Jameslaughedatthis;buttherewasathicknessinhisvoicewhenhesaid，"Youhavebeenmybestfriendexceptmymother;Ihopeyouwon’tforgetme."
　　"No，lad，no！"saidJohn，"andifeverIcandoyouagoodturnIhopeyouwon’tforgetme."
　　ThenextdayJoecametothestablestolearnallhecouldbeforeJamesleft.
　　Helearnedtosweepthestable，tobringinthestrawandhay;
　　hebegantocleantheharness，andhelpedtowashthecarriage.
　　AshewasquitetooshorttodoanythinginthewayofgroomingGingerandme，JamestaughthimuponMerrylegs，forhewastohavefullchargeofhim，underJohn.Hewasanicelittlebrightfellow，andalwayscamewhistlingtohiswork.
　　Merrylegswasagooddealputoutatbeing"mauledabout，"ashesaid，"byaboywhoknewnothing;"buttowardtheendofthesecondweekhetoldmeconfidentiallythathethoughttheboywouldturnoutwell.
　　AtlastthedaycamewhenJameshadtoleaveus;cheerfulashealwayswas，helookedquitedown—heartedthatmorning.
　　"Yousee，"hesaidtoJohn，"Iamleavingagreatdealbehind;
　　mymotherandBetsy，andyou，andagoodmasterandmistress，andthenthehorses，andmyoldMerrylegs.AtthenewplacetherewillnotbeasoulthatIshallknow.IfitwerenotthatIshallgetahigherplace，andbeabletohelpmymotherbetter，Idon’tthinkIshouldhavemadeupmymindtoit;itisarealpinch，John."
　　"Ay，James，lad，soitis;butIshouldnotthinkmuchofyouifyoucouldleaveyourhomeforthefirsttimeandnotfeelit.Cheerup，you’llmakefriendsthere;andifyougetonwell，asIamsureyouwill，itwillbeafinethingforyourmother，andshewillbeproudenoughthatyouhavegotintosuchagoodplaceasthat."
　　SoJohncheeredhimup，buteveryonewassorrytoloseJames;
　　asforMerrylegs，hepinedafterhimforseveraldays，andwentquiteoffhisappetite.SoJohntookhimoutseveralmorningswithaleadingrein，whenheexercisedme，and，trottingandgallopingbymyside，gotupthelittlefellow’sspiritsagain，andhewassoonallright.
　　Joe’sfatherwouldoftencomeinandgivealittlehelp，asheunderstoodthework;andJoetookagreatdealofpainstolearn，andJohnwasquiteencouragedabouthim.
　　18GoingfortheDoctorOnenight，afewdaysafterJameshadleft，Ihadeatenmyhayandwaslyingdowninmystrawfastasleep，whenIwassuddenlyrousedbythestablebellringingveryloud.IheardthedoorofJohn’shouseopen，andhisfeetrunninguptothehall.Hewasbackagaininnotime;
　　heunlockedthestabledoor，andcamein，callingout，"Wakeup，Beauty！
　　Youmustgowellnow，ifeveryoudid;"andalmostbeforeIcouldthinkhehadgotthesaddleonmybackandthebridleonmyhead.
　　Hejustranroundforhiscoat，andthentookmeataquicktrotuptothehalldoor.Thesquirestoodthere，withalampinhishand.
　　"Now，John，"hesaid，"rideforyourlife——thatis，foryourmistress’life;thereisnotamomenttolose.
　　GivethisnotetoDr.White;giveyourhorsearestattheinn，andbebackassoonasyoucan."
　　Johnsaid，"Yes，sir，"andwasonmybackinaminute.
　　Thegardenerwholivedatthelodgehadheardthebellring，andwasreadywiththegateopen，andawaywewentthroughthepark，andthroughthevillage，anddownthehilltillwecametothetoll—gate.
　　Johncalledveryloudandthumpeduponthedoor;themanwassoonoutandflungopenthegate.
　　"Now，"saidJohn，"doyoukeepthegateopenforthedoctor;
　　here’sthemoney，"andoffhewentagain.
　　Therewasbeforeusalongpieceoflevelroadbytheriverside;
　　Johnsaidtome，"Now，Beauty，doyourbest，"andsoIdid;
　　Iwantednowhipnorspur，andfortwomilesIgallopedasfastasIcouldlaymyfeettotheground;Idon’tbelievethatmyoldgrandfather，whowontheraceatNewmarket，couldhavegonefaster.WhenwecametothebridgeJohnpulledmeupalittleandpattedmyneck."Welldone，Beauty！goodoldfellow，"hesaid.Hewouldhaveletmegoslower，butmyspiritwasup，andIwasoffagainasfastasbefore.
　　Theairwasfrosty，themoonwasbright;itwasverypleasant.
　　Wecamethroughavillage，thenthroughadarkwood，thenuphill，thendownhill，tillaftereightmiles’runwecametothetown，throughthestreetsandintothemarket—place.Itwasallquitestillexcepttheclatterofmyfeetonthestones——everybodywasasleep.
　　ThechurchclockstruckthreeaswedrewupatDr.White’sdoor.
　　Johnrangthebelltwice，andthenknockedatthedoorlikethunder.
　　Awindowwasthrownup，andDr.White，inhisnightcap，puthisheadoutandsaid，"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Mrs.Gordonisveryill，sir;masterwantsyoutogoatonce;
　　hethinksshewilldieifyoucannotgetthere.Hereisanote."
　　"Wait，"hesaid，"Iwillcome."
　　Heshutthewindow，andwassoonatthedoor.
　　"Theworstofitis，"hesaid，"thatmyhorsehasbeenoutalldayandisquitedoneup;mysonhasjustbeensentfor，andhehastakentheother.Whatistobedone？CanIhaveyourhorse？"
　　"Hehascomeatagallopnearlyalltheway，sir，andIwastogivehimaresthere;butIthinkmymasterwouldnotbeagainstit，ifyouthinkfit，sir."
　　"Allright，"hesaid;"Iwillsoonbeready."
　　Johnstoodbymeandstrokedmyneck;Iwasveryhot.Thedoctorcameoutwithhisriding—whip.
　　"Youneednottakethat，sir，"saidJohn;"BlackBeautywillgotillhedrops.Takecareofhim，sir，ifyoucan;Ishouldnotlikeanyharmtocometohim."
　　"No，no，John，"saidthedoctor，"Ihopenot，"andinaminutewehadleftJohnfarbehind.
