下载辰思小说免费APP
JerrywasasgoodadriverasIhadeverknown，andwhatwasbetter，hetookasmuchthoughtforhishorsesashedidforhimself.
HesoonfoundoutthatIwaswillingtoworkanddomybest，andheneverlaidthewhiponmeunlessitwasgentlydrawingtheendofitovermybackwhenIwastogoon;butgenerallyIknewthisquitewellbythewayinwhichhetookupthereins，andIbelievehiswhipwasmorefrequentlystuckupbyhissidethaninhishand.
InashorttimeIandmymasterunderstoodeachotheraswellashorseandmancando.Inthestable，too，hedidallthathecouldforourcomfort.Thestallsweretheold—fashionedstyle，toomuchontheslope;buthehadtwomovablebarsfixedacrossthebackofourstalls，sothatatnight，andwhenwewereresting，hejusttookoffourhaltersandputupthebars，andthuswecouldturnaboutandstandwhicheverwaywepleased，whichisagreatcomfort.
Jerrykeptusveryclean，andgaveusasmuchchangeoffoodashecould，andalwaysplentyofit;andnotonlythat，buthealwaysgaveusplentyofcleanfreshwater，whichheallowedtostandbyusbothnightandday，exceptofcoursewhenwecameinwarm.Somepeoplesaythatahorseoughtnottodrinkallhelikes;butIknowifweareallowedtodrinkwhenwewantitwedrinkonlyalittleatatime，anditdoesusagreatdealmoregoodthanswallowingdownhalfabucketfulatatime，becausewehavebeenleftwithouttillwearethirstyandmiserable.
Somegroomswillgohometotheirbeerandleaveusforhourswithourdryhayandoatsandnothingtomoistenthem;thenofcoursewegulpdowntoomuchatonce，whichhelpstospoilourbreathingandsometimeschillsourstomachs.ButthebestthingwehadherewasourSundaysforrest;weworkedsohardintheweekthatIdonotthinkwecouldhavekeptuptoitbutforthatday;
besides，wehadthentimetoenjoyeachother’scompany.
ItwasonthesedaysthatIlearnedmycompanion’shistory.
34AnOldWarHorseCaptainhadbeenbrokeninandtrainedforanarmyhorse;
hisfirstownerwasanofficerofcavalrygoingouttotheCrimeanwar.
Hesaidhequiteenjoyedthetrainingwithalltheotherhorses，trottingtogether，turningtogether，totherighthandortheleft，haltingatthewordofcommand，ordashingforwardatfullspeedatthesoundofthetrumpetorsignaloftheofficer.Hewas，whenyoung，adark，dapplediron—gray，andconsideredveryhandsome.
Hismaster，ayoung，high—spiritedgentleman，wasveryfondofhim，andtreatedhimfromthefirstwiththegreatestcareandkindness.
Hetoldmehethoughtthelifeofanarmyhorsewasverypleasant;
butwhenitcametobeingsentabroadovertheseainagreatship，healmostchangedhismind.
"Thatpartofit，"saidhe，"wasdreadful！Ofcoursewecouldnotwalkoffthelandintotheship;sotheywereobligedtoputstrongstrapsunderourbodies，andthenwewereliftedoffourlegsinspiteofourstruggles，andwereswungthroughtheairoverthewater，tothedeckofthegreatvessel.Therewewereplacedinsmallclosestalls，andneverforalongtimesawthesky，orwereabletostretchourlegs.
Theshipsometimesrolledaboutinhighwinds，andwewereknockedabout，andfeltbadenough.
"However，atlastitcametoanend，andwewerehauledup，andswungoveragaintotheland;wewereveryglad，andsnortedandneighedforjoy，whenweoncemorefeltfirmgroundunderourfeet.
"Wesoonfoundthatthecountrywehadcometowasverydifferentfromourownandthatwehadmanyhardshipstoendurebesidesthefighting;
butmanyofthemenweresofondoftheirhorsesthattheydideverythingtheycouldtomakethemcomfortableinspiteofsnow，wet，andallthingsoutoforder."
"Butwhataboutthefighting？"saidI，"wasnotthatworsethananythingelse？"
"Well，"saidhe，"Ihardlyknow;wealwayslikedtohearthetrumpetsound，andtobecalledout，andwereimpatienttostartoff，thoughsometimeswehadtostandforhours，waitingforthewordofcommand;
andwhenthewordwasgivenweusedtospringforwardasgaylyandeagerlyasiftherewerenocannonballs，bayonets，orbullets.
Ibelievesolongaswefeltourriderfirminthesaddle，andhishandsteadyonthebridle，notoneofusgavewaytofear，notevenwhentheterriblebomb—shellswhirledthroughtheairandburstintoathousandpieces.
"I，withmynoblemaster，wentintomanyactionstogetherwithoutawound;
andthoughIsawhorsesshotdownwithbullets，piercedthroughwithlances，andgashedwithfearfulsaber—cuts;thoughweleftthemdeadonthefield，ordyingintheagonyoftheirwounds，Idon’tthinkIfearedformyself.
Mymaster’scheeryvoice，asheencouragedhismen，mademefeelasifheandIcouldnotbekilled.IhadsuchperfecttrustinhimthatwhilehewasguidingmeIwasreadytochargeuptotheverycannon’smouth.
Isawmanybravemencutdown，manyfallmortallywoundedfromtheirsaddles.
Ihadheardthecriesandgroansofthedying，Ihadcanteredovergroundslipperywithblood，andfrequentlyhadtoturnasidetoavoidtramplingonwoundedmanorhorse，but，untilonedreadfulday，Ihadneverfeltterror;
thatdayIshallneverforget."
HereoldCaptainpausedforawhileanddrewalongbreath;Iwaited，andhewenton.
"Itwasoneautumnmorning，andasusual，anhourbeforedaybreakourcavalryhadturnedout，readycaparisonedfortheday’swork，whetheritmightbefightingorwaiting.Themenstoodbytheirhorseswaiting，readyfororders.Asthelightincreasedthereseemedtobesomeexcitementamongtheofficers;andbeforethedaywaswellbegunweheardthefiringoftheenemy’sguns.
"Thenoneoftheofficersrodeupandgavethewordforthementomount，andinasecondeverymanwasinhissaddle，andeveryhorsestoodexpectingthetouchoftherein，orthepressureofhisrider’sheels，allanimated，alleager;butstillwehadbeentrainedsowellthat，exceptbythechampingofourbits，andtherestivetossingofourheadsfromtimetotime，itcouldnotbesaidthatwestirred.
"MydearmasterandIwereattheheadoftheline，andasallsatmotionlessandwatchful，hetookalittlestraylockofmymanewhichhadturnedoveronthewrongside，laiditoverontheright，andsmootheditdownwithhishand;thenpattingmyneck，hesaid，`Weshallhaveadayofitto—day，Bayard，mybeauty;butwe’lldoourdutyaswehavedone.’Hestrokedmyneckthatmorningmore，Ithink，thanhehadeverdonebefore;quietlyonandon，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingelse.Ilovedtofeelhishandonmyneck，andarchedmycrestproudlyandhappily;butIstoodverystill，forIknewallhismoods，andwhenhelikedmetobequiet，andwhengay.
