第6章

"Youalwayssay，`Nowbequick;nowlooksharp！’andwhenIgotothehousesonewantsalegofmuttonforanearlydinnerandImustbebackwithitinaquarterofanhour;anothercookhasforgottentoorderthebeef;

Imustgoandfetchitandbebackinnotime，orthemistresswillscold;

andthehousekeepersaystheyhavecompanycomingunexpectedlyandmusthavesomechopssentupdirectly;andtheladyatNo.4，intheCrescent，neverordersherdinnertillthemeatcomesinforlunch，andit’snothingbuthurry，hurry，allthetime.Ifthegentrywouldthinkofwhattheywant，andordertheirmeatthedaybefore，thereneednotbethisblowup！"

"Iwishtogoodnesstheywould，"saidthebutcher;"’twouldsavemeawonderfuldealofharass，andIcouldsuitmycustomersmuchbetterifIknewbeforehand——Butthere！what’stheuseoftalking——

whoeverthinksofabutcher’sconvenienceorabutcher’shorse！Now，then，takehiminandlooktohimwell;mind，hedoesnotgooutagainto—day，andifanythingelseiswantedyoumustcarryityourselfinthebasket."

Withthathewentin，andthehorsewasledaway.

Butallboysarenotcruel.Ihaveseensomeasfondoftheirponyordonkeyasifithadbeenafavoritedog，andthelittlecreatureshaveworkedawayascheerfullyandwillinglyfortheiryoungdriversasIworkforJerry.

Itmaybehardworksometimes，butafriend’shandandvoicemakeiteasy.

Therewasayoungcoster—boywhocameupourstreetwithgreensandpotatoes;

hehadanoldpony，notveryhandsome，butthecheerfullestandpluckiestlittlethingIeversaw，andtoseehowfondthosetwowereofeachotherwasatreat.Theponyfollowedhismasterlikeadog，andwhenhegotintohiscartwouldtrotoffwithoutawhiporaword，andrattledownthestreetasmerrilyasifhehadcomeoutofthequeen’sstables.Jerrylikedtheboy，andcalledhim"PrinceCharlie"，forhesaidhewouldmakeakingofdriverssomeday.

Therewasanoldman，too，whousedtocomeupourstreetwithalittlecoalcart;heworeacoal—heaver’shat，andlookedroughandblack.

Heandhisoldhorseusedtoplodtogetheralongthestreet，liketwogoodpartnerswhounderstoodeachother;thehorsewouldstopofhisownaccordatthedoorswheretheytookcoalofhim;heusedtokeeponeearbenttowardhismaster.Theoldman’scrycouldbeheardupthestreetlongbeforehecamenear.Ineverknewwhathesaid，butthechildrencalledhim"OldBa—a—arHoo"，foritsoundedlikethat.

Pollytookhercoalofhim，andwasveryfriendly，andJerrysaiditwasacomforttothinkhowhappyanoldhorsemightbeinapoorplace.

42TheElectionAswecameintotheyardoneafternoonPollycameout."Jerry！

I’vehadMr.B————hereaskingaboutyourvote，andhewantstohireyourcabfortheelection;hewillcallforananswer."

"Well，Polly，youmaysaythatmycabwillbeotherwiseengaged.

Ishouldnotliketohaveitpastedoverwiththeirgreatbills，andastomakingJackandCaptainraceabouttothepublic—housestobringuphalf—drunkenvoters，why，Ithink’twouldbeaninsulttothehorses.No，Ishan’tdoit."

"Isupposeyou’llvoteforthegentleman？Hesaidhewasofyourpolitics."

"Soheisinsomethings，butIshallnotvoteforhim，Polly;

youknowwhathistradeis？"

"Yes."

"Well，amanwhogetsrichbythattrademaybeallverywellinsomeways，butheisblindastowhatworkingmenwant;Icouldnotinmyconsciencesendhimuptomakethelaws.Idaresaythey’llbeangry，buteverymanmustdowhathethinkstobethebestforhiscountry."

Onthemorningbeforetheelection，Jerrywasputtingmeintotheshafts，whenDollycameintotheyardsobbingandcrying，withherlittlebluefrockandwhitepinaforespatteredalloverwithmud.

"Why，Dolly，whatisthematter？"

"Thosenaughtyboys，"shesobbed，"havethrownthedirtalloverme，andcalledmealittleraga——raga——"

"Theycalledheralittle`blue’ragamuffin，father，"saidHarry，whoraninlookingveryangry;"butIhavegivenittothem;

theywon’tinsultmysisteragain.Ihavegiventhemathrashingtheywillremember;asetofcowardly，rascally`orange’blackguards."

Jerrykissedthechildandsaid，"Runintomother，mypet，andtellherIthinkyouhadbetterstayathometo—dayandhelpher."

ThenturninggravelytoHarry：

"Myboy，Ihopeyouwillalwaysdefendyoursister，andgiveanybodywhoinsultsheragoodthrashing——thatisasitshouldbe;

butmind，Iwon’thaveanyelectionblackguardingonmypremises.

Thereareasmany`blue’blackguardsasthereare`orange’，andasmanywhiteastherearepurple，oranyothercolor，andIwon’thaveanyofmyfamilymixedupwithit.Evenwomenandchildrenarereadytoquarrelforthesakeofacolor，andnotoneintenofthemknowswhatitisabout."

"Why，father，IthoughtbluewasforLiberty."

"Myboy，Libertydoesnotcomefromcolors，theyonlyshowparty，andallthelibertyyoucangetoutofthemis，libertytogetdrunkatotherpeople’sexpense，libertytoridetothepollinadirtyoldcab，libertytoabuseanyonethatdoesnotwearyourcolor，andtoshoutyourselfhoarseatwhatyouonlyhalf—understand——

that’syourliberty！"

"Oh，father，youarelaughing."

"No，Harry，Iamserious，andIamashamedtoseehowmengoonwhooughttoknowbetter.Anelectionisaveryseriousthing;

atleastitoughttobe，andeverymanoughttovoteaccordingtohisconscience，andlethisneighbordothesame."

43AFriendinNeedTheelectiondaycameatlast;therewasnolackofworkforJerryandme.

Firstcameastoutpuffygentlemanwithacarpetbag;hewantedtogototheBishopsgatestation;thenwewerecalledbyapartywhowishedtobetakentotheRegent’sPark;andnextwewerewantedinasidestreetwhereatimid，anxiousoldladywaswaitingtobetakentothebank;therewehadtostoptotakeherbackagain，andjustaswehadsetherdownared—facedgentleman，withahandfulofpapers，camerunningupoutofbreath，andbeforeJerrycouldgetdownhehadopenedthedoor，poppedhimselfin，andcalledout，"BowStreetPoliceStation，quick！"sooffwewentwithhim，andwhenafteranotherturnortwowecameback，therewasnoothercabonthestand.Jerryputonmynose—bag，forashesaid，"Wemusteatwhenwecanonsuchdaysasthese;somunchaway，Jack，andmakethebestofyourtime，oldboy."

IfoundIhadagoodfeedofcrushedoatswettedupwithalittlebran;

thiswouldbeatreatanyday，butveryrefreshingthen.

Jerrywassothoughtfulandkind——whathorsewouldnotdohisbestforsuchamaster？ThenhetookoutoneofPolly’smeatpies，andstandingnearme，hebegantoeatit.Thestreetswereveryfull，andthecabs，withthecandidates’colorsonthem，weredashingaboutthroughthecrowdasiflifeandlimbwereofnoconsequence;

wesawtwopeopleknockeddownthatday，andonewasawoman.

