. - -"Do you consider this horse wants a curb?" he said to the hostler. - -"Well," said the man, "I should say he would go just as well without; -he has an uncommon good mouth, and though he has a fine spirit -he has no vice; but we generally find people like the curb." - -"I don't like it," said the gentleman; "be so good as to take it off, -and put the rein in at the cheek. An easy mouth is a great thing -on a long journey, is it not, old fellow?" he said, patting my neck. - -Then he took the reins, and they both got up. I can remember now -how quietly he turned me round, and then with a light feel of the rein, -and drawing the whip gently across my back, we were off. - -I arched my neck and set off at my best pace. I found I had -some one behind me who knew how a good horse ought to be driven. -It seemed like old times again, and made me feel quite gay. - -This gentleman took a great liking to me, and after trying me -several times with the saddle he prevailed upon my master to sell me -to a friend of his, who wanted a safe, pleasant horse for riding. -And so it came to pass that in the summer I was sold to Mr. Barry. - - - - -30 A Thief - - - -My new master was an unmarried man. He lived at Bath, and was much engaged -in business. His doctor advised him to take horse exercise, -and for this purpose he bought me. He hired a stable a short distance -from his lodgings, and engaged a man named Filcher as groom. -My master knew very little about horses, but he treated me well, -and I should have had a good and easy place but for circumstances -of which he was ignorant. He ordered the best hay with plenty of oats, -crushed beans, and bran, with vetches, or rye grass, -as the man might think needful. I heard the master give the order, -so I knew there was plenty of good food, and I thought I was well off. - -For a few days all went on well. I found that my groom -understood his business. He kept the stable clean and airy, -and he groomed me thoroughly; and was never otherwise than gentle. -He had been an hostler in one of the great hotels in Bath. -He had given that up, and now cultivated fruit and vegetables for the market, -and his wife bred and fattened poultry and rabbits for sale. -After awhile it seemed to me that my oats came very short; I had the beans, -but bran was mixed with them instead of oats, of which there were very few; -certainly not more than a quarter of what there should have been. -In two or three weeks this began to tell upon my strength and spirits. -The grass food, though very good, was not the thing to keep up my condition -without corn. However, I could not complain, nor make known my wants. -So it went on for about two months; and I wondered that my master -did not see that something was the matter. However, one afternoon -he rode out into the country to see a friend of his, a gentleman farmer, -who lived on the road to Wells. - -This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had -welcomed his friend he said, casting his eye over me: - -"It seems to me, Barry, that your horse does not look so well as he did -when you first had him; has he been well?" - -"Yes, I believe so," said my master; "but he is not nearly so lively -as he was; my groom tells me that horses are always dull and weak -in the autumn, and that I must expect it." - -"Autumn, fiddlesticks!" said the farmer. "Why, this is only August; -and with your light work and good food he ought not to go down like this, -even if it was autumn. How do you feed him?" - -My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, -and began to feel me over. - -"I can't say who eats your corn, my dear fellow, but I am much mistaken -if your horse gets it. Have you ridden very fast?" - -"No, very gently." - -"Then just put your hand here," said he, passing his hand over my neck -and shoulder; "he is as warm and damp as a horse just come up from grass. -I advise you to look into your stable a little more. -I hate to be suspicious, and, thank heaven, I have no cause to be, -for I can trust my men, present or absent; but there are mean scoundrels, -wicked enough to rob a dumb beast of his food. You must look into it." -And turning to his man, who had come to take me, "Give this horse -a right good feed of bruised oats, and don't stint him." - -"Dumb beasts!" Yes, we are; but if I could have spoken I could have -told my master where his oats went to. My groom used to come every morning -about six o'clock, and with him a little boy, who always had a covered basket -with him. He used to go with his father into the harness-room, -where the corn was kept, and I could see them, when the door stood ajar, -fill a little bag with oats out of the bin, and then he used to be off. - -Five or six mornings after this, just as the boy had left the stable, -the door was pushed open, and a policeman walked in, holding the child tight -by the arm; another policeman followed, and locked the door on the inside, -saying, "Show me the place where your father keeps his rabbits' food." - -The boy looked very frightened and began to cry; but there was no escape, -and he led the way to the corn-bin. Here the policeman found -another empty bag like that which was found full of oats in the boy's basket. - -Filcher was cleaning my feet at the time, but they soon saw him, -and though he blustered a good deal they walked him off to the "lock-up", -and his boy with him. I heard afterward that the boy was not held -to be guilty, but the man was sentenced to prison for two months. - - - - -31 A Humbug - - - -My master was not immediately suited, but in a few days my new groom came. -He was a tall, good-looking fellow enough; but if ever there was a humbug -in the shape of a groom Alfred Smirk was the man. He was very civil to me, -and never used me ill; in fact, he did a great deal of stroking and patting -when his master was there to see it. He always brushed my mane and tail -with water and my hoofs with oil before he brought me to the door, -to make me look smart; but as to cleaning my feet or looking to my shoes, -or grooming me thoroughly, he thought no more of that -than if I had been a cow. He left my bit rusty, my saddle damp, -and my crupper stiff. - -Alfred Smirk considered himself very handsome; he spent a great deal of time -about his hair, whiskers and necktie, before a little looking-glass -in the harness-room. When his master was speaking to him it was always, -"Yes, sir; yes, sir" -- touching his hat at every word; -and every one thought he was a very nice young man and that Mr. Barry -was very fortunate to meet with him. I should say he was the laziest, -most conceited fellow I ever came near. Of course, it was a great thing -not to be ill-used, but then a horse wants more than that. -I had a loose box, and might have been very comfortable if he had not been -too indolent to clean it out. He never took all the straw away, -and the smell from what lay underneath was very bad; -while the strong vapors that rose made my eyes smart and inflame, -and I did not feel the same appetite for my food. - -One day his master came in and said, "Alfred, the stable smells -rather strong; should not you give that stall a good scrub -and throw down plenty of water?" - -"Well, sir," he said, touching his cap, "I'll do so if you please, sir; -but it is rather dangerous, sir, throwing down water in a horse's box; -they are very apt to take cold, sir. I should not like to do him an injury, -but I'll do it if you please, sir." - -"Well," said his master, "I should not like him to take cold; -but I don't like the smell of this stable. Do you think the drains -are all right?" - -"Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes -send back a smell; there may be something wrong, sir." - -"Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to," said his master. - -"Yes, sir, I will." - -The bricklayer came and pulled up a great many bricks, -but found nothing amiss; so he put down some lime and charged the master -five shillings, and the smell in my box was as bad as ever. -But that was not all: standing as I did on a quantity of moist straw -my feet grew unhealthy and tender, and the master used to say: - -"I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very fumble-footed. -I am sometimes afraid he will stumble." - -"Yes, sir," said Alfred, "I have noticed the same myself, -when I have exercised him." - -Now the fact was that he hardly ever did exercise me, -and when the master was busy I often stood for days together -without stretching my legs at all, and yet being fed just as high -as if I were at hard work. This often disordered my health, -and made me sometimes heavy and dull, but more often restless and feverish. -He never even gave me a meal of green food or a bran mash, -which would have cooled me, for he was altogether as ignorant -as he was conceited; and then, instead of exercise or change of food, -I had to take horse balls and draughts; which, beside the nuisance -of having them poured down my throat, used to make me feel ill -and uncomfortable. - -One day my feet were so tender that, trotting over some fresh stones -with my master on my back, I made two such serious stumbles that, -as he came down Lansdown into the city, he stopped at the farrier's, -and asked him to see what was the matter with me. The man took up my feet -one by one and examined them; then standing up and dusting his hands -one against the other, he said: - -"Your horse has got the `thrush', and badly, too; his feet are very tender; -it is fortunate that he has not been down. I wonder your groom has not -seen to it before. This is the sort of thing we find in foul stables, -where the litter is never properly cleaned out. If you will -send him here to-morrow I will attend to the hoof, and I will direct your man -how to apply the liniment which I will give him." - -The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow -soaked in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was. - -The farrier ordered all the litter to be taken out of my box day by day, -and the floor kept very clean. Then I was to have bran mashes, -a little green food, and not so much corn, till my feet were well again. -With this treatment I soon regained my spirits; but Mr. Barry was -so much disgusted at being twice deceived by his grooms that he determined -to give up keeping a horse, and to hire when he wanted one. -I was therefore kept till my feet were quite sound, and was then sold again. - - - - - - - Part III - - - - - - -32 A Horse Fair - - - -No doubt a horse fair is a very amusing place to those who have -nothing to lose; at any rate, there is plenty to see. - -Long strings of young horses out of the country, fresh from the marshes; -and droves of shaggy little Welsh ponies, no higher than Merrylegs; -and hundreds of cart horses of all sorts, some of them with their long tails -braided up and tied with scarlet cord; and a good many like myself, -handsome and high-bred, but fallen into the middle class, through some -accident or blemish, unsoundness of wind, or some other complaint. -There were some splendid animals quite in their prime, and fit for anything; -they were throwing out their legs and showing off their paces in high style, -as they were trotted out with a leading rein, the groom running by the side. -But round in the background there were a number of poor things, -sadly broken down with hard work, with their knees knuckling over -and their hind legs swinging out at every step, and there were some -very dejected-looking old horses, with the under lip hanging down -and the ears lying back heavily, as if there were no more pleasure in life, -and no more hope; there were some so thin you might see all their ribs, -and some with old sores on their backs and hips. These were sad sights -for a horse to look upon, who knows not but he may come to the same state. - -There was a great deal of bargaining, of running up and beating down; -and if a horse may speak his mind so far as he understands, -I should say there were more lies told and more trickery at that horse fair -than a clever man could give an account of. I was put with -two or three other strong, useful-looking horses, and a good many people -came to look at us. The gentlemen always turned from me -when they saw my broken knees; though the man who had me -swore it was only a slip in the stall. - -The first thing was to pull my mouth open, then to look at my eyes, -then feel all the way down my legs, and give me a hard feel -of the skin and flesh, and then try my paces. It was wonderful -what a difference there was in the way these things were done. -Some did it in a rough, offhand way, as if one was only a piece of wood; -while others would take their hands gently over one's body, -with a pat now and then, as much as to say, "By your leave." -Of course I judged a good deal of the buyers by their manners to myself. - -There was one man, I thought, if he would buy me, I should be happy. -He was not a gentleman, nor yet one of the loud, flashy sort -that call themselves so. He was rather a small man, but well made, -and quick in all his motions. I knew in a moment by the way he handled me, -that he was used to horses; he spoke gently, and his gray eye had a kindly, -cheery look in it. It may seem strange to say -- but it is true -all the same -- that the clean, fresh smell there was about him -made me take to him; no smell of old beer and tobacco, which I hated, -but a fresh smell as if he had come out of a hayloft. -He offered twenty-three pounds for me, but that was refused, -and he walked away. I looked after him, but he was gone, -and a very hard-looking, loud-voiced man came. I was dreadfully afraid -he would have me; but he walked off. One or two more came -who did not mean business. Then the hard-faced man came back again -and offered twenty-three pounds. A very close bargain was being driven, -for my salesman began to think he should not get all he asked, -and must come down; but just then the gray-eyed man came back again. -I could not help reaching out my head toward him. He stroked my face kindly. - -"Well, old chap," he said, "I think we should suit each other. -I'll give twenty-four for him." - -"Say twenty-five and you shall have him." - -"Twenty-four ten," said my friend, in a very decided tone, -"and not another sixpence -- yes or no?" - -"Done," said the salesman; "and you may depend upon it -there's a monstrous deal of quality in that horse, and if you want him -for cab work he's a bargain." - -The money was paid on the spot, and my new master took my halter, -and led me out of the fair to an inn, where he had a saddle and bridle ready. -He gave me a good feed of oats and stood by while I ate it, -talking to himself and talking to me. Half an hour after -we were on our way to London, through pleasant lanes and country roads, -until we came into the great London thoroughfare, on which -we traveled steadily, till in the twilight we reached the great city. -The gas lamps were already lighted; there were streets to the right, -and streets to the left, and streets crossing each other, for mile upon mile. -I thought we should never come to the end of them. At last, -in passing through one, we came to a long cab stand, when my rider called out -in a cheery voice, "Good-night, governor!" - -"Halloo!" cried a voice. "Have you got a good one?" - -"I think so," replied my owner. - -"I wish you luck with him." - -"Thank you, governor," and he rode on. We soon turned up -one of the side streets, and about halfway up that we turned into -a very narrow street, with rather poor-looking houses on one side, -and what seemed to be coach-houses and stables on the other. - -My owner pulled up at one of the houses and whistled. The door flew open, -and a young woman, followed by a little girl and boy, ran out. -There was a very lively greeting as my rider dismounted. - -"Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us -the lantern." - -The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard. - -"Is he gentle, father?" - -"Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him." - -At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without fear. -How good it felt! - -"Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down," said the mother. - -"Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful mash -ready for me." - -"Sausage dumpling and apple turnover!" shouted the boy, -which set them all laughing. I