"Icannottellallthathappenedonthatday，butIwilltellofthelastchargethatwemadetogether;itwasacrossavalleyrightinfrontoftheenemy’scannon.Bythistimewewerewellusedtotheroarofheavyguns，therattleofmusketfire，andtheflyingofshotnearus;
butneverhadIbeenundersuchafireaswerodethroughonthatday.
Fromtheright，fromtheleft，andfromthefront，shotandshellpouredinuponus.Manyabravemanwentdown，manyahorsefell，flinginghisridertotheearth;manyahorsewithoutariderranwildlyoutoftheranks;thenterrifiedatbeingalone，withnohandtoguidehim，camepressinginamonghisoldcompanions，togallopwiththemtothecharge.
"Fearfulasitwas，noonestopped，nooneturnedback.
Everymomenttherankswerethinned，butasourcomradesfell，weclosedintokeepthemtogether;andinsteadofbeingshakenorstaggeredinourpaceourgallopbecamefasterandfasteraswenearedthecannon.
"Mymaster，mydearmasterwascheeringonhiscomradeswithhisrightarmraisedonhigh，whenoneoftheballswhizzingclosetomyheadstruckhim.
Ifelthimstaggerwiththeshock，thoughheutterednocry;
Itriedtocheckmyspeed，butthesworddroppedfromhisrighthand，thereinfellloosefromtheleft，andsinkingbackwardfromthesaddlehefelltotheearth;theotherriderssweptpastus，andbytheforceoftheirchargeIwasdrivenfromthespot.
"Iwantedtokeepmyplacebyhissideandnotleavehimunderthatrushofhorses’feet，butitwasinvain;andnowwithoutamasterorafriendIwasaloneonthatgreatslaughterground;thenfeartookholdonme，andItrembledasIhadnevertrembledbefore;andItoo，asIhadseenotherhorsesdo，triedtojoinintheranksandgallopwiththem;
butIwasbeatenoffbytheswordsofthesoldiers.Justthenasoldierwhosehorsehadbeenkilledunderhimcaughtatmybridleandmountedme，andwiththisnewmasterIwasagaingoingforward;butourgallantcompanywascruellyoverpowered，andthosewhoremainedaliveafterthefiercefightforthegunscamegallopingbackoverthesameground.
Someofthehorseshadbeensobadlywoundedthattheycouldscarcelymovefromthelossofblood;othernoblecreaturesweretryingonthreelegstodragthemselvesalong，andotherswerestrugglingtoriseontheirforefeet，whentheirhindlegshadbeenshatteredbyshot.
Afterthebattlethewoundedmenwerebroughtinandthedeadwereburied."
"Andwhataboutthewoundedhorses？"Isaid;"weretheylefttodie？"
"No，thearmyfarrierswentoverthefieldwiththeirpistolsandshotallthatwereruined;somethathadonlyslightwoundswerebroughtbackandattendedto，butthegreaterpartofthenoble，willingcreaturesthatwentoutthatmorningnevercameback！
Inourstablestherewasonlyaboutoneinfourthatreturned.
"Ineversawmydearmasteragain.Ibelievehefelldeadfromthesaddle.
Ineverlovedanyothermastersowell.Iwentintomanyotherengagements，butwasonlyoncewounded，andthennotseriously;andwhenthewarwasoverIcamebackagaintoEngland，assoundandstrongaswhenIwentout."
Isaid，"Ihaveheardpeopletalkaboutwarasifitwasaveryfinething."
"Ah！"saidhe，"Ishouldthinktheyneversawit.Nodoubtitisveryfinewhenthereisnoenemy，whenitisjustexerciseandparadeandshamfight.
Yes，itisveryfinethen;butwhenthousandsofgoodbravemenandhorsesarekilledorcrippledforlife，ithasaverydifferentlook."
"Doyouknowwhattheyfoughtabout？"saidI.
"No，"hesaid，"thatismorethanahorsecanunderstand，buttheenemymusthavebeenawfullywickedpeople，ifitwasrighttogoallthatwayovertheseaonpurposetokillthem."
35JerryBarkerIneverknewabettermanthanmynewmaster.Hewaskindandgood，andasstrongfortherightasJohnManly;andsogood—temperedandmerrythatveryfewpeoplecouldpickaquarrelwithhim.
Hewasveryfondofmakinglittlesongs，andsingingthemtohimself.
Onehewasveryfondofwasthis：
"Come，fatherandmother，Andsisterandbrother，Come，allofyou，turntoAndhelponeanother."
Andsotheydid;Harrywasascleveratstable—workasamucholderboy，andalwayswantedtodowhathecould.ThenPollyandDollyusedtocomeinthemorningtohelpwiththecab——tobrushandbeatthecushions，andrubtheglass，whileJerrywasgivingusacleaningintheyard，andHarrywasrubbingtheharness.Thereusedtobeagreatdealoflaughingandfunbetweenthem，anditputCaptainandmeinmuchbetterspiritsthanifwehadheardscoldingandhardwords.
Theywerealwaysearlyinthemorning，forJerrywouldsay：
"IfyouinthemorningThrowminutesaway，Youcan’tpickthemupInthecourseofaday.
Youmayhurryandscurry，Andflurryandworry，You’velostthemforever，Foreverandaye."
Hecouldnotbearanycarelessloiteringandwasteoftime;
andnothingwassonearmakinghimangryastofindpeople，whowerealwayslate，wantingacabhorsetobedrivenhard，tomakeupfortheiridleness.
Onedaytwowild—lookingyoungmencameoutofatavernclosebythestand，andcalledJerry.
"Here，cabby！looksharp，weareratherlate;putonthesteam，willyou，andtakeustotheVictoriaintimefortheoneo’clocktrain？
Youshallhaveashillingextra."
"Iwilltakeyouattheregularpace，gentlemen;shillingsdon’tpayforputtingonthesteamlikethat."
Larry’scabwasstandingnexttoours;heflungopenthedoor，andsaid，"I’myourman，gentlemen！takemycab，myhorsewillgetyouthereallright;"andasheshutthemin，withawinktowardJerry，said，"It’sagainsthisconsciencetogobeyondajog—trot."
Thenslashinghisjadedhorse，hesetoffashardashecould.
Jerrypattedmeontheneck："No，Jack，ashillingwouldnotpayforthatsortofthing，wouldit，oldboy？"
AlthoughJerrywasdeterminedlysetagainstharddriving，topleasecarelesspeople，healwayswentagoodfairpace，andwasnotagainstputtingonthesteam，ashesaid，ifonlyheknewwhy.
Iwellrememberonemorning，aswewereonthestandwaitingforafare，thatayoungman，carryingaheavyportmanteau，trodonapieceoforangepeelwhichlayonthepavement，andfelldownwithgreatforce.
Jerrywasthefirsttorunandlifthimup.Heseemedmuchstunned，andastheyledhimintoashophewalkedasifhewereingreatpain.
Jerryofcoursecamebacktothestand，butinabouttenminutesoneoftheshopmencalledhim，sowedrewuptothepavement.