　　Iwillnottellaboutourwayback.ThedoctorwasaheaviermanthanJohn，andnotsogoodarider;however，Ididmyverybest.
　　Themanatthetoll—gatehaditopen.Whenwecametothehillthedoctordrewmeup."Now，mygoodfellow，"hesaid，"takesomebreath."
　　Iwasgladhedid，forIwasnearlyspent，butthatbreathinghelpedmeon，andsoonwewereinthepark.Joewasatthelodgegate;
　　mymasterwasatthehalldoor，forhehadhearduscoming.
　　Hespokenotaword;thedoctorwentintothehousewithhim，andJoeledmetothestable.Iwasgladtogethome;
　　mylegsshookunderme，andIcouldonlystandandpant.
　　Ihadnotadryhaironmybody，thewaterrandownmylegs，andIsteamedallover，Joeusedtosay，likeapotonthefire.
　　PoorJoe！hewasyoungandsmall，andasyetheknewverylittle，andhisfather，whowouldhavehelpedhim，hadbeensenttothenextvillage;
　　butIamsurehedidtheverybestheknew.Herubbedmylegsandmychest，buthedidnotputmywarmclothonme;hethoughtIwassohotIshouldnotlikeit.Thenhegavemeapailfulofwatertodrink;
　　itwascoldandverygood，andIdrankitall;thenhegavemesomehayandsomecorn，andthinkinghehaddoneright，hewentaway.
　　SoonIbegantoshakeandtremble，andturneddeadlycold;mylegsached，myloinsached，andmychestached，andIfeltsoreallover.
　　Oh！howIwishedformywarm，thickcloth，asIstoodandtrembled.
　　IwishedforJohn，buthehadeightmilestowalk，soIlaydowninmystrawandtriedtogotosleep.AfteralongwhileIheardJohnatthedoor;
　　Igavealowmoan，forIwasingreatpain.Hewasatmysideinamoment，stoopingdownbyme.IcouldnottellhimhowIfelt，butheseemedtoknowitall;hecoveredmeupwithtwoorthreewarmcloths，andthenrantothehouseforsomehotwater;hemademesomewarmgruel，whichIdrank，andthenIthinkIwenttosleep.
　　Johnseemedtobeverymuchputout.Iheardhimsaytohimselfoverandoveragain，"Stupidboy！stupidboy！noclothputon，andIdaresaythewaterwascold，too;boysarenogood;"
　　butJoewasagoodboy，afterall.
　　Iwasnowveryill;astronginflammationhadattackedmylungs，andIcouldnotdrawmybreathwithoutpain.Johnnursedmenightandday;
　　hewouldgetuptwoorthreetimesinthenighttocometome.
　　Mymaster，too，oftencametoseeme."MypoorBeauty，"hesaidoneday，"mygoodhorse，yousavedyourmistress’life，Beauty;
　　yes，yousavedherlife."Iwasverygladtohearthat，foritseemsthedoctorhadsaidifwehadbeenalittlelongeritwouldhavebeentoolate.Johntoldmymasterheneversawahorsegosofastinhislife.Itseemedasifthehorseknewwhatwasthematter.
　　OfcourseIdid，thoughJohnthoughtnot;atleastIknewasmuchasthis——
　　thatJohnandImustgoatthetopofourspeed，andthatitwasforthesakeofthemistress.
　　19OnlyIgnoranceIdonotknowhowlongIwasill.Mr.Bond，thehorse—doctor，cameeveryday.Onedayhebledme;Johnheldapailfortheblood.
　　IfeltveryfaintafteritandthoughtIshoulddie，andIbelievetheyallthoughtsotoo.
　　GingerandMerrylegshadbeenmovedintotheotherstable，sothatImightbequiet，forthefevermademeveryquickofhearing;
　　anylittlenoiseseemedquiteloud，andIcouldtelleveryone’sfootstepgoingtoandfromthehouse.Iknewallthatwasgoingon.
　　OnenightJohnhadtogivemeadraught;ThomasGreencameintohelphim.
　　AfterIhadtakenitandJohnhadmademeascomfortableashecould，hesaidheshouldstayhalfanhourtoseehowthemedicinesettled.
　　Thomassaidhewouldstaywithhim，sotheywentandsatdownonabenchthathadbeenbroughtintoMerrylegs’stall，andputdownthelanternattheirfeet，thatImightnotbedisturbedwiththelight.
　　Forawhilebothmensatsilent，andthenTomGreensaidinalowvoice：
　　"Iwish，John，you’dsayabitofakindwordtoJoe.
　　Theboyisquitebroken—hearted;hecan’teathismeals，andhecan’tsmile.
　　Hesaysheknowsitwasallhisfault，thoughheissurehedidthebestheknew，andhesaysifBeautydiesnoonewilleverspeaktohimagain.
　　Itgoestomyhearttohearhim.Ithinkyoumightgivehimjustaword;
　　heisnotabadboy."
　　AfterashortpauseJohnsaidslowly，"Youmustnotbetooharduponme，Tom.
　　Iknowhemeantnoharm，Ineversaidhedid;Iknowheisnotabadboy.
　　Butyousee，Iamsoremyself;thathorseistheprideofmyheart，tosaynothingofhisbeingsuchafavoritewiththemasterandmistress;
　　andtothinkthathislifemaybeflungawayinthismannerismorethanIcanbear.ButifyouthinkIamhardontheboyIwilltrytogivehimagoodwordto—morrow——thatis，ImeanifBeautyisbetter."
　　"Well，John，thankyou.Iknewyoudidnotwishtobetoohard，andIamgladyouseeitwasonlyignorance."
　　John’svoicealmoststartledmeasheanswered：
　　"Onlyignorance！onlyignorance！howcanyoutalkaboutonlyignorance？
　　Don’tyouknowthatitistheworstthingintheworld，nexttowickedness？
　　——andwhichdoesthemostmischiefheavenonlyknows.Ifpeoplecansay，`Oh！Ididnotknow，Ididnotmeananyharm，’theythinkitisallright.
　　IsupposeMarthaMulwashdidnotmeantokillthatbabywhenshedoseditwithDalbyandsoothingsyrups;butshedidkillit，andwastriedformanslaughter."
　　"Andserveherright，too，"saidTom."Awomanshouldnotundertaketonurseatenderlittlechildwithoutknowingwhatisgoodandwhatisbadforit."
　　"BillStarkey，"continuedJohn，"didnotmeantofrightenhisbrotherintofitswhenhedresseduplikeaghostandranafterhiminthemoonlight;
　　buthedid;andthatbright，handsomelittlefellow，thatmighthavebeentheprideofanymother’sheartisjustnobetterthananidiot，andneverwillbe，ifhelivestobeeightyyearsold.
