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diff --git a/old/62771-0.txt b/old/62771-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a2312eb..0000000 --- a/old/62771-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1336 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Horse Tales, by Mary Boyle - -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/license - - -Title: Horse Tales - -Author: Mary Boyle - -Illustrator: Isabel Watkin - -Release Date: July 27, 2020 [EBook #62771] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HORSE TALES *** - - - - -Produced by Richard Tonsing, Tim Lindell, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - _HORSE TALES._ - - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration: SALLY.] - - - - - HORSE TALES - - - BY MARY BOYLE. - -[Illustration] - - PEN-AND-INK ILLUSTRATIONS - BY ISABEL WATKIN. - - _LONDON_: _NEW YORK_: - ERNEST NISTER. E. P. DUTTON & CO. - - 1359. - -[Illustration] - - - - - Horse Tales. - - - - - SALLY. - - -If you take a short-horned cow, a limping calf, a few sheep, a swarm of -fowls, a pig with a litter of eight, and an everyday lazy kind of horse, -you have John Dobbin’s well-stocked farm. - -One morning John woke up at five, bustled round the hen coop, gave an -extra feed to the pigs, milked the cow, fed the limping calf, and then -went into the stables. - -“Now, Sally, old girl,” he said, making some fuss as he fed his old -mare, “just keep your eye on things a bit. I’m goin’ round to Farmer -Peckett. He’s in bed, bad with rheumatism, an’ I shan’t be back afore -dinner.” So saying he took the halter from Sally’s neck, and let her -roam about at will. - -Sally left to herself felt glumpy. - -“Now where’s the master gone off this morning,” thought she. “Farmer -Peckett. I know no Farmer Peckett. It’s very queer his leaving us all -alone. Something might go wrong while he’s away, and he can see to -things a lot better than me. Just look! There’s that calf a limping -among the lettuces. And that knock-kneed hen with her chirrupy brood -scratching the carrots up as if she was seeking to-morrow. I do believe -those bees mean to swarm, and no master here. I’ve watched him swarm ’em -many a time, but I couldn’t manage it.” - -[Illustration: _Hen with her Chirrupy Brood._] - -“If you’re not off about your business, you old gimmer,” as a long-nosed -sheep looked through the hedge—“I’ll, I’ll— Now what do you want?” -called out Sally, turning from the patient ewe to a fat, wheezy donkey -coming up the garden path. “What brings you here this morning, Neddy?” - -“He-haw!” said Neddy, rolling his tongue round and round, and giving a -three-cornered look out of his left eye. “Thought I’d just see how you -were getting on, Sal! But you do look prime.” - -“Just be off about your business.” - -“Beg your pardon, my lady. But if you have no objections I’ll just march -myself off into the stable. I know Farmer Dobbin supplies you with good -fodder.” And away went Neddy “he-hawing” for all he was worth, and -frightening the chicks out of their poor little senses. - -While Sally was looking after him, and marvelling at his cool -impertinence, up came a tinker. “Pans to mend, kettles to mend, scraps -of old iron,” he cried. - -“What, Sally!” he called out cheerfully to her. - -“He-haw!” bellowed Neddy. - -“Where’s John Dobbin? Are ye carryin’ on the farm by yourself, Sally? -Well, you’re a fine steed to place in front of any man’s castle! I’ll -speak a word for ye when I see the general again. He’s sure to be -wanting a new charger to carry him off to the wars soon. But I see -you’re figgity, Sally, so I’ll bid you good-day. Pans to mend! Kettles -to mend! Scraps of old iron!” - -“Mercy on us!” wailed the frightened creature, the perspiration dropping -from her nose end. “How thankful I am to think he’s gone! If he’d walked -into the kitchen, and master out, he’d have smoked up all his new baccy. -When will it be twelve o’clock? Oh, but I don’t like looking after -things. I will be glad when master comes home.” Because she felt -relieved of anxiety a warm feeling spread all over Sally, and her poor -old heart felt happy. Even Neddy’s ugly “he-hawing” failed to rouse her -ire. So she fell to trotting about the garden in a silly kind of way. -While Sally was frisking about in a happy-go-lucky fashion, up came a -sailor. - -“Morning,” he said, “fine time o’ year this.” - -Sally looked