Thehorseswerehavingabadtimeofit，poorthings！

butthevotersinsidethoughtnothingofthat;manyofthemwerehalf—drunk，hurrahingoutofthecabwindowsiftheirownpartycameby.

ItwasthefirstelectionIhadseen，andIdon’twanttobeinanother，thoughIhaveheardthingsarebetternow.

JerryandIhadnoteatenmanymouthfulsbeforeapooryoungwoman，carryingaheavychild，camealongthestreet.Shewaslookingthiswayandthatway，andseemedquitebewildered.PresentlyshemadeherwayuptoJerryandaskedifhecouldtellherthewaytoSt.Thomas’Hospital，andhowfaritwastogetthere.

Shehadcomefromthecountrythatmorning，shesaid，inamarketcart;

shedidnotknowabouttheelection，andwasquiteastrangerinLondon.

Shehadgotanorderforthehospitalforherlittleboy.

Thechildwascryingwithafeeble，piningcry.

"Poorlittlefellow！"shesaid，"hesuffersadealofpain;

heisfouryearsoldandcan’twalkanymorethanababy;

butthedoctorsaidifIcouldgethimintothehospitalhemightgetwell;pray，sir，howfarisit;andwhichwayisit？"

"Why，missis，"saidJerry，"youcan’tgettherewalkingthroughcrowdslikethis！why，itisthreemilesaway，andthatchildisheavy."

"Yes，blesshim，heis;butIamstrong，thankGod，andifIknewthewayIthinkIshouldgetonsomehow;pleasetellmetheway."

"Youcan’tdoit，"saidJerry，"youmightbeknockeddownandthechildberunover.Nowlookhere，justgetintothiscab，andI’lldriveyousafetothehospital.Don’tyouseetherainiscomingon？"

"No，sir，no;Ican’tdothat，thankyou，Ihaveonlyjustmoneyenoughtogetbackwith.Pleasetellmetheway."

"Lookyouhere，missis，"saidJerry，"I’vegotawifeanddearchildrenathome，andIknowafather’sfeelings;nowgetyouintothatcab，andI’lltakeyoutherefornothing.I’dbeashamedofmyselftoletawomanandasickchildrunarisklikethat."

"Heavenblessyou！"saidthewoman，andburstintotears.

"There，there，cheerup，mydear，I’llsoontakeyouthere;

come，letmeputyouinside."

AsJerrywenttoopenthedoortwomen，withcolorsintheirhatsandbuttonholes，ranupcallingout，"Cab！"

"Engaged，"criedJerry;butoneofthemen，pushingpastthewoman，sprangintothecab，followedbytheother.Jerrylookedassternasapoliceman."Thiscabisalreadyengaged，gentlemen，bythatlady."

"Lady！"saidoneofthem;"oh！shecanwait;ourbusinessisveryimportant，besideswewereinfirst，itisourright，andweshallstayin."

AdrollsmilecameoverJerry’sfaceasheshutthedooruponthem.

"Allright，gentlemen，praystayinaslongasitsuitsyou;

Icanwaitwhileyourestyourselves."Andturninghisbackuponthemhewalkeduptotheyoungwoman，whowasstandingnearme.

"They’llsoonbegone，"hesaid，laughing;"don’ttroubleyourself，mydear."

Andtheysoonweregone，forwhentheyunderstoodJerry’sdodgetheygotout，callinghimallsortsofbadnamesandblusteringabouthisnumberandgettingasummons.Afterthislittlestoppageweweresoononourwaytothehospital，goingasmuchaspossiblethroughby—streets.

Jerryrungthegreatbellandhelpedtheyoungwomanout.

"Thankyouathousandtimes，"shesaid;"Icouldneverhavegotherealone."

"You’rekindlywelcome，andIhopethedearchildwillsoonbebetter."

Hewatchedhergoinatthedoor，andgentlyhesaidtohimself，"Inasmuchasyehavedoneittooneoftheleastofthese."

Thenhepattedmyneck，whichwasalwayshiswaywhenanythingpleasedhim.

Therainwasnowcomingdownfast，andjustaswewereleavingthehospitalthedooropenedagain，andtheportercalledout，"Cab！"Westopped，andaladycamedownthesteps.Jerryseemedtoknowheratonce;

sheputbackherveilandsaid，"Barker！JeremiahBarker，isityou？

Iamverygladtofindyouhere;youarejustthefriendIwant，foritisverydifficulttogetacabinthispartofLondonto—day."

"Ishallbeproudtoserveyou，ma’am;IamrightgladIhappenedtobehere.

WheremayItakeyouto，ma’am？"

"TothePaddingtonStation，andthenifweareingoodtime，asIthinkweshallbe，youshalltellmeallaboutMaryandthechildren."

Wegottothestationingoodtime，andbeingundersheltertheladystoodagoodwhiletalkingtoJerry.IfoundshehadbeenPolly’smistress，andaftermanyinquiriesabouthershesaid：

"Howdoyoufindthecabworksuityouinwinter？IknowMarywasratheranxiousaboutyoulastyear."

"Yes，ma’am，shewas;Ihadabadcoughthatfollowedmeupquiteintothewarmweather，andwhenIamkeptoutlateshedoesworryherselfagooddeal.Yousee，ma’am，itisallhoursandallweathers，andthatdoestryaman’sconstitution;butIamgettingonprettywell，andIshouldfeelquitelostifIhadnothorsestolookafter.

Iwasbroughtuptoit，andIamafraidIshouldnotdosowellatanythingelse."

"Well，Barker，"shesaid，"itwouldbeagreatpitythatyoushouldseriouslyriskyourhealthinthiswork，notonlyforyourownbutforMary’sandthechildren’ssake;therearemanyplaceswheregooddriversorgoodgroomsarewanted，andifeveryouthinkyououghttogiveupthiscabworkletmeknow."

ThensendingsomekindmessagestoMarysheputsomethingintohishand，saying，"Thereisfiveshillingseachforthetwochildren;

Marywillknowhowtospendit."

Jerrythankedherandseemedmuchpleased，andturningoutofthestationweatlastreachedhome，andI，atleast，wastired.

44OldCaptainandHisSuccessorCaptainandIweregreatfriends.Hewasanobleoldfellow，andhewasverygoodcompany.Ineverthoughtthathewouldhavetoleavehishomeandgodownthehill;buthisturncame，andthiswashowithappened.Iwasnotthere，butIheardallaboutit.

HeandJerryhadtakenapartytothegreatrailwaystationoverLondonBridge，andwerecomingback，somewherebetweenthebridgeandthemonument，whenJerrysawabrewer’semptydraycomingalong，drawnbytwopowerfulhorses.Thedraymanwaslashinghishorseswithhisheavywhip;thedraywaslight，andtheystartedoffatafuriousrate;

themanhadnocontroloverthem，andthestreetwasfulloftraffic.

Oneyounggirlwasknockeddownandrunover，andthenextmomenttheydashedupagainstourcab;boththewheelsweretornoffandthecabwasthrownover.Captainwasdraggeddown，theshaftssplintered，andoneofthemranintohisside.Jerry，too，wasthrown，butwasonlybruised;nobodycouldtellhowheescaped;

healwayssaid’twasamiracle.WhenpoorCaptainwasgotuphewasfoundtobeverymuchcutandknockedabout.Jerryledhimhomegently，andasadsightitwastoseethebloodsoakingintohiswhitecoatanddroppingfromhissideandshoulder.Thedraymanwasprovedtobeverydrunk，andwasfined，andthebrewerhadtopaydamagestoourmaster;

buttherewasnoonetopaydamagestopoorCaptain.

