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<title>
Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell English Quaker (1820-1878)
</title>
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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 />
</p>
<h1>
BLACK BEAUTY
</h1>
<h2>
The Autobiography of a Horse
</h2>
<p>
<br />
</p>
<h2>
by Anna Sewell [English Quaker — 1820-1878.]
</h2>
<p>
<br /> <br />
</p>
<pre xml:space="preserve">
[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 />
</p>
<hr />
<p>
<br /> <br />
</p>
<pre xml:space="preserve">
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 />
</p>
<hr />
<p>
<br /> <br />
</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="toc">
<big><b>CONTENTS</b></big>
</p>
<p>
<br />
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BLACK BEAUTY</b> </a>
</p>
<p>
<br />
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_PART"> <b>Part I</b> </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0003"> 01 My Early Home </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0004"> 02 The Hunt </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0005"> 03 My Breaking In </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0006"> 04 Birtwick Park </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0007"> 05 A Fair Start </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0008"> 06 Liberty </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0009"> 07 Ginger </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0010"> 08 Ginger's Story Continued </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0011"> 09 Merrylegs </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0012"> 10 A Talk in the Orchard </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0013"> 11 Plain Speaking </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0014"> 12 A Stormy Day </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0015"> 13 The Devil's Trade Mark </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0016"> 14 James Howard </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0017"> 15 The Old Hostler </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0018"> 16 The Fire </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0019"> 17 John Manly's Talk </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0020"> 18 Going for the Doctor </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0021"> 19 Only Ignorance </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0022"> 20 Joe Green </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0023"> 21 The Parting </a>
</p>
<p>
<br />
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_PART2"> <b>Part II</b> </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0025"> 22 Earlshall </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0026"> 23 A Strike for Liberty </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0027"> 24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0028"> 25 Reuben Smith </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0029"> 26 How it Ended </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0030"> 27 Ruined and Going Downhill </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0031"> 28 A Job Horse and His Drivers </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0032"> 29 Cockneys </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0033"> 30 A Thief </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0034"> 31 A Humbug </a>
</p>
<p>
<br />
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_PART3"> <b>Part III</b> </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0036"> 32 A Horse Fair </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0037"> 33 A London Cab Horse </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0038"> 34 An Old War Horse </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0039"> 35 Jerry Barker </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0040"> 36 The Sunday Cab </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0041"> 37 The Golden Rule </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0042"> 38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0043"> 39 Seedy Sam </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0044"> 40 Poor Ginger </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0045"> 41 The Butcher </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0046"> 42 The Election </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0047"> 43 A Friend in Need </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0048"> 44 Old Captain and His Successor </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0049"> 45 Jerry's New Year </a>
</p>
<p>
<br />
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_PART4"> <b>Part IV</b> </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0051"> 46 Jakes and the Lady </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0052"> 47 Hard Times </a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0053"> 48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie
</a>
</p>
<p class="toc">
<a href="#link2H_4_0054"> 49 My Last Home </a>
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<br /> <br />
</p>
<hr />
<p>
<a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001">
<!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br />
</p>
<h2>
Black Beauty
</h2>
<p>
<a name="link2H_PART" id="link2H_PART">
<!-- H2 anchor --> </a>
</p>
<div style="height: 4em;">
<br /><br /><br /><br />
</div>
<h2>
Part I
</h2>
<p>
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<h2>
01 My Early Home
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
One day, when there was a good deal of kicking, my mother whinnied to me
to come to her, and then she said:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
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<h2>
02 The Hunt
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“They have found a hare,” said my mother, “and if they come this way we
shall see the hunt.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“They have lost the scent,” said the old horse; “perhaps the hare will get
off.”
</p>
<p>
“What hare?” I said.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“His neck is broke,” said my mother.
</p>
<p>
“And serve him right, too,” said one of the colts.
</p>
<p>
I thought the same, but my mother did not join with us.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
03 My Breaking In
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
Now if any one wants to break in a young horse well, that is the way.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
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<h2>
04 Birtwick Park
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
He gave me some very nice oats, he patted me, spoke kindly, and then went
away.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
I said, “Yes.”
</p>
<p>
“Well, then,” he said, “I hope you are good-tempered; I do not like any
one next door who bites.”
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
In the afternoon, when she went out, Merrylegs told me all about it.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
I told him I never bit anything but grass, hay, and corn, and could not
think what pleasure Ginger found it.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
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<h2>
05 A Fair Start
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“Ho, ho! my boy,” he said, as he pulled me up, “you would like to follow
the hounds, I think.”