　　Youwereagooddealcutupyourself，Tom，twoweeksago，whenthoseyoungladiesleftyourhothousedooropen，withafrostyeastwindblowingrightin;yousaiditkilledagoodmanyofyourplants."
　　"Agoodmany！"saidTom;"therewasnotoneofthetendercuttingsthatwasnotnippedoff.Ishallhavetostrikealloveragain，andtheworstofitisthatIdon’tknowwheretogotogetfreshones.
　　IwasnearlymadwhenIcameinandsawwhatwasdone."
　　"Andyet，"saidJohn，"Iamsuretheyoungladiesdidnotmeanit;
　　itwasonlyignorance."
　　Iheardnomoreofthisconversation，forthemedicinedidwellandsentmetosleep，andinthemorningIfeltmuchbetter;
　　butIoftenthoughtofJohn’swordswhenIcametoknowmoreoftheworld.
　　20JoeGreenJoeGreenwentonverywell;helearnedquickly，andwassoattentiveandcarefulthatJohnbegantotrusthiminmanythings;
　　butasIhavesaid，hewassmallofhisage，anditwasseldomthathewasallowedtoexerciseeitherGingerorme;butitsohappenedonemorningthatJohnwasoutwithJusticeintheluggagecart，andthemasterwantedanotetobetakenimmediatelytoagentleman’shouse，aboutthreemilesdistant，andsenthisordersforJoetosaddlemeandtakeit，addingthecautionthathewastoridesteadily.
　　Thenotewasdelivered，andwewerequietlyreturningwhenwecametothebrick—field.Herewesawacartheavilyladenwithbricks;
　　thewheelshadstuckfastinthestiffmudofsomedeepruts，andthecarterwasshoutingandfloggingthetwohorsesunmercifully.
　　Joepulledup.Itwasasadsight.Therewerethetwohorsesstrainingandstrugglingwithalltheirmighttodragthecartout，buttheycouldnotmoveit;thesweatstreamedfromtheirlegsandflanks，theirsidesheaved，andeverymusclewasstrained，whiletheman，fiercelypullingattheheadoftheforehorse，sworeandlashedmostbrutally.
　　"Holdhard，"saidJoe;"don’tgoonfloggingthehorseslikethat;
　　thewheelsaresostuckthattheycannotmovethecart."
　　Themantooknoheed，butwentonlashing.
　　"Stop！praystop！"saidJoe."I’llhelpyoutolightenthecart;
　　theycan’tmoveitnow."
　　"Mindyourownbusiness，youimpudentyoungrascal，andI’llmindmine！"
　　Themanwasinatoweringpassionandtheworsefordrink，andlaidonthewhipagain.Joeturnedmyhead，andthenextmomentweweregoingataroundgalloptowardthehouseofthemasterbrick—maker.
　　IcannotsayifJohnwouldhaveapprovedofourpace，butJoeandI
　　werebothofonemind，andsoangrythatwecouldnothavegoneslower.
　　Thehousestoodclosebytheroadside.Joeknockedatthedoor，andshouted，"Halloo！IsMr.Clayathome？"Thedoorwasopened，andMr.Clayhimselfcameout.
　　"Halloo，youngman！Youseeminahurry;anyordersfromthesquirethismorning？"
　　"No，Mr.Clay，butthere’safellowinyourbrick—yardfloggingtwohorsestodeath.Itoldhimtostop，andhewouldn’t;
　　IsaidI’dhelphimtolightenthecart，andhewouldn’t;soIhavecometotellyou.Pray，sir，go."Joe’svoiceshookwithexcitement.
　　"Thankye，mylad，"saidtheman，runninginforhishat;
　　thenpausingforamoment，"WillyougiveevidenceofwhatyousawifIshouldbringthefellowupbeforeamagistrate？"
　　"ThatIwill，"saidJoe，"andgladtoo."Themanwasgone，andwewereonourwayhomeatasmarttrot.
　　"Why，what’sthematterwithyou，Joe？Youlookangryallover，"saidJohn，astheboyflunghimselffromthesaddle.
　　"Iamangryallover，Icantellyou，"saidtheboy，andtheninhurried，excitedwordshetoldallthathadhappened.Joewasusuallysuchaquiet，gentlelittlefellowthatitwaswonderfultoseehimsoroused.
　　"Right，Joe！youdidright，myboy，whetherthefellowgetsasummonsornot.
　　Manyfolkswouldhaveriddenbyandsaiditwasnottheirbusinesstointerfere.NowIsaythatwithcrueltyandoppressionitiseverybody’sbusinesstointerferewhentheyseeit;youdidright，myboy."
　　Joewasquitecalmbythistime，andproudthatJohnapprovedofhim，andcleanedoutmyfeetandrubbedmedownwithafirmerhandthanusual.
　　TheywerejustgoinghometodinnerwhenthefootmancamedowntothestabletosaythatJoewaswanteddirectlyinmaster’sprivateroom;
　　therewasamanbroughtupforill—usinghorses，andJoe’sevidencewaswanted.Theboyflusheduptohisforehead，andhiseyessparkled.
　　"Theyshallhaveit，"saidhe.
　　"Putyourselfabitstraight，"saidJohn.Joegaveapullathisnecktieandatwitchathisjacket，andwasoffinamoment.Ourmasterbeingoneofthecountymagistrates，caseswereoftenbroughttohimtosettle，orsaywhatshouldbedone.Inthestableweheardnomoreforsometime，asitwasthemen’sdinnerhour，butwhenJoecamenextintothestableIsawhewasinhighspirits;hegavemeagood—naturedslap，andsaid，"Wewon’tseesuchthingsdone，willwe，oldfellow？"Weheardafterwardthathehadgivenhisevidencesoclearly，andthehorseswereinsuchanexhaustedstate，bearingmarksofsuchbrutalusage，thatthecarterwascommittedtotakehistrial，andmightpossiblybesentencedtotwoorthreemonthsinprison.
　　ItwaswonderfulwhatachangehadcomeoverJoe.Johnlaughed，andsaidhehadgrownaninchtallerinthatweek，andIbelievehehad.
　　Hewasjustaskindandgentleasbefore，buttherewasmorepurposeanddeterminationinallthathedid——asifhehadjumpedatoncefromaboyintoaman.