ThefarrierandJerrydidthebesttheycouldtoeasehispainandmakehimcomfortable.Theflyhadtobemended，andforseveraldaysIdidnotgoout，andJerryearnednothing.ThefirsttimewewenttothestandaftertheaccidentthegovernorcameuptohearhowCaptainwas.

"He’llnevergetoverit，"saidJerry，"atleastnotformywork，sothefarriersaidthismorning.Hesayshemaydoforcarting，andthatsortofwork.Ithasputmeoutverymuch.Carting，indeed！

I’veseenwhathorsescometoatthatworkroundLondon.Ionlywishallthedrunkardscouldbeputinalunaticasyluminsteadofbeingallowedtorunfoulofsoberpeople.Iftheywouldbreaktheirownbones，andsmashtheirowncarts，andlametheirownhorses，thatwouldbetheirownaffair，andwemightletthemalone，butitseemstomethattheinnocentalwayssuffer;andthentheytalkaboutcompensation！

Youcan’tmakecompensation;there’sallthetrouble，andvexation，andlossoftime，besideslosingagoodhorsethat’slikeanoldfriend——

it’snonsensetalkingofcompensation！Ifthere’sonedevilthatIshouldliketoseeinthebottomlesspitmorethananother，it’sthedrinkdevil."

"Isay，Jerry，"saidthegovernor，"youaretreadingprettyhardonmytoes，youknow;I’mnotsogoodasyouare，moreshametome;IwishIwas."

"Well，"saidJerry，"whydon’tyoucutwithit，governor？

Youaretoogoodamantobetheslaveofsuchathing."

"I’magreatfool，Jerry，butItriedoncefortwodays，andIthoughtIshouldhavedied;howdidyoudo？"

"Ihadhardworkatitforseveralweeks;youseeIneverdidgetdrunk，butIfoundthatIwasnotmyownmaster，andthatwhenthecravingcameonitwashardworktosay`no’.Isawthatoneofusmustknockunder，thedrinkdevilorJerryBarker，andIsaidthatitshouldnotbeJerryBarker，Godhelpingme;butitwasastruggle，andIwantedallthehelpIcouldget，fortillItriedtobreakthehabitIdidnotknowhowstrongitwas;butthenPollytooksuchpainsthatIshouldhavegoodfood，andwhenthecravingcameonIusedtogetacupofcoffee，orsomepeppermint，orreadabitinmybook，andthatwasahelptome;sometimesIhadtosayoverandovertomyself，`Giveupthedrinkorloseyoursoul！GiveupthedrinkorbreakPolly’sheart！’ButthanksbetoGod，andmydearwife，mychainswerebroken，andnowfortenyearsIhavenottastedadrop，andneverwishforit."

"I’veagreatmindtotryatit，"saidGrant，"for’tisapoorthingnottobeone’sownmaster."

"Do，governor，do，you’llneverrepentit，andwhatahelpitwouldbetosomeofthepoorfellowsinourrankiftheysawyoudowithoutit.

Iknowthere’stwoorthreewouldliketokeepoutofthattaverniftheycould."

AtfirstCaptainseemedtodowell，buthewasaveryoldhorse，anditwasonlyhiswonderfulconstitution，andJerry’scare，thathadkepthimupatthecabworksolong;nowhebrokedownverymuch.

Thefarriersaidhemightmendupenoughtosellforafewpounds，butJerrysaid，no！afewpoundsgotbysellingagoodoldservantintohardworkandmiserywouldcankeralltherestofhismoney，andhethoughtthekindestthinghecoulddoforthefineoldfellowwouldbetoputasurebulletthroughhishead，andthenhewouldneversuffermore;forhedidnotknowwheretofindakindmasterfortherestofhisdays.

ThedayafterthiswasdecidedHarrytookmetotheforgeforsomenewshoes;

whenIreturnedCaptainwasgone.Iandthefamilyallfeltitverymuch.

Jerryhadnowtolookoutforanotherhorse，andhesoonheardofonethroughanacquaintancewhowasunder—groominanobleman’sstables.

Hewasavaluableyounghorse，buthehadrunaway，smashedintoanothercarriage，flunghislordshipout，andsocutandblemishedhimselfthathewasnolongerfitforagentleman’sstables，andthecoachmanhadorderstolookround，andsellhimaswellashecould.

"Icandowithhighspirits，"saidJerry，"ifahorseisnotviciousorhard—mouthed."

"Thereisnotabitofviceinhim，"saidtheman;"hismouthisverytender，andIthinkmyselfthatwasthecauseoftheaccident;

youseehehadjustbeenclipped，andtheweatherwasbad，andhehadnothadexerciseenough，andwhenhedidgoouthewasasfullofspringasaballoon.Ourgovernor（thecoachman，Imean）

hadhimharnessedinastightandstrongashecould，withthemartingale，andthecheck—rein，averysharpcurb，andthereinsputinatthebottombar.Itismybeliefthatitmadethehorsemad，beingtenderinthemouthandsofullofspirit."

"Likelyenough;I’llcomeandseehim，"saidJerry.

ThenextdayHotspur，thatwashisname，camehome;

hewasafinebrownhorse，withoutawhitehairinhim，astallasCaptain，withaveryhandsomehead，andonlyfiveyearsold.Igavehimafriendlygreetingbywayofgoodfellowship，butdidnotaskhimanyquestions.Thefirstnighthewasveryrestless.Insteadoflyingdown，hekeptjerkinghishalterropeupanddownthroughthering，andknockingtheblockaboutagainstthemangertillIcouldnotsleep.

However，thenextday，afterfiveorsixhoursinthecab，hecameinquietandsensible.Jerrypattedandtalkedtohimagooddeal，andverysoontheyunderstoodeachother，andJerrysaidthatwithaneasybitandplentyofworkhewouldbeasgentleasalamb;

andthatitwasanillwindthatblewnobodygood，forifhislordshiphadlostahundred—guineafavorite，thecabmanhadgainedagoodhorsewithallhisstrengthinhim.

Hotspurthoughtitagreatcome—downtobeacab—horse，andwasdisgustedatstandingintherank，butheconfessedtomeattheendoftheweekthataneasymouthandafreeheadmadeupforagreatdeal，andafterall，theworkwasnotsodegradingashavingone’sheadandtailfastenedtoeachotheratthesaddle.

Infact，hesettledinwell，andJerrylikedhimverymuch.

45Jerry’sNewYearForsomepeopleChristmasandtheNewYearareverymerrytimes;

butforcabmenandcabmen’shorsesitisnoholiday，thoughitmaybeaharvest.Therearesomanyparties，balls，andplacesofamusementopenthattheworkishardandoftenlate.Sometimesdriverandhorsehavetowaitforhoursintherainorfrost，shiveringwiththecold，whilethemerrypeoplewithinaredancingawaytothemusic.Iwonderifthebeautifulladieseverthinkofthewearycabmanwaitingonhisbox，andhispatientbeaststanding，tillhislegsgetstiffwithcold.

Ihadnowmostoftheeveningwork，asIwaswellaccustomedtostanding，andJerrywasalsomoreafraidofHotspurtakingcold.WehadagreatdealoflateworkintheChristmasweek，andJerry’scoughwasbad;

buthoweverlatewewere，Pollysatupforhim，andcameoutwithalanterntomeethim，lookinganxiousandtroubled.