was led into a comfortable, -clean-smelling stall, with plenty of dry straw, and after a capital supper -I lay down, thinking I was going to be happy. - - - - -33 A London Cab Horse - - - -Jeremiah Barker was my new master's name, but as every one called him Jerry, -I shall do the same. Polly, his wife, was just as good a match -as a man could have. She was a plump, trim, tidy little woman, -with smooth, dark hair, dark eyes, and a merry little mouth. -The boy was twelve years old, a tall, frank, good-tempered lad; -and little Dorothy (Dolly they called her) was her mother over again, -at eight years old. They were all wonderfully fond of each other; -I never knew such a happy, merry family before or since. Jerry had -a cab of his own, and two horses, which he drove and attended to himself. -His other horse was a tall, white, rather large-boned animal -called "Captain". He was old now, but when he was young -he must have been splendid; he had still a proud way of holding his head -and arching his neck; in fact, he was a high-bred, fine-mannered, -noble old horse, every inch of him. He told me that in his early youth -he went to the Crimean War; he belonged to an officer in the cavalry, -and used to lead the regiment. I will tell more of that hereafter. - -The next morning, when I was well-groomed, Polly and Dolly came into the yard -to see me and make friends. Harry had been helping his father -since the early morning, and had stated his opinion that I should turn out -a "regular brick". Polly brought me a slice of apple, -and Dolly a piece of bread, and made as much of me as if I had been -the "Black Beauty" of olden time. It was a great treat to be petted again -and talked to in a gentle voice, and I let them see as well as I could -that I wished to be friendly. Polly thought I was very handsome, -and a great deal too good for a cab, if it was not for the broken knees. - -"Of course there's no one to tell us whose fault that was," said Jerry, -"and as long as I don't know I shall give him the benefit of the doubt; -for a firmer, neater stepper I never rode. We'll call him `Jack', -after the old one -- shall we, Polly?" - -"Do," she said, "for I like to keep a good name going." - -Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school -to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the cab. -Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted comfortably -as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper -was let out a hole or two it all fitted well. There was no check-rein, -no curb, nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was! - -After driving through the side street we came to the large cab stand -where Jerry had said "Good-night". On one side of this wide street -were high houses with wonderful shop fronts, and on the other -was an old church and churchyard, surrounded by iron palisades. -Alongside these iron rails a number of cabs were drawn up, -waiting for passengers; bits of hay were lying about on the ground; -some of the men were standing together talking; some were sitting -on their boxes reading the newspaper; and one or two -were feeding their horses with bits of hay, and giving them a drink of water. -We pulled up in the rank at the back of the last cab. Two or three men -came round and began to look at me and pass their remarks. - -"Very good for a funeral," said one. - -"Too smart-looking," said another, shaking his head in a very wise way; -"you'll find out something wrong one of these fine mornings, -or my name isn't Jones." - -"Well," said Jerry pleasantly, "I suppose I need not find it out till it -finds me out, eh? And if so, I'll keep up my spirits a little longer." - -Then there came up a broad-faced man, dressed in a great gray coat -with great gray cape and great white buttons, a gray hat, -and a blue comforter loosely tied round his neck; his hair was gray, too; -but he was a jolly-looking fellow, and the other men made way for him. -He looked me all over, as if he had been going to buy me; -and then straightening himself up with a grunt, he said, -"He's the right sort for you, Jerry; I don't care what you gave for him, -he'll be worth it." Thus my character was established on the stand. - -This man's name was Grant, but he was called "Gray Grant", -or "Governor Grant". He had been the longest on that stand -of any of the men, and he took it upon himself to settle matters -and stop disputes. He was generally a good-humored, sensible man; -but if his temper was a little out, as it was sometimes -when he had drunk too much, nobody liked to come too near his fist, -for he could deal a very heavy blow. - -The first week of my life as a cab horse was very trying. -I had never been used to London, and the noise, the hurry, -the crowds of horses, carts, and carriages that I had to make my way through -made me feel anxious and harassed; but I soon found that I could -perfectly trust my driver, and then I made myself easy and got used to it. - -Jerry was as good a driver as I had ever known, and what was better, -he took as much thought for his horses as he did for himself. -He soon found out that I was willing to work and do my best, -and he never laid the whip on me unless it was gently drawing the end of it -over my back when I was to go on; but generally I knew this quite well -by the way in which he took up the reins, and I believe his whip -was more frequently stuck up by his side than in his hand. - -In a short time I and my master understood each other as well -as horse and man can do. In the stable, too, he did all that he could -for our comfort. The stalls were the old-fashioned style, -too much on the slope; but he had two movable bars fixed across -the back of our stalls, so that at night, and when we were resting, -he just took off our halters and put up the bars, and thus we could -turn about and stand whichever way we pleased, which is a great comfort. - -Jerry kept us very clean, and gave us as much change of food as he could, -and always plenty of it; and not only that, but he always gave us plenty -of clean fresh water, which he allowed to stand by us both night and day, -except of course when we came in warm. Some people say that a horse -ought not to drink all he likes; but I know if we are allowed to drink -when we want it we drink only a little at a time, and it does us -a great deal more good than swallowing down half a bucketful at a time, -because we have been left without till we are thirsty and miserable. -Some grooms will go home to their beer and leave us for hours -with our dry hay and oats and nothing to moisten them; then of course -we gulp down too much at once, which helps to spoil our breathing -and sometimes chills our stomachs. But the best thing we had here -was our Sundays for rest; we worked so hard in the week -that I do not think we could have kept up to it but for that day; -besides, we had then time to enjoy each other's company. -It was on these days that I learned my companion's history. - - - - -34 An Old War Horse - - - -Captain had been broken in and trained for an army horse; -his first owner was an officer of cavalry going out to the Crimean war. -He said he quite enjoyed the training with all the other horses, -trotting together, turning together, to the right hand or the left, -halting at the word of command, or dashing forward at full speed -at the sound of the trumpet or signal of the officer. He was, -when young, a dark, dappled iron-gray, and considered very handsome. -His master, a young, high-spirited gentleman, was very fond of him, -and treated him from the first with the greatest care and kindness. -He told me he thought the life of an army horse was very pleasant; -but when it came to being sent abroad over the sea in a great ship, -he almost changed his mind. - -"That part of it," said he, "was dreadful! Of course we could not walk -off the land into the ship; so they were obliged to put strong straps -under our bodies, and then we were lifted off our legs -in spite of our struggles, and were swung through the air over the water, -to the deck of the great vessel. There we were placed in small close stalls, -and never for a long time saw the sky, or were able to stretch our legs. -The ship sometimes rolled about in high winds, and we were knocked about, -and felt bad enough. - -"However, at last it came to an end, and we were hauled up, -and swung over again to the land; we were very glad, and snorted and neighed -for joy, when we once more felt firm ground under our feet. - -"We soon found that the country we had come to was very different -from our own and that we had many hardships to endure besides the fighting; -but many of the men were so fond of their horses that they did -everything they could to make them comfortable in spite of snow, wet, -and all things out of order." - -"But what about the fighting?" said I, "was not that worse -than anything else?" - -"Well," said he, "I hardly know; we always liked to hear the trumpet sound, -and to be called out, and were impatient to start off, though sometimes -we had to stand for hours, waiting for the word of command; -and when the word was given we used to spring forward as gayly and eagerly -as if there were no cannon balls, bayonets, or bullets. -I believe so long as we felt our rider firm in the saddle, -and his hand steady on the bridle, not one of us gave way to fear, -not even when the terrible bomb-shells whirled through the air -and burst into a thousand pieces. - -"I, with my noble master, went into many actions together without a wound; -and though I saw horses shot down with bullets, pierced through with lances, -and gashed with fearful saber-cuts; though we left them dead on the field, -or dying in the agony of their wounds, I don't think I feared for myself. -My master's cheery voice, as he encouraged his men, made me feel as if -he and I could not be killed. I had such perfect trust in him that -while he was guiding me I was ready to charge up to the very cannon's mouth. -I saw many brave men cut down, many fall mortally wounded from their saddles. -I had heard the cries and groans of the dying, I had cantered over ground -slippery with blood, and frequently had to turn aside to avoid trampling on -wounded man or horse, but, until one dreadful day, I had never felt terror; -that day I shall never forget." - -Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, -and he went on. - -"It was one autumn morning, and as usual, an hour before daybreak our cavalry -had turned out, ready caparisoned for the day's work, whether it might be -fighting or waiting. The men stood by their horses waiting, -ready for orders. As the light increased there seemed to be some excitement -among the officers; and before the day was well begun we heard the firing -of the enemy's guns. - -"Then one of the officers rode up and gave the word for the men to mount, -and in a second every man was in his saddle, and every horse stood -expecting the touch of the rein, or the pressure of his rider's heels, -all animated, all eager; but still we had been trained so well that, -except by the champing of our bits, and the restive tossing of our heads -from time to time, it could not be said that we stirred. - -"My dear master and I were at the head of the line, and as all sat -motionless and watchful, he took a little stray lock of my mane -which had turned over on the wrong side, laid it over on the right, -and smoothed it down with his hand; then patting my neck, he said, -`We shall have a day of it to-day, Bayard, my beauty; but we'll do our duty -as we have done.' He stroked my neck that morning more, I think, -than he had ever done before; quietly on and on, as if he were thinking -of something else. I loved to feel his hand on my neck, and arched my crest -proudly and happily; but I stood very still, for I knew all his moods, -and when he liked me to be quiet, and when gay. - -"I cannot tell all that happened on that day, but I will tell of -the last charge that we made together; it was across a valley right in front -of the enemy's cannon. By this time we were well used to the roar -of heavy guns, the rattle of musket fire, and the flying of shot near us; -but never had I been under such a fire as we rode through on that day. -From the right, from the left, and from the front, shot and shell -poured in upon us. Many a brave man went down, many a horse fell, -flinging his rider to the earth; many a horse without a rider -ran wildly out of the ranks; then terrified at being alone, -with no hand to guide him, came pressing in among his old companions, -to gallop with them to the charge. - -"Fearful as it was, no one stopped, no one turned back. -Every moment the ranks were thinned, but as our comrades fell, -we closed in to keep them together; and instead of being shaken -or staggered in our pace our gallop became faster and faster -as we neared the cannon. - -"My master, my dear master was cheering on his comrades with his right arm -raised on high, when one of the balls whizzing close to my head struck him. -I felt him stagger with the shock, though he uttered no cry; -I tried to check my speed, but the sword dropped from his right hand, -the rein fell loose from the left, and sinking backward from the saddle -he fell to the earth; the other riders swept past us, and by the force -of their charge I was driven from the spot. - -"I wanted to keep my place by his side and not leave him under that rush -of horses' feet, but it was in vain; and now without a master or a friend -I was alone on that great slaughter ground; then fear took hold on me, -and I trembled as I had never trembled before; and I too, as I had seen -other horses do, tried to join in the ranks and gallop with them; -but I was beaten off by the swords of the soldiers. Just then a soldier -whose horse had been killed under him caught at my bridle and mounted me, -and with this new master I was again going forward; but our gallant company -was cruelly overpowered, and those who remained alive -after the fierce fight for the guns came galloping back over the same ground. -Some of the horses had been so badly wounded that they could scarcely move -from the loss of blood; other noble creatures were trying on three legs -to drag themselves along, and others were struggling to rise -on their fore feet, when their hind legs had been shattered by shot. -After the battle the wounded men were brought in and the dead were buried." - -"And what about the wounded horses?" I said; "were they left to die?" - -"No, the army farriers went over the field with their pistols -and shot all that were ruined; some that had only slight wounds -were brought back and attended to, but the greater part of the noble, -willing creatures that went out that morning never came back! -In our stables there was only about one in four that returned. - -"I never saw my dear master again. I believe he fell dead from the saddle. -I never loved any other master so well. I went into many other engagements, -but was only once wounded, and then not seriously; and when the war was over -I came back again to England, as sound and strong as when I went out." - -I said, "I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine thing." - -"Ah!" said he, "I should think they never saw it. No doubt it is very fine -when there is no enemy, when it is just exercise and parade and sham fight. -Yes, it is very fine then; but when thousands of good brave men and horses -are killed or crippled for life, it has a very different look." - -"Do you know what they fought about?" said I. - -"No," he said, "that is more than a horse can understand, -but the enemy must have been awfully wicked people, if it was right -to go all that way over the sea on purpose to kill them." - - - - -35 Jerry Barker - - - -I never knew a better man than my new master. He was kind and good, -and as strong for the right as John Manly; and so good-tempered and merry -that very few people could pick a quarrel with him. -He was very fond of making little songs, and singing them to himself. -One he was very fond of was this: - - "Come, father and mother, - And sister and brother, - Come, all of you, turn to - And help one another." - -And so they did; Harry was as clever at stable-work as a much older boy, -and always wanted to do what he could. Then Polly and Dolly used to come -in the morning to help with the cab -- to brush and beat the cushions, -and rub the