</p>
<p>
As we came back through the park we met the Squire and Mrs. Gordon
walking; they stopped, and John jumped off.
</p>
<p>
“Well, John, how does he go?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“That's well,” said the squire, “I will try him myself to-morrow.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Well, my dear,” she said, “how do you like him?”
</p>
<p>
“He is exactly what John said,” he replied; “a pleasanter creature I never
wish to mount. What shall we call him?”
</p>
<p>
“Would you like Ebony?” said she; “he is as black as ebony.”
</p>
<p>
“No, not Ebony.”
</p>
<p>
“Will you call him Blackbird, like your uncle's old horse?”
</p>
<p>
“No, he is far handsomer than old Blackbird ever was.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“Black Beauty—why, yes, I think that is a very good name. If you
like it shall be his name;” and so it was.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“That's no wonder,” said John; “didn't you know that Farmer Grey's old
Duchess was the mother of them both?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
06 Liberty
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
07 Ginger
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Why not?” I said.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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:
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.'
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
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<h2>
08 Ginger's Story Continued
</h2>
<p>
The next time that Ginger and I were together in the paddock she told me
about her first place.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Did not your master take any thought for you?” I said.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well,” I said, “I think it would be a real shame if you were to bite or
kick John or James.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
She put her nose up to him in a friendly, trustful way, while he rubbed it
gently.
</p>
<p>
“We shall make a cure of her, John,” he said.
</p>
<p>
“Yes, sir, she's wonderfully improved; she's not the same creature that
she was; it's 'the Birtwick balls', sir,” said John, laughing.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
09 Merrylegs
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
One afternoon he had been out with them a long time, and when James
brought him in and put on his halter he said:
</p>
<p>
“There, you rogue, mind how you behave yourself, or we shall get into
trouble.”
</p>
<p>
“What have you been doing, Merrylegs?” I asked.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“What!” said I, “you threw the children off? I thought you did know better
than that! Did you throw Miss Jessie or Miss Flora?”
</p>
<p>
He looked very much offended, and said:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“If I had been you,” said Ginger, “I would have given those boys a good
kick, and that would have given them a lesson.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
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<h2>
10 A Talk in the Orchard
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“How dreadful!” I exclaimed.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“What did they do it for then?” said Ginger.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Bad words were made for bad things,” said Ginger, and she told him what
Sir Oliver had said.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
“No!” said Sir Oliver shortly, “because they are no use.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Then what is the reason they do not put them on riding horses; especially
on ladies' horses?” said I.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
11 Plain Speaking
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Sawyer,” he cried in a stern voice, “is that pony made of flesh and
blood?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“And do you think,” said master sternly, “that treatment like this will
make him fond of your will?”
</p>
<p>
“He had no business to make that turn; his road was straight on!” said the
man roughly.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
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<h2>
12 A Stormy Day
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“I wish we were well out of this wood,” said my master.
</p>
<p>
“Yes, sir,” said John, “it would be rather awkward if one of these
branches came down upon us.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“That was a very near touch,” said my master. “What's to be done now?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
Just then the man at the toll-gate on the other side ran out of the house,
tossing a torch about like one mad.
</p>
<p>
“Hoy, hoy, hoy! halloo! stop!” he cried.
</p>
<p>
“What's the matter?” shouted my master.
</p>
<p>
“The bridge is broken in the middle, and part of it is carried away; if
you come on you'll be into the river.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
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<h2>
13 The Devil's Trade Mark
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Oh, oh, oh!” cried the boy as he struggled about among the thorns; “I
say, come and help me out.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I should think, sir,” said John, “he had better be without a rider,
unless he can be ridden properly.”
</p>
<p>
“What do you mean?” said the farmer.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
During this time the mother began to cry, “Oh, my poor Bill, I must go and
meet him; he must be hurt.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
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<h2>
14 James Howard
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Good-morning, John,” said the master. “I want to know if you have any
complaint to make of James.”
</p>
<p>
“Complaint, sir? No, sir.”
</p>
<p>
“Is he industrious at his work and respectful to you?”
</p>
<p>
“Yes, sir, always.”
</p>
<p>
“You never find he slights his work when your back is turned?”
</p>
<p>
“Never, sir.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“That I should, sir,” said John, “but I would not stand in his light for
the world.”
</p>
<p>
“How old are you, James?” said master.
</p>
<p>
“Nineteen next May, sir.”