sad. - -[Illustration] - -“No one at home, eh? Where’s John Dobbin? Hasn’t left any message, eh! -Stand out of the way and I’ll go into the house, and sit down till John -comes. Bravo! my beauty,” stroking the limping calf, “you’re a fine -mixed lot of customers I can see. Master John will be at the market I’ll -be bound. It’s twenty year since John and me met. Won’t we have a fine -time of it now. I hear he’s never married, n’more have I. Wait till he -comes in, we’ll be spinning yarns till bed-time.” - -All this time Sally was pawing at the cobbles with her hoof. “Well, -you’re a cool hand to be sure,” thought she. “And he’s helping himself -to my master’s baccy. Well, if that doesn’t beat all. I’ve got him in -the kitchen at any rate, and if he isn’t quite quiet, he looks honest. -I’d best be off and see how Neddy’s getting on, for he’s a first-class -scamp if you like.” And away she trotted, seeing on the road that the -bees were hard at work, for you will understand how this lazy old horse -was most particular that everyone else but herself should be working. -She did not like to see anything idle. If you notice, animals that have -lived a long time with people learn to know their ways. And it may sound -funny to you children, but I have often seen animals try and imitate -their owners. So if any of you have a pet you must be careful and behave -kindly before it, for then, at least, you will be setting a good -example. And I would advise you to have nothing to do with a boy whose -dog fears him, or with a girl who is not kind to her dollies. - -“Now, where is Neddy?” said the weary mare, “for not a speck of him can -I find. There’s every bit of fodder munched up—rakes and spades kicked -about—yes, he’s been here sure enough. And there’s the brand new bucket -stamped on. Whatever will Master say? This is keeping an eye on things -till master comes back, isn’t it! Oh! dear me. I’ve got a run-a-gate -donkey somewhere and a Jack Tar in the kitchen smoking my master’s -baccy.” - -“Bow-wow-wow!” - -“What’s the matter now?” As Sally turned round she saw a sheep dog. “Oh? -Ben, it’s you,” she cried. “I’m nearly worried out of my wits. For -goodness’ sake do stop here, Ben, and keep guard till master comes back. -There’s the bow-legged toppin’d hen wants keeping in her place, and that -limping calf ought to be tethered. And Neddy ought to be sent home -instead of stamping the fodder about and kicking the new bucket, -and—there’s that sailor chap in the kitchen smoking my master’s baccy! -Mercy on us! what’s that?” as a band struck up a gay tune. “It’s a -travelling circus—no, it isn’t. My word, the whole village is up and our -sailor gentleman is dancing a hornpipe! Thank goodness—there’s master -coming! Whoever would have thought of things happening like this!” - -“What cheer, John!” cried the sailor, extending his hand and running -forward to meet his old friend. “How are ye, my hearty? What, don’t you -know me, John? My old chum! Why, I’m Sam—surely!” - -“It can’t be, but it is!” and the farmer’s voice became husky. “I’ve -thought ye dead this many a year. So you’ve actually returned, Sammy!” - -“To settle in the old country, and to pitch my tent alongside o’ yours, -John.” - -“Look here, you sailor man,” cried Sally, “master belongs to me. We run -this farm between us, we do, and we want no hornpipy sailor to join us.” - -“And where does this band come from?” asked the farmer. The musicians, -let me say, were trumpeting and drumming for all they were worth. - -“Well, I brought it with me from Jarmouth. Look here, my hearties,” he -called out, “change the tune to ‘Auld lang Syne’ and we will all join in -the chorus.” - -Which everybody did. Even Neddy sat on his haunches and “he-hawed” his -loudest, of course, lolling his tongue round as usual, and throwing -three-cornered glances in all directions. The limping calf was touched -and was suddenly seized with a racing fit; and the chickens, no doubt -thinking that the end of the world had come, turned somersaults and -fought battles in all directions. - -Poor Sally groaned aloud. “Ah! this is the end of everything,” she said. -“I’ve cared for, and worked for master for many a year, and now what -between the sailor, the band, the chickens, the bees and Neddy—well!” - -[Illustration] - -“I think the whole stock has taken leave of their senses,” said Farmer -John. “Why, Sally, lass,” he said, looking upon