　　21ThePartingNowIhadlivedinthishappyplacethreeyears，butsadchangeswereabouttocomeoverus.Weheardfromtimetotimethatourmistresswasill.
　　Thedoctorwasoftenatthehouse，andthemasterlookedgraveandanxious.
　　Thenweheardthatshemustleaveherhomeatonce，andgotoawarmcountryfortwoorthreeyears.Thenewsfelluponthehouseholdlikethetollingofadeathbell.Everybodywassorry;butthemasterbegandirectlytomakearrangementsforbreakinguphisestablishmentandleavingEngland.
　　Weusedtohearittalkedaboutinourstable;indeed，nothingelsewastalkedabout.
　　Johnwentabouthisworksilentandsad，andJoescarcelywhistled.
　　Therewasagreatdealofcomingandgoing;GingerandIhadfullwork.
　　ThefirstofthepartywhowentwereMissJessieandFlora，withtheirgoverness.Theycametobidusgood—by.
　　TheyhuggedpoorMerrylegslikeanoldfriend，andsoindeedhewas.
　　Thenweheardwhathadbeenarrangedforus.MasterhadsoldGingerandmetohisoldfriend，theEarlofW————，forhethoughtweshouldhaveagoodplacethere.Merrylegshehadgiventothevicar，whowaswantingaponyforMrs.Blomefield，butitwasontheconditionthatheshouldneverbesold，andthatwhenhewaspastworkheshouldbeshotandburied.
　　Joewasengagedtotakecareofhimandtohelpinthehouse，soIthoughtthatMerrylegswaswelloff.Johnhadtheofferofseveralgoodplaces，buthesaidheshouldwaitalittleandlookround.
　　Theeveningbeforetheyleftthemastercameintothestabletogivesomedirections，andtogivehishorsesthelastpat.
　　Heseemedverylow—spirited;Iknewthatbyhisvoice.
　　Ibelievewehorsescantellmorebythevoicethanmanymencan.
　　"Haveyoudecidedwhattodo，John？"hesaid."Ifindyouhavenotacceptedeitherofthoseoffers."
　　"No，sir;IhavemadeupmymindthatifIcouldgetasituationwithsomefirst—ratecolt—breakerandhorse—trainer，itwouldbetherightthingforme.Manyyounganimalsarefrightenedandspoiledbywrongtreatment，whichneednotbeiftherightmantooktheminhand.
　　Ialwaysgetonwellwithhorses，andifIcouldhelpsomeofthemtoafairstartIshouldfeelasifIwasdoingsomegood.
　　Whatdoyouthinkofit，sir？"
　　"Idon’tknowamananywhere，"saidmaster，"thatIshouldthinksosuitableforitasyourself.Youunderstandhorses，andsomehowtheyunderstandyou，andintimeyoumightsetupforyourself;
　　Ithinkyoucouldnotdobetter.IfinanywayIcanhelpyou，writetome.
　　IshallspeaktomyagentinLondon，andleaveyourcharacterwithhim."
　　MastergaveJohnthenameandaddress，andthenhethankedhimforhislongandfaithfulservice;butthatwastoomuchforJohn.
　　"Pray，don’t，sir，Ican’tbearit;youandmydearmistresshavedonesomuchformethatIcouldneverrepayit.Butweshallneverforgetyou，sir，andpleaseGod，wemaysomedayseemistressbackagainlikeherself;
　　wemustkeepuphope，sir."MastergaveJohnhishand，buthedidnotspeak，andtheybothleftthestable.
　　Thelastsaddayhadcome;thefootmanandtheheavyluggagehadgoneoffthedaybefore，andtherewereonlymasterandmistressandhermaid.
　　GingerandIbroughtthecarriageuptothehalldoorforthelasttime.
　　Theservantsbroughtoutcushionsandrugsandmanyotherthings;
　　andwhenallwerearrangedmastercamedownthestepscarryingthemistressinhisarms（Iwasonthesidenexttothehouse，andcouldseeallthatwenton）;heplacedhercarefullyinthecarriage，whilethehouseservantsstoodroundcrying.
　　"Good—by，again，"hesaid;"weshallnotforgetanyofyou，"andhegotin.
　　"Driveon，John."
　　Joejumpedup，andwetrottedslowlythroughtheparkandthroughthevillage，wherethepeoplewerestandingattheirdoorstohavealastlookandtosay，"Godblessthem."
　　WhenwereachedtherailwaystationIthinkmistresswalkedfromthecarriagetothewaiting—room.Iheardhersayinherownsweetvoice，"Good—by，John.
　　Godblessyou."Ifeltthereintwitch，butJohnmadenoanswer;
　　perhapshecouldnotspeak.AssoonasJoehadtakenthethingsoutofthecarriageJohncalledhimtostandbythehorses，whilehewentontheplatform.PoorJoe！hestoodcloseuptoourheadstohidehistears.Verysoonthetraincamepuffingupintothestation;
　　thentwoorthreeminutes，andthedoorswereslammedto，theguardwhistled，andthetrainglidedaway，leavingbehinditonlycloudsofwhitesmokeandsomeveryheavyhearts.
　　WhenitwasquiteoutofsightJohncameback.
　　"Weshallneverseeheragain，"hesaid——"never."Hetookthereins，mountedthebox，andwithJoedroveslowlyhome;butitwasnotourhomenow.
　　PartII
　　22EarlshallThenextmorningafterbreakfastJoeputMerrylegsintothemistress’lowchaisetotakehimtothevicarage;hecamefirstandsaidgood—bytous，andMerrylegsneighedtousfromtheyard.
　　ThenJohnputthesaddleonGingerandtheleadingreinonme，androdeusacrossthecountryaboutfifteenmilestoEarlshallPark，wheretheEarlofW————lived.Therewasaveryfinehouseandagreatdealofstabling.Wewentintotheyardthroughastonegateway，andJohnaskedforMr.York.Itwassometimebeforehecame.
　　Hewasafine—looking，middle—agedman，andhisvoicesaidatoncethatheexpectedtobeobeyed.HewasveryfriendlyandpolitetoJohn，andaftergivingusaslightlookhecalledagroomtotakeustoourboxes，andinvitedJohntotakesomerefreshment.
　　Weweretakentoalight，airystable，andplacedinboxesadjoiningeachother，wherewewererubbeddownandfed.
　　InabouthalfanhourJohnandMr.York，whowastobeournewcoachman，cameintoseeus.