glass, while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard, -and Harry was rubbing the harness. There used to be a great deal -of laughing and fun between them, and it put Captain and me -in much better spirits than if we had heard scolding and hard words. -They were always early in the morning, for Jerry would say: - - "If you in the morning - Throw minutes away, - You can't pick them up - In the course of a day. - You may hurry and scurry, - And flurry and worry, - You've lost them forever, - Forever and aye." - -He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time; -and nothing was so near making him angry as to find people, -who were always late, wanting a cab horse to be driven hard, -to make up for their idleness. - -One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the stand, -and called Jerry. - -"Here, cabby! look sharp, we are rather late; put on the steam, will you, -and take us to the Victoria in time for the one o'clock train? -You shall have a shilling extra." - -"I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay -for putting on the steam like that." - -Larry's cab was standing next to ours; he flung open the door, and said, -"I'm your man, gentlemen! take my cab, my horse will get you there -all right;" and as he shut them in, with a wink toward Jerry, said, -"It's against his conscience to go beyond a jog-trot." -Then slashing his jaded horse, he set off as hard as he could. -Jerry patted me on the neck: "No, Jack, a shilling would not pay -for that sort of thing, would it, old boy?" - -Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving, -to please careless people, he always went a good fair pace, -and was not against putting on the steam, as he said, if only he knew why. - -I well remember one morning, as we were on the stand waiting for a fare, -that a young man, carrying a heavy portmanteau, trod on a piece -of orange peel which lay on the pavement, and fell down with great force. - -Jerry was the first to run and lift him up. He seemed much stunned, -and as they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain. -Jerry of course came back to the stand, but in about ten minutes -one of the shopmen called him, so we drew up to the pavement. - -"Can you take me to the South-Eastern Railway?" said the young man; -"this unlucky fall has made me late, I fear; but it is of great importance -that I should not lose the twelve o'clock train. I should be most thankful -if you could get me there in time, and will gladly pay you an extra fare." - -"I'll do my very best," said Jerry heartily, "if you think you are -well enough, sir," for he looked dreadfully white and ill. - -"I must go," he said earnestly, "please to open the door, -and let us lose no time." - -The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, -and a twitch of the rein that I well understood. - -"Now then, Jack, my boy," said he, "spin along, we'll show them -how we can get over the ground, if we only know why." - -It is always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the day, -when the streets are full of traffic, but we did what could be done; -and when a good driver and a good horse, who understand each other, -are of one mind, it is wonderful what they can do. I had a very good mouth --- that is I could be guided by the slightest touch of the rein; -and that is a great thing in London, among carriages, omnibuses, carts, -vans, trucks, cabs, and great wagons creeping along at a walking pace; -some going one way, some another, some going slowly, -others wanting to pass them; omnibuses stopping short every few minutes -to take up a passenger, obliging the horse that is coming behind -to pull up too, or to pass, and get before them; perhaps you try to pass, -but just then something else comes dashing in through the narrow opening, -and you have to keep in behind the omnibus again; presently you think -you see a chance, and manage to get to the front, going so near -the wheels on each side that half an inch nearer and they would scrape. -Well, you get along for a bit, but soon find yourself in a long train -of carts and carriages all obliged to go at a walk; perhaps you come -to a regular block-up, and have to stand still for minutes together, -till something clears out into a side street, or the policeman interferes; -you have to be ready for any chance -- to dash forward -if there be an opening, and be quick as a rat-dog to see if there be room -and if there be time, lest you get your own wheels locked or smashed, -or the shaft of some other vehicle run into your chest or shoulder. All this -is what you have to be ready for. If you want to get through London fast -in the middle of the day it wants a deal of practice. - -Jerry and I were used to it, and no one could beat us at getting through -when we were set upon it. I was quick and bold and could always trust -my driver; Jerry was quick and patient at the same time, -and could trust his horse, which was a great thing too. -He very seldom used the whip; I knew by his voice, and his click, click, -when he wanted to get on fast, and by the rein where I was to go; -so there was no need for whipping; but I must go back to my story. - -The streets were very full that day, but we got on pretty well as far as -the bottom of Cheapside, where there was a block for three or four minutes. -The young man put his head out and said anxiously, "I think I had better -get out and walk; I shall never get there if this goes on." - -"I'll do all that can be done, sir," said Jerry; "I think we shall -be in time. This block-up cannot last much longer, and your luggage -is very heavy for you to carry, sir." - -Just then the cart in front of us began to move on, -and then we had a good turn. In and out, in and out we went, -as fast as horseflesh could do it, and for a wonder had a good clear time -on London Bridge, for there was a whole train of cabs and carriages -all going our way at a quick trot, perhaps wanting to catch that very train. -At any rate, we whirled into the station with many more, -just as the great clock pointed to eight minutes to twelve o'clock. - -"Thank God! we are in time," said the young man, "and thank you, too, -my friend, and your good horse. You have saved me more than money -can ever pay for. Take this extra half-crown." - -"No, sir, no, thank you all the same; so glad we hit the time, sir; -but don't stay now, sir, the bell is ringing. Here, porter! -take this gentleman's luggage -- Dover line twelve o'clock train -- -that's it," and without waiting for another word Jerry wheeled me round -to make room for other cabs that were dashing up at the last minute, -and drew up on one side till the crush was past. - -"`So glad!' he said, `so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was -that made him so anxious!" - -Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear -when we were not moving. - -On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing -and chaffing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare, -as they said, all against his principles, and they wanted to know -how much he had pocketed. - -"A good deal more than I generally get," said he, nodding slyly; -"what he gave me will keep me in little comforts for several days." - -"Gammon!" said one. - -"He's a humbug," said another; "preaching to us and then -doing the same himself." - -"Look here, mates," said Jerry; "the gentleman offered me half a crown extra, -but I didn't take it; 'twas quite pay enough for me to see how glad he was -to catch that train; and if Jack and I choose to have a quick run -now and then to please ourselves, that's our business and not yours." - -"Well," said Larry, "you'll never be a rich man." - -"Most likely not," said Jerry; "but I don't know that I shall be -the less happy for that. I have heard the commandments read -a great many times and I never noticed that any of them said, -`Thou shalt be rich'; and there are a good many curious things -said in the New Testament about rich men that I think would make me -feel rather queer if I was one of them." - -"If you ever do get rich," said Governor Gray, looking over his shoulder -across the top of his cab, "you'll deserve it, Jerry, and you won't find -a curse come with your wealth. As for you, Larry, you'll die poor; -you spend too much in whipcord." - -"Well," said Larry, "what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go -without it?" - -"You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it; -your whip is always going as if you had the St. Vitus' dance in your arm, -and if it does not wear you out it wears your horse out; -you know you are always changing your horses; and why? -Because you never give them any peace or encouragement." - -"Well, I have not had good luck," said Larry, "that's where it is." - -"And you never will," said the governor. "Good Luck is rather particular -who she rides with, and mostly prefers those who have got common sense -and a good heart; at least that is my experience." - -Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men -went to their cabs. - - - - -36 The Sunday Cab - - - -One morning, as Jerry had just put me into the shafts and was fastening -the traces, a gentleman walked into the yard. "Your servant, sir," -said Jerry. - -"Good-morning, Mr. Barker," said the gentleman. "I should be glad -to make some arrangements with you for taking Mrs. Briggs regularly to church -on Sunday mornings. We go to the New Church now, and that is rather further -than she can walk." - -"Thank you, sir," said Jerry, "but I have only taken out -a six-days' license,* and therefore I could not take a fare on a Sunday; -it would not be legal." - --- -* A few years since the annual charge for a cab license was -very much reduced, and the difference between the six and seven days' cabs -was abolished. --- - -"Oh!" said the other, "I did not know yours was a six-days' cab; -but of course it would be very easy to alter your license. -I would see that you did not lose by it; the fact is, -Mrs. Briggs very much prefers you to drive her." - -"I should be glad to oblige the lady, sir, but I had -a seven-days' license once, and the work was too hard for me, -and too hard for my horses. Year in and year out, not a day's rest, -and never a Sunday with my wife and children; and never able to go -to a place of worship, which I had always been used to do before I took -to the driving box. So for the last five years I have only taken -a six-days' license, and I find it better all the way round." - -"Well, of course," replied Mr. Briggs, "it is very proper that every person -should have rest, and be able to go to church on Sundays, -but I should have thought you would not have minded such a short distance -for the horse, and only once a day; you would have all the afternoon -and evening for yourself, and we are very good customers, you know." - -"Yes, sir, that is true, and I am grateful for all favors, I am sure; -and anything that I could do to oblige you, or the lady, -I should be proud and happy to do; but I can't give up my Sundays, sir, -indeed I can't. I read that God made man, and he made horses and all -the other beasts, and as soon as He had made them He made a day of rest, -and bade that all should rest one day in seven; and I think, sir, -He must have known what was good for them, and I am sure it is good for me; -I am stronger and healthier altogether, now that I have a day of rest; -the horses are fresh too, and do not wear up nearly so fast. -The six-day drivers all tell me the same, and I have laid by -more money in the savings bank than ever I did before; -and as for the wife and children, sir, why, heart alive! -they would not go back to the seven days for all they could see." - -"Oh, very well," said the gentleman. "Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Barker, -any further. I will inquire somewhere else," and he walked away. - -"Well," says Jerry to me, "we can't help it, Jack, old boy; -we must have our Sundays." - -"Polly!" he shouted, "Polly! come here." - -She was there in a minute. - -"What is it all about, Jerry?" - -"Why, my dear, Mr. Briggs wants me to take Mrs. Briggs to church -every Sunday morning. I say I have only a six-days' license. He says, -`Get a seven-days' license, and I'll make it worth your while;' -and you know, Polly, they are very good customers to us. -Mrs. Briggs often goes out shopping for hours, or making calls, -and then she pays down fair and honorable like a lady; -there's no beating down or making three hours into two hours and a half, -as some folks do; and it is easy work for the horses; not like tearing along -to catch trains for people that are always a quarter of an hour too late; -and if I don't oblige her in this matter it is very likely -we shall lose them altogether. What do you say, little woman?" - -"I say, Jerry," says she, speaking very slowly, "I say, if Mrs. Briggs -would give you a sovereign every Sunday morning, I would not have you -a seven-days' cabman again. We have known what it was to have no Sundays, -and now we know what it is to call them our own. Thank God, -you earn enough to keep us, though it is sometimes close work -to pay for all the oats and hay, the license, and the rent besides; -but Harry will soon be earning something, and I would rather struggle on -harder than we do than go back to those horrid times when you hardly had -a minute to look at your own children, and we never could go -to a place of worship together, or have a happy, quiet day. -God forbid that we should ever turn back to those times; -that's what I say, Jerry." - -"And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear," said Jerry, -"and what I mean to stick to. So don't go and fret yourself, Polly" -(for she had begun to cry); "I would not go back to the old times -if I earned twice as much, so that is settled, little woman. -Now, cheer up, and I'll be off to the stand." - -Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had come -from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the stand. -Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was harder -for horse and man. But Polly would always cheer him up, and say, -"Never mind, father, never, mind. - - "`Do your best, - And leave the rest, - 'Twill all come right - Some day or night.'" - -It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, -and for what reason. Most of the men said he was a fool, -but two or three took his part. - -"If workingmen don't stick to their Sunday," said Truman, "they'll soon have -none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By God's law -we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day of rest; -and I say we ought to hold to the rights these laws give us -and keep them for our children." - -"All very well for you religious chaps to talk so," said Larry; -"but I'll turn a shilling when I can. I don't believe in religion, -for I don't see that your religious people are any better than the rest." - -"If they are not better," put in Jerry, "it is because -they are not religious. You might as well say that our country's laws -are not good because some people break them. If a man gives way -to his temper, and speaks evil of his neighbor, and does not pay his debts, -he is not religious, I don't care how much he goes to church. -If some men are shams and humbugs, that does not make religion untrue. -Real religion is the best and truest thing in the world, and the only thing -that can make a man really happy or make the world we live in any better." - -"If religion was good for anything," said Jones, "it would prevent -your religious people from making us work on Sundays, as you know -many of them do, and that's why I say religion is nothing but a sham; why, -if it was not for the church and chapel-goers it would be hardly worth while -our coming out on a Sunday. But they have their privileges, -as they call them, and I go without. I shall expect them to answer -for my soul, if I can't get a chance of saving it." - -Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said: - -"That may sound well enough, but it won't do; every man must look after -his own soul; you can't lay it down at another man's door like a foundling -and expect him to take care of it; and don't you see, -if you are always sitting on your box waiting for a fare, they will say, -`If we don't take him some one else will, and he does not look -for any Sunday.' Of course, they don't