his woe-begone horse, -and patting her on the shoulder, “do you think, old girl, that I have -forgotten thee? No, no! Now, my good people,” flinging a coin to the -musicians, “I thank you for your music, and good-day to ye. Don’t you -see that you are frightening my animals. Neighbours,” he cried, -addressing the crowd, “good-day to ye also, and Sam, my man—quick march -into the house. Adieu!” he cried to the departing crowd. “This sort of -thing don’t quite suit country folk—now do it, Sally?” - -And as he led the horse by the halter he whispered in her ear: “Now you -needn’t go and be jealous, old girl. Sam shan’t put your nose out. -You’ve been a good old servant to me, and you’re missis here, so keep -your temper.” - -Sally stamped her feet. - -“He says he’s come to retire with you, master,” she began, only John had -walked away. “And oh!” winnied Sally, only John did not hear her, “after -I’ve been missis ever so long, it’s hard to be supplanted by a hornpipy -sailor!” - - - - - LELE. - - -“Have bought a first-class mount,” read out the vicar, from a telegram -which he had just received. “There,” he said to his wife, “it’s done -now—so Towser will have to go.” - -“What, part with Towser? Poor old Towser,” spoke up Mrs. Dene. - -“He’s so slow, and I have been indulgent too long already. Now, don’t -make a fuss, my dear. I daresay you have grown fond of him, and so you -will be of the new horse when it comes.” - -That settled it. - -Next morning soon after breakfast, the groom led a fine spirited mount -up to the hall door. Up jumped the vicar from his seat. - -[Illustration] - -“Ah! Lucy Lu! Now are you not pleased with my new purchase?” he cried. - -“You are sure that horse is quiet, John?” - -“Read the warranty.” - -“He doesn’t look steady like dear old Towser.” - -“Please don’t bracket them together. They are two entirely different -animals. This new horse is well bred, and but six years old; while -Towser has not many good points and is aged.” - -“You won’t send Towser away—now will you, John? for I’m sure this new -horse will not suit. He’s got such a wicked eye.” - -“My dear, what silly things you say. I can see you don’t like my new -purchase, and I do,” said the vicar, emphatically. - - * * * * * - -“Morning, Hopkins.” - -“Morning, sir.” - -“Well, this appears to be a grand creature,” stroking the mane. - -“Yes, sir,” said the groom. - -“I somehow fancied Grahame would choose well. He has a splendid head. -Fine bone. Stands well. Splendid flank—got many good points, I -notice—he’s not quite as sedate looking as our old pony.” - -“Indeed he’s not, sir.” - -“Well, we shall see. I’ll take him for a ride.” - -And as his master rode away, “He’s a real bad’un that little horse is,” -said Hopkins. “A reg’lar bad’un. Bought at a grand Repository, and quiet -and sound, warranty says—a real varmint,” says I. - -Now as Lele was stepping along, would it not be as well to tell you -something of him, children? To begin with, he had been sold several -times, changed masters more than once for something worse than -disobedience. He was up to all kinds of tricks, could buck, kick, jib, -in fact he could perform all manner of naughty tricks—yes, do all except -do as he was bid. - -So he looked this way and that, snorted, gave a bit of a jerk, just to -rouse his new master, and than sighed. “Well, it’s come to a nice thing -now,” he grunted, “me—a well-set-up sprightly hunter, knocked down at a -sale for thirty pounds! Sold to an old parson. Humph! I’ve seen lots of -parsons in the hunting field, but never thought I’d like to live with -one. Now I know I shan’t. Wish I hadn’t thrown Lord Jim. Bless me! -Changed my walk in life entirely, and however I shall take to being a -goody-goody horse I don’t know. Suppose I shall have to eat second-rate -oats till I grow old and wheezy.” - -A gentleman who was riding along the road stopped to speak to the vicar. - -“Hallo!” said Lele to the stranger’s mare. “How do! Fine morning.” - -“Very,” said the sedate little grey mare. - -[Illustration] - -“Not much doing here. Slow sort of place I should say, eh?” - -“I don’t know what you mean? Have you just come to this neighbourhood?” - -“Came last night. Slow train. Block in the line. A miserable journey.” - -“Do you think you will like the neighbourhood?” - -“No.” - -“Oh! you rude creature, I shan’t talk to you any more! Where do you come -from, and whatever is the vicar