</p>
<p>
“That's young; what do you think, John?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<div style="height: 4em;">
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<h2>
15 The Old Hostler
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I like to hear you talk,” said James, “that's the way we lay it down at
home, at our master's.”
</p>
<p>
“Who is your master, young man? if it be a proper question. I should judge
he is a good one, from what I see.”
</p>
<p>
“He is Squire Gordon, of Birtwick Park, the other side the Beacon Hills,”
said James.
</p>
<p>
“Ah! so, so, I have heard tell of him; fine judge of horses, ain't he? the
best rider in the county.”
</p>
<p>
“I believe he is,” said James, “but he rides very little now, since the
poor young master was killed.”
</p>
<p>
“Ah! poor gentleman; I read all about it in the paper at the time. A fine
horse killed, too, wasn't there?”
</p>
<p>
“Yes,” said James; “he was a splendid creature, brother to this one, and
just like him.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
During this time the other man had finished Ginger and had brought our
corn, and James and the old man left the stable together.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
16 The Fire
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
The next thing I heard was James' voice, quiet and cheery, as it always
was.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“My brave lad!” said master, laying his hand on his shoulder, “are you
hurt?”
</p>
<p>
James shook his head, for he could not yet speak.
</p>
<p>
“Ay,” said the big man who held me; “he is a brave lad, and no mistake.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“'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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
17 John Manly's Talk
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
Before he and James left us for the night James said, “I wonder who is
coming in my place.”
</p>
<p>
“Little Joe Green at the lodge,” said John.
</p>
<p>
“Little Joe Green! why, he's a child!”
</p>
<p>
“He is fourteen and a half,” said John.
</p>
<p>
“But he is such a little chap!”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well,” said John with a laugh, “work and I are very good friends; I never
was afraid of work yet.”
</p>
<p>
“You are a very good man,” said James. “I wish I may ever be like you.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Then,” said James, “you don't hold with that saying, 'Everybody look
after himself, and take care of number one'?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“No, lad, no!” said John, “and if ever I can do you a good turn I hope you
won't forget me.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
At last the day came when James had to leave us; cheerful as he always
was, he looked quite down-hearted that morning.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
18 Going for the Doctor
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Now,” said John, “do you keep the gate open for the doctor; here's the
money,” and off he went again.
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Wait,” he said, “I will come.”
</p>
<p>
He shut the window, and was soon at the door.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“All right,” he said; “I will soon be ready.”
</p>
<p>
John stood by me and stroked my neck; I was very hot. The doctor came out
with his riding-whip.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“No, no, John,” said the doctor, “I hope not,” and in a minute we had left
John far behind.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
19 Only Ignorance
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
For awhile both men sat silent, and then Tom Green said in a low voice:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well, John, thank you. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, and I am
glad you see it was only ignorance.”
</p>
<p>
John's voice almost startled me as he answered:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“And yet,” said John, “I am sure the young ladies did not mean it; it was
only ignorance.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
20 Joe Green
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Hold hard,” said Joe; “don't go on flogging the horses like that; the
wheels are so stuck that they cannot move the cart.”
</p>
<p>
The man took no heed, but went on lashing.
</p>
<p>
“Stop! pray stop!” said Joe. “I'll help you to lighten the cart; they
can't move it now.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Halloo, young man! You seem in a hurry; any orders from the squire this
morning?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“That I will,” said Joe, “and glad too.” The man was gone, and we were on
our way home at a smart trot.
</p>
<p>
“Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? You look angry all over,” said
John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
21 The Parting
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Have you decided what to do, John?” he said. “I find you have not
accepted either of those offers.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Good-by, again,” he said; “we shall not forget any of you,” and he got
in. “Drive on, John.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
When it was quite out of sight John came back.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
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<h2>
Part II
</h2>
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<h2>
22 Earlshall
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
“I am sorry for it, very sorry,” said John; “but I must go now, or I shall
lose the train.”
</p>
<p>
He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; his
voice sounded very sad.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
The next day Lord W—— came to look at us; he seemed pleased
with our appearance.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
York then told him what John had said about us.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“Do so,” she said.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
23 A Strike for Liberty
</h2>
<p>
One day my lady came down later than usual, and the silk rustled more than
ever.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Do you think,” I said, “that our masters know how bad it is for us?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
24 The Lady Anne, or a Runaway Horse
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“How is this?” he said. “Are you tired of your good Black Auster?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
He looked at her doubtfully. “I will not be five minutes,” he said.