go to the bottom of it, -or they would see if they never came for a cab it would be no use -your standing there; but people don't always like to go -to the bottom of things; it may not be convenient to do it; -but if you Sunday drivers would all strike for a day of rest -the thing would be done." - -"And what would all the good people do if they could not get -to their favorite preachers?" said Larry. - -"'Tis not for me to lay down plans for other people," said Jerry, -"but if they can't walk so far they can go to what is nearer; -and if it should rain they can put on their mackintoshes as they do -on a week-day. If a thing is right it can be done, and if it is wrong -it can be done without; and a good man will find a way. -And that is as true for us cabmen as it is for the church-goers." - - - - -37 The Golden Rule - - - -Two or three weeks after this, as we came into the yard rather late -in the evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern -(she always brought it to him if it was not very wet). - -"It has all come right, Jerry; Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this afternoon -to ask you to take her out to-morrow at eleven o'clock. I said, -`Yes, I thought so, but we supposed she employed some one else now.'" - -"`Well,' said he, `the real fact is, master was put out because -Mr. Barker refused to come on Sundays, and he has been trying other cabs, -but there's something wrong with them all; some drive too fast, -and some too slow, and the mistress says there is not one of them so nice -and clean as yours, and nothing will suit her but Mr. Barker's cab again.'" - -Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh. - -"`'Twill all come right some day or night': you were right, my dear; -you generally are. Run in and get the supper, and I'll have -Jack's harness off and make him snug and happy in no time." - -After this Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab quite as often as before, -never, however, on a Sunday; but there came a day when we had Sunday work, -and this was how it happened. We had all come home on the Saturday night -very tired, and very glad to think that the next day would be all rest, -but so it was not to be. - -On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, -when Polly stepped up to him, looking very full of something. - -"What is it?" said Jerry. - -"Well, my dear," she said, "poor Dinah Brown has just had a letter brought -to say that her mother is dangerously ill, and that she must go directly -if she wishes to see her alive. The place is more than ten miles away -from here, out in the country, and she says if she takes the train -she should still have four miles to walk; and so weak as she is, -and the baby only four weeks old, of course that would be impossible; -and she wants to know if you would take her in your cab, -and she promises to pay you faithfully, as she can get the money." - -"Tut, tut! we'll see about that. It was not the money I was thinking about, -but of losing our Sunday; the horses are tired, and I am tired, too -- -that's where it pinches." - -"It pinches all round, for that matter," said Polly, "for it's only -half Sunday without you, but you know we should do to other people -as we should like they should do to us; and I know very well -what I should like if my mother was dying; and Jerry, dear, -I am sure it won't break the Sabbath; for if pulling a poor beast or donkey -out of a pit would not spoil it, I am quite sure taking poor Dinah -would not do it." - -"Why, Polly, you are as good as the minister, and so, as I've had -my Sunday-morning sermon early to-day, you may go and tell Dinah -that I'll be ready for her as the clock strikes ten; but stop -- -just step round to butcher Braydon's with my compliments, -and ask him if he would lend me his light trap; I know he never uses it -on the Sunday, and it would make a wonderful difference to the horse." - -Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap -and welcome. - -"All right," said he; "now put me up a bit of bread and cheese, -and I'll be back in the afternoon as soon as I can." - -"And I'll have the meat pie ready for an early tea instead of for dinner," -said Polly; and away she went, while he made his preparations to the tune of -"Polly's the woman and no mistake", of which tune he was very fond. - -I was selected for the journey, and at ten o'clock we started, -in a light, high-wheeled gig, which ran so easily -that after the four-wheeled cab it seemed like nothing. - -It was a fine May day, and as soon as we were out of the town, the sweet air, -the smell of the fresh grass, and the soft country roads were as pleasant -as they used to be in the old times, and I soon began to feel quite fresh. - -Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, up a green lane, close by a meadow -with some fine shady trees; there were two cows feeding in it. -A young man asked Jerry to bring his trap into the meadow, and he would -tie me up in the cowshed; he wished he had a better stable to offer. - -"If your cows would not be offended," said Jerry, "there is nothing my horse -would like so well as to have an hour or two in your beautiful meadow; -he's quiet, and it would be a rare treat for him." - -"Do, and welcome," said the young man; "the best we have is at your service -for your kindness to my sister; we shall be having some dinner in an hour, -and I hope you'll come in, though with mother so ill we are all out of sorts -in the house." - -Jerry thanked him kindly, but said as he had some dinner with him -there was nothing he should like so well as walking about in the meadow. - -When my harness was taken off I did not know what I should do first -- -whether to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down and rest, -or have a gallop across the meadow out of sheer spirits at being free; -and I did all by turns. Jerry seemed to be quite as happy as I was; -he sat down by a bank under a shady tree, and listened to the birds, -then he sang himself, and read out of the little brown book he is so fond of, -then wandered round the meadow, and down by a little brook, -where he picked the flowers and the hawthorn, and tied them up -with long sprays of ivy; then he gave me a good feed of the oats -which he had brought with him; but the time seemed all too short -- -I had not been in a field since I left poor Ginger at Earlshall. - -We came home gently, and Jerry's first words were, as we came into the yard, -"Well, Polly, I have not lost my Sunday after all, for the birds -were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service; -and as for Jack, he was like a young colt." - -When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy. - - - - -38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman - - - -Winter came in early, with a great deal of cold and wet. There was snow, -or sleet, or rain almost every day for weeks, changing only for -keen driving winds or sharp frosts. The horses all felt it very much. -When it is a dry cold a couple of good thick rugs will keep the warmth in us; -but when it is soaking rain they soon get wet through and are no good. -Some of the drivers had a waterproof cover to throw over, -which was a fine thing; but some of the men were so poor -that they could not protect either themselves or their horses, -and many of them suffered very much that winter. When we horses -had worked half the day we went to our dry stables, and could rest, -while they had to sit on their boxes, sometimes staying out as late -as one or two o'clock in the morning if they had a party to wait for. - -When the streets were slippery with frost or snow that was the worst of all -for us horses. One mile of such traveling, with a weight to draw -and no firm footing, would take more out of us than four on a good road; -every nerve and muscle of our bodies is on the strain to keep our balance; -and, added to this, the fear of falling is more exhausting -than anything else. If the roads are very bad indeed our shoes are roughed, -but that makes us feel nervous at first. - -When the weather was very bad many of the men would go and sit -in the tavern close by, and get some one to watch for them; -but they often lost a fare in that way, and could not, as Jerry said, -be there without spending money. He never went to the Rising Sun; -there was a coffee-shop near, where he now and then went, -or he bought of an old man, who came to our rank with tins -of hot coffee and pies. It was his opinion that spirits and beer -made a man colder afterward, and that dry clothes, good food, cheerfulness, -and a comfortable wife at home, were the best things to keep a cabman warm. -Polly always supplied him with something to eat when he could not get home, -and sometimes he would see little Dolly peeping from the corner -of the street, to make sure if "father" was on the stand. -If she saw him she would run off at full speed and soon come back -with something in a tin or basket, some hot soup or pudding Polly had ready. -It was wonderful how such a little thing could get safely across the street, -often thronged with horses and carriages; but she was a brave little maid, -and felt it quite an honor to bring "father's first course", -as he used to call it. She was a general favorite on the stand, -and there was not a man who would not have seen her safely across the street, -if Jerry had not been able to do it. - -One cold windy day Dolly had brought Jerry a basin of something hot, -and was standing by him while he ate it. He had scarcely begun -when a gentleman, walking toward us very fast, held up his umbrella. -Jerry touched his hat in return, gave the basin to Dolly, -and was taking off my cloth, when the gentleman, hastening up, cried out, -"No, no, finish your soup, my friend; I have not much time to spare, -but I can wait till you have done, and set your little girl -safe on the pavement." So saying, he seated himself in the cab. -Jerry thanked him kindly, and came back to Dolly. - -"There, Dolly, that's a gentleman; that's a real gentleman, Dolly; -he has got time and thought for the comfort of a poor cabman -and a little girl." - -Jerry finished his soup, set the child across, and then took his orders -to drive to Clapham Rise. Several times after that the same gentleman -took our cab. I think he was very fond of dogs and horses, -for whenever we took him to his own door two or three dogs -would come bounding out to meet him. Sometimes he came round and patted me, -saying in his quiet, pleasant way, "This horse has got a good master, -and he deserves it." It was a very rare thing for any one to notice -the horse that had been working for him. I have known ladies to do it -now and then, and this gentleman, and one or two others have given me -a pat and a kind word; but ninety-nine persons out of a hundred -would as soon think of patting the steam engine that drew the train. - -The gentleman was not young, and there was a forward stoop in his shoulders -as if he was always going at something. His lips were thin and close shut, -though they had a very pleasant smile; his eye was keen, -and there was something in his jaw and the motion of his head -that made one think he was very determined in anything he set about. -His voice was pleasant and kind; any horse would trust that voice, -though it was just as decided as everything else about him. - -One day he and another gentleman took our cab; they stopped at a shop -in R---- Street, and while his friend went in he stood at the door. -A little ahead of us on the other side of the street -a cart with two very fine horses was standing before some wine vaults; -the carter was not with them, and I cannot tell how long -they had been standing, but they seemed to think they had waited long enough, -and began to move off. Before they had gone many paces -the carter came running out and caught them. He seemed furious -at their having moved, and with whip and rein punished them brutally, -even beating them about the head. Our gentleman saw it all, -and stepping quickly across the street, said in a decided voice: - -"If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested -for leaving your horses, and for brutal conduct." - -The man, who had clearly been drinking, poured forth some abusive language, -but he left off knocking the horses about, and taking the reins, -got into his cart; meantime our friend had quietly taken a note-book -from his pocket, and looking at the name and address painted on the cart, -he wrote something down. - -"What do you want with that?" growled the carter, as he cracked his whip -and was moving on. A nod and a grim smile was the only answer he got. - -On returning to the cab our friend was joined by his companion, -who said laughingly, "I should have thought, Wright, -you had enough business of your own to look after, without troubling yourself -about other people's horses and servants." - -Our friend stood still for a moment, and throwing his head a little back, -"Do you know why this world is as bad as it is?" - -"No," said the other. - -"Then I'll tell you. It is because people think only about -their own business, and won't trouble themselves to stand up -for the oppressed, nor bring the wrongdoer to light. -I never see a wicked thing like this without doing what I can, -and many a master has thanked me for letting him know -how his horses have been used." - -"I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir," said Jerry, -"for they are wanted badly enough in this city." - -After this we continued our journey, and as they got out of the cab -our friend was saying, "My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong -that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves -sharers in the guilt." - - - - -39 Seedy Sam - - - -I should say that for a cab-horse I was very well off indeed; -my driver was my owner, and it was his interest to treat me well -and not overwork me, even had he not been so good a man as he was; -but there were a great many horses which belonged to the large cab-owners, -who let them out to their drivers for so much money a day. -As the horses did not belong to these men the only thing they thought of -was how to get their money out of them, first, to pay the master, -and then to provide for their own living; and a dreadful time -some of these horses had of it. Of course, I understood but little, -but it was often talked over on the stand, and the governor, -who was a kind-hearted man and fond of horses, would sometimes speak up -if one came in very much jaded or ill-used. - -One day a shabby, miserable-looking driver, who went by the name -of "Seedy Sam", brought in his horse looking dreadfully beat, -and the governor said: - -"You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this rank." - -The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round -upon the Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate: - -"If the police have any business with the matter it ought to be with -the masters who charge us so much, or with the fares that are fixed so low. -If a man has to pay eighteen shillings a day for the use of a cab -and two horses, as many of us have to do in the season, -and must make that up before we earn a penny for ourselves -I say 'tis more than hard work; nine shillings a day to get out of each horse -before you begin to get your own living. You know that's true, -and if the horses don't work we must starve, and I and my children -have known what that is before now. I've six of 'em, and only one -earns anything; I am on the stand fourteen or sixteen hours a day, -and I haven't had a Sunday these ten or twelve weeks; you know Skinner -never gives a day if he can help it, and if I don't work hard, -tell me who does! I want a warm coat and a mackintosh, -but with so many to feed how can a man get it? I had to pledge my clock -a week ago to pay Skinner, and I shall never see it again." - -Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads -and saying he was right. The man went on: - -"You that have your own horses and cabs, or drive for good masters, -have a chance of getting on and a chance of doing right; I haven't. -We can't charge more than sixpence a mile after the first, -within the four-mile radius. This very morning I had to go a clear six miles -and only took three shillings. I could not get a return fare, -and had to come all the way back; there's twelve miles for the horse -and