doing with you?” - -Lele took no notice. Presently he said: - -“Does nobody hunt here?” - -“Hunt? My master doesn’t, but people he knows do. I’m sure your master -doesn’t.” - -Lele groaned. “Well, however I’m going to suit goodness knows. I shall -die of yawning and rust out before a month is over.” - -“As I was saying,” said the vicar to his friend, “I think he is a -perfect little horse. He is quiet, as you see, and I’m not likely to -kill him with work. I just go my usual round, but I do like a well-bred -horse. He’ll have a very easy time of it with me.” Lele groaned louder -than ever. - -“We have not stiff hills in this neighbourhood.” - -Lele grew restive. - -“And life is much the same all the year round.” - -“Shall I bolt?” fumed Lele. - -“I ride for an hour in the mor—” - -“Look here, I can’t stand this. In all the homes I’ve had there’s been -something to do. There’s been steeplechasing in Spring—hunting—” - -“Why, the hounds are out,” called Mr. Dobson. He was riding a little way -in front and could see over the hedge. “See! there’s the whip making for -Cranstone Hill! Is he used to following the hounds?” - -“I don’t know—he does appear restive. Whoa-a then!” - -“Do you hunt, Mr. Grey?” - -“Oh, yes, but I haven’t indulged in such things for years.” - -“Then you’d better get off—I wouldn’t trust that horse.” But the vicar -had no time to get off, and another thing he did not mean to. He meant -to stop on. - -“It’s my opinion my master is not so simple as he looks,” thought Lele. -“He’s been used to spurs he has. What a dig he did give me then. I shall -have to try to unsettle him—for he is rather a heavy load to carry, and -I mean to follow the hounds—” - -“Tally ho!” rang out in the clear morning air as Lele bucked. - -The vicar stuck on. - -He shied. - -His master didn’t care. - -He jibbed. - -But he might have exploded if he liked, nothing short of an earthquake -would have disturbed the vicar. - -[Illustration] - -“I say, hold hard there,” yelled Mr. Dobson, “he’ll kill you.” - -“No, he won’t.” - -“You’d better get off.” - -“Not if I know it.” - -“You won’t, then, eh!” struck in Lele—“then here goes—” And, like a -flash, over the hedge he went—in short, I may tell you he had galloped a -field over, cleared a gate, forded a stream, broken through a copse, and -then, Tally ho! he was with the hounds, close alongside the whip, and in -a few minutes stood with his master, who was perspiring and mopping his -face with his handkerchief, abashed at the attention his presence called -forth, and stammering his thanks to the master of the hounds who handed -him the brush. - -“Allow me to congratulate you, good sir,” he said. - -“Now, just look here,” interrupted Lele—only nobody noticed him—“that -brush belongs to me. I followed the hounds, and as I couldn’t throw the -vicar off, of course I had to bring him—much against his will—a fact, I -assure you. Just stick that brush behind my ear, please. Why, Kiddy, is -that you?” - -“Lily!” - -“Goodness me! Wonders will never cease, I own a vicar now—you know I was -bundled off to a Repository after I had thrown Lord Jim.” - -“He’s here.” - -“Never!” - -“But he is, sir! Here he comes riding that limping crocodile of a -nag—don’t think he is benefited by the change—do you, Lele?” But before -Lele could answer Lord Jim had discovered his late horse. He made up to -the vicar as they were going home. - -“Excuse me, sir,” he began, and then, “allow me to congratulate you on -your horse.” - -“What, another!” said the vicar. - -“I have just sold him.” - -“That accounts for my possession—fact is I have just bought him.” - -And then it all came out—Lord Jim repented parting with Lele, and -although the good vicar said nothing, he thought, “Well, he’s certainly -a bargain, but my parish will miss me if, every time I want a little -trot out, my horse takes it into his head to follow the hounds.” - -And how it came about I cannot tell you, children, but before the vicar -got home he decided to let Lord Jim have his favourite back again. - -“I repented it directly after. But you do look so stupid being thrown in -the hunting field—it was the first time, you know.” - -The vicar nodded—and Mrs. Grey chuckled when he came home, safe but very -much shaken. - -“He’s far too much for you, John.” - -“Yes, my dear, you are right.” - -“Old Towser?” - -“Shall remain.” - -[Illustration] - -“And Lele?” - -“Again belongs to Lord