</p>
<p>
“Oh, do not hurry yourself; Lizzie and I shall not run away from you.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
Blantyre's halloo soon brought them to the spot. The foremost man seemed
much troubled at the sight, and asked what he could do.
</p>
<p>
“Can you ride?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
Ginger was saddled and sent off in great haste for Lord George, and I soon
heard the carriage roll out of the yard.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
25 Reuben Smith
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“No,” said Smith, “that will be all right till we get home.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
26 How it Ended
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
One of the men jumped out, and stooped down over it. “It is Reuben,” he
said, “and he does not stir!”
</p>
<p>
The other man followed, and bent over him. “He's dead,” he said; “feel how
cold his hands are.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Robert then attempted to lead me forward. I made a step, but almost fell
again.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
27 Ruined and Going Downhill
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“You had better write to him, York. I should be more particular about the
place than the money he would fetch.”
</p>
<p>
After this they left us.
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
28 A Job Horse and His Drivers
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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!”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
Just at this time a farmer came riding up on a brown cob. He lifted his
hat and pulled up.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
The farmer dismounted, and slipping his rein over his arm at once took up
my near foot.
</p>
<p>
“Bless me, there's a stone! Lame! I should think so!”
</p>
<p>
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!”
</p>
<p>
“Well, to be sure!” said my driver; “that is a queer thing! I never knew
that horses picked up stones before.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Then mounting his cob and raising his hat to the lady he trotted off.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
This was the sort of experience we job horses often came in for.
</p>
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<h2>
29 Cockneys
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“But how is it,” I said, “when you are so strong and good-tempered and
willing?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Do you consider this horse wants a curb?” he said to the hostler.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
30 A Thief
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
This gentleman had a very quick eye for horses; and after he had welcomed
his friend he said, casting his eye over me:
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
My master told him. The other shook his head slowly, and began to feel me
over.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“No, very gently.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
31 A Humbug
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“Well, sir, now you mention it, I think the drain does sometimes send back
a smell; there may be something wrong, sir.”
</p>
<p>
“Then send for the bricklayer and have it seen to,” said his master.
</p>
<p>
“Yes, sir, I will.”
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“I don't know what is the matter with this horse; he goes very
fumble-footed. I am sometimes afraid he will stumble.”
</p>
<p>
“Yes, sir,” said Alfred, “I have noticed the same myself, when I have
exercised him.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
The next day I had my feet thoroughly cleansed and stuffed with tow soaked
in some strong lotion; and an unpleasant business it was.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
Part III
</h2>
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<h2>
32 A Horse Fair
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Well, old chap,” he said, “I think we should suit each other. I'll give
twenty-four for him.”
</p>
<p>
“Say twenty-five and you shall have him.”
</p>
<p>
“Twenty-four ten,” said my friend, in a very decided tone, “and not
another sixpence—yes or no?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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!”
</p>
<p>
“Halloo!” cried a voice. “Have you got a good one?”
</p>
<p>
“I think so,” replied my owner.
</p>
<p>
“I wish you luck with him.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Now, then, Harry, my boy, open the gates, and mother will bring us the
lantern.”
</p>
<p>
The next minute they were all standing round me in a small stable-yard.
</p>
<p>
“Is he gentle, father?”
</p>
<p>
“Yes, Dolly, as gentle as your own kitten; come and pat him.”
</p>
<p>
At once the little hand was patting about all over my shoulder without
fear. How good it felt!
</p>
<p>
“Let me get him a bran mash while you rub him down,” said the mother.
</p>
<p>
“Do, Polly, it's just what he wants; and I know you've got a beautiful
mash ready for me.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
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<h2>
33 A London Cab Horse
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“Do,” she said, “for I like to keep a good name going.”
</p>
<p>
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!
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Very good for a funeral,” said one.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
34 An Old War Horse
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“But what about the fighting?” said I, “was not that worse than anything
else?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Here old Captain paused for awhile and drew a long breath; I waited, and
he went on.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“And what about the wounded horses?” I said; “were they left to die?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
I said, “I have heard people talk about war as if it was a very fine
thing.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Do you know what they fought about?” said I.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
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<h2>
35 Jerry Barker
</h2>
<p>
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:
</p>
<pre xml:space="preserve">
“Come, father and mother,
And sister and brother,
Come, all of you, turn to
And help one another.”
</pre>
<p>
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:
</p>
<pre xml:space="preserve">
“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.”