OntheeveningoftheNewYearwehadtotaketwogentlementoahouseinoneoftheWestEndSquares.Wesetthemdownatnineo’clock，andweretoldtocomeagainateleven，"but，"saidone，"asitisacardparty，youmayhavetowaitafewminutes，butdon’tbelate."

Astheclockstruckelevenwewereatthedoor，forJerrywasalwayspunctual.Theclockchimedthequarters，one，two，three，andthenstrucktwelve，butthedoordidnotopen.

Thewindhadbeenverychangeable，withsquallsofrainduringtheday，butnowitcameonsharp，drivingsleet，whichseemedtocomeallthewayround;itwasverycold，andtherewasnoshelter.

Jerrygotoffhisboxandcameandpulledoneofmyclothsalittlemoreovermyneck;thenhetookaturnortwoupanddown，stampinghisfeet;

thenhebegantobeathisarms，butthatsethimoffcoughing;soheopenedthecabdoorandsatatthebottomwithhisfeetonthepavement，andwasalittlesheltered.Stilltheclockchimedthequarters，andnoonecame.Athalf—pasttwelveherangthebellandaskedtheservantifhewouldbewantedthatnight.

"Oh，yes，you’llbewantedsafeenough，"saidtheman;"youmustnotgo，itwillsoonbeover，"andagainJerrysatdown，buthisvoicewassohoarseIcouldhardlyhearhim.

Ataquarterpastonethedooropened，andthetwogentlemencameout;

theygotintothecabwithoutaword，andtoldJerrywheretodrive，thatwasnearlytwomiles.Mylegswerenumbwithcold，andIthoughtIshouldhavestumbled.Whenthemengotouttheyneversaidtheyweresorrytohavekeptuswaitingsolong，butwereangryatthecharge;however，asJerryneverchargedmorethanwashisdue，sohenevertookless，andtheyhadtopayforthetwohoursandaquarterwaiting;

butitwashard—earnedmoneytoJerry.

Atlastwegothome;hecouldhardlyspeak，andhiscoughwasdreadful.

Pollyaskednoquestions，butopenedthedoorandheldthelanternforhim.

"Can’tIdosomething？"shesaid.

"Yes;getJacksomethingwarm，andthenboilmesomegruel."

Thiswassaidinahoarsewhisper;hecouldhardlygethisbreath，buthegavemearub—downasusual，andevenwentupintothehayloftforanextrabundleofstrawformybed.Pollybroughtmeawarmmashthatmademecomfortable，andthentheylockedthedoor.

Itwaslatethenextmorningbeforeanyonecame，andthenitwasonlyHarry.

Hecleanedusandfedus，andsweptoutthestalls，thenheputthestrawbackagainasifitwasSunday.Hewasverystill，andneitherwhistlednorsang.Atnoonhecameagainandgaveusourfoodandwater;

thistimeDollycamewithhim;shewascrying，andIcouldgatherfromwhattheysaidthatJerrywasdangerouslyill，andthedoctorsaiditwasabadcase.Sotwodayspassed，andtherewasgreattroubleindoors.

WeonlysawHarry，andsometimesDolly.Ithinkshecameforcompany，forPollywasalwayswithJerry，andhehadtobekeptveryquiet.

Onthethirdday，whileHarrywasinthestable，atapcameatthedoor，andGovernorGrantcamein.

"Iwouldn’tgotothehouse，myboy，"hesaid，"butIwanttoknowhowyourfatheris."

"Heisverybad，"saidHarry，"hecan’tbemuchworse;

theycallit`bronchitis’;thedoctorthinksitwillturnonewayoranotherto—night."

"That’sbad，verybad，"saidGrant，shakinghishead;

"Iknowtwomenwhodiedofthatlastweek;ittakes’emoffinnotime;

butwhilethere’slifethere’shope，soyoumustkeepupyourspirits."

"Yes，"saidHarryquickly，"andthedoctorsaidthatfatherhadabetterchancethanmostmen，becausehedidn’tdrink.Hesaidyesterdaythefeverwassohighthatiffatherhadbeenadrinkingmanitwouldhaveburnedhimuplikeapieceofpaper;butIbelievehethinkshewillgetoverit;don’tyouthinkhewill，Mr.Grant？"

Thegovernorlookedpuzzled.

"Ifthere’sanyrulethatgoodmenshouldgetoverthesethings，I’msurehewill，myboy;he’sthebestmanIknow.

I’lllookinearlyto—morrow."

Earlynextmorninghewasthere.

"Well？"saidhe.

"Fatherisbetter，"saidHarry."Motherhopeshewillgetoverit."

"ThankGod！"saidthegovernor，"andnowyoumustkeephimwarm，andkeephismindeasy，andthatbringsmetothehorses;

youseeJackwillbeallthebetterfortherestofaweekortwoinawarmstable，andyoucaneasilytakehimaturnupanddownthestreettostretchhislegs;butthisyoungone，ifhedoesnotgetwork，hewillsoonbealluponend，asyoumaysay，andwillberathertoomuchforyou;andwhenhedoesgooutthere’llbeanaccident."

"Itislikethatnow，"saidHarry."Ihavekepthimshortofcorn，buthe’ssofullofspiritIdon’tknowwhattodowithhim."

"Justso，"saidGrant."Nowlookhere，willyoutellyourmotherthatifsheisagreeableIwillcomeforhimeverydaytillsomethingisarranged，andtakehimforagoodspellofwork，andwhateverheearns，I’llbringyourmotherhalfofit，andthatwillhelpwiththehorses’feed.

Yourfatherisinagoodclub，Iknow，butthatwon’tkeepthehorses，andthey’llbeeatingtheirheadsoffallthistime;I’llcomeatnoonandhearwhatshesays，"andwithoutwaitingforHarry’sthankshewasgone.

AtnoonIthinkhewentandsawPolly，forheandHarrycametothestabletogether，harnessedHotspur，andtookhimout.

ForaweekormorehecameforHotspur，andwhenHarrythankedhimorsaidanythingabouthiskindness，helaugheditoff，sayingitwasallgoodluckforhim，forhishorseswerewantingalittlerestwhichtheywouldnototherwisehavehad.

Jerrygrewbettersteadily，butthedoctorsaidthathemustnevergobacktothecabworkagainifhewishedtobeanoldman.Thechildrenhadmanyconsultationstogetheraboutwhatfatherandmotherwoulddo，andhowtheycouldhelptoearnmoney.

OneafternoonHotspurwasbroughtinverywetanddirty.

"Thestreetsarenothingbutslush，"saidthegovernor;

"itwillgiveyouagoodwarming，myboy，togethimcleananddry."

"Allright，governor，"saidHarry，"Ishallnotleavehimtillheis;

youknowIhavebeentrainedbymyfather."

"Iwishalltheboyshadbeentrainedlikeyou，"saidthegovernor.

WhileHarrywasspongingoffthemudfromHotspur’sbodyandlegsDollycamein，lookingveryfullofsomething.

"WholivesatFairstowe，Harry？MotherhasgotaletterfromFairstowe;

sheseemedsoglad，andranupstairstofatherwithit."

"Don’tyouknow？Why，itisthenameofMrs.Fowler’splace——

mother’soldmistress，youknow——theladythatfathermetlastsummer，whosentyouandmefiveshillingseach."