three shillings for me. After that I had a three-mile fare, -and there were bags and boxes enough to have brought in a good many twopences -if they had been put outside; but you know how people do; -all that could be piled up inside on the front seat were put in -and three heavy boxes went on the top. That was sixpence, -and the fare one and sixpence; then I got a return for a shilling. -Now that makes eighteen miles for the horse and six shillings for me; -there's three shillings still for that horse to earn and nine shillings -for the afternoon horse before I touch a penny. Of course, -it is not always so bad as that, but you know it often is, -and I say 'tis a mockery to tell a man that he must not overwork his horse, -for when a beast is downright tired there's nothing but the whip -that will keep his legs a-going; you can't help yourself -- -you must put your wife and children before the horse; the masters must -look to that, we can't. I don't ill-use my horse for the sake of it; -none of you can say I do. There's wrong lays somewhere -- -never a day's rest, never a quiet hour with the wife and children. -I often feel like an old man, though I'm only forty-five. -You know how quick some of the gentry are to suspect us of cheating -and overcharging; why, they stand with their purses in their hands -counting it over to a penny and looking at us as if we were pickpockets. -I wish some of 'em had got to sit on my box sixteen hours a day -and get a living out of it and eighteen shillings beside, -and that in all weathers; they would not be so uncommon particular -never to give us a sixpence over or to cram all the luggage inside. -Of course, some of 'em tip us pretty handsome now and then, -or else we could not live; but you can't depend upon that." - -The men who stood round much approved this speech, and one of them said, -"It is desperate hard, and if a man sometimes does what is wrong -it is no wonder, and if he gets a dram too much who's to blow him up?" - -Jerry had taken no part in this conversation, but I never saw his face -look so sad before. The governor had stood with both his hands -in his pockets; now he took his handkerchief out of his hat -and wiped his forehead. - -"You've beaten me, Sam," he said, "for it's all true, -and I won't cast it up to you any more about the police; -it was the look in that horse's eye that came over me. -It is hard lines for man and it is hard lines for beast, -and who's to mend it I don't know: but anyway you might tell the poor beast -that you were sorry to take it out of him in that way. -Sometimes a kind word is all we can give 'em, poor brutes, -and 'tis wonderful what they do understand." - -A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's cab. - -"Halloo!" said one, "what's up with Seedy Sam?" - -"He's ill in bed," said the man; "he was taken last night in the yard, -and could scarcely crawl home. His wife sent a boy this morning -to say his father was in a high fever and could not get out, -so I'm here instead." - -The next morning the same man came again. - -"How is Sam?" inquired the governor. - -"He's gone," said the man. - -"What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?" - -"Just snuffed out," said the other; "he died at four o'clock this morning; -all yesterday he was raving -- raving about Skinner, and having no Sundays. -`I never had a Sunday's rest,' these were his last words." - -No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, "I'll tell you what, -mates, this is a warning for us." - - - - -40 Poor Ginger - - - -One day, while our cab and many others were waiting outside one of the parks -where music was playing, a shabby old cab drove up beside ours. -The horse was an old worn-out chestnut, with an ill-kept coat, -and bones that showed plainly through it, the knees knuckled over, -and the fore-legs were very unsteady. I had been eating some hay, -and the wind rolled a little lock of it that way, and the poor creature -put out her long thin neck and picked it up, and then turned -and looked about for more. There was a hopeless look in the dull eye -that I could not help noticing, and then, as I was thinking -where I had seen that horse before, she looked full at me and said, -"Black Beauty, is that you?" - -It was Ginger! but how changed! The beautifully arched and glossy neck -was now straight, and lank, and fallen in; the clean straight legs -and delicate fetlocks were swelled; the joints were grown out of shape -with hard work; the face, that was once so full of spirit and life, -was now full of suffering, and I could tell by the heaving of her sides, -and her frequent cough, how bad her breath was. - -Our drivers were standing together a little way off, so I sidled up to her -a step or two, that we might have a little quiet talk. It was a sad tale -that she had to tell. - -After a twelvemonth's run off at Earlshall, she was considered to be fit -for work again, and was sold to a gentleman. For a little while -she got on very well, but after a longer gallop than usual -the old strain returned, and after being rested and doctored -she was again sold. In this way she changed hands several times, -but always getting lower down. - -"And so at last," said she, "I was bought by a man who keeps -a number of cabs and horses, and lets them out. You look well off, -and I am glad of it, but I could not tell you what my life has been. -When they found out my weakness they said I was not worth -what they gave for me, and that I must go into one of the low cabs, -and just be used up; that is what they are doing, whipping and working -with never one thought of what I suffer -- they paid for me, -and must get it out of me, they say. The man who hires me now -pays a deal of money to the owner every day, and so he has to -get it out of me too; and so it's all the week round and round, -with never a Sunday rest." - -I said, "You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used." - -"Ah!" she said, "I did once, but it's no use; men are strongest, -and if they are cruel and have no feeling, there is nothing that we can do, -but just bear it -- bear it on and on to the end. I wish the end was come, -I wish I was dead. I have seen dead horses, and I am sure they do not -suffer pain; I wish I may drop down dead at my work, and not be sent off -to the knackers." - -I was very much troubled, and I put my nose up to hers, -but I could say nothing to comfort her. I think she was pleased to see me, -for she said, "You are the only friend I ever had." - -Just then her driver came up, and with a tug at her mouth backed her -out of the line and drove off, leaving me very sad indeed. - -A short time after this a cart with a dead horse in it passed our cab-stand. -The head hung out of the cart-tail, the lifeless tongue was slowly -dropping with blood; and the sunken eyes! but I can't speak of them, -the sight was too dreadful. It was a chestnut horse with a long, thin neck. -I saw a white streak down the forehead. I believe it was Ginger; -I hoped it was, for then her troubles would be over. Oh! if men were -more merciful they would shoot us before we came to such misery. - - - - -41 The Butcher - - - -I saw a great deal of trouble among the horses in London, -and much of it might have been prevented by a little common sense. -We horses do not mind hard work if we are treated reasonably, -and I am sure there are many driven by quite poor men who have a happier life -than I had when I used to go in the Countess of W----'s carriage, -with my silver-mounted harness and high feeding. - -It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies were used, -straining along with heavy loads or staggering under heavy blows -from some low, cruel boy. Once I saw a little gray pony -with a thick mane and a pretty head, and so much like Merrylegs -that if I had not been in harness I should have neighed to him. -He was doing his best to pull a heavy cart, while a strong rough boy -was cutting him under the belly with his whip and chucking cruelly -at his little mouth. Could it be Merrylegs? It was just like him; -but then Mr. Blomefield was never to sell him, and I think -he would not do it; but this might have been quite as good a little fellow, -and had as happy a place when he was young. - -I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horses were made to go, -though I did not know why it was so till one day when we had to -wait some time in St. John's Wood. There was a butcher's shop next door, -and as we were standing a butcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. -The horse was hot and much exhausted; he hung his head down, while his -heaving sides and trembling legs showed how hard he had been driven. -The lad jumped out of the cart and was getting the basket -when the master came out of the shop much displeased. -After looking at the horse he turned angrily to the lad. - -"How many times shall I tell you not to drive in this way? -You ruined the last horse and broke his wind, and you are going -to ruin this in the same way. If you were not my own son I would dismiss you -on the spot; it is a disgrace to have a horse brought to the shop -in a condition like that; you are liable to be taken up by the police -for such driving, and if you are you need not look to me for bail, -for I have spoken to you till I'm tired; you must look out for yourself." - -During this speech the boy had stood by, sullen and dogged, -but when his father ceased he broke out angrily. It wasn't his fault, -and he wouldn't take the blame; he was only going by orders all the time. - -"You always say, `Now be quick; now look sharp!' and when I go to the houses -one wants a leg of mutton for an early dinner and I must be back with it -in a quarter of an hour; another cook has forgotten to order the beef; -I must go and fetch it and be back in no time, or the mistress will scold; -and the housekeeper says they have company coming unexpectedly -and must have some chops sent up directly; and the lady at No. 4, -in the Crescent, never orders her dinner till the meat comes in for lunch, -and it's nothing but hurry, hurry, all the time. If the gentry would think -of what they want, and order their meat the day before, -there need not be this blow up!" - -"I wish to goodness they would," said the butcher; "'twould save me -a wonderful deal of harass, and I could suit my customers much better -if I knew beforehand -- But there! what's the use of talking -- -who ever thinks of a butcher's convenience or a butcher's horse! Now, then, -take him in and look to him well; mind, he does not go out again to-day, -and if anything else is wanted you must carry it yourself in the basket." -With that he went in, and the horse was led away. - -But all boys are not cruel. I have seen some as fond of their pony or donkey -as if it had been a favorite dog, and the little creatures have worked away -as cheerfully and willingly for their young drivers as I work for Jerry. -It may be hard work sometimes, but a friend's hand and voice make it easy. - -There was a young coster-boy who came up our street with greens and potatoes; -he had an old pony, not very handsome, but the cheerfullest -and pluckiest little thing I ever saw, and to see how fond those two were -of each other was a treat. The pony followed his master like a dog, -and when he got into his cart would trot off without a whip or a word, -and rattle down the street as merrily as if he had come out of -the queen's stables. Jerry liked the boy, and called him "Prince Charlie", -for he said he would make a king of drivers some day. - -There was an old man, too, who used to come up our street with -a little coal cart; he wore a coal-heaver's hat, and looked rough and black. -He and his old horse used to plod together along the street, -like two good partners who understood each other; the horse would stop -of his own accord at the doors where they took coal of him; he used to keep -one ear bent toward his master. The old man's cry could be heard -up the street long before he came near. I never knew what he said, -but the children called him "Old Ba-a-ar Hoo", for it sounded like that. -Polly took her coal of him, and was very friendly, and Jerry said -it was a comfort to think how happy an old horse might be in a poor place. - - - - -42 The Election - - - -As we came into the yard one afternoon Polly came out. "Jerry! -I've had Mr. B---- here asking about your vote, and he wants to hire your cab -for the election; he will call for an answer." - -"Well, Polly, you may say that my cab will be otherwise engaged. -I should not like to have it pasted over with their great bills, -and as to making Jack and Captain race about to the public-houses -to bring up half-drunken voters, why, I think 'twould be an insult -to the horses. No, I shan't do it." - -"I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your politics." - -"So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; -you know what his trade is?" - -"Yes." - -"Well, a man who gets rich by that trade may be all very well in some ways, -but he is blind as to what workingmen want; I could not in my conscience -send him up to make the laws. I dare say they'll be angry, -but every man must do what he thinks to be the best for his country." - -On the morning before the election, Jerry was putting me into the shafts, -when Dolly came into the yard sobbing and crying, with her little blue frock -and white pinafore spattered all over with mud. - -"Why, Dolly, what is the matter?" - -"Those naughty boys," she sobbed, "have thrown the dirt all over me, -and called me a little raga-- raga--" - -"They called her a little `blue' ragamuffin, father," said Harry, -who ran in looking very angry; "but I have given it to them; -they won't insult my sister again. I have given them a thrashing -they will remember; a set of cowardly, rascally `orange' blackguards." - -Jerry kissed the child and said, "Run in to mother, my pet, -and tell her I think you had better stay at home to-day and help her." - -Then turning gravely to Harry: - -"My boy, I hope you will always defend your sister, and give anybody -who insults her a good thrashing -- that is as it should be; -but mind, I won't have any election blackguarding on my premises. -There are as many `blue' blackguards as there are `orange', -and as many white as there are purple, or any other color, -and I won't have any of my family mixed up with it. Even women and children -are ready to quarrel for the sake of a color, and not one in ten of them -knows what it is about." - -"Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty." - -"My boy, Liberty does not come from colors, they only show party, -and all the liberty you can get out of them is, liberty to get drunk -at other people's expense, liberty to ride to the poll in a dirty old cab, -liberty to abuse any one that does not wear your color, -and to shout yourself hoarse at what you only half-understand -- -that's your liberty!" - -"Oh, father, you are laughing." - -"No, Harry, I am serious, and I am ashamed to see how men go on -who ought to know better. An election is a very serious thing; -at least it ought to be, and every man ought to vote according to -his conscience, and let his neighbor do the same." - - - - -43 A Friend in Need - - - -The election day came at last; there was no lack of work for Jerry and me. -First came a stout puffy gentleman with a carpet bag; he wanted to go -to the Bishopsgate station; then we were called by a party -who wished to be taken to the Regent's Park; and next we were wanted -in a side street where a timid, anxious old lady was waiting to be taken -to the bank; there we had to stop to take her back again, -and just as we had set her down a red-faced gentleman, -with a handful of papers, came running up out of breath, -and before Jerry could get down he had opened the door, popped himself in, -and called out, "Bow Street Police Station, quick!" so off we went with him, -and when after another turn or two we came back, there was no other cab -on the stand. Jerry put on my nose-bag, for as he said, -"We must eat when we can on such days as these; so munch away, Jack, -and make the best of your time, old boy." - -I found I had a good feed of crushed oats wetted up with a little bran; -this would be a treat any day, but very refreshing then. -Jerry was so thoughtful and kind -- what horse would not do his best -for such a master? Then he took out