　　"Now，Mr.Manly，"hesaid，aftercarefullylookingatusboth，"Icanseenofaultinthesehorses;butweallknowthathorseshavetheirpeculiaritiesaswellasmen，andthatsometimestheyneeddifferenttreatment.Ishouldliketoknowifthereisanythingparticularineitherofthesethatyouwouldliketomention."
　　"Well，"saidJohn，"Idon’tbelievethereisabetterpairofhorsesinthecountry，andrightgrievedIamtopartwiththem，buttheyarenotalike.TheblackoneisthemostperfecttemperIeverknew;Isupposehehasneverknownahardwordorablowsincehewasfoaled，andallhispleasureseemstobetodowhatyouwish;
　　butthechestnut，Ifancy，musthavehadbadtreatment;
　　weheardasmuchfromthedealer.Shecametoussnappishandsuspicious，butwhenshefoundwhatsortofplaceourswas，itallwentoffbydegrees;
　　forthreeyearsIhaveneverseenthesmallestsignoftemper，andifsheiswelltreatedthereisnotabetter，morewillinganimalthansheis.Butsheisnaturallyamoreirritableconstitutionthantheblackhorse;fliesteasehermore;anythingwrongintheharnessfretshermore;andifshewereill—usedorunfairlytreatedshewouldnotbeunlikelytogivetitfortat.Youknowthatmanyhigh—mettledhorseswilldoso."
　　"Ofcourse，"saidYork，"Iquiteunderstand;butyouknowitisnoteasyinstableslikethesetohaveallthegroomsjustwhattheyshouldbe.
　　Idomybest，andthereImustleaveit.I’llrememberwhatyouhavesaidaboutthemare."
　　Theyweregoingoutofthestable，whenJohnstoppedandsaid，"Ihadbettermentionthatwehaveneverusedthecheck—reinwitheitherofthem;theblackhorseneverhadoneon，andthedealersaiditwasthegag—bitthatspoiledtheother’stemper."
　　"Well，"saidYork，"iftheycomeheretheymustwearthecheck—rein.
　　Ipreferaloosereinmyself，andhislordshipisalwaysveryreasonableabouthorses;butmylady——that’sanotherthing;shewillhavestyle，andifhercarriagehorsesarenotreineduptightshewouldn’tlookatthem.
　　Ialwaysstandoutagainstthegag—bit，andshalldoso，butitmustbetightupwhenmyladyrides！"
　　"Iamsorryforit，verysorry，"saidJohn;"butImustgonow，orIshalllosethetrain."
　　Hecameroundtoeachofustopatandspeaktousforthelasttime;
　　hisvoicesoundedverysad.
　　Iheldmyfaceclosetohim;thatwasallIcoulddotosaygood—by;
　　andthenhewasgone，andIhaveneverseenhimsince.
　　ThenextdayLordW————cametolookatus;heseemedpleasedwithourappearance.
　　"Ihavegreatconfidenceinthesehorses，"hesaid，"fromthecharactermyfriendMr.Gordonhasgivenmeofthem.Ofcoursetheyarenotamatchincolor，butmyideaisthattheywilldoverywellforthecarriagewhileweareinthecountry.BeforewegotoLondonImusttrytomatchBaron;theblackhorse，Ibelieve，isperfectforriding."
　　YorkthentoldhimwhatJohnhadsaidaboutus.
　　"Well，"saidhe，"youmustkeepaneyetothemare，andputthecheck—reineasy;Idaresaytheywilldoverywellwithalittlehumoringatfirst.I’llmentionittoyourlady."
　　Intheafternoonwewereharnessedandputinthecarriage，andasthestableclockstruckthreewewereledroundtothefrontofthehouse.Itwasallverygrand，andthreeorfourtimesaslargeastheoldhouseatBirtwick，butnothalfsopleasant，ifahorsemayhaveanopinion.Twofootmenwerestandingready，dressedindrablivery，withscarletbreechesandwhitestockings.
　　Presentlyweheardtherustlingsoundofsilkasmyladycamedowntheflightofstonesteps.Shesteppedroundtolookatus;shewasatall，proud—lookingwoman，anddidnotseempleasedaboutsomething，butshesaidnothing，andgotintothecarriage.Thiswasthefirsttimeofwearingacheck—rein，andImustsay，thoughitcertainlywasanuisancenottobeabletogetmyheaddownnowandthen，itdidnotpullmyheadhigherthanIwasaccustomedtocarryit.IfeltanxiousaboutGinger，butsheseemedtobequietandcontent.
　　Thenextdayatthreeo’clockwewereagainatthedoor，andthefootmenasbefore;weheardthesilkdressrustleandtheladycamedownthesteps，andinanimperiousvoiceshesaid，"York，youmustputthosehorses’headshigher;theyarenotfittobeseen."
　　Yorkgotdown，andsaidveryrespectfully，"Ibegyourpardon，mylady，butthesehorseshavenotbeenreinedupforthreeyears，andmylordsaiditwouldbesafertobringthemtoitbydegrees;
　　butifyourladyshippleasesIcantakethemupalittlemore."
　　"Doso，"shesaid.
　　Yorkcameroundtoourheadsandshortenedthereinhimself——onehole，Ithink;everylittlemakesadifference，beitforbetterorworse，andthatdaywehadasteephilltogoup.ThenIbegantounderstandwhatIhadheardof.Ofcourse，Iwantedtoputmyheadforwardandtakethecarriageupwithawill，aswehadbeenusedtodo;butno，Ihadtopullwithmyheadupnow，andthattookallthespiritoutofme，andthestraincameonmybackandlegs.WhenwecameinGingersaid，"Nowyouseewhatitislike;butthisisnotbad，andifitdoesnotgetmuchworsethanthisIshallsaynothingaboutit，forweareverywelltreatedhere;butiftheystrainmeuptight，why，let’emlookout！Ican’tbearit，andIwon’t."
　　Daybyday，holebyhole，ourbearingreinswereshortened，andinsteadoflookingforwardwithpleasuretohavingmyharnessputon，asIusedtodo，Ibegantodreadit.Ginger，too，seemedrestless，thoughshesaidverylittle.AtlastIthoughttheworstwasover;
　　forseveraldaystherewasnomoreshortening，andIdeterminedtomakethebestofitanddomyduty，thoughitwasnowaconstantharassinsteadofapleasure;buttheworstwasnotcome.
　　23AStrikeforLibertyOnedaymyladycamedownlaterthanusual，andthesilkrustledmorethanever.
　　"DrivetotheDuchessofB————’s，"shesaid，andthenafterapause，"Areyounevergoingtogetthosehorses’headsup，York？
　　Raisethematonceandletushavenomoreofthishumoringandnonsense."