Jim.” - -“It was a clear walk over that,” mused Lele as he crunched the -well-grown oats in Lord Jim’s stables that night. “I never met my match -till his reverence mounted me—I might have behaved ugly, but I’m pleased -to think I didn’t throw the old gentleman. There’s ever so many runs in -prospect, you say?” - -“Five,” said Biddy. - -“And I’m entered for next Spring steeplechases, so Tally ho! But I -know—I’ll never throw Lord Jim again!” - -[Illustration] - - - - - SIMON. - - -Simon lay on the grass, thinking. He flicked a fly that was tickling. -Although he was a most worthy horse, he was often troubled with very -grand notions about himself and very poor thoughts concerning his -neighbours. - -Day had not yet begun at Tower Tighe Farm. The stars had faded away, and -the great warm sun was waking up the nestlings, waking them up to cry -for food, and disturb folk generally, for everything was very quiet and -still at Tower Tighe. - -The owner, John Fairfax, was a spare man, very thin, with a grey -straggly beard, and bright blue eyes. He possessed fierce-looking brows, -and a very long nose. His wife was a fat little lady, who bustled about -a great deal, and went round the farm saying kind things to everybody, -and to Tony the fox-terrier in particular, for Tony was a thorough -little scamp. He told old Simon one day, that missis was a deary, and -behaved fine when she wasn’t walking. Then she was just like a lop-sided -hour glass, so fat all round—save at the waist, which was thin, and she -wobbled like a tee-totum. - -[Illustration: SIMON.] - -“If everything and everybody would only wake up,” moaned Simon, chafing -at the stillness about him. - -“Wake up. Arn’t I here,” called Spangles, the Rooster, as he proclaimed -to the world “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” - -“I’m glad to hear you say so,” snapped Simon. - -“Top of the morning to you, sir,” said Spangles. “Don’t get crabby with -your neighbours. Hi! there,” he called out, as he saw Tony racing after -a rabbit. - -“Never mind that nimble scratcher,” neighed Simon. “Come here and I will -tell you something. I am going to the Mill—are you ready to join me?” - -As Simon mentioned “Mill,” Tony stopped. - -“Rats live there,” he said to himself, “rats.” - -“We can talk,” said Simon, seriously. - -“Indeed,” said the sagacious dog. - -And when they were on the high road bound for the Mill, Simon began: - -“Tony, I’ve been considering.” - -“Indeed!” - -“You’re a decent little fellow.” - -Tony blinked. - -“I’ve been bothering about this a long time.” - -“Never thought you bothered about anything. You’re such a quiet old -chap, Si. But hurry up! Do! There’s a shrew waltzing along the road, and -I’m getting impatient. Do be quick; I can’t go marching by your side in -this procession-like fashion for ever and a day, now can I?” - -[Illustration] - -“Well,” began Simon, which told of an ache at his heart, “Master Harry’s -coming home. He’s been away for years and years. He was one of the -liveliest lads you’d meet in a day’s march. But he had one big fault. -When he wasn’t romping he was learning lessons. And how those lessons -did spoil him, they took all the fun out of him. Master says they put -sense into his head, but what does anyone want with sense, answer me -that? and you know it isn’t proper for a lively lad to be thoughtful. -Well, as I was saying, he was a fine sturdy chap was Master Harry—that’s -years before you were born, nipper.” - -“Humph!” said Tony. - -“Well, now he is coming home, at least he has written a letter to say -so. He says that he has grown rich, and has been to foreign places, and -is bringing a horse and a dog—you hear that Tony, a horse and a dog.” - -Simon said this so seriously that Tony looked up. - -“I’m the only horse here, and you are the only dog here, and Tower Tighe -is but a small farm.” - -“A regular scrap of a place.” - -“Well, it appears to me that our whole life will be changed.” - -“It will be jollier for both of us, if you mean that,” said Tony. “There -will be a friend for you and a companion for me, for if you just ask -yourself, Simon, we ain’t—er—quite companions, now are we?” - -“You’re such a featherhead, how could you expect to be a what-d’ye-say -to me. You never could think of things in the right way.” - -“Bah! you’re always repining, and I think life’s far too scrappy to -waste it in grumbling. When you take growing-up time