"CanyoutakemetotheSouth—EasternRailway？"saidtheyoungman;
"thisunluckyfallhasmademelate，Ifear;butitisofgreatimportancethatIshouldnotlosethetwelveo’clocktrain.Ishouldbemostthankfulifyoucouldgetmethereintime，andwillgladlypayyouanextrafare."
"I’lldomyverybest，"saidJerryheartily，"ifyouthinkyouarewellenough，sir，"forhelookeddreadfullywhiteandill.
"Imustgo，"hesaidearnestly，"pleasetoopenthedoor，andletuslosenotime."
ThenextminuteJerrywasonthebox;withacheerychirruptome，andatwitchofthereinthatIwellunderstood.
"Nowthen，Jack，myboy，"saidhe，"spinalong，we’llshowthemhowwecangetovertheground，ifweonlyknowwhy."
Itisalwaysdifficulttodrivefastinthecityinthemiddleoftheday，whenthestreetsarefulloftraffic，butwedidwhatcouldbedone;
andwhenagooddriverandagoodhorse，whounderstandeachother，areofonemind，itiswonderfulwhattheycando.Ihadaverygoodmouth——thatisIcouldbeguidedbytheslightesttouchoftherein;
andthatisagreatthinginLondon，amongcarriages，omnibuses，carts，vans，trucks，cabs，andgreatwagonscreepingalongatawalkingpace;
somegoingoneway，someanother，somegoingslowly，otherswantingtopassthem;omnibusesstoppingshorteveryfewminutestotakeupapassenger，obligingthehorsethatiscomingbehindtopulluptoo，ortopass，andgetbeforethem;perhapsyoutrytopass，butjustthensomethingelsecomesdashinginthroughthenarrowopening，andyouhavetokeepinbehindtheomnibusagain;presentlyyouthinkyouseeachance，andmanagetogettothefront，goingsonearthewheelsoneachsidethathalfaninchnearerandtheywouldscrape.
Well，yougetalongforabit，butsoonfindyourselfinalongtrainofcartsandcarriagesallobligedtogoatawalk;perhapsyoucometoaregularblock—up，andhavetostandstillforminutestogether，tillsomethingclearsoutintoasidestreet，orthepolicemaninterferes;
youhavetobereadyforanychance——todashforwardiftherebeanopening，andbequickasarat—dogtoseeifthereberoomandiftherebetime，lestyougetyourownwheelslockedorsmashed，ortheshaftofsomeothervehiclerunintoyourchestorshoulder.Allthisiswhatyouhavetobereadyfor.IfyouwanttogetthroughLondonfastinthemiddleofthedayitwantsadealofpractice.
JerryandIwereusedtoit，andnoonecouldbeatusatgettingthroughwhenweweresetuponit.Iwasquickandboldandcouldalwaystrustmydriver;Jerrywasquickandpatientatthesametime，andcouldtrusthishorse，whichwasagreatthingtoo.
Heveryseldomusedthewhip;Iknewbyhisvoice，andhisclick，click，whenhewantedtogetonfast，andbythereinwhereIwastogo;
sotherewasnoneedforwhipping;butImustgobacktomystory.
Thestreetswereveryfullthatday，butwegotonprettywellasfarasthebottomofCheapside，wheretherewasablockforthreeorfourminutes.
Theyoungmanputhisheadoutandsaidanxiously，"IthinkIhadbettergetoutandwalk;Ishallnevergetthereifthisgoeson."
"I’lldoallthatcanbedone，sir，"saidJerry;"Ithinkweshallbeintime.Thisblock—upcannotlastmuchlonger，andyourluggageisveryheavyforyoutocarry，sir."
Justthenthecartinfrontofusbegantomoveon，andthenwehadagoodturn.Inandout，inandoutwewent，asfastashorsefleshcoulddoit，andforawonderhadagoodcleartimeonLondonBridge，fortherewasawholetrainofcabsandcarriagesallgoingourwayataquicktrot，perhapswantingtocatchthatverytrain.
Atanyrate，wewhirledintothestationwithmanymore，justasthegreatclockpointedtoeightminutestotwelveo’clock.
"ThankGod！weareintime，"saidtheyoungman，"andthankyou，too，myfriend，andyourgoodhorse.Youhavesavedmemorethanmoneycaneverpayfor.Takethisextrahalf—crown."
"No，sir，no，thankyouallthesame;sogladwehitthetime，sir;
butdon’tstaynow，sir，thebellisringing.Here，porter！
takethisgentleman’sluggage——Doverlinetwelveo’clocktrain——
that’sit，"andwithoutwaitingforanotherwordJerrywheeledmeroundtomakeroomforothercabsthatweredashingupatthelastminute，anddrewupononesidetillthecrushwaspast.
"`Soglad！’hesaid，`soglad！’Pooryoungfellow！Iwonderwhatitwasthatmadehimsoanxious！"
Jerryoftentalkedtohimselfquiteloudenoughformetohearwhenwewerenotmoving.
OnJerry’sreturntotheranktherewasagooddealoflaughingandchaffingathimfordrivinghardtothetrainforanextrafare，astheysaid，allagainsthisprinciples，andtheywantedtoknowhowmuchhehadpocketed.
"AgooddealmorethanIgenerallyget，"saidhe，noddingslyly;
"whathegavemewillkeepmeinlittlecomfortsforseveraldays."
"Gammon！"saidone.
"He’sahumbug，"saidanother;"preachingtousandthendoingthesamehimself."
"Lookhere，mates，"saidJerry;"thegentlemanofferedmehalfacrownextra，butIdidn’ttakeit;’twasquitepayenoughformetoseehowgladhewastocatchthattrain;andifJackandIchoosetohaveaquickrunnowandthentopleaseourselves，that’sourbusinessandnotyours."
"Well，"saidLarry，"you’llneverbearichman."
"Mostlikelynot，"saidJerry;"butIdon’tknowthatIshallbethelesshappyforthat.IhaveheardthecommandmentsreadagreatmanytimesandInevernoticedthatanyofthemsaid，`Thoushaltberich’;andthereareagoodmanycuriousthingssaidintheNewTestamentaboutrichmenthatIthinkwouldmakemefeelratherqueerifIwasoneofthem."
"Ifyoueverdogetrich，"saidGovernorGray，lookingoverhisshoulderacrossthetopofhiscab，"you’lldeserveit，Jerry，andyouwon’tfindacursecomewithyourwealth.Asforyou，Larry，you’lldiepoor;
youspendtoomuchinwhipcord."
"Well，"saidLarry，"whatisafellowtodoifhishorsewon’tgowithoutit？"
"Younevertakethetroubletoseeifhewillgowithoutit;
yourwhipisalwaysgoingasifyouhadtheSt.Vitus’danceinyourarm，andifitdoesnotwearyououtitwearsyourhorseout;
youknowyouarealwayschangingyourhorses;andwhy？
Becauseyounevergivethemanypeaceorencouragement."
"Well，Ihavenothadgoodluck，"saidLarry，"that’swhereitis."