"Oh！Mrs.Fowler.Ofcourse，Iknowallabouther.Iwonderwhatsheiswritingtomotherabout."

"Motherwrotetoherlastweek，"saidHarry;"youknowshetoldfatherifeverhegaveupthecabworkshewouldliketoknow.

Iwonderwhatshesays;runinandsee，Dolly."

HarryscrubbedawayatHotspurwithahuish！huish！likeanyoldhostler.

InafewminutesDollycamedancingintothestable.

"Oh！Harry，thereneverwasanythingsobeautiful;Mrs.Fowlersayswearealltogoandlivenearher.Thereisacottagenowemptythatwilljustsuitus，withagardenandahenhouse，andapple—trees，andeverything！andhercoachmanisgoingawayinthespring，andthenshewillwantfatherinhisplace;andtherearegoodfamiliesround，whereyoucangetaplaceinthegardenorthestable，orasapage—boy;

andthere’sagoodschoolforme;andmotherislaughingandcryingbyturns，andfatherdoeslooksohappy！"

"That’suncommonjolly，"saidHarry，"andjusttherightthing，Ishouldsay;

itwillsuitfatherandmotherboth;butIdon’tintendtobeapage—boywithtightclothesandrowsofbuttons.I’llbeagroomoragardener."

ItwasquicklysettledthatassoonasJerrywaswellenoughtheyshouldremovetothecountry，andthatthecabandhorsesshouldbesoldassoonaspossible.

Thiswasheavynewsforme，forIwasnotyoungnow，andcouldnotlookforanyimprovementinmycondition.SinceIleftBirtwickIhadneverbeensohappyaswithmydearmasterJerry;butthreeyearsofcabwork，evenunderthebestconditions，willtellonone’sstrength，andIfeltthatIwasnotthehorsethatIhadbeen.

GrantsaidatoncethathewouldtakeHotspur，andthereweremenonthestandwhowouldhaveboughtme;butJerrysaidIshouldnotgotocabworkagainwithjustanybody，andthegovernorpromisedtofindaplaceformewhereIshouldbecomfortable.

Thedaycameforgoingaway.Jerryhadnotbeenallowedtogooutyet，andIneversawhimafterthatNewYear’seve.Pollyandthechildrencametobidmegood—by."PooroldJack！dearoldJack！Iwishwecouldtakeyouwithus，"shesaid，andthenlayingherhandonmymanesheputherfaceclosetomyneckandkissedme.Dollywascryingandkissedmetoo.Harrystrokedmeagreatdeal，butsaidnothing，onlyheseemedverysad，andsoIwasledawaytomynewplace.

PartIV

46JakesandtheLadyIwassoldtoacorndealerandbaker，whomJerryknew，andwithhimhethoughtIshouldhavegoodfoodandfairwork.Inthefirsthewasquiteright，andifmymasterhadalwaysbeenonthepremisesIdonotthinkIshouldhavebeenoverloaded，buttherewasaforemanwhowasalwayshurryinganddrivingeveryone，andfrequentlywhenIhadquiteafullloadhewouldordersomethingelsetobetakenon.

Mycarter，whosenamewasJakes，oftensaiditwasmorethanIoughttotake，buttheotheralwaysoverruledhim."’Twasnousegoingtwicewhenoncewoulddo，andhechosetogetbusinessforward."

Jakes，liketheothercarters，alwayshadthecheck—reinup，whichpreventedmefromdrawingeasily，andbythetimeIhadbeentherethreeorfourmonthsIfoundtheworktellingverymuchonmystrength.

OnedayIwasloadedmorethanusual，andpartoftheroadwasasteepuphill.Iusedallmystrength，butIcouldnotgeton，andwasobligedcontinuallytostop.Thisdidnotpleasemydriver，andhelaidhiswhiponbadly."Geton，youlazyfellow，"hesaid，"orI’llmakeyou."

AgainIstartedtheheavyload，andstruggledonafewyards;

againthewhipcamedown，andagainIstruggledforward.

Thepainofthatgreatcartwhipwassharp，butmymindwashurtquiteasmuchasmypoorsides.TobepunishedandabusedwhenIwasdoingmyverybestwassohardittooktheheartoutofme.

Athirdtimehewasfloggingmecruelly，whenaladysteppedquicklyuptohim，andsaidinasweet，earnestvoice：

"Oh！praydonotwhipyourgoodhorseanymore;Iamsureheisdoingallhecan，andtheroadisverysteep;Iamsureheisdoinghisbest."

"Ifdoinghisbestwon’tgetthisloaduphemustdosomethingmorethanhisbest;that’sallIknow，ma’am，"saidJakes.

"Butisitnotaheavyload？"shesaid.

"Yes，yes，tooheavy，"hesaid;"butthat’snotmyfault;

theforemancamejustaswewerestarting，andwouldhavethreehundredweightmoreputontosavehimtrouble，andImustgetonwithitaswellasIcan."

Hewasraisingthewhipagain，whentheladysaid：

"Pray，stop;IthinkIcanhelpyouifyouwillletme."

Themanlaughed.

"Yousee，"shesaid，"youdonotgivehimafairchance;

hecannotuseallhispowerwithhisheadheldbackasitiswiththatcheck—rein;ifyouwouldtakeitoffIamsurehewoulddobetter——dotryit，"shesaidpersuasively，"Ishouldbeverygladifyouwould."

"Well，well，"saidJakes，withashortlaugh，"anythingtopleasealady，ofcourse.Howfarwouldyouwishitdown，ma’am？"

"Quitedown，givehimhisheadaltogether."

Thereinwastakenoff，andinamomentIputmyheaddowntomyveryknees.

Whatacomfortitwas！ThenItosseditupanddownseveraltimestogettheachingstiffnessoutofmyneck.

"Poorfellow！thatiswhatyouwanted，"saidshe，pattingandstrokingmewithhergentlehand;"andnowifyouwillspeakkindlytohimandleadhimonIbelievehewillbeabletodobetter."

Jakestooktherein."Comeon，Blackie."Iputdownmyhead，andthrewmywholeweightagainstthecollar;Isparednostrength;

theloadmovedon，andIpulleditsteadilyupthehill，andthenstoppedtotakebreath.

Theladyhadwalkedalongthefootpath，andnowcameacrossintotheroad.

Shestrokedandpattedmyneck，asIhadnotbeenpattedformanyalongday.

"Youseehewasquitewillingwhenyougavehimthechance;Iamsureheisafine—temperedcreature，andIdaresayhasknownbetterdays.

Youwon’tputthatreinonagain，willyou？"forhewasjustgoingtohitchitupontheoldplan.

"Well，ma’am，Ican’tdenythathavinghisheadhashelpedhimupthehill，andI’llrememberitanothertime，andthankyou，ma’am;butifhewentwithoutacheck—reinIshouldbethelaughing—stockofallthecarters;

itisthefashion，yousee."

"Isitnotbetter，"shesaid，"toleadagoodfashionthantofollowabadone？Agreatmanygentlemendonotusecheck—reinsnow;

ourcarriagehorseshavenotwornthemforfifteenyears，andworkwithmuchlessfatiguethanthosewhohavethem;besides，"

sheaddedinaveryseriousvoice，"wehavenorighttodistressanyofGod’screatureswithoutaverygoodreason;wecallthemdumbanimals，andsotheyare，fortheycannottellushowtheyfeel，buttheydonotsufferlessbecausetheyhavenowords.