　　Yorkcametomefirst，whilethegroomstoodatGinger’shead.
　　Hedrewmyheadbackandfixedthereinsotightthatitwasalmostintolerable;thenhewenttoGinger，whowasimpatientlyjerkingherheadupanddownagainstthebit，aswasherwaynow.
　　Shehadagoodideaofwhatwascoming，andthemomentYorktookthereinofftheterretinordertoshortenitshetookheropportunityandrearedupsosuddenlythatYorkhadhisnoseroughlyhitandhishatknockedoff;thegroomwasnearlythrownoffhislegs.
　　Atoncetheybothflewtoherhead;butshewasamatchforthem，andwentonplunging，rearing，andkickinginamostdesperatemanner.
　　Atlastshekickedrightoverthecarriagepoleandfelldown，aftergivingmeasevereblowonmynearquarter.ThereisnoknowingwhatfurthermischiefshemighthavedonehadnotYorkpromptlysathimselfdownflatonherheadtopreventherstruggling，atthesametimecallingout，"Unbuckletheblackhorse！
　　Runforthewinchandunscrewthecarriagepole！Cutthetracehere，somebody，ifyoucan’tunhitchit！"Oneofthefootmenranforthewinch，andanotherbroughtaknifefromthehouse.ThegroomsoonsetmefreefromGingerandthecarriage，andledmetomybox.HejustturnedmeinasIwasandranbacktoYork.Iwasmuchexcitedbywhathadhappened，andifIhadeverbeenusedtokickorrearIamsureIshouldhavedoneitthen;butIneverhad，andthereIstood，angry，soreinmyleg，myheadstillstraineduptotheterretonthesaddle，andnopowertogetitdown.Iwasverymiserableandfeltmuchinclinedtokickthefirstpersonwhocamenearme.
　　Beforelong，however，Gingerwasledinbytwogrooms，agooddealknockedaboutandbruised.Yorkcamewithherandgavehisorders，andthencametolookatme.Inamomentheletdownmyhead.
　　"Confoundthesecheck—reins！"hesaidtohimself;"Ithoughtweshouldhavesomemischiefsoon.Masterwillbesorelyvexed.Butthere，ifawoman’shusbandcan’truleherofcourseaservantcan’t;
　　soIwashmyhandsofit，andifshecan’tgettotheduchess’gardenpartyIcan’thelpit."
　　Yorkdidnotsaythisbeforethemen;healwaysspokerespectfullywhentheywereby.Nowhefeltmeallover，andsoonfoundtheplaceabovemyhockwhereIhadbeenkicked.Itwasswelledandpainful;
　　heorderedittobespongedwithhotwater，andthensomelotionwasputon.
　　LordW————wasmuchputoutwhenhelearnedwhathadhappened;
　　heblamedYorkforgivingwaytohismistress，towhichherepliedthatinfuturehewouldmuchprefertoreceivehisordersonlyfromhislordship;butIthinknothingcameofit，forthingswentonthesameasbefore.IthoughtYorkmighthavestoodupbetterforhishorses，butperhapsIamnojudge.
　　Gingerwasneverputintothecarriageagain，butwhenshewaswellofherbruisesoneoftheLordW————’syoungersonssaidheshouldliketohaveher;hewassureshewouldmakeagoodhunter.
　　Asforme，Iwasobligedstilltogointhecarriage，andhadafreshpartnercalledMax;hehadalwaysbeenusedtothetightrein.
　　Iaskedhimhowitwasheboreit.
　　"Well，"hesaid，"IbearitbecauseImust;butitisshorteningmylife，anditwillshortenyourstooifyouhavetosticktoit."
　　"Doyouthink，"Isaid，"thatourmastersknowhowbaditisforus？"
　　"Ican’tsay，"hereplied，"butthedealersandthehorse—doctorsknowitverywell.Iwasatadealer’sonce，whowastrainingmeandanotherhorsetogoasapair;hewasgettingourheadsup，ashesaid，alittlehigherandalittlehighereveryday.Agentlemanwhowasthereaskedhimwhyhedidso.`Because，’saidhe，`peoplewon’tbuythemunlesswedo.TheLondonpeoplealwayswanttheirhorsestocarrytheirheadshighandtostephigh.Ofcourseitisverybadforthehorses，butthenitisgoodfortrade.Thehorsessoonwearup，orgetdiseased，andtheycomeforanotherpair.’That，"saidMax，"iswhathesaidinmyhearing，andyoucanjudgeforyourself."
　　WhatIsufferedwiththatreinforfourlongmonthsinmylady’scarriageitwouldbehardtodescribe;butIamquitesurethat，haditlastedmuchlonger，eithermyhealthormytemperwouldhavegivenway.
　　Beforethat，Ineverknewwhatitwastofoamatthemouth，butnowtheactionofthesharpbitonmytongueandjaw，andtheconstrainedpositionofmyheadandthroat，alwayscausedmetofrothatthemouthmoreorless.Somepeoplethinkitveryfinetoseethis，andsay，"Whatfinespiritedcreatures！"Butitisjustasunnaturalforhorsesasformentofoamatthemouth;itisasuresignofsomediscomfort，andshouldbeattendedto.Besidesthis，therewasapressureonmywindpipe，whichoftenmademybreathingveryuncomfortable;whenIreturnedfrommyworkmyneckandchestwerestrainedandpainful，mymouthandtonguetender，andIfeltwornanddepressed.
　　InmyoldhomeIalwaysknewthatJohnandmymasterweremyfriends;
　　buthere，althoughinmanywaysIwaswelltreated，Ihadnofriend.
　　Yorkmighthaveknown，andverylikelydidknow，howthatreinharassedme;
　　butIsupposehetookitasamatterofcoursethatitcouldnotbehelped;
　　atanyrate，nothingwasdonetorelieveme.
　　24TheLadyAnne，oraRunawayHorseEarlyinthespring，LordW————andpartofhisfamilywentuptoLondon，andtookYorkwiththem.IandGingerandsomeotherhorseswereleftathomeforuse，andtheheadgroomwasleftincharge.
　　TheLadyHarriet，whoremainedatthehall，wasagreatinvalid，andneverwentoutinthecarriage，andtheLadyAnnepreferredridingonhorsebackwithherbrotherorcousins.Shewasaperfecthorsewoman，andasgayandgentleasshewasbeautiful.
　　Shechosemeforherhorse，andnamedme"BlackAuster".