one of Polly's meat pies, -and standing near me, he began to eat it. The streets were very full, -and the cabs, with the candidates' colors on them, were dashing about -through the crowd as if life and limb were of no consequence; -we saw two people knocked down that day, and one was a woman. -The horses were having a bad time of it, poor things! -but the voters inside thought nothing of that; many of them were half-drunk, -hurrahing out of the cab windows if their own party came by. -It was the first election I had seen, and I don't want to be in another, -though I have heard things are better now. - -Jerry and I had not eaten many mouthfuls before a poor young woman, -carrying a heavy child, came along the street. She was looking -this way and that way, and seemed quite bewildered. Presently she made -her way up to Jerry and asked if he could tell her the way -to St. Thomas' Hospital, and how far it was to get there. -She had come from the country that morning, she said, in a market cart; -she did not know about the election, and was quite a stranger in London. -She had got an order for the hospital for her little boy. -The child was crying with a feeble, pining cry. - -"Poor little fellow!" she said, "he suffers a deal of pain; -he is four years old and can't walk any more than a baby; -but the doctor said if I could get him into the hospital -he might get well; pray, sir, how far is it; and which way is it?" - -"Why, missis," said Jerry, "you can't get there walking through crowds -like this! why, it is three miles away, and that child is heavy." - -"Yes, bless him, he is; but I am strong, thank God, and if I knew the way -I think I should get on somehow; please tell me the way." - -"You can't do it," said Jerry, "you might be knocked down -and the child be run over. Now look here, just get into this cab, -and I'll drive you safe to the hospital. Don't you see -the rain is coming on?" - -"No, sir, no; I can't do that, thank you, I have only just money enough -to get back with. Please tell me the way." - -"Look you here, missis," said Jerry, "I've got a wife and dear children -at home, and I know a father's feelings; now get you into that cab, -and I'll take you there for nothing. I'd be ashamed of myself -to let a woman and a sick child run a risk like that." - -"Heaven bless you!" said the woman, and burst into tears. - -"There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; -come, let me put you inside." - -As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats -and buttonholes, ran up calling out, "Cab!" - -"Engaged," cried Jerry; but one of the men, pushing past the woman, -sprang into the cab, followed by the other. Jerry looked as stern -as a policeman. "This cab is already engaged, gentlemen, by that lady." - -"Lady!" said one of them; "oh! she can wait; our business is very important, -besides we were in first, it is our right, and we shall stay in." - -A droll smile came over Jerry's face as he shut the door upon them. -"All right, gentlemen, pray stay in as long as it suits you; -I can wait while you rest yourselves." And turning his back upon them -he walked up to the young woman, who was standing near me. -"They'll soon be gone," he said, laughing; "don't trouble yourself, my dear." - -And they soon were gone, for when they understood Jerry's dodge they got out, -calling him all sorts of bad names and blustering about his number -and getting a summons. After this little stoppage we were soon on our way -to the hospital, going as much as possible through by-streets. -Jerry rung the great bell and helped the young woman out. - -"Thank you a thousand times," she said; "I could never have got here alone." - -"You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better." - -He watched her go in at the door, and gently he said to himself, -"Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these." -Then he patted my neck, which was always his way when anything pleased him. - -The rain was now coming down fast, and just as we were leaving the hospital -the door opened again, and the porter called out, "Cab!" We stopped, -and a lady came down the steps. Jerry seemed to know her at once; -she put back her veil and said, "Barker! Jeremiah Barker, is it you? -I am very glad to find you here; you are just the friend I want, -for it is very difficult to get a cab in this part of London to-day." - -"I shall be proud to serve you, ma'am; I am right glad I happened to be here. -Where may I take you to, ma'am?" - -"To the Paddington Station, and then if we are in good time, -as I think we shall be, you shall tell me all about Mary and the children." - -We got to the station in good time, and being under shelter the lady stood -a good while talking to Jerry. I found she had been Polly's mistress, -and after many inquiries about her she said: - -"How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary -was rather anxious about you last year." - -"Yes, ma'am, she was; I had a bad cough that followed me up quite into -the warm weather, and when I am kept out late she does worry herself -a good deal. You see, ma'am, it is all hours and all weathers, -and that does try a man's constitution; but I am getting on pretty well, -and I should feel quite lost if I had not horses to look after. -I was brought up to it, and I am afraid I should not do so well -at anything else." - -"Well, Barker," she said, "it would be a great pity that you should -seriously risk your health in this work, not only for your own -but for Mary's and the children's sake; there are many places -where good drivers or good grooms are wanted, and if ever you think -you ought to give up this cab work let me know." - -Then sending some kind messages to Mary she put something into his hand, -saying, "There is five shillings each for the two children; -Mary will know how to spend it." - -Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the station -we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired. - - - - -44 Old Captain and His Successor - - - -Captain and I were great friends. He was a noble old fellow, -and he was very good company. I never thought that he would have to -leave his home and go down the hill; but his turn came, -and this was how it happened. I was not there, but I heard all about it. - -He and Jerry had taken a party to the great railway station -over London Bridge, and were coming back, somewhere between the bridge -and the monument, when Jerry saw a brewer's empty dray coming along, -drawn by two powerful horses. The drayman was lashing his horses with -his heavy whip; the dray was light, and they started off at a furious rate; -the man had no control over them, and the street was full of traffic. - -One young girl was knocked down and run over, and the next moment they -dashed up against our cab; both the wheels were torn off and the cab -was thrown over. Captain was dragged down, the shafts splintered, -and one of them ran into his side. Jerry, too, was thrown, -but was only bruised; nobody could tell how he escaped; -he always said 'twas a miracle. When poor Captain was got up he was found -to be very much cut and knocked about. Jerry led him home gently, -and a sad sight it was to see the blood soaking into his white coat -and dropping from his side and shoulder. The drayman was proved to be -very drunk, and was fined, and the brewer had to pay damages to our master; -but there was no one to pay damages to poor Captain. - -The farrier and Jerry did the best they could to ease his pain -and make him comfortable. The fly had to be mended, and for several days -I did not go out, and Jerry earned nothing. The first time we went to -the stand after the accident the governor came up to hear how Captain was. - -"He'll never get over it," said Jerry, "at least not for my work, -so the farrier said this morning. He says he may do for carting, -and that sort of work. It has put me out very much. Carting, indeed! -I've seen what horses come to at that work round London. I only wish -all the drunkards could be put in a lunatic asylum instead of being allowed -to run foul of sober people. If they would break their own bones, -and smash their own carts, and lame their own horses, that would be -their own affair, and we might let them alone, but it seems to me -that the innocent always suffer; and then they talk about compensation! -You can't make compensation; there's all the trouble, and vexation, -and loss of time, besides losing a good horse that's like an old friend -- -it's nonsense talking of compensation! If there's one devil -that I should like to see in the bottomless pit more than another, -it's the drink devil." - -"I say, Jerry," said the governor, "you are treading pretty hard on my toes, -you know; I'm not so good as you are, more shame to me; I wish I was." - -"Well," said Jerry, "why don't you cut with it, governor? -You are too good a man to be the slave of such a thing." - -"I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, -and I thought I should have died; how did you do?" - -"I had hard work at it for several weeks; you see I never did get drunk, -but I found that I was not my own master, and that when the craving came on -it was hard work to say `no'. I saw that one of us must knock under, -the drink devil or Jerry Barker, and I said that it should not be -Jerry Barker, God helping me; but it was a struggle, -and I wanted all the help I could get, for till I tried to break the habit -I did not know how strong it was; but then Polly took such pains -that I should have good food, and when the craving came on I used to get -a cup of coffee, or some peppermint, or read a bit in my book, -and that was a help to me; sometimes I had to say over and over to myself, -`Give up the drink or lose your soul! Give up the drink -or break Polly's heart!' But thanks be to God, and my dear wife, -my chains were broken, and now for ten years I have not tasted a drop, -and never wish for it." - -"I've a great mind to try at it," said Grant, "for 'tis a poor thing -not to be one's own master." - -"Do, governor, do, you'll never repent it, and what a help it would be -to some of the poor fellows in our rank if they saw you do without it. -I know there's two or three would like to keep out of that tavern -if they could." - -At first Captain seemed to do well, but he was a very old horse, -and it was only his wonderful constitution, and Jerry's care, -that had kept him up at the cab work so long; now he broke down very much. -The farrier said he might mend up enough to sell for a few pounds, -but Jerry said, no! a few pounds got by selling a good old servant -into hard work and misery would canker all the rest of his money, -and he thought the kindest thing he could do for the fine old fellow -would be to put a sure bullet through his head, and then he would -never suffer more; for he did not know where to find a kind master -for the rest of his days. - -The day after this was decided Harry took me to the forge for some new shoes; -when I returned Captain was gone. I and the family all felt it very much. - -Jerry had now to look out for another horse, and he soon heard of one -through an acquaintance who was under-groom in a nobleman's stables. -He was a valuable young horse, but he had run away, smashed into -another carriage, flung his lordship out, and so cut and blemished himself -that he was no longer fit for a gentleman's stables, and the coachman -had orders to look round, and sell him as well as he could. - -"I can do with high spirits," said Jerry, "if a horse is not vicious -or hard-mouthed." - -"There is not a bit of vice in him," said the man; "his mouth is very tender, -and I think myself that was the cause of the accident; -you see he had just been clipped, and the weather was bad, -and he had not had exercise enough, and when he did go out -he was as full of spring as a balloon. Our governor (the coachman, I mean) -had him harnessed in as tight and strong as he could, with the martingale, -and the check-rein, a very sharp curb, and the reins put in -at the bottom bar. It is my belief that it made the horse mad, -being tender in the mouth and so full of spirit." - -"Likely enough; I'll come and see him," said Jerry. - -The next day Hotspur, that was his name, came home; -he was a fine brown horse, without a white hair in him, as tall as Captain, -with a very handsome head, and only five years old. I gave him -a friendly greeting by way of good fellowship, but did not ask him -any questions. The first night he was very restless. Instead of lying down, -he kept jerking his halter rope up and down through the ring, -and knocking the block about against the manger till I could not sleep. -However, the next day, after five or six hours in the cab, -he came in quiet and sensible. Jerry patted and talked to him a good deal, -and very soon they understood each other, and Jerry said that -with an easy bit and plenty of work he would be as gentle as a lamb; -and that it was an ill wind that blew nobody good, for if his lordship -had lost a hundred-guinea favorite, the cabman had gained a good horse -with all his strength in him. - -Hotspur thought it a great come-down to be a cab-horse, -and was disgusted at standing in the rank, but he confessed to me -at the end of the week that an easy mouth and a free head made up -for a great deal, and after all, the work was not so degrading -as having one's head and tail fastened to each other at the saddle. -In fact, he settled in well, and Jerry liked him very much. - - - - -45 Jerry's New Year - - - -For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; -but for cabmen and cabmen's horses it is no holiday, though it may be -a harvest. There are so many parties, balls, and places of amusement open -that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse -have to wait for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, -while the merry people within are dancing away to the music. I wonder if -the beautiful ladies ever think of the weary cabman waiting on his box, -and his patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold. - -I had now most of the evening work, as I was well accustomed to standing, -and Jerry was also more afraid of Hotspur taking cold. We had a great deal -of late work in the Christmas week, and Jerry's cough was bad; -but however late we were, Polly sat up for him, and came out with a lantern -to meet him, looking anxious and troubled. - -On the evening of the New Year we had to take two gentlemen to a house -in one of the West End Squares. We set them down at nine o'clock, -and were told to come again at eleven, "but," said one, -"as it is a card party, you may have to wait a few minutes, -but don't be late." - -As the clock struck eleven we were at the door, for Jerry was -always punctual. The clock chimed the quarters, one, two, three, -and then struck twelve, but the door did not open. - -The wind had been very changeable, with squalls of rain during the day, -but now it came on sharp, driving sleet, which seemed to come -all the way round; it was very cold, and there was no shelter. -Jerry got off his box and came and pulled one of my cloths a little more -over my neck; then he took a turn or two up and down, stamping his feet; -then he began to beat his arms, but that set him off coughing; so he opened -the cab door and sat at the bottom with his feet on the pavement, -and was a little sheltered. Still the clock chimed the quarters, -and no one came. At half-past twelve he rang the bell and asked the servant -if he would be wanted that night. - -"Oh, yes, you'll be wanted safe enough," said the man; "you must not go, -it will soon be over," and again Jerry sat down, but his voice was so hoarse -I could hardly hear him. - -At a quarter past one the door opened, and the two gentlemen came out; -they got into the cab without a word, and told Jerry where to drive, -that was nearly two miles. My legs were numb with cold, and I thought -I should have stumbled. When the men got out they never said they were sorry -to have kept us waiting so long, but were angry at the charge; however, -as Jerry never charged more than was his due, so he never took less, -and they had to pay for the two hours and a quarter waiting; -but it was hard-earned money to Jerry. - -At last we got home; he could hardly speak, and his cough was dreadful. -Polly asked no questions, but opened the door and held the lantern for him. - -"Can't