ButImustnotdetainyounow;Ithankyoufortryingmyplanwithyourgoodhorse，andIamsureyouwillfinditfarbetterthanthewhip.Good—day，"andwithanothersoftpatonmyneckshesteppedlightlyacrossthepath，andIsawhernomore.

"Thatwasareallady，I’llbeboundforit，"saidJakestohimself;

"shespokejustaspoliteasifIwasagentleman，andI’lltryherplan，uphill，atanyrate;"andImustdohimthejusticetosaythatheletmyreinoutseveralholes，andgoinguphillafterthat，healwaysgavememyhead;buttheheavyloadswenton.

Goodfeedandfairrestwillkeepupone’sstrengthunderfullwork，butnohorsecanstandagainstoverloading;andIwasgettingsothoroughlypulleddownfromthiscausethatayoungerhorsewasboughtinmyplace.ImayaswellmentionherewhatIsufferedatthistimefromanothercause.Ihadheardhorsesspeakofit，buthadnevermyselfhadexperienceoftheevil;thiswasabadly—lightedstable;

therewasonlyoneverysmallwindowattheend，andtheconsequencewasthatthestallswerealmostdark.

Besidesthedepressingeffectthishadonmyspirits，itverymuchweakenedmysight，andwhenIwassuddenlybroughtoutofthedarknessintotheglareofdaylightitwasverypainfultomyeyes.

SeveraltimesIstumbledoverthethreshold，andcouldscarcelyseewhereIwasgoing.

Ibelieve，hadIstayedthereverylong，Ishouldhavebecomepurblind，andthatwouldhavebeenagreatmisfortune，forIhaveheardmensaythatastone—blindhorsewassafertodrivethanonewhichhadimperfectsight，asitgenerallymakesthemverytimid.However，Iescapedwithoutanypermanentinjurytomysight，andwassoldtoalargecabowner.

47HardTimesMynewmasterIshallneverforget;hehadblackeyesandahookednose，hismouthwasasfullofteethasabull—dog’s，andhisvoicewasasharshasthegrindingofcartwheelsovergraveledstones.

HisnamewasNicholasSkinner，andIbelievehewasthemanthatpoorSeedySamdrovefor.

Ihaveheardmensaythatseeingisbelieving;butIshouldsaythatfeelingisbelieving;formuchasIhadseenbefore，Ineverknewtillnowtheuttermiseryofacab—horse’slife.

Skinnerhadalowsetofcabsandalowsetofdrivers;

hewashardonthemen，andthemenwerehardonthehorses.

InthisplacewehadnoSundayrest，anditwasintheheatofsummer.

SometimesonaSundaymorningapartyoffastmenwouldhirethecabfortheday;fouroftheminsideandanotherwiththedriver，andIhadtotakethemtenorfifteenmilesoutintothecountry，andbackagain;neverwouldanyofthemgetdowntowalkupahill，letitbeeversosteep，orthedayeversohot——unless，indeed，whenthedriverwasafraidIshouldnotmanageit，andsometimesIwassofeveredandwornthatIcouldhardlytouchmyfood.

HowIusedtolongforthenicebranmashwithniterinitthatJerryusedtogiveusonSaturdaynightsinhotweather，thatusedtocoolusdownandmakeussocomfortable.

Thenwehadtwonightsandawholedayforunbrokenrest，andonMondaymorningwewereasfreshasyounghorsesagain;

butheretherewasnorest，andmydriverwasjustashardashismaster.

Hehadacruelwhipwithsomethingsosharpattheendthatitsometimesdrewblood，andhewouldevenwhipmeunderthebelly，andflipthelashoutatmyhead.Indignitieslikethesetooktheheartoutofmeterribly，butstillIdidmybestandneverhungback;for，aspoorGingersaid，itwasnouse;

menarethestrongest.

MylifewasnowsoutterlywretchedthatIwishedImight，likeGinger，dropdowndeadatmyworkandbeoutofmymisery，andonedaymywishverynearlycametopass.

Iwentonthestandateightinthemorning，andhaddoneagoodshareofwork，whenwehadtotakeafaretotherailway.

Alongtrainwasjustexpectedin，somydriverpulledupatthebackofsomeoftheoutsidecabstotakethechanceofareturnfare.

Itwasaveryheavytrain，andasallthecabsweresoonengagedourswascalledfor.Therewasapartyoffour;anoisy，blusteringmanwithalady，alittleboyandayounggirl，andagreatdealofluggage.Theladyandtheboygotintothecab，andwhilethemanorderedabouttheluggagetheyounggirlcameandlookedatme.

"Papa，"shesaid，"Iamsurethispoorhorsecannottakeusandallourluggagesofar，heissoveryweakandwornup.

Dolookathim."

"Oh！he’sallright，miss，"saidmydriver，"he’sstrongenough."

Theporter，whowaspullingaboutsomeheavyboxes，suggestedtothegentleman，astherewassomuchluggage，whetherhewouldnottakeasecondcab.

"Canyourhorsedoit，orcan’the？"saidtheblusteringman.

"Oh！hecandoitallright，sir;senduptheboxes，porter;

hecouldtakemorethanthat;"andhehelpedtohaulupaboxsoheavythatIcouldfeelthespringsgodown.

"Papa，papa，dotakeasecondcab，"saidtheyounggirlinabeseechingtone.

"Iamsurewearewrong，Iamsureitisverycruel."

"Nonsense，Grace，getinatonce，anddon’tmakeallthisfuss;

aprettythingitwouldbeifamanofbusinesshadtoexamineeverycab—horsebeforehehiredit——themanknowshisownbusinessofcourse;there，getinandholdyourtongue！"

Mygentlefriendhadtoobey，andboxafterboxwasdraggedupandlodgedonthetopofthecaborsettledbythesideofthedriver.

Atlastallwasready，andwithhisusualjerkatthereinandslashofthewhiphedroveoutofthestation.

TheloadwasveryheavyandIhadhadneitherfoodnorrestsincemorning;

butIdidmybest，asIalwayshaddone，inspiteofcrueltyandinjustice.

IgotalongfairlytillwecametoLudgateHill;buttheretheheavyloadandmyownexhaustionweretoomuch.Iwasstrugglingtokeepon，goadedbyconstantchucksofthereinanduseofthewhip，wheninasinglemoment——Icannottellhow——myfeetslippedfromunderme，andIfellheavilytothegroundonmyside;

thesuddennessandtheforcewithwhichIfellseemedtobeatallthebreathoutofmybody.Ilayperfectlystill;indeed，Ihadnopowertomove，andIthoughtnowIwasgoingtodie.Iheardasortofconfusionroundme，loud，angryvoices，andthegettingdownoftheluggage，butitwasalllikeadream.IthoughtIheardthatsweet，pitifulvoicesaying，"Oh！thatpoorhorse！itisallourfault."Someonecameandloosenedthethroatstrapofmybridle，andundidthetraceswhichkeptthecollarsotightuponme.Someonesaid，"He’sdead，he’llnevergetupagain."

ThenIcouldhearapolicemangivingorders，butIdidnotevenopenmyeyes;

Icouldonlydrawagaspingbreathnowandthen.Somecoldwaterwasthrownovermyhead，andsomecordialwaspouredintomymouth，andsomethingwascoveredoverme.IcannottellhowlongIlaythere，butIfoundmylifecomingback，andakind—voicedmanwaspattingmeandencouragingmetorise.Aftersomemorecordialhadbeengivenme，andafteroneortwoattempts，Istaggeredtomyfeet，andwasgentlyledtosomestableswhichwerecloseby.