</pre>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
One day two wild-looking young men came out of a tavern close by the
stand, and called Jerry.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I will take you at the regular pace, gentlemen; shillings don't pay for
putting on the steam like that.”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I'll do my very best,” said Jerry heartily, “if you think you are well
enough, sir,” for he looked dreadfully white and ill.
</p>
<p>
“I must go,” he said earnestly, “please to open the door, and let us lose
no time.”
</p>
<p>
The next minute Jerry was on the box; with a cheery chirrup to me, and a
twitch of the rein that I well understood.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“'So glad!' he said, 'so glad!' Poor young fellow! I wonder what it was
that made him so anxious!”
</p>
<p>
Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we
were not moving.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Gammon!” said one.
</p>
<p>
“He's a humbug,” said another; “preaching to us and then doing the same
himself.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well,” said Larry, “you'll never be a rich man.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well,” said Larry, “what is a fellow to do if his horse won't go without
it?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well, I have not had good luck,” said Larry, “that's where it is.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper, and the other men went
to their cabs.
</p>
<p>
<a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040">
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</p>
<div style="height: 4em;">
<br /><br /><br /><br />
</div>
<h2>
36 The Sunday Cab
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
* 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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Oh, very well,” said the gentleman. “Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Barker,
any further. I will inquire somewhere else,” and he walked away.
</p>
<p>
“Well,” says Jerry to me, “we can't help it, Jack, old boy; we must have
our Sundays.”
</p>
<p>
“Polly!” he shouted, “Polly! come here.”
</p>
<p>
She was there in a minute.
</p>
<p>
“What is it all about, Jerry?”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<pre xml:space="preserve">
“'Do your best,
And leave the rest,
'Twill all come right
Some day or night.'”
</pre>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Several of the men applauded this, till Jerry said:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“And what would all the good people do if they could not get to their
favorite preachers?” said Larry.
</p>
<p>
“'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.”
</p>
<p>
<a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041">
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</p>
<div style="height: 4em;">
<br /><br /><br /><br />
</div>
<h2>
37 The Golden Rule
</h2>
<p>
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).
</p>
<p>
“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.'”
</p>
<p>
“'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.'”
</p>
<p>
Polly was almost out of breath, and Jerry broke out into a merry laugh.
</p>
<p>
“''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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
On Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard, when Polly stepped up
to him, looking very full of something.
</p>
<p>
“What is it?” said Jerry.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Away she went, and soon returned, saying that he could have the trap and
welcome.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
When he handed Dolly the flowers she jumped about for joy.
</p>
<p>
<a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042">
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<div style="height: 4em;">
<br /><br /><br /><br />
</div>
<h2>
38 Dolly and a Real Gentleman
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“If you don't stop that directly, I'll have you arrested for leaving your
horses, and for brutal conduct.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
“No,” said the other.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I wish there were more gentlemen like you, sir,” said Jerry, “for they
are wanted badly enough in this city.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
39 Seedy Sam
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“You and your horse look more fit for the police station than for this
rank.”
</p>
<p>
The man flung his tattered rug over the horse, turned full round upon the
Governor and said in a voice that sounded almost desperate:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Some of the other drivers stood round nodding their heads and saying he
was right. The man went on:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
A few mornings after this talk a new man came on the stand with Sam's cab.
</p>
<p>
“Halloo!” said one, “what's up with Seedy Sam?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
The next morning the same man came again.
</p>
<p>
“How is Sam?” inquired the governor.
</p>
<p>
“He's gone,” said the man.
</p>
<p>
“What, gone? You don't mean to say he's dead?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
No one spoke for a while, and then the governor said, “I'll tell you what,
mates, this is a warning for us.”
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
40 Poor Ginger
</h2>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
I said, “You used to stand up for yourself if you were ill-used.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
41 The Butcher
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
42 The Election
</h2>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I suppose you'll vote for the gentleman? He said he was of your
politics.”
</p>
<p>
“So he is in some things, but I shall not vote for him, Polly; you know
what his trade is?”
</p>
<p>
“Yes.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Why, Dolly, what is the matter?”
</p>
<p>
“Those naughty boys,” she sobbed, “have thrown the dirt all over me, and
called me a little raga—raga—”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
Then turning gravely to Harry:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Why, father, I thought blue was for Liberty.”
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
“Oh, father, you are laughing.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
43 A Friend in Need
</h2>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Heaven bless you!” said the woman, and burst into tears.