I do something?" she said. - -"Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel." - -This was said in a hoarse whisper; he could hardly get his breath, -but he gave me a rub-down as usual, and even went up into the hayloft -for an extra bundle of straw for my bed. Polly brought me a warm mash -that made me comfortable, and then they locked the door. - -It was late the next morning before any one came, and then it was only Harry. -He cleaned us and fed us, and swept out the stalls, then he put the straw -back again as if it was Sunday. He was very still, and neither whistled -nor sang. At noon he came again and gave us our food and water; -this time Dolly came with him; she was crying, and I could gather -from what they said that Jerry was dangerously ill, and the doctor said -it was a bad case. So two days passed, and there was great trouble indoors. -We only saw Harry, and sometimes Dolly. I think she came for company, -for Polly was always with Jerry, and he had to be kept very quiet. - -On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door, -and Governor Grant came in. - -"I wouldn't go to the house, my boy," he said, "but I want to know -how your father is." - -"He is very bad," said Harry, "he can't be much worse; -they call it `bronchitis'; the doctor thinks it will turn -one way or another to-night." - -"That's bad, very bad," said Grant, shaking his head; -"I know two men who died of that last week; it takes 'em off in no time; -but while there's life there's hope, so you must keep up your spirits." - -"Yes," said Harry quickly, "and the doctor said that father had -a better chance than most men, because he didn't drink. He said yesterday -the fever was so high that if father had been a drinking man it would have -burned him up like a piece of paper; but I believe he thinks -he will get over it; don't you think he will, Mr. Grant?" - -The governor looked puzzled. - -"If there's any rule that good men should get over these things, -I'm sure he will, my boy; he's the best man I know. -I'll look in early to-morrow." - -Early next morning he was there. - -"Well?" said he. - -"Father is better," said Harry. "Mother hopes he will get over it." - -"Thank God!" said the governor, "and now you must keep him warm, -and keep his mind easy, and that brings me to the horses; -you see Jack will be all the better for the rest of a week or two -in a warm stable, and you can easily take him a turn up and down the street -to stretch his legs; but this young one, if he does not get work, -he will soon be all up on end, as you may say, and will be rather too much -for you; and when he does go out there'll be an accident." - -"It is like that now," said Harry. "I have kept him short of corn, -but he's so full of spirit I don't know what to do with him." - -"Just so," said Grant. "Now look here, will you tell your mother -that if she is agreeable I will come for him every day till something -is arranged, and take him for a good spell of work, and whatever he earns, -I'll bring your mother half of it, and that will help with the horses' feed. -Your father is in a good club, I know, but that won't keep the horses, -and they'll be eating their heads off all this time; I'll come at noon -and hear what she says," and without waiting for Harry's thanks he was gone. - -At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry -came to the stable together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out. - -For a week or more he came for Hotspur, and when Harry thanked him -or said anything about his kindness, he laughed it off, saying it was all -good luck for him, for his horses were wanting a little rest -which they would not otherwise have had. - -Jerry grew better steadily, but the doctor said that he must never go back -to the cab work again if he wished to be an old man. The children had -many consultations together about what father and mother would do, -and how they could help to earn money. - -One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty. - -"The streets are nothing but slush," said the governor; -"it will give you a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry." - -"All right, governor," said Harry, "I shall not leave him till he is; -you know I have been trained by my father." - -"I wish all the boys had been trained like you," said the governor. - -While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs -Dolly came in, looking very full of something. - -"Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe; -she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it." - -"Don't you know? Why, it is the name of Mrs. Fowler's place -- -mother's old mistress, you know -- the lady that father met last summer, -who sent you and me five shillings each." - -"Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what -she is writing to mother about." - -"Mother wrote to her last week," said Harry; "you know she told father -if ever he gave up the cab work she would like to know. -I wonder what she says; run in and see, Dolly." - -Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old hostler. -In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable. - -"Oh! Harry, there never was anything so beautiful; Mrs. Fowler says -we are all to go and live near her. There is a cottage now empty -that will just suit us, with a garden and a henhouse, and apple-trees, -and everything! and her coachman is going away in the spring, and then -she will want father in his place; and there are good families round, -where you can get a place in the garden or the stable, or as a page-boy; -and there's a good school for me; and mother is laughing and crying by turns, -and father does look so happy!" - -"That's uncommon jolly," said Harry, "and just the right thing, I should say; -it will suit father and mother both; but I don't intend to be a page-boy -with tight clothes and rows of buttons. I'll be a groom or a gardener." - -It was quickly settled that as soon as Jerry was well enough -they should remove to the country, and that the cab and horses -should be sold as soon as possible. - -This was heavy news for me, for I was not young now, and could not look -for any improvement in my condition. Since I left Birtwick I had never been -so happy as with my dear master Jerry; but three years of cab work, -even under the best conditions, will tell on one's strength, -and I felt that I was not the horse that I had been. - -Grant said at once that he would take Hotspur, and there were -men on the stand who would have bought me; but Jerry said I should not go -to cab work again with just anybody, and the governor promised -to find a place for me where I should be comfortable. - -The day came for going away. Jerry had not been allowed to go out yet, -and I never saw him after that New Year's eve. Polly and the children came -to bid me good-by. "Poor old Jack! dear old Jack! I wish we could -take you with us," she said, and then laying her hand on my mane -she put her face close to my neck and kissed me. Dolly was crying -and kissed me too. Harry stroked me a great deal, but said nothing, -only he seemed very sad, and so I was led away to my new place. - - - - - - - Part IV - - - - - - -46 Jakes and the Lady - - - -I was sold to a corn dealer and baker, whom Jerry knew, and with him -he thought I should have good food and fair work. In the first -he was quite right, and if my master had always been on the premises -I do not think I should have been overloaded, but there was a foreman -who was always hurrying and driving every one, and frequently -when I had quite a full load he would order something else to be taken on. -My carter, whose name was Jakes, often said it was more than I ought to take, -but the other always overruled him. "'Twas no use going twice -when once would do, and he chose to get business forward." - -Jakes, like the other carters, always had the check-rein up, -which prevented me from drawing easily, and by the time I had been there -three or four months I found the work telling very much on my strength. - -One day I was loaded more than usual, and part of the road -was a steep uphill. I used all my strength, but I could not get on, -and was obliged continually to stop. This did not please my driver, -and he laid his whip on badly. "Get on, you lazy fellow," he said, -"or I'll make you." - -Again I started the heavy load, and struggled on a few yards; -again the whip came down, and again I struggled forward. -The pain of that great cart whip was sharp, but my mind was hurt -quite as much as my poor sides. To be punished and abused -when I was doing my very best was so hard it took the heart out of me. -A third time he was flogging me cruelly, when a lady -stepped quickly up to him, and said in a sweet, earnest voice: - -"Oh! pray do not whip your good horse any more; I am sure he is doing -all he can, and the road is very steep; I am sure he is doing his best." - -"If doing his best won't get this load up he must do something -more than his best; that's all I know, ma'am," said Jakes. - -"But is it not a heavy load?" she said. - -"Yes, yes, too heavy," he said; "but that's not my fault; -the foreman came just as we were starting, and would have -three hundredweight more put on to save him trouble, -and I must get on with it as well as I can." - -He was raising the whip again, when the lady said: - -"Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me." - -The man laughed. - -"You see," she said, "you do not give him a fair chance; -he cannot use all his power with his head held back as it is -with that check-rein; if you would take it off I am sure he would do better --- do try it," she said persuasively, "I should be very glad if you would." - -"Well, well," said Jakes, with a short laugh, "anything to please a lady, -of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?" - -"Quite down, give him his head altogether." - -The rein was taken off, and in a moment I put my head down to my very knees. -What a comfort it was! Then I tossed it up and down several times -to get the aching stiffness out of my neck. - -"Poor fellow! that is what you wanted," said she, patting and stroking me -with her gentle hand; "and now if you will speak kindly to him -and lead him on I believe he will be able to do better." - -Jakes took the rein. "Come on, Blackie." I put down my head, -and threw my whole weight against the collar; I spared no strength; -the load moved on, and I pulled it steadily up the hill, -and then stopped to take breath. - -The lady had walked along the footpath, and now came across into the road. -She stroked and patted my neck, as I had not been patted for many a long day. - -"You see he was quite willing when you gave him the chance; I am sure -he is a fine-tempered creature, and I dare say has known better days. -You won't put that rein on again, will you?" for he was just going -to hitch it up on the old plan. - -"Well, ma'am, I can't deny that having his head has helped him up the hill, -and I'll remember it another time, and thank you, ma'am; but if he went -without a check-rein I should be the laughing-stock of all the carters; -it is the fashion, you see." - -"Is it not better," she said, "to lead a good fashion than to follow -a bad one? A great many gentlemen do not use check-reins now; -our carriage horses have not worn them for fifteen years, -and work with much less fatigue than those who have them; besides," -she added in a very serious voice, "we have no right to distress -any of God's creatures without a very good reason; we call them dumb animals, -and so they are, for they cannot tell us how they feel, -but they do not suffer less because they have no words. -But I must not detain you now; I thank you for trying my plan -with your good horse, and I am sure you will find it far better -than the whip. Good-day," and with another soft pat on my neck -she stepped lightly across the path, and I saw her no more. - -"That was a real lady, I'll be bound for it," said Jakes to himself; -"she spoke just as polite as if I was a gentleman, and I'll try her plan, -uphill, at any rate;" and I must do him the justice to say -that he let my rein out several holes, and going uphill after that, -he always gave me my head; but the heavy loads went on. -Good feed and fair rest will keep up one's strength under full work, -but no horse can stand against overloading; and I was getting -so thoroughly pulled down from this cause that a younger horse was bought -in my place. I may as well mention here what I suffered at this time -from another cause. I had heard horses speak of it, but had never myself -had experience of the evil; this was a badly-lighted stable; -there was only one very small window at the end, and the consequence -was that the stalls were almost dark. - -Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits, -it very much weakened my sight, and when I was suddenly brought out -of the darkness into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes. -Several times I stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely see -where I was going. - -I believe, had I stayed there very long, I should have become purblind, -and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men say -that a stone-blind horse was safer to drive than one which had -imperfect sight, as it generally makes them very timid. However, -I escaped without any permanent injury to my sight, and was sold -to a large cab owner. - - - - -47 Hard Times - - - -My new master I shall never forget; he had black eyes and a hooked nose, -his mouth was as full of teeth as a bull-dog's, and his voice was as harsh -as the grinding of cart wheels over graveled stones. -His name was Nicholas Skinner, and I believe he was the man -that poor Seedy Sam drove for. - -I have heard men say that seeing is believing; but I should say -that feeling is believing; for much as I had seen before, -I never knew till now the utter misery of a cab-horse's life. - -Skinner had a low set of cabs and a low set of drivers; -he was hard on the men, and the men were hard on the horses. -In this place we had no Sunday rest, and it was in the heat of summer. - -Sometimes on a Sunday morning a party of fast men would hire the cab -for the day; four of them inside and another with the driver, -and I had to take them ten or fifteen miles out into the country, -and back again; never would any of them get down to walk up a hill, -let it be ever so steep, or the day ever so hot -- unless, indeed, -when the driver was afraid I should not manage it, and sometimes -I was so fevered and worn that I could hardly touch my food. -How I used to long for the nice bran mash with niter in it -that Jerry used to give us on Saturday nights in hot weather, -that used to cool us down and make us so comfortable. -Then we had two nights and a whole day for unbroken rest, -and on Monday morning we were as fresh as young horses again; -but here there was no rest, and my driver was just as hard as his master. -He had a cruel whip with something so sharp at the end -that it sometimes drew blood, and he would even whip me under the belly, -and flip the lash out at my head. Indignities like these -took the heart out of me terribly, but still I did my best -and never hung back; for, as poor Ginger said, it was no use; -men are the strongest. - -My life was now so utterly wretched that I wished I might, like Ginger, -drop down dead at my work and be out of my misery, and one day my wish -very nearly came to pass. - -I went on the stand at eight in the morning, and had done -a good share of work, when we had to take a fare to the railway. -A long train was just expected in, so my driver pulled up at the back -of some of the outside cabs to take the chance of a return fare. -It was a very heavy train, and as all the cabs were soon engaged -ours was called for. There was a party of four; a noisy, -blustering man with a lady, a little boy and a young girl, -and a great deal of luggage. The lady and the boy got into the cab, -and while the man ordered about the luggage the young girl came -and looked at me. - -"Papa," she said, "I am sure this poor horse cannot take us -and all our luggage so far, he is so very weak and worn up. -Do look at him." - -"Oh! he's all right, miss," said my driver, "he's strong enough." - -The porter, who was pulling about some heavy boxes, -suggested to the gentleman, as there was so much luggage, -whether he would not take