HereIwasputintoawell—litteredstall，andsomewarmgruelwasbroughttome，whichIdrankthankfully.

IntheeveningIwassufficientlyrecoveredtobeledbacktoSkinner’sstables，whereIthinktheydidthebestformetheycould.

InthemorningSkinnercamewithafarriertolookatme.

Heexaminedmeverycloselyandsaid：

"Thisisacaseofoverworkmorethandisease，andifyoucouldgivehimarunoffforsixmonthshewouldbeabletoworkagain;

butnowthereisnotanounceofstrengthleftinhim."

"Thenhemustjustgotothedogs，"saidSkinner."Ihavenomeadowstonursesickhorsesin——hemightgetwellorhemightnot;

thatsortofthingdon’tsuitmybusiness;myplanistowork’emaslongasthey’llgo，andthensell’emforwhatthey’llfetch，attheknacker’sorelsewhere."

"Ifhewasbroken—winded，"saidthefarrier，"youhadbetterhavehimkilledoutofhand，butheisnot;thereisasaleofhorsescomingoffinabouttendays;ifyouresthimandfeedhimuphemaypickup，andyoumaygetmorethanhisskinisworth，atanyrate."

UponthisadviceSkinner，ratherunwillingly，Ithink，gaveordersthatIshouldbewellfedandcaredfor，andthestableman，happilyforme，carriedouttheorderswithamuchbetterwillthanhismasterhadingivingthem.Tendaysofperfectrest，plentyofgoodoats，hay，branmashes，withboiledlinseedmixedinthem，didmoretogetupmyconditionthananythingelsecouldhavedone;

thoselinseedmashesweredelicious，andIbegantothink，afterall，itmightbebettertolivethangotothedogs.Whenthetwelfthdayaftertheaccidentcame，Iwastakentothesale，afewmilesoutofLondon.

Ifeltthatanychangefrommypresentplacemustbeanimprovement，soIheldupmyhead，andhopedforthebest.

48FarmerThoroughgoodandHisGrandsonWillieAtthissale，ofcourseIfoundmyselfincompanywiththeoldbroken—downhorses——somelame，somebroken—winded，someold，andsomethatIamsureitwouldhavebeenmercifultoshoot.

Thebuyersandsellers，too，manyofthem，lookednotmuchbetteroffthanthepoorbeaststheywerebargainingabout.Therewerepooroldmen，tryingtogetahorseoraponyforafewpounds，thatmightdragaboutsomelittlewoodorcoalcart.Therewerepoormentryingtosellaworn—outbeastfortwoorthreepounds，ratherthanhavethegreaterlossofkillinghim.Someofthemlookedasifpovertyandhardtimeshadhardenedthemallover;buttherewereothersthatIwouldhavewillinglyusedthelastofmystrengthinserving;poorandshabby，butkindandhuman，withvoicesthatIcouldtrust.

Therewasonetotteringoldmanwhotookagreatfancytome，andItohim，butIwasnotstrongenough——itwasananxioustime！

Comingfromthebetterpartofthefair，Inoticedamanwholookedlikeagentlemanfarmer，withayoungboybyhisside;

hehadabroadbackandroundshoulders，akind，ruddyface，andheworeabroad—brimmedhat.Whenhecameuptomeandmycompanionshestoodstillandgaveapitifullookrounduponus.Isawhiseyerestonme;Ihadstillagoodmaneandtail，whichdidsomethingformyappearance.Iprickedmyearsandlookedathim.

"There’sahorse，Willie，thathasknownbetterdays."

"Pooroldfellow！"saidtheboy，"doyouthink，grandpapa，hewaseveracarriagehorse？"

"Oh，yes！myboy，"saidthefarmer，comingcloser，"hemighthavebeenanythingwhenhewasyoung;lookathisnostrilsandhisears，theshapeofhisneckandshoulder;there’sadealofbreedingaboutthathorse."Heputouthishandandgavemeakindpatontheneck.

Iputoutmynoseinanswertohiskindness;theboystrokedmyface.

"Pooroldfellow！see，grandpapa，howwellheunderstandskindness.

CouldnotyoubuyhimandmakehimyoungagainasyoudidwithLadybird？"

"Mydearboy，Ican’tmakealloldhorsesyoung;besides，Ladybirdwasnotsoveryold，asshewasrundownandbadlyused."

"Well，grandpapa，Idon’tbelievethatthisoneisold;

lookathismaneandtail.Iwishyouwouldlookintohismouth，andthenyoucouldtell;thoughheissoverythin，hiseyesarenotsunklikesomeoldhorses’."

Theoldgentlemanlaughed."Blesstheboy！heisashorseyashisoldgrandfather."

"Butdolookathismouth，grandpapa，andasktheprice;

Iamsurehewouldgrowyounginourmeadows."

Themanwhohadbroughtmeforsalenowputinhisword.

"Theyounggentleman’sarealknowingone，sir.Nowthefactis，this’erehossisjustpulleddownwithoverworkinthecabs;

he’snotanoldone，andIheerdashowthevetenaryshouldsay，thatasixmonths’runoffwouldsethimrightup，beingashowhiswindwasnotbroken.I’vehadthetendingofhimthesetendayspast，andagratefuller，pleasanteranimalInevermetwith，and’twouldbeworthagentleman’swhiletogiveafive—poundnoteforhim，andlethimhaveachance.I’llbeboundhe’dbeworthtwentypoundsnextspring."

Theoldgentlemanlaughed，andthelittleboylookedupeagerly.

"Oh，grandpapa，didyounotsaythecoltsoldforfivepoundsmorethanyouexpected？Youwouldnotbepoorerifyoudidbuythisone."

Thefarmerslowlyfeltmylegs，whichweremuchswelledandstrained;

thenhelookedatmymouth."Thirteenorfourteen，Ishouldsay;

justtrothimout，willyou？"

Iarchedmypoorthinneck，raisedmytailalittle，andthrewoutmylegsaswellasIcould，fortheywereverystiff.

"Whatisthelowestyouwilltakeforhim？"saidthefarmerasIcameback.

"Fivepounds，sir;thatwasthelowestpricemymasterset."

"’Tisaspeculation，"saidtheoldgentleman，shakinghishead，butatthesametimeslowlydrawingouthispurse，"quiteaspeculation！

Haveyouanymorebusinesshere？"hesaid，countingthesovereignsintohishand.

"No，sir，Icantakehimforyoutotheinn，ifyouplease."

"Doso，Iamnowgoingthere."

Theywalkedforward，andIwasledbehind.Theboycouldhardlycontrolhisdelight，andtheoldgentlemanseemedtoenjoyhispleasure.

Ihadagoodfeedattheinn，andwasthengentlyriddenhomebyaservantofmynewmaster’s，andturnedintoalargemeadowwithashedinonecornerofit.

Mr.Thoroughgood，forthatwasthenameofmybenefactor，gaveordersthatIshouldhavehayandoatseverynightandmorning，andtherunofthemeadowduringtheday，and，"you，Willie，"saidhe，"musttaketheoversightofhim;Igivehiminchargetoyou."

Theboywasproudofhischarge，andundertookitinallseriousness.

Therewasnotadaywhenhedidnotpaymeavisit;sometimespickingmeoutfromamongtheotherhorses，andgivingmeabitofcarrot，orsomethinggood，orsometimesstandingbymewhileIatemyoats.