off—teething, -distemper, and lots of things come to you whether you want ’em or you -don’t; then there’s meal times, sleeping, and sometimes you have to take -physic—O! my, life’s very short, when you take off all these things. -Just see what a glorious morning it is! Whoop, there! I see a rat?” - -And off trotted Tony in full pursuit of a rodent which had made for his -hole, leaving the little dog to fume and fret and bark himself hoarse -all to no purpose. - -“That’s Tony to a nicety. There never was such a scamp in this world. -But he’s a good-tempered little creature for all that. He’s so nice and -frisky. I try, but I suppose I’m growing old. Now, if I was to try to be -unselfish and funny, I wonder how I’d feel—Bah! but I will!” - -Now as the cart was laden Farmer John sprang up, and the horse that -started pulling him was Simon certainly, but what a changed creature was -he. He fairly charged the hills instead of crawling up them, and then he -took the high road as if he had springs in his hoofs, and his dinner was -awaiting him at home. - -[Illustration: _Tony racing after a Rabbit._] - -“Why, Giles,” said the farmer on nearing home, “what’s all this fuss -about? Why is the garden gate open, and why is all this fuss going on -here?” - -“Why, young Mr. Harry’s come home! Oh! master, master, an’ he’s growed a -man, and he’s that big an’ strong an’ grand, he’d make two of me, -master!” - -“What!” said the farmer, springing from his seat. “Well, I’m blest—Hal? -Why, old Simon, you must have smelt him—for I’ve never seen you skip up -the road like that. Oh! Hal! Hal! my lad—why, you are a man indeed! My -bonny lad—” as a stalwart fellow came forward to greet him. - -“Father!” cried his son, and the two men clasped hands. - -Presently the old man spoke. - -“Why, it’s thee, it’s thee, Harry!” and tears crept into the farmer’s -voice. - -You see it was ten years since Harry Fairfax had left home, a stripling, -and now he had returned a sunburnt hearty man with a strong mellow -voice, and eyes that were bright and merry and kind. - -“Hasn’t he grown big, father?” said Mrs. Fairfax, mopping her eyes with -a big roller towel she was busy folding when her son arrived. Then she -flicked a stray bit of down which had blown upon his coat sleeve, -flicked it away, and stroked the arm with a proud feeling of possession. -“Do come into the house, Harry dear, and get a rest while I see to a bit -of dinner. Father, I do believe this is the happiest day of my life.” - -“Just wait till I bait Blackie, mother,” said her son, “I’ll be with you -in a minute, but I want to attend to my beauty first. Ah! she’s a grand -little lady, mother!” - -“Just the same as you always were, Hal, somebody first and yourself -afterwards. What a famous little mount she is though! Wherever did you -pick her up?” - -“In Texas.” - -“Well, she is a dear little mare.” - -“She is a thorough little Arab. I broke her in myself, and it’s one of -my best investments, father.” - -Here Blackie thought fit to express her thanks to her master for his -kind remarks about her, and Farmer Fairfax stepped aside to allow her to -show off her capers. - -“There’s a second stall in the stable, Harry,” said his father. “Bring -her along; my boy; Simon will be very pleased to have a bright little -friend like Blackie.” - -[Illustration: _“I hope you feel at home now, Pat,” said the little -Terrier._] - -As indeed he was. - -At first he was shy, fearfully shy, for he was not used to being stared -at, and Blackie had such beautiful eyes which opened in wonder at the -ungainly specimen before her. - -“Good-day, sir,” she began, “I suppose I am to share this place with -you!” - -“Well, ye—s,” stammered Simon. - -“Pleasant country this.” - -“Very.” - -“Been here a long time?” - -“Always.” - -“What a rusty old creature he is,” Blackie was thinking. “I believe he’s -blushing.” - -“Where did she come from?” thought Simon. Presently he stammered: - -“Do you like o—a—t—s?” - -But before the answer was given Tony and Pat came tumbling in, -breathless with running. - -“I hope you feel at home now, Pat?” said the little terrier. - -“Stunnin’.” - -“And you like your quarters? I say, Pat, you’re the best fellow I ever -saw in my life. Such a racer—such a catcher—” and for answer, Pat, who -was tired out, had laid down to rest, snored “stunnin’.” - - - - - SNOWIE AND BOB. - - -Snowie and Bob were quiet. - -It was the end of