a second cab. - -"Can your horse do it, or can't he?" said the blustering man. - -"Oh! he can do it all right, sir; send up the boxes, porter; -he could take more than that;" and he helped to haul up a box so heavy -that I could feel the springs go down. - -"Papa, papa, do take a second cab," said the young girl in a beseeching tone. -"I am sure we are wrong, I am sure it is very cruel." - -"Nonsense, Grace, get in at once, and don't make all this fuss; -a pretty thing it would be if a man of business had to examine -every cab-horse before he hired it -- the man knows his own business -of course; there, get in and hold your tongue!" - -My gentle friend had to obey, and box after box was dragged up -and lodged on the top of the cab or settled by the side of the driver. -At last all was ready, and with his usual jerk at the rein -and slash of the whip he drove out of the station. - -The load was very heavy and I had had neither food nor rest since morning; -but I did my best, as I always had done, in spite of cruelty and injustice. - -I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy load -and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on, -goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip, -when in a single moment -- I cannot tell how -- my feet slipped -from under me, and I fell heavily to the ground on my side; -the suddenness and the force with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath -out of my body. I lay perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move, -and I thought now I was going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me, -loud, angry voices, and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all -like a dream. I thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying, -"Oh! that poor horse! it is all our fault." Some one came and loosened -the throat strap of my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar -so tight upon me. Some one said, "He's dead, he'll never get up again." -Then I could hear a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes; -I could only draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water -was thrown over my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth, -and something was covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there, -but I found my life coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me -and encouraging me to rise. After some more cordial had been given me, -and after one or two attempts, I staggered to my feet, -and was gently led to some stables which were close by. -Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some warm gruel -was brought to me, which I drank thankfully. - -In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back -to Skinner's stables, where I think they did the best for me they could. -In the morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me. -He examined me very closely and said: - -"This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him -a run off for six months he would be able to work again; -but now there is not an ounce of strength left in him." - -"Then he must just go to the dogs," said Skinner. "I have no meadows -to nurse sick horses in -- he might get well or he might not; -that sort of thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em -as long as they'll go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch, -at the knacker's or elsewhere." - -"If he was broken-winded," said the farrier, "you had better have him -killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off -in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up, -and you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate." - -Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders -that I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me, -carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had -in giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats, -hay, bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them, -did more to get up my condition than anything else could have done; -those linseed mashes were delicious, and I began to think, after all, -it might be better to live than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day -after the accident came, I was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London. -I felt that any change from my present place must be an improvement, -so I held up my head, and hoped for the best. - - - - -48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie - - - -At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old -broken-down horses -- some lame, some broken-winded, some old, -and some that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot. - -The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off -than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old men, -trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag about -some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell -a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater loss -of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times -had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have -willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby, -but kind and human, with voices that I could trust. -There was one tottering old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him, -but I was not strong enough -- it was an anxious time! -Coming from the better part of the fair, I noticed a man -who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by his side; -he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face, -and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions -he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye -rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something -for my appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him. - -"There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days." - -"Poor old fellow!" said the boy, "do you think, grandpapa, -he was ever a carriage horse?" - -"Oh, yes! my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have been -anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears, -the shape of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding -about that horse." He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck. -I put out my nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face. - -"Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness. -Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with Ladybird?" - -"My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides, -Ladybird was not so very old, as she was run down and badly used." - -"Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old; -look at his mane and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth, -and then you could tell; though he is so very thin, -his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'." - -The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey -as his old grandfather." - -"But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; -I am sure he would grow young in our meadows." - -The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word. - -"The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is, -this 'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs; -he's not an old one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say, -that a six months' run off would set him right up, being as how -his wind was not broken. I've had the tending of him these ten days past, -and a gratefuller, pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth -a gentleman's while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have -a chance. I'll be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring." - -The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly. - -"Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more -than you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one." - -The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained; -then he looked at my mouth. "Thirteen or fourteen, I should say; -just trot him out, will you?" - -I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my legs -as well as I could, for they were very stiff. - -"What is the lowest you will take for him?" said the farmer as I came back. - -"Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set." - -"'Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman, shaking his head, -but at the same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation! -Have you any more business here?" he said, counting the sovereigns -into his hand. - -"No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please." - -"Do so, I am now going there." - -They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control -his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure. -I had a good feed at the inn, and was then gently ridden home -by a servant of my new master's, and turned into a large meadow -with a shed in one corner of it. - -Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, -gave orders that I should have hay and oats every night and morning, -and the run of the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he, -"must take the oversight of him; I give him in charge to you." - -The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. -There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking me out -from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, -or something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. -He always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond -of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field -and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather, -who always looked closely at my legs. - -"This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so steadily -that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring." - -The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, -soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good constitution -from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, -so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked -before they came to their full strength. During the winter -my legs improved so much that I began to feel quite young again. -The spring came round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined -that he would try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased, -and he and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were not stiff now, -and I did the work with perfect ease. - -"He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, -and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful mouth -and good paces; they can't be better." - -"Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!" - -"So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; -we must now be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him, -where he will be valued." - - - - -49 My Last Home - - - -One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me -with such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; -he trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs, -and even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. -Willie seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise -with his grandfather. - -"If the ladies take to him," said the old gentleman, "they'll be suited -and he'll be suited. We can but try." - -At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty, -low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door. -Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen was at home. -Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. Thoroughgood went -into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, followed by three ladies; -one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, leaned on a younger lady, -with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a very stately-looking person, -was Miss Blomefield. They all came and looked at me and asked questions. -The younger lady -- that was Miss Ellen -- took to me very much; -she said she was sure she should like me, I had such a good face. -The tall, pale lady said that she should always be nervous -in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might come down again, -and if I did she should never get over the fright. - -"You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses -have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers -without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse -I should say that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. -If you incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see -what he thinks of him." - -"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses," -said the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me, -and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer -of a trial, with thanks." - -It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. - -In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first -he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice: - -"I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies -a blemished horse like that." - -"`Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking him -on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man. -If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back." - -I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, -and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, -he said: - -"That is just like the star that `Black Beauty' had; -he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now." - -A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled -and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, -and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself. - -"White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot -just in that place;" then looking at the middle of my back -- "and, -as I am alive, there is that little patch of white hair that -John used to call `Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be `Black Beauty'! -Why, Beauty! Beauty! do you know me? -- little Joe Green, -that almost killed you?" And he began patting and patting me -as if he was quite overjoyed. - -I could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown -young fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice, but I was sure -he knew me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. -I put my nose up to him, and tried to say that we were friends. -I never saw a man so pleased. - -"Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who -the rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been -badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be my fault -if you haven't good times of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you." - -In the afternoon I was put into a low park chair and brought to the door. -Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon found -that she was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. -I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was Squire Gordon's -old "Black Beauty". - -When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved myself. -She told them what she had just heard, and said: - -"I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite horse -has come to us. How pleased she will be!" - -After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared to be -quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close carriage. -After this it was quite decided to keep me and call me by my old name -of "Black Beauty". - -I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best -and kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel -my strength and spirits all coming back again. Mr. Thoroughgood said to Joe -the other day: - -"In your place he will last till he is twenty years old -- perhaps more." - -Willie always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special friend. -My ladies have promised that I shall never be sold, and so I have -nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, -and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, -I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends -under the apple-trees. - - - - -End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of Black Beauty - diff --git a/old/bbeau10.zip b/old/bbeau10.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index a582069..0000000 --- a/old/bbeau10.zip +++ /dev/null |