Healwayscamewithkindwordsandcaresses，andofcourseIgrewveryfondofhim.HecalledmeOldCrony，asIusedtocometohiminthefieldandfollowhimabout.Sometimeshebroughthisgrandfather，whoalwayslookedcloselyatmylegs.

"Thisisourpoint，Willie，"hewouldsay;"butheisimprovingsosteadilythatIthinkweshallseeachangeforthebetterinthespring."

Theperfectrest，thegoodfood，thesoftturf，andgentleexercise，soonbegantotellonmyconditionandmyspirits.Ihadagoodconstitutionfrommymother，andIwasneverstrainedwhenIwasyoung，sothatIhadabetterchancethanmanyhorseswhohavebeenworkedbeforetheycametotheirfullstrength.DuringthewintermylegsimprovedsomuchthatIbegantofeelquiteyoungagain.

Thespringcameround，andonedayinMarchMr.Thoroughgooddeterminedthathewouldtrymeinthephaeton.Iwaswellpleased，andheandWilliedrovemeafewmiles.Mylegswerenotstiffnow，andIdidtheworkwithperfectease.

"He’sgrowingyoung，Willie;wemustgivehimalittlegentleworknow，andbymid—summerhewillbeasgoodasLadybird.Hehasabeautifulmouthandgoodpaces;theycan’tbebetter."

"Oh，grandpapa，howgladIamyouboughthim！"

"SoamI，myboy;buthehastothankyoumorethanme;

wemustnowbelookingoutforaquiet，genteelplaceforhim，wherehewillbevalued."

49MyLastHomeOnedayduringthissummerthegroomcleanedanddressedmewithsuchextraordinarycarethatIthoughtsomenewchangemustbeathand;

hetrimmedmyfetlocksandlegs，passedthetarbrushovermyhoofs，andevenpartedmyforelock.Ithinktheharnesshadanextrapolish.

Willieseemedhalf—anxious，half—merry，ashegotintothechaisewithhisgrandfather.

"Iftheladiestaketohim，"saidtheoldgentleman，"they’llbesuitedandhe’llbesuited.Wecanbuttry."

Atthedistanceofamileortwofromthevillagewecametoapretty，lowhouse，withalawnandshrubberyatthefrontandadriveuptothedoor.

Willierangthebell，andaskedifMissBlomefieldorMissEllenwasathome.

Yes，theywere.So，whileWilliestayedwithme，Mr.Thoroughgoodwentintothehouse.Inabouttenminuteshereturned，followedbythreeladies;

onetall，palelady，wrappedinawhiteshawl，leanedonayoungerlady，withdarkeyesandamerryface;theother，averystately—lookingperson，wasMissBlomefield.Theyallcameandlookedatmeandaskedquestions.

Theyoungerlady——thatwasMissEllen——tooktomeverymuch;

shesaidshewassuresheshouldlikeme，Ihadsuchagoodface.

Thetall，paleladysaidthatsheshouldalwaysbenervousinridingbehindahorsethathadoncebeendown，asImightcomedownagain，andifIdidsheshouldnevergetoverthefright.

"Yousee，ladies，"saidMr.Thoroughgood，"manyfirst—ratehorseshavehadtheirkneesbrokenthroughthecarelessnessoftheirdriverswithoutanyfaultoftheirown，andfromwhatIseeofthishorseIshouldsaythatishiscase;butofcourseIdonotwishtoinfluenceyou.

Ifyouinclineyoucanhavehimontrial，andthenyourcoachmanwillseewhathethinksofhim."

"Youhavealwaysbeensuchagoodadvisertousaboutourhorses，"

saidthestatelylady，"thatyourrecommendationwouldgoalongwaywithme，andifmysisterLaviniaseesnoobjectionwewillacceptyourofferofatrial，withthanks."

ItwasthenarrangedthatIshouldbesentforthenextday.

Inthemorningasmart—lookingyoungmancameforme.Atfirsthelookedpleased;butwhenhesawmykneeshesaidinadisappointedvoice：

"Ididn’tthink，sir，youwouldhaverecommendedmyladiesablemishedhorselikethat."

"`Handsomeisthathandsomedoes’，"saidmymaster;"youareonlytakinghimontrial，andIamsureyouwilldofairlybyhim，youngman.

Ifheisnotassafeasanyhorseyoueverdrovesendhimback."

Iwasledtomynewhome，placedinacomfortablestable，fed，andlefttomyself.Thenextday，whenthegroomwascleaningmyface，hesaid：

"Thatisjustlikethestarthat`BlackBeauty’had;

heismuchthesameheight，too.Iwonderwhereheisnow."

AlittlefurtheronhecametotheplaceinmyneckwhereIwasbledandwherealittleknotwasleftintheskin.Healmoststarted，andbegantolookmeovercarefully，talkingtohimself.

"Whitestarintheforehead，onewhitefootontheoffside，thislittleknotjustinthatplace;"thenlookingatthemiddleofmyback——"and，asIamalive，thereisthatlittlepatchofwhitehairthatJohnusedtocall`Beauty’sthree—pennybit’.Itmustbe`BlackBeauty’！

Why，Beauty！Beauty！doyouknowme？——littleJoeGreen，thatalmostkilledyou？"Andhebeganpattingandpattingmeasifhewasquiteoverjoyed.

IcouldnotsaythatIrememberedhim，fornowhewasafinegrownyoungfellow，withblackwhiskersandaman’svoice，butIwassureheknewme，andthathewasJoeGreen，andIwasveryglad.

Iputmynoseuptohim，andtriedtosaythatwewerefriends.

Ineversawamansopleased.

"Giveyouafairtrial！Ishouldthinksoindeed！Iwonderwhotherascalwasthatbrokeyourknees，myoldBeauty！youmusthavebeenbadlyservedoutsomewhere;well，well，itwon’tbemyfaultifyouhaven’tgoodtimesofitnow.IwishJohnManlywasheretoseeyou."

IntheafternoonIwasputintoalowparkchairandbroughttothedoor.

MissEllenwasgoingtotryme，andGreenwentwithher.Isoonfoundthatshewasagooddriver，andsheseemedpleasedwithmypaces.

IheardJoetellingheraboutme，andthathewassureIwasSquireGordon’sold"BlackBeauty".

WhenwereturnedtheothersisterscameouttohearhowIhadbehavedmyself.

Shetoldthemwhatshehadjustheard，andsaid：

"IshallcertainlywritetoMrs.Gordon，andtellherthatherfavoritehorsehascometous.Howpleasedshewillbe！"

AfterthisIwasdriveneverydayforaweekorso，andasIappearedtobequitesafe，MissLaviniaatlastventuredoutinthesmallclosecarriage.

Afterthisitwasquitedecidedtokeepmeandcallmebymyoldnameof"BlackBeauty".

Ihavenowlivedinthishappyplaceawholeyear.Joeisthebestandkindestofgrooms.Myworkiseasyandpleasant，andIfeelmystrengthandspiritsallcomingbackagain.Mr.ThoroughgoodsaidtoJoetheotherday：

"Inyourplacehewilllasttillheistwentyyearsold——perhapsmore."

Williealwaysspeakstomewhenhecan，andtreatsmeashisspecialfriend.

MyladieshavepromisedthatIshallneverbesold，andsoIhavenothingtofear;andheremystoryends.Mytroublesareallover，andIamathome;andoftenbeforeIamquiteawake，IfancyIamstillintheorchardatBirtwick，standingwithmyoldfriendsundertheapple—trees.