"Andyouneverwill，"saidthegovernor."GoodLuckisratherparticularwhosherideswith，andmostlyprefersthosewhohavegotcommonsenseandagoodheart;atleastthatismyexperience."
GovernorGrayturnedroundagaintohisnewspaper，andtheothermenwenttotheircabs.
36TheSundayCabOnemorning，asJerryhadjustputmeintotheshaftsandwasfasteningthetraces，agentlemanwalkedintotheyard."Yourservant，sir，"
saidJerry.
"Good—morning，Mr.Barker，"saidthegentleman."IshouldbegladtomakesomearrangementswithyoufortakingMrs.BriggsregularlytochurchonSundaymornings.WegototheNewChurchnow，andthatisratherfurtherthanshecanwalk."
"Thankyou，sir，"saidJerry，"butIhaveonlytakenoutasix—days’license，*andthereforeIcouldnottakeafareonaSunday;
itwouldnotbelegal."
——
*Afewyearssincetheannualchargeforacablicensewasverymuchreduced，andthedifferencebetweenthesixandsevendays’cabswasabolished.
——
"Oh！"saidtheother，"Ididnotknowyourswasasix—days’cab;
butofcourseitwouldbeveryeasytoalteryourlicense.
Iwouldseethatyoudidnotlosebyit;thefactis，Mrs.Briggsverymuchprefersyoutodriveher."
"Ishouldbegladtoobligethelady，sir，butIhadaseven—days’licenseonce，andtheworkwastoohardforme，andtoohardformyhorses.Yearinandyearout，notaday’srest，andneveraSundaywithmywifeandchildren;andneverabletogotoaplaceofworship，whichIhadalwaysbeenusedtodobeforeItooktothedrivingbox.SoforthelastfiveyearsIhaveonlytakenasix—days’license，andIfinditbetterallthewayround."
"Well，ofcourse，"repliedMr.Briggs，"itisveryproperthateverypersonshouldhaverest，andbeabletogotochurchonSundays，butIshouldhavethoughtyouwouldnothavemindedsuchashortdistanceforthehorse，andonlyonceaday;youwouldhavealltheafternoonandeveningforyourself，andweareverygoodcustomers，youknow."
"Yes，sir，thatistrue，andIamgratefulforallfavors，Iamsure;
andanythingthatIcoulddotoobligeyou，orthelady，Ishouldbeproudandhappytodo;butIcan’tgiveupmySundays，sir，indeedIcan’t.IreadthatGodmademan，andhemadehorsesandalltheotherbeasts，andassoonasHehadmadethemHemadeadayofrest，andbadethatallshouldrestonedayinseven;andIthink，sir，Hemusthaveknownwhatwasgoodforthem，andIamsureitisgoodforme;
Iamstrongerandhealthieraltogether，nowthatIhaveadayofrest;
thehorsesarefreshtoo，anddonotwearupnearlysofast.
Thesix—daydriversalltellmethesame，andIhavelaidbymoremoneyinthesavingsbankthaneverIdidbefore;
andasforthewifeandchildren，sir，why，heartalive！
theywouldnotgobacktothesevendaysforalltheycouldsee."
"Oh，verywell，"saidthegentleman."Don’ttroubleyourself，Mr.Barker，anyfurther.Iwillinquiresomewhereelse，"andhewalkedaway.
"Well，"saysJerrytome，"wecan’thelpit，Jack，oldboy;
wemusthaveourSundays."
"Polly！"heshouted，"Polly！comehere."
Shewasthereinaminute.
"Whatisitallabout，Jerry？"
"Why，mydear，Mr.BriggswantsmetotakeMrs.BriggstochurcheverySundaymorning.IsayIhaveonlyasix—days’license.Hesays，`Getaseven—days’license，andI’llmakeitworthyourwhile;’
andyouknow，Polly，theyareverygoodcustomerstous.
Mrs.Briggsoftengoesoutshoppingforhours，ormakingcalls，andthenshepaysdownfairandhonorablelikealady;
there’snobeatingdownormakingthreehoursintotwohoursandahalf，assomefolksdo;anditiseasyworkforthehorses;notliketearingalongtocatchtrainsforpeoplethatarealwaysaquarterofanhourtoolate;
andifIdon’tobligeherinthismatteritisverylikelyweshalllosethemaltogether.Whatdoyousay，littlewoman？"
"Isay，Jerry，"saysshe，speakingveryslowly，"Isay，ifMrs.BriggswouldgiveyouasovereigneverySundaymorning，Iwouldnothaveyouaseven—days’cabmanagain.WehaveknownwhatitwastohavenoSundays，andnowweknowwhatitistocallthemourown.ThankGod，youearnenoughtokeepus，thoughitissometimescloseworktopayforalltheoatsandhay，thelicense，andtherentbesides;
butHarrywillsoonbeearningsomething，andIwouldratherstruggleonharderthanwedothangobacktothosehorridtimeswhenyouhardlyhadaminutetolookatyourownchildren，andwenevercouldgotoaplaceofworshiptogether，orhaveahappy，quietday.
Godforbidthatweshouldeverturnbacktothosetimes;
that’swhatIsay，Jerry."
"AndthatisjustwhatItoldMr.Briggs，mydear，"saidJerry，"andwhatImeantostickto.Sodon’tgoandfretyourself，Polly"
（forshehadbeguntocry）;"IwouldnotgobacktotheoldtimesifIearnedtwiceasmuch，sothatissettled，littlewoman.
Now，cheerup，andI’llbeofftothestand."
Threeweekshadpassedawayafterthisconversation，andnoorderhadcomefromMrs.Briggs;sotherewasnothingbuttakingjobsfromthestand.
Jerrytookittoheartagooddeal，forofcoursetheworkwasharderforhorseandman.ButPollywouldalwayscheerhimup，andsay，"Nevermind，father，never，mind.
"`Doyourbest，Andleavetherest，’TwillallcomerightSomedayornight.’"
ItsoonbecameknownthatJerryhadlosthisbestcustomer，andforwhatreason.Mostofthemensaidhewasafool，buttwoorthreetookhispart.
"Ifworkingmendon’tsticktotheirSunday，"saidTruman，"they’llsoonhavenoneleft;itiseveryman’srightandeverybeast’sright.ByGod’slawwehaveadayofrest，andbythelawofEnglandwehaveadayofrest;
andIsayweoughttoholdtotherightstheselawsgiveusandkeepthemforourchildren."
"Allverywellforyoureligiouschapstotalkso，"saidLarry;
"butI’llturnashillingwhenIcan.Idon’tbelieveinreligion，forIdon’tseethatyourreligiouspeopleareanybetterthantherest."
"Iftheyarenotbetter，"putinJerry，"itisbecausetheyarenotreligious.Youmightaswellsaythatourcountry’slawsarenotgoodbecausesomepeoplebreakthem.Ifamangiveswaytohistemper，andspeaksevilofhisneighbor，anddoesnotpayhisdebts，heisnotreligious，Idon’tcarehowmuchhegoestochurch.
Ifsomemenareshamsandhumbugs，thatdoesnotmakereligionuntrue.