the season at Burney, and already many of the ponies -had left the sands to earn a winter living with the farmers round about. -“Or do odd jobs,” Jenkins said, anything, in fact, till summer came -round again, and they might go back to Burney and help to earn money by -riding children up and down the sands at so much an hour or less. - -“I wonder if I shall go to my coughy old gentleman this winter,” began -Snowie. “I’ve been with him two winters already, and although he is -awfully wheezy, and limpy, he’s easier to manage than wriggly children. -Still I am sorry the summer is over. What say you, Bob?” - -[Illustration: _Riding Children up and down on the Sands._] - -“Well, yes,” answered the brown pony. - -“Sometimes I wonder where they put seaside children in winter,” -continued Snowie. “Do they keep them in bed till the warm weather comes -back again—or how?” - -“Bed indeed! A cast iron bed wouldn’t hold the lads I have to -carry—wobbly imps.” - -“Well, we shall have to say good-bye, Bob. By the way, where do you put -up in the winter?” - -“Oh! I suppose I shall have to earn my living with Carrots. You see, I -carry a boy, an only son, who lives near the moors, to school every -morning. Then I bring him back at nights. He lives on the moors and -sometimes a stiff time we have of it, what between blizzards and frosts, -and snowdrifts.” - -“Then you get some fun?” - -“Yes, now and again we do. Carrots is brimful of mischief when lessons -are over. I help him a bit now and then myself.” - -“Our poor old master doesn’t look merry,” remarked Snowie, after a -while. “He’s not been well this summer. His limbs are getting stiff; I’m -afraid it’s been but a poor season for him.” - -“Here they are, sir,” said Jenkins, walking towards the ponies. “As fine -a pair as you would wish to see. They’re good-tempered little creatures, -and thorough game. Rising seven, clean limbs, wind and eyesight, and -right sorry I’m to part with ’em. They’re the best couple I ever had. -That’s a fact. And if my health hadn’t broke down, and I’m giving up the -business, nothing in the world would have made me sell ’em.” - -“They’re certainly a fine couple,” said the gentleman, patting first one -of them and then the other. He was evidently impressed, for presently he -said, “If your price is all right, I am sure they’ll suit my boy and -girl.” And do you know it only took a few minutes to settle the bargain? - -You could see that old Jenkins was pleased, the way he clinked the gold -before dropping it into his bag. “I feel sure you’ll be good to ’em, -sir,” he said, as the gentleman was walking away. “It’s been a quick, -satisfactory bargain, but I knows you’ll not regret it.” And before -Snowie had got over the fright—for she had been listening with all the -ears she had got—and Bob had realised what had taken place, old Jenkins -had tossed off his coat, and was grooming them down in a spluttering, -whistly wheezing way, and muttering away to himself something in this -manner: - -[Illustration] - -“Shoo! Snowie, my lass, come, yer going to leave yer old master and live -with quality now. I know ye’ll behave yerself. It’s Bob what’s botherin’ -me.” Here he began towselling the brown pony. “Mind when yer gets to yer -new sitewation ye behave yerself, yer little varmint. No monkey tricks -there, my man. No sly ways. You’ve both worked well for me, and I’ve -done the best I can for yer both. I’ve sold yer to Squire Morton, and -given yer first-class characters. So don’t go and disgrace yer old -master—good-bye!” - -And that was the way old Jenkins dismissed them. - -They were taken to the station, bundled into a horse van, and presently -arrived at Humshaugh, a quiet little countrified station, where a -red-faced porter helped them out of the van, then gave them in charge of -a groom who had come to meet them. “Why, Bob,” he cried on sighting the -little brown pony, “whoever would have thought of seeing you again.” - -“It’s David, ’pon my word it is,” cried Bob, stamping his feet and -swishing his tail round and round like a windmill. - -[Illustration: SNOWIE AND BOB.] - -“You seem to know the pony,” said the porter. - -“Yes, we have met before. It’s funny that the Squire should pick up Bob -of all ponies in the world. So this little white creature is Snowie I -suppose?” Snowie blinked hard. She was too shy to answer “Yes.” It was -such a big social leap for her to take jumping direct