　　Ienjoyedtheseridesverymuchintheclearcoldair，sometimeswithGinger，sometimeswithLizzie.ThisLizziewasabrightbaymare，almostthoroughbred，andagreatfavoritewiththegentlemen，onaccountofherfineactionandlivelyspirit;butGinger，whoknewmoreofherthanIdid，toldmeshewasrathernervous.
　　TherewasagentlemanofthenameofBlantyrestayingatthehall;
　　healwaysrodeLizzie，andpraisedhersomuchthatonedayLadyAnneorderedtheside—saddletobeputonher，andtheothersaddleonme.
　　Whenwecametothedoorthegentlemanseemedveryuneasy.
　　"Howisthis？"hesaid."AreyoutiredofyourgoodBlackAuster？"
　　"Oh，no，notatall，"shereplied，"butIamamiableenoughtoletyouridehimforonce，andIwilltryyourcharmingLizzie.
　　Youmustconfessthatinsizeandappearancesheisfarmorelikealady’shorsethanmyownfavorite."
　　"Doletmeadviseyounottomounther，"hesaid;
　　"sheisacharmingcreature，butsheistoonervousforalady.
　　Iassureyou，sheisnotperfectlysafe;letmebegyoutohavethesaddleschanged."
　　"Mydearcousin，"saidLadyAnne，laughing，"praydonottroubleyourgoodcarefulheadaboutme.IhavebeenahorsewomaneversinceIwasababy，andIhavefollowedthehoundsagreatmanytimes，thoughIknowyoudonotapproveofladieshunting;
　　butstillthatisthefact，andIintendtotrythisLizziethatyougentlemenareallsofondof;sopleasehelpmetomount，likeagoodfriendasyouare."
　　Therewasnomoretobesaid;heplacedhercarefullyonthesaddle，lookedtothebitandcurb，gavethereinsgentlyintoherhand，andthenmountedme.JustasweweremovingoffafootmancameoutwithaslipofpaperandmessagefromtheLadyHarriet.
　　"WouldtheyaskthisquestionforheratDr.Ashley’s，andbringtheanswer？"
　　Thevillagewasaboutamileoff，andthedoctor’shousewasthelastinit.
　　Wewentalonggaylyenoughtillwecametohisgate.Therewasashortdriveuptothehousebetweentallevergreens.
　　Blantyrealightedatthegate，andwasgoingtoopenitforLadyAnne，butshesaid，"Iwillwaitforyouhere，andyoucanhangAuster’sreinonthegate."
　　Helookedatherdoubtfully."Iwillnotbefiveminutes，"hesaid.
　　"Oh，donothurryyourself;LizzieandIshallnotrunawayfromyou."
　　Hehungmyreinononeoftheironspikes，andwassoonhiddenamongthetrees.Lizziewasstandingquietlybythesideoftheroadafewpacesoff，withherbacktome.Myyoungmistresswassittingeasilywithalooserein，hummingalittlesong.Ilistenedtomyrider’sfootstepsuntiltheyreachedthehouse，andheardhimknockatthedoor.
　　Therewasameadowontheoppositesideoftheroad，thegateofwhichstoodopen;justthensomecarthorsesandseveralyoungcoltscametrottingoutinaverydisorderlymanner，whileaboybehindwascrackingagreatwhip.Thecoltswerewildandfrolicsome，andoneofthemboltedacrosstheroadandblunderedupagainstLizzie’shindlegs，andwhetheritwasthestupidcolt，ortheloudcrackingofthewhip，orbothtogether，Icannotsay，butshegaveaviolentkick，anddashedoffintoaheadlonggallop.
　　ItwassosuddenthatLadyAnnewasnearlyunseated，butshesoonrecoveredherself.Igavealoud，shrillneighforhelp;
　　againandagainIneighed，pawingthegroundimpatiently，andtossingmyheadtogetthereinloose.Ihadnotlongtowait.
　　Blantyrecamerunningtothegate;helookedanxiouslyabout，andjustcaughtsightoftheflyingfigure，nowfarawayontheroad.
　　Inaninstanthesprangtothesaddle.Ineedednowhip，nospur，forIwasaseagerasmyrider;hesawit，andgivingmeafreerein，andleaningalittleforward，wedashedafterthem.
　　Foraboutamileandahalftheroadranstraight，andthenbenttotheright，afterwhichitdividedintotworoads.
　　Longbeforewecametothebendshewasoutofsight.
　　Whichwayhadsheturned？Awomanwasstandingathergardengate，shadinghereyeswithherhand，andlookingeagerlyuptheroad.
　　Scarcelydrawingtherein，Blantyreshouted，"Whichway？"
　　"Totheright！"criedthewoman，pointingwithherhand，andawaywewentuptheright—handroad;thenforamomentwecaughtsightofher;
　　anotherbendandshewashiddenagain.Severaltimeswecaughtglimpses，andthenlostthem.Wescarcelyseemedtogaingrounduponthematall.
　　Anoldroad—menderwasstandingnearaheapofstones，hisshoveldroppedandhishandsraised.Aswecamenearhemadeasigntospeak.
　　Blantyredrewthereinalittle."Tothecommon，tothecommon，sir;
　　shehasturnedoffthere."Iknewthiscommonverywell;
　　itwasforthemostpartveryunevenground，coveredwithheatheranddark—greenfurzebushes，withhereandthereascrubbyoldthorn—tree;
　　therewerealsoopenspacesoffineshortgrass，withant—hillsandmole—turnseverywhere;theworstplaceIeverknewforaheadlonggallop.
　　Wehadhardlyturnedonthecommon，whenwecaughtsightagainofthegreenhabitflyingonbeforeus.Mylady’shatwasgone，andherlongbrownhairwasstreamingbehindher.Herheadandbodywerethrownback，asifshewerepullingwithallherremainingstrength，andasifthatstrengthwerenearlyexhausted.ItwasclearthattheroughnessofthegroundhadverymuchlessenedLizzie’sspeed，andthereseemedachancethatwemightovertakeher.
　　Whilewewereonthehighroad，Blantyrehadgivenmemyhead;butnow，withalighthandandapracticedeye，heguidedmeoverthegroundinsuchamasterlymannerthatmypacewasscarcelyslackened，andweweredecidedlygainingonthem.
　　Abouthalfwayacrosstheheaththerehadbeenawidedikerecentlycut，andtheearthfromthecuttingwascastuproughlyontheotherside.
　　Surelythiswouldstopthem！Butno;withscarcelyapauseLizzietooktheleap，stumbledamongtheroughclodsandfell.