</p>
<p>
“There, there, cheer up, my dear, I'll soon take you there; come, let me
put you inside.”
</p>
<p>
As Jerry went to open the door two men, with colors in their hats and
buttonholes, ran up calling out, “Cab!”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Thank you a thousand times,” she said; “I could never have got here
alone.”
</p>
<p>
“You're kindly welcome, and I hope the dear child will soon be better.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“How do you find the cab work suit you in winter? I know Mary was rather
anxious about you last year.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
Jerry thanked her and seemed much pleased, and turning out of the station
we at last reached home, and I, at least, was tired.
</p>
<p>
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<div style="height: 4em;">
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<h2>
44 Old Captain and His Successor
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I'm a great fool, Jerry, but I tried once for two days, and I thought I
should have died; how did you do?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“I've a great mind to try at it,” said Grant, “for 'tis a poor thing not
to be one's own master.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“I can do with high spirits,” said Jerry, “if a horse is not vicious or
hard-mouthed.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Likely enough; I'll come and see him,” said Jerry.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<div style="height: 4em;">
<br /><br /><br /><br />
</div>
<h2>
45 Jerry's New Year
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Can't I do something?” she said.
</p>
<p>
“Yes; get Jack something warm, and then boil me some gruel.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
On the third day, while Harry was in the stable, a tap came at the door,
and Governor Grant came in.
</p>
<p>
“I wouldn't go to the house, my boy,” he said, “but I want to know how
your father is.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
The governor looked puzzled.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Early next morning he was there.
</p>
<p>
“Well?” said he.
</p>
<p>
“Father is better,” said Harry. “Mother hopes he will get over it.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
At noon I think he went and saw Polly, for he and Harry came to the stable
together, harnessed Hotspur, and took him out.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
One afternoon Hotspur was brought in very wet and dirty.
</p>
<p>
“The streets are nothing but slush,” said the governor; “it will give you
a good warming, my boy, to get him clean and dry.”
</p>
<p>
“All right, governor,” said Harry, “I shall not leave him till he is; you
know I have been trained by my father.”
</p>
<p>
“I wish all the boys had been trained like you,” said the governor.
</p>
<p>
While Harry was sponging off the mud from Hotspur's body and legs Dolly
came in, looking very full of something.
</p>
<p>
“Who lives at Fairstowe, Harry? Mother has got a letter from Fairstowe;
she seemed so glad, and ran upstairs to father with it.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Oh! Mrs. Fowler. Of course, I know all about her. I wonder what she is
writing to mother about.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
Harry scrubbed away at Hotspur with a huish! huish! like any old hostler.
In a few minutes Dolly came dancing into the stable.
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
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<h2>
Part IV
</h2>
<p>
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<h2>
46 Jakes and the Lady
</h2>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“But is it not a heavy load?” she said.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
He was raising the whip again, when the lady said:
</p>
<p>
“Pray, stop; I think I can help you if you will let me.”
</p>
<p>
The man laughed.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Well, well,” said Jakes, with a short laugh, “anything to please a lady,
of course. How far would you wish it down, ma'am?”
</p>
<p>
“Quite down, give him his head altogether.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
47 Hard Times
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Oh! he's all right, miss,” said my driver, “he's strong enough.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“Can your horse do it, or can't he?” said the blustering man.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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!”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days.”
</p>
<p>
“Poor old fellow!” said the boy, “do you think, grandpapa, he was ever a
carriage horse?”
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
“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?”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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'.”
</p>
<p>
The old gentleman laughed. “Bless the boy! he is as horsey as his old
grandfather.”
</p>
<p>
“But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price; I am sure he
would grow young in our meadows.”
</p>
<p>
The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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?”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“What is the lowest you will take for him?” said the farmer as I came
back.
</p>
<p>
“Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set.”
</p>
<p>
“'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.
</p>
<p>
“No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please.”
</p>
<p>
“Do so, I am now going there.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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<h2>
49 My Last Home
</h2>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“If the ladies take to him,” said the old gentleman, “they'll be suited
and he'll be suited. We can but try.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished
horse like that.”
</p>
<p>
“'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.”
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“That is just like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same
height, too. I wonder where he is now.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
“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.”
</p>
<p>
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”.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite
horse has come to us. How pleased she will be!”
</p>
<p>
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”.
</p>
<p>
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:
</p>
<p>
“In your place he will last till he is twenty years old—perhaps
more.”
</p>
<p>
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.
</p>
<p>
<br /> <br />
</p>
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