from Burney Sands -to Humshaugh Park that it took all her breath away. - -“Bob,” she ventured, as they were trotting along the road, “do you think -we shall like the change?” - -“Is my mane straight?” - -“I wonder what our old master is going to retire on. I hope he has -plenty to keep him.” - -“You will see I shall get new shoes to-morrow morning.” - -“Bob, are you listening to what I am saying!” - -“I have oats for dinner, corn for breakfast, beans for supper, and—” - -“Oh! he’s quite stupid,” sighed Snowie, “pride has completely turned his -head.” Then she heaved a very big sigh. Bob took no notice of that. -Suddenly he cried, “You must forget you ever ply’d for hire on Burney -Sands, Snowie. Never, never remind me of it. You’re to mix with quality -now, my dear.” - -“By the way, that groom knew you, Bob.” - -“Rather, I shouldn’t have known him though. He was in the stable where I -was born. You understand? I always told you that I belonged to quality -folks, Snowie.” - -Snowie heaved another big sigh. “His head is completely turned,” she -said. “Bob can’t stand prosperity. I shall have to keep my eye on him, I -know I shall.” - -[Illustration] - -They had reached the Hall at last, and were taken round to the stable. - -Bob took it all in at a glance. “Snowie,” he said, in an awed voice, -“Snowie, we’re going to retire here.” Presently the sound of children’s -voices burst upon them. - -“Oh! David, you have brought the ponies. Father, they have come. We have -been looking for you for an hour at least. What beauties! Which is for -me, father?” cried Lawrence. - -“And me, father,” cried Betty. - -“The brown pony is for you, my child, and Lawrence is to have the white -one. So you like them, my dears?” - -“Like them? Oh, we love them, father! Wherever did you find such -treasures? Thanks, thanks, a thousand times thanks, you dear kind -father.” And the children threw their arms around his neck and kissed -him again most heartily. - -“There now, that is all right,” said Squire Morton, putting his collar -straight. “Now mount. Never mind a saddle. David shall come and show -your mother how you can ride your new possessions.” - -And leaping upon their backs Lawrence and Betty trotted away, using the -primitive reins that hung loosely round their ponies’ necks, and -behaving like experienced equestrians. - -“See, mother, what a lovely little creature mine is,” cried Betty. - -“And mine,” cried Lawrence. “She is as white as milk and her name is -Snowie.” - -“How pleased the children are, John,” said their mother, “you could not -have found a more suitable birthday gift.” - -Whereat the Squire laughed. - -“Just have a ride about the park, children, and then let David lead them -away. It is tea-time now, and to-morrow morning you must both be up -early and have a canter before breakfast.” - -Afterwards when they were together in the stable and were made -comfortable for the night, “Snowie,” said Bob, “before I go to sleep I -should like t’fess. I told you a big fib as we were coming along from -the station.” - -“Oh,” said the sedate little mare, looking much shocked. - -“Yes, I did. It was such a sudden change. And things have fashioned -themselves so funnily I couldn’t stand it.” - -“I understand,” said Snowie. - -“You remember, David?” - -“The groom here, yes.” - -“I said he was groom in the stables where I was born.” - -“I know you did.” - -“Well, I said a very big fib.” - -“Oh, Bob!” - -“David knew me when I trundled a rag and bone cart along the streets of -London in company with my first owner, Mistress Sally Brimstone.” - -“Yes, Bob. Rag and bone cart. Sally Brimstone? I can’t understand it!” -cried Snowie, aghast. - -[Illustration] - -“No, but I can. Old Sally sold me to old Jenkins for thirty shillings. -That’s where I came from, Snowie. Fact!” - -“But you always told me you were gently reared.” - -“I’m afraid I always told you fibs. Now I’m going to turn over a new -leaf in this new situation. From henceforth I shall speak the truth.” - -“Bob.” - -“Yes.” - -“If I were you I would just hold my tongue and from henceforth say -nothing at all!” - -“Oh!” - -And so let us leave them, children. - - - _Printed in Bavaria._ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES - - - 1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. - 2. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. - 3. 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