　　Blantyregroaned，"Now，Auster，doyourbest！"Hegavemeasteadyrein.
　　Igatheredmyselfwelltogetherandwithonedeterminedleapclearedbothdikeandbank.
　　Motionlessamongtheheather，withherfacetotheearth，laymypooryoungmistress.Blantyrekneeleddownandcalledhername：
　　therewasnosound.Gentlyheturnedherfaceupward：itwasghastlywhiteandtheeyeswereclosed."Annie，dearAnnie，dospeak！"
　　Buttherewasnoanswer.Heunbuttonedherhabit，loosenedhercollar，feltherhandsandwrist，thenstartedupandlookedwildlyroundhimforhelp.
　　Atnogreatdistancethereweretwomencuttingturf，who，seeingLizzierunningwildwithoutarider，hadlefttheirworktocatchher.
　　Blantyre’shalloosoonbroughtthemtothespot.Theforemostmanseemedmuchtroubledatthesight，andaskedwhathecoulddo.
　　"Canyouride？"
　　"Well，sir，Ibean’tmuchofahorseman，butI’driskmyneckfortheLadyAnne;shewasuncommongoodtomywifeinthewinter."
　　"Thenmountthishorse，myfriend——yourneckwillbequitesafe——
　　andridetothedoctor’sandaskhimtocomeinstantly;thenontothehall;
　　tellthemallthatyouknow，andbidthemsendmethecarriage，withLadyAnne’smaidandhelp.Ishallstayhere."
　　"Allright，sir，I’lldomybest，andIprayGodthedearyoungladymayopenhereyessoon."Then，seeingtheotherman，hecalledout，"Here，Joe，runforsomewater，andtellmymissistocomeasquickasshecantotheLadyAnne."
　　Hethensomehowscrambledintothesaddle，andwitha"Geeup"
　　andaclaponmysideswithbothhislegs，hestartedonhisjourney，makingalittlecircuittoavoidthedike.Hehadnowhip，whichseemedtotroublehim;butmypacesooncuredthatdifficulty，andhefoundthebestthinghecoulddowastosticktothesaddleandholdmein，whichhedidmanfully.IshookhimaslittleasIcouldhelp，butonceortwiceontheroughgroundhecalledout，"Steady！Woah！Steady！"Onthehighroadwewereallright;
　　andatthedoctor’sandthehallhedidhiserrandlikeagoodmanandtrue.
　　Theyaskedhimintotakeadropofsomething."No，no，"hesaid;
　　"I’llbebackto’emagainbyashortcutthroughthefields，andbethereaforethecarriage."
　　Therewasagreatdealofhurryandexcitementafterthenewsbecameknown.
　　Iwasjustturnedintomybox;thesaddleandbridleweretakenoff，andacloththrownoverme.
　　GingerwassaddledandsentoffingreathasteforLordGeorge，andIsoonheardthecarriagerolloutoftheyard.
　　ItseemedalongtimebeforeGingercameback，andbeforewewereleftalone;
　　andthenshetoldmeallthatshehadseen.
　　"Ican’ttellmuch，"shesaid."Wewentagallopnearlyalltheway，andgottherejustasthedoctorrodeup.Therewasawomansittingonthegroundwiththelady’sheadinherlap.
　　Thedoctorpouredsomethingintohermouth，butallthatIheardwas，`Sheisnotdead.’ThenIwasledoffbyamantoalittledistance.
　　Afterawhileshewastakentothecarriage，andwecamehometogether.
　　Iheardmymastersaytoagentlemanwhostoppedhimtoinquire，thathehopednoboneswerebroken，butthatshehadnotspokenyet."
　　WhenLordGeorgetookGingerforhunting，Yorkshookhishead;
　　hesaiditoughttobeasteadyhandtotrainahorseforthefirstseason，andnotarandomriderlikeLordGeorge.
　　Gingerusedtolikeitverymuch，butsometimeswhenshecamebackIcouldseethatshehadbeenverymuchstrained，andnowandthenshegaveashortcough.Shehadtoomuchspirittocomplain，butIcouldnothelpfeelinganxiousabouther.
　　TwodaysaftertheaccidentBlantyrepaidmeavisit;
　　hepattedmeandpraisedmeverymuch;hetoldLordGeorgethathewassurethehorseknewofAnnie’sdangeraswellashedid."IcouldnothaveheldhiminifIwould，"saidhe，"sheoughtnevertorideanyotherhorse."
　　Ifoundbytheirconversationthatmyyoungmistresswasnowoutofdanger，andwouldsoonbeabletorideagain.ThiswasgoodnewstomeandIlookedforwardtoahappylife.
　　25ReubenSmithNowImustsayalittleaboutReubenSmith，whowasleftinchargeofthestableswhenYorkwenttoLondon.Noonemorethoroughlyunderstoodhisbusinessthanhedid，andwhenhewasallrighttherecouldnotbeamorefaithfulorvaluableman.
　　Hewasgentleandverycleverinhismanagementofhorses，andcoulddoctorthemalmostaswellasafarrier，forhehadlivedtwoyearswithaveterinarysurgeon.
　　Hewasafirst—ratedriver;hecouldtakeafour—in—handoratandemaseasilyasapair.Hewasahandsomeman，agoodscholar，andhadverypleasantmanners.Ibelieveeverybodylikedhim;
　　certainlythehorsesdid.TheonlywonderwasthatheshouldbeinanundersituationandnotintheplaceofaheadcoachmanlikeYork;
　　buthehadonegreatfaultandthatwastheloveofdrink.
　　Hewasnotlikesomemen，alwaysatit;heusedtokeepsteadyforweeksormonthstogether，andthenhewouldbreakoutandhavea"bout"ofit，asYorkcalledit，andbeadisgracetohimself，aterrortohiswife，andanuisancetoallthathadtodowithhim.Hewas，however，sousefulthattwoorthreetimesYorkhadhushedthematterupandkeptitfromtheearl’sknowledge;butonenight，whenReubenhadtodriveapartyhomefromaballhewassodrunkthathecouldnotholdthereins，andagentlemanofthepartyhadtomounttheboxanddrivetheladieshome.
　　Ofcourse，thiscouldnotbehidden，andReubenwasatoncedismissed;
　　hispoorwifeandlittlechildrenhadtoturnoutoftheprettycottagebytheparkgateandgowheretheycould.OldMaxtoldmeallthis，forithappenedagoodwhileago;butshortlybeforeGingerandIcameSmithhadbeentakenbackagain