Realreligionisthebestandtruestthingintheworld，andtheonlythingthatcanmakeamanreallyhappyormaketheworldweliveinanybetter."
"Ifreligionwasgoodforanything，"saidJones，"itwouldpreventyourreligiouspeoplefrommakingusworkonSundays，asyouknowmanyofthemdo，andthat’swhyIsayreligionisnothingbutasham;why，ifitwasnotforthechurchandchapel—goersitwouldbehardlyworthwhileourcomingoutonaSunday.Buttheyhavetheirprivileges，astheycallthem，andIgowithout.Ishallexpectthemtoanswerformysoul，ifIcan’tgetachanceofsavingit."
Severalofthemenapplaudedthis，tillJerrysaid：
"Thatmaysoundwellenough，butitwon’tdo;everymanmustlookafterhisownsoul;youcan’tlayitdownatanotherman’sdoorlikeafoundlingandexpecthimtotakecareofit;anddon’tyousee，ifyouarealwayssittingonyourboxwaitingforafare，theywillsay，`Ifwedon’ttakehimsomeoneelsewill，andhedoesnotlookforanySunday.’Ofcourse，theydon’tgotothebottomofit，ortheywouldseeiftheynevercameforacabitwouldbenouseyourstandingthere;butpeopledon’talwaysliketogotothebottomofthings;itmaynotbeconvenienttodoit;
butifyouSundaydriverswouldallstrikeforadayofrestthethingwouldbedone."
"Andwhatwouldallthegoodpeopledoiftheycouldnotgettotheirfavoritepreachers？"saidLarry.
"’Tisnotformetolaydownplansforotherpeople，"saidJerry，"butiftheycan’twalksofartheycangotowhatisnearer;
andifitshouldraintheycanputontheirmackintoshesastheydoonaweek—day.Ifathingisrightitcanbedone，andifitiswrongitcanbedonewithout;andagoodmanwillfindaway.
Andthatisastrueforuscabmenasitisforthechurch—goers."
37TheGoldenRuleTwoorthreeweeksafterthis，aswecameintotheyardratherlateintheevening，Pollycamerunningacrosstheroadwiththelantern（shealwaysbroughtittohimifitwasnotverywet）.
"Ithasallcomeright，Jerry;Mrs.Briggssentherservantthisafternoontoaskyoutotakeheroutto—morrowateleveno’clock.Isaid，`Yes，Ithoughtso，butwesupposedsheemployedsomeoneelsenow.’"
"`Well，’saidhe，`therealfactis，masterwasputoutbecauseMr.BarkerrefusedtocomeonSundays，andhehasbeentryingothercabs，butthere’ssomethingwrongwiththemall;somedrivetoofast，andsometooslow，andthemistresssaysthereisnotoneofthemsoniceandcleanasyours，andnothingwillsuitherbutMr.Barker’scabagain.’"
Pollywasalmostoutofbreath，andJerrybrokeoutintoamerrylaugh.
"`’Twillallcomerightsomedayornight’：youwereright，mydear;
yougenerallyare.Runinandgetthesupper，andI’llhaveJack’sharnessoffandmakehimsnugandhappyinnotime."
AfterthisMrs.BriggswantedJerry’scabquiteasoftenasbefore，never，however，onaSunday;buttherecameadaywhenwehadSundaywork，andthiswashowithappened.WehadallcomehomeontheSaturdaynightverytired，andverygladtothinkthatthenextdaywouldbeallrest，butsoitwasnottobe.
OnSundaymorningJerrywascleaningmeintheyard，whenPollysteppeduptohim，lookingveryfullofsomething.
"Whatisit？"saidJerry.
"Well，mydear，"shesaid，"poorDinahBrownhasjusthadaletterbroughttosaythathermotherisdangerouslyill，andthatshemustgodirectlyifshewishestoseeheralive.Theplaceismorethantenmilesawayfromhere，outinthecountry，andshesaysifshetakesthetrainsheshouldstillhavefourmilestowalk;andsoweakassheis，andthebabyonlyfourweeksold，ofcoursethatwouldbeimpossible;
andshewantstoknowifyouwouldtakeherinyourcab，andshepromisestopayyoufaithfully，asshecangetthemoney."
"Tut，tut！we’llseeaboutthat.ItwasnotthemoneyIwasthinkingabout，butoflosingourSunday;thehorsesaretired，andIamtired，too——
that’swhereitpinches."
"Itpinchesallround，forthatmatter，"saidPolly，"forit’sonlyhalfSundaywithoutyou，butyouknowweshoulddotootherpeopleasweshouldliketheyshoulddotous;andIknowverywellwhatIshouldlikeifmymotherwasdying;andJerry，dear，Iamsureitwon’tbreaktheSabbath;forifpullingapoorbeastordonkeyoutofapitwouldnotspoilit，IamquitesuretakingpoorDinahwouldnotdoit."
"Why，Polly，youareasgoodastheminister，andso，asI’vehadmySunday—morningsermonearlyto—day，youmaygoandtellDinahthatI’llbereadyforherastheclockstrikesten;butstop——
juststeproundtobutcherBraydon’swithmycompliments，andaskhimifhewouldlendmehislighttrap;IknowheneverusesitontheSunday，anditwouldmakeawonderfuldifferencetothehorse."
Awayshewent，andsoonreturned，sayingthathecouldhavethetrapandwelcome.
"Allright，"saidhe;"nowputmeupabitofbreadandcheese，andI’llbebackintheafternoonassoonasIcan."
"AndI’llhavethemeatpiereadyforanearlyteainsteadoffordinner，"
saidPolly;andawayshewent，whilehemadehispreparationstothetuneof"Polly’sthewomanandnomistake"，ofwhichtunehewasveryfond.
Iwasselectedforthejourney，andatteno’clockwestarted，inalight，high—wheeledgig，whichransoeasilythatafterthefour—wheeledcabitseemedlikenothing.
ItwasafineMayday，andassoonaswewereoutofthetown，thesweetair，thesmellofthefreshgrass，andthesoftcountryroadswereaspleasantastheyusedtobeintheoldtimes，andIsoonbegantofeelquitefresh.
Dinah’sfamilylivedinasmallfarmhouse，upagreenlane，closebyameadowwithsomefineshadytrees;thereweretwocowsfeedinginit.
AyoungmanaskedJerrytobringhistrapintothemeadow，andhewouldtiemeupinthecowshed;hewishedhehadabetterstabletooffer.
"Ifyourcowswouldnotbeoffended，"saidJerry，"thereisnothingmyhorsewouldlikesowellastohaveanhourortwoinyourbeautifulmeadow;
he’squiet，anditwouldbeararetreatforhim."
"Do，andwelcome，"saidtheyoungman;"thebestwehaveisatyourserviceforyourkindnesstomysister;weshallbehavingsomedinnerinanhour，andIhopeyou’llcomein，thoughwithmothersoillwearealloutofsortsinthehouse."
Jerrythankedhimkindly，butsaidashehadsomedinnerwithhimtherewasnothingheshouldlikesowellaswalkingaboutinthemeadow.
WhenmyharnesswastakenoffIdidnotknowwhatIshoulddofirst——
whethertoeatthegrass，orrolloveronmyback，orliedownandrest，orhaveagallopacrossthemeadowoutofsheerspiritsatbeingfree;
andIdidallbyturns.JerryseemedtobequiteashappyasIwas;
hesatdownbyabankunderashadytree，andlistenedtothebirds，thenhesanghimself，andreadoutofthelittlebrownbookheissofondof，thenwanderedroundthemeadow，anddownbyalittlebrook，wherehepickedtheflowersandthehawthorn，andtiedthemupwithlongspraysofivy;thenhegavemeagoodfeedoftheoatswhichhehadbroughtwithhim;butthetimeseemedalltooshort——
IhadnotbeeninafieldsinceIleftpoorGingeratEarlshall.
Wecamehomegently，andJerry’sfirstwordswere，aswecameintotheyard，"Well，Polly，IhavenotlostmySundayafterall，forthebirdsweresinginghymnsineverybush，andIjoinedintheservice;
andasforJack，hewaslikeayoungcolt."
WhenhehandedDollytheflowersshejumpedaboutforjoy.
38DollyandaRealGentlemanWintercameinearly，withagreatdealofcoldandwet.Therewassnow，orsleet，orrainalmosteverydayforweeks，changingonlyforkeendrivingwindsorsharpfrosts.Thehorsesallfeltitverymuch.
Whenitisadrycoldacoupleofgoodthickrugswillkeepthewarmthinus;
butwhenitissoakingraintheysoongetwetthroughandarenogood.
Someofthedrivershadawaterproofcovertothrowover，whichwasafinething;butsomeofthemenweresopoorthattheycouldnotprotecteitherthemselvesortheirhorses，andmanyofthemsufferedverymuchthatwinter.Whenwehorseshadworkedhalfthedaywewenttoourdrystables，andcouldrest，whiletheyhadtositontheirboxes，sometimesstayingoutaslateasoneortwoo’clockinthemorningiftheyhadapartytowaitfor.
Whenthestreetswereslipperywithfrostorsnowthatwastheworstofallforushorses.Onemileofsuchtraveling，withaweighttodrawandnofirmfooting，wouldtakemoreoutofusthanfouronagoodroad;
everynerveandmuscleofourbodiesisonthestraintokeepourbalance;
and，addedtothis，thefearoffallingismoreexhaustingthananythingelse.Iftheroadsareverybadindeedourshoesareroughed，butthatmakesusfeelnervousatfirst.
Whentheweatherwasverybadmanyofthemenwouldgoandsitinthetaverncloseby，andgetsomeonetowatchforthem;
buttheyoftenlostafareinthatway，andcouldnot，asJerrysaid，betherewithoutspendingmoney.HeneverwenttotheRisingSun;
therewasacoffee—shopnear，wherehenowandthenwent，orheboughtofanoldman，whocametoourrankwithtinsofhotcoffeeandpies.Itwashisopinionthatspiritsandbeermadeamancolderafterward，andthatdryclothes，goodfood，cheerfulness，andacomfortablewifeathome，werethebestthingstokeepacabmanwarm.
Pollyalwayssuppliedhimwithsomethingtoeatwhenhecouldnotgethome，andsometimeshewouldseelittleDollypeepingfromthecornerofthestreet，tomakesureif"father"wasonthestand.
Ifshesawhimshewouldrunoffatfullspeedandsooncomebackwithsomethinginatinorbasket，somehotsouporpuddingPollyhadready.
Itwaswonderfulhowsuchalittlethingcouldgetsafelyacrossthestreet，oftenthrongedwithhorsesandcarriages;butshewasabravelittlemaid，andfeltitquiteanhonortobring"father’sfirstcourse"，asheusedtocallit.Shewasageneralfavoriteonthestand，andtherewasnotamanwhowouldnothaveseenhersafelyacrossthestreet，ifJerryhadnotbeenabletodoit.
OnecoldwindydayDollyhadbroughtJerryabasinofsomethinghot，andwasstandingbyhimwhileheateit.Hehadscarcelybegunwhenagentleman，walkingtowardusveryfast，helduphisumbrella.
Jerrytouchedhishatinreturn，gavethebasintoDolly，andwastakingoffmycloth，whenthegentleman，hasteningup，criedout，"No，no，finishyoursoup，myfriend;Ihavenotmuchtimetospare，butIcanwaittillyouhavedone，andsetyourlittlegirlsafeonthepavement."Sosaying，heseatedhimselfinthecab.
Jerrythankedhimkindly，andcamebacktoDolly.
"There，Dolly，that’sagentleman;that’sarealgentleman，Dolly;
hehasgottimeandthoughtforthecomfortofapoorcabmanandalittlegirl."
Jerryfinishedhissoup，setthechildacross，andthentookhisorderstodrivetoClaphamRise.Severaltimesafterthatthesamegentlemantookourcab.Ithinkhewasveryfondofdogsandhorses，forwheneverwetookhimtohisowndoortwoorthreedogswouldcomeboundingouttomeethim.Sometimeshecameroundandpattedme，sayinginhisquiet，pleasantway，"Thishorsehasgotagoodmaster，andhedeservesit."Itwasaveryrarethingforanyonetonoticethehorsethathadbeenworkingforhim.Ihaveknownladiestodoitnowandthen，andthisgentleman，andoneortwoothershavegivenmeapatandakindword;butninety—ninepersonsoutofahundredwouldassoonthinkofpattingthesteamenginethatdrewthetrain.
Thegentlemanwasnotyoung，andtherewasaforwardstoopinhisshouldersasifhewasalwaysgoingatsomething.Hislipswerethinandcloseshut，thoughtheyhadaverypleasantsmile;hiseyewaskeen，andtherewassomethinginhisjawandthemotionofhisheadthatmadeonethinkhewasverydeterminedinanythinghesetabout.
Hisvoicewaspleasantandkind;anyhorsewouldtrustthatvoice，thoughitwasjustasdecidedaseverythingelseabouthim.
Onedayheandanothergentlemantookourcab;theystoppedatashopinR————Street，andwhilehisfriendwentinhestoodatthedoor.
Alittleaheadofusontheothersideofthestreetacartwithtwoveryfinehorseswasstandingbeforesomewinevaults;
thecarterwasnotwiththem，andIcannottellhowlongtheyhadbeenstanding，buttheyseemedtothinktheyhadwaitedlongenough，andbegantomoveoff.Beforetheyhadgonemanypacesthecartercamerunningoutandcaughtthem.Heseemedfuriousattheirhavingmoved，andwithwhipandreinpunishedthembrutally，evenbeatingthemaboutthehead.Ourgentlemansawitall，andsteppingquicklyacrossthestreet，saidinadecidedvoice：
"Ifyoudon’tstopthatdirectly，I’llhaveyouarrestedforleavingyourhorses，andforbrutalconduct."
Theman，whohadclearlybeendrinking，pouredforthsomeabusivelanguage，butheleftoffknockingthehorsesabout，andtakingthereins，gotintohiscart;meantimeourfriendhadquietlytakenanote—bookfromhispocket，andlookingatthenameandaddresspaintedonthecart，hewrotesomethingdown.
"Whatdoyouwantwiththat？"growledthecarter，ashecrackedhiswhipandwasmovingon.Anodandagrimsmilewastheonlyanswerhegot.
Onreturningtothecabourfriendwasjoinedbyhiscompanion，whosaidlaughingly，"Ishouldhavethought，Wright，youhadenoughbusinessofyourowntolookafter，withouttroublingyourselfaboutotherpeople’shorsesandservants."
Ourfriendstoodstillforamoment，andthrowinghisheadalittleback，"Doyouknowwhythisworldisasbadasitis？"
"No，"saidtheother.
"ThenI’lltellyou.Itisbecausepeoplethinkonlyabouttheirownbusiness，andwon’ttroublethemselvestostandupfortheoppressed，norbringthewrongdoertolight.
IneverseeawickedthinglikethiswithoutdoingwhatIcan，andmanyamasterhasthankedmeforlettinghimknowhowhishorseshavebeenused."
"Iwishthereweremoregentlemenlikeyou，sir，"saidJerry，"fortheyarewantedbadlyenoughinthiscity."
Afterthiswecontinuedourjourney，andastheygotoutofthecabourfriendwassaying，"Mydoctrineisthis，thatifweseecrueltyorwrongthatwehavethepowertostop，anddonothing，wemakeourselvessharersintheguilt."
39SeedySamIshouldsaythatforacab—horseIwasverywelloffindeed;
mydriverwasmyowner，anditwashisinteresttotreatmewellandnotoverworkme，evenhadhenotbeensogoodamanashewas;
buttherewereagreatmanyhorseswhichbelongedtothelargecab—owners，wholetthemouttotheirdriversforsomuchmoneyaday.
Asthehorsesdidnotbelongtothesementheonlythingtheythoughtofwashowtogettheirmoneyoutofthem，first，topaythemaster，andthentoprovidefortheirownliving;andadreadfultimesomeofthesehorseshadofit.Ofcourse，Iunderstoodbutlittle，butitwasoftentalkedoveronthestand，andthegovernor，whowasakind—heartedmanandfondofhorses，wouldsometimesspeakupifonecameinverymuchjadedorill—used.
Onedayashabby，miserable—lookingdriver，whowentbythenameof"SeedySam"，broughtinhishorselookingdreadfullybeat，andthegovernorsaid：
"Youandyourhorselookmorefitforthepolicestationthanforthisrank."
Themanflunghistatteredrugoverthehorse，turnedfullroundupontheGovernorandsaidinavoicethatsoundedalmostdesperate：
"Ifthepolicehaveanybusinesswiththematteritoughttobewiththemasterswhochargeussomuch，orwiththefaresthatarefixedsolow.
Ifamanhastopayeighteenshillingsadayfortheuseofacabandtwohorses，asmanyofushavetodointheseason，andmustmakethatupbeforeweearnapennyforourselvesIsay’tismorethanhardwork;nineshillingsadaytogetoutofeachhorsebeforeyoubegintogetyourownliving.Youknowthat’strue，andifthehorsesdon’tworkwemuststarve，andIandmychildrenhaveknownwhatthatisbeforenow.I’vesixof’em，andonlyoneearnsanything;Iamonthestandfourteenorsixteenhoursaday，andIhaven’thadaSundaythesetenortwelveweeks;youknowSkinnernevergivesadayifhecanhelpit，andifIdon’tworkhard，tellmewhodoes！Iwantawarmcoatandamackintosh，butwithsomanytofeedhowcanamangetit？IhadtopledgemyclockaweekagotopaySkinner，andIshallneverseeitagain."
Someoftheotherdriversstoodroundnoddingtheirheadsandsayinghewasright.Themanwenton：
"Youthathaveyourownhorsesandcabs，ordriveforgoodmasters，haveachanceofgettingonandachanceofdoingright;Ihaven’t.
Wecan’tchargemorethansixpenceamileafterthefirst，withinthefour—mileradius.ThisverymorningIhadtogoaclearsixmilesandonlytookthreeshillings.Icouldnotgetareturnfare，andhadtocomeallthewayback;there’stwelvemilesforthehorseandthreeshillingsforme.AfterthatIhadathree—milefare，andtherewerebagsandboxesenoughtohavebroughtinagoodmanytwopencesiftheyhadbeenputoutside;butyouknowhowpeopledo;
allthatcouldbepiledupinsideonthefrontseatwereputinandthreeheavyboxeswentonthetop.Thatwassixpence，andthefareoneandsixpence;thenIgotareturnforashilling.
Nowthatmakeseighteenmilesforthehorseandsixshillingsforme;
there’sthreeshillingsstillforthathorsetoearnandnineshillingsfortheafternoonhorsebeforeItouchapenny.Ofcourse，itisnotalwayssobadasthat，butyouknowitoftenis，andIsay’tisamockerytotellamanthathemustnotoverworkhishorse，forwhenabeastisdownrighttiredthere’snothingbutthewhipthatwillkeephislegsa—going;youcan’thelpyourself——
youmustputyourwifeandchildrenbeforethehorse;themastersmustlooktothat，wecan’t.Idon’till—usemyhorseforthesakeofit;
noneofyoucansayIdo.There’swronglayssomewhere——
neveraday’srest，neveraquiethourwiththewifeandchildren.
Ioftenfeellikeanoldman，thoughI’monlyforty—five.
Youknowhowquicksomeofthegentryaretosuspectusofcheatingandovercharging;why，theystandwiththeirpursesintheirhandscountingitovertoapennyandlookingatusasifwewerepickpockets.
Iwishsomeof’emhadgottositonmyboxsixteenhoursadayandgetalivingoutofitandeighteenshillingsbeside，andthatinallweathers;theywouldnotbesouncommonparticularnevertogiveusasixpenceoverortocramalltheluggageinside.
Ofcourse，someof’emtipusprettyhandsomenowandthen，orelsewecouldnotlive;butyoucan’tdependuponthat."
Themenwhostoodroundmuchapprovedthisspeech，andoneofthemsaid，"Itisdesperatehard，andifamansometimesdoeswhatiswrongitisnowonder，andifhegetsadramtoomuchwho’stoblowhimup？"
Jerryhadtakennopartinthisconversation，butIneversawhisfacelooksosadbefore.Thegovernorhadstoodwithbothhishandsinhispockets;nowhetookhishandkerchiefoutofhishatandwipedhisforehead.
"You’vebeatenme，Sam，"hesaid，"forit’salltrue，andIwon’tcastituptoyouanymoreaboutthepolice;
itwasthelookinthathorse’seyethatcameoverme.
Itishardlinesformananditishardlinesforbeast，andwho’stomenditIdon’tknow：butanywayyoumighttellthepoorbeastthatyouweresorrytotakeitoutofhiminthatway.
Sometimesakindwordisallwecangive’em，poorbrutes，and’tiswonderfulwhattheydounderstand."
AfewmorningsafterthistalkanewmancameonthestandwithSam’scab.
"Halloo！"saidone，"what’supwithSeedySam？"
"He’sillinbed，"saidtheman;"hewastakenlastnightintheyard，andcouldscarcelycrawlhome.Hiswifesentaboythismorningtosayhisfatherwasinahighfeverandcouldnotgetout，soI’mhereinstead."
Thenextmorningthesamemancameagain.
"HowisSam？"inquiredthegovernor.
"He’sgone，"saidtheman.
"What，gone？Youdon’tmeantosayhe’sdead？"
"Justsnuffedout，"saidtheother;"hediedatfouro’clockthismorning;
allyesterdayhewasraving——ravingaboutSkinner，andhavingnoSundays.
`IneverhadaSunday’srest，’thesewerehislastwords."
Noonespokeforawhile，andthenthegovernorsaid，"I’lltellyouwhat，mates，thisisawarningforus."
40PoorGingerOneday，whileourcabandmanyotherswerewaitingoutsideoneoftheparkswheremusicwasplaying，ashabbyoldcabdroveupbesideours.
Thehorsewasanoldworn—outchestnut，withanill—keptcoat，andbonesthatshowedplainlythroughit，thekneesknuckledover，andthefore—legswereveryunsteady.Ihadbeeneatingsomehay，andthewindrolledalittlelockofitthatway，andthepoorcreatureputoutherlongthinneckandpickeditup，andthenturnedandlookedaboutformore.TherewasahopelesslookinthedulleyethatIcouldnothelpnoticing，andthen，asIwasthinkingwhereIhadseenthathorsebefore，shelookedfullatmeandsaid，"BlackBeauty，isthatyou？"
ItwasGinger！buthowchanged！Thebeautifullyarchedandglossyneckwasnowstraight，andlank，andfallenin;thecleanstraightlegsanddelicatefetlockswereswelled;thejointsweregrownoutofshapewithhardwork;theface，thatwasoncesofullofspiritandlife，wasnowfullofsuffering，andIcouldtellbytheheavingofhersides，andherfrequentcough，howbadherbreathwas.
Ourdriverswerestandingtogetheralittlewayoff，soIsidleduptoherasteportwo，thatwemighthavealittlequiettalk.Itwasasadtalethatshehadtotell.
Afteratwelvemonth’srunoffatEarlshall，shewasconsideredtobefitforworkagain，andwassoldtoagentleman.Foralittlewhileshegotonverywell，butafteralongergallopthanusualtheoldstrainreturned，andafterbeingrestedanddoctoredshewasagainsold.Inthiswayshechangedhandsseveraltimes，butalwaysgettinglowerdown.
"Andsoatlast，"saidshe，"Iwasboughtbyamanwhokeepsanumberofcabsandhorses，andletsthemout.Youlookwelloff，andIamgladofit，butIcouldnottellyouwhatmylifehasbeen.
WhentheyfoundoutmyweaknesstheysaidIwasnotworthwhattheygaveforme，andthatImustgointooneofthelowcabs，andjustbeusedup;thatiswhattheyaredoing，whippingandworkingwithneveronethoughtofwhatIsuffer——theypaidforme，andmustgetitoutofme，theysay.Themanwhohiresmenowpaysadealofmoneytotheownereveryday，andsohehastogetitoutofmetoo;andsoit’salltheweekroundandround，withneveraSundayrest."
Isaid，"Youusedtostandupforyourselfifyouwereill—used."
"Ah！"shesaid，"Ididonce，butit’snouse;menarestrongest，andiftheyarecruelandhavenofeeling，thereisnothingthatwecando，butjustbearit——bearitonandontotheend.Iwishtheendwascome，IwishIwasdead.Ihaveseendeadhorses，andIamsuretheydonotsufferpain;IwishImaydropdowndeadatmywork，andnotbesentofftotheknackers."
Iwasverymuchtroubled，andIputmynoseuptohers，butIcouldsaynothingtocomforther.Ithinkshewaspleasedtoseeme，forshesaid，"YouaretheonlyfriendIeverhad."
Justthenherdrivercameup，andwithatugathermouthbackedheroutofthelineanddroveoff，leavingmeverysadindeed.
Ashorttimeafterthisacartwithadeadhorseinitpassedourcab—stand.
Theheadhungoutofthecart—tail，thelifelesstonguewasslowlydroppingwithblood;andthesunkeneyes！butIcan’tspeakofthem，thesightwastoodreadful.Itwasachestnuthorsewithalong，thinneck.
Isawawhitestreakdowntheforehead.IbelieveitwasGinger;
Ihopeditwas，forthenhertroubleswouldbeover.Oh！ifmenweremoremercifultheywouldshootusbeforewecametosuchmisery.
41TheButcherIsawagreatdealoftroubleamongthehorsesinLondon，andmuchofitmighthavebeenpreventedbyalittlecommonsense.
Wehorsesdonotmindhardworkifwearetreatedreasonably，andIamsuretherearemanydrivenbyquitepoormenwhohaveahappierlifethanIhadwhenIusedtogointheCountessofW————’scarriage，withmysilver—mountedharnessandhighfeeding.
Itoftenwenttomyhearttoseehowthelittleponieswereused，strainingalongwithheavyloadsorstaggeringunderheavyblowsfromsomelow，cruelboy.OnceIsawalittlegrayponywithathickmaneandaprettyhead，andsomuchlikeMerrylegsthatifIhadnotbeeninharnessIshouldhaveneighedtohim.
Hewasdoinghisbesttopullaheavycart，whileastrongroughboywascuttinghimunderthebellywithhiswhipandchuckingcruellyathislittlemouth.CoulditbeMerrylegs？Itwasjustlikehim;
butthenMr.Blomefieldwasnevertosellhim，andIthinkhewouldnotdoit;butthismighthavebeenquiteasgoodalittlefellow，andhadashappyaplacewhenhewasyoung.
Ioftennoticedthegreatspeedatwhichbutchers’horsesweremadetogo，thoughIdidnotknowwhyitwassotillonedaywhenwehadtowaitsometimeinSt.John’sWood.Therewasabutcher’sshopnextdoor，andaswewerestandingabutcher’scartcamedashingupatagreatpace.
Thehorsewashotandmuchexhausted;hehunghisheaddown，whilehisheavingsidesandtremblinglegsshowedhowhardhehadbeendriven.
Theladjumpedoutofthecartandwasgettingthebasketwhenthemastercameoutoftheshopmuchdispleased.
Afterlookingatthehorseheturnedangrilytothelad.
"HowmanytimesshallItellyounottodriveinthisway？
Youruinedthelasthorseandbrokehiswind，andyouaregoingtoruinthisinthesameway.IfyouwerenotmyownsonIwoulddismissyouonthespot;itisadisgracetohaveahorsebroughttotheshopinaconditionlikethat;youareliabletobetakenupbythepoliceforsuchdriving，andifyouareyouneednotlooktomeforbail，forIhavespokentoyoutillI’mtired;youmustlookoutforyourself."
Duringthisspeechtheboyhadstoodby，sullenanddogged，butwhenhisfatherceasedhebrokeoutangrily.Itwasn’thisfault，andhewouldn’ttaketheblame;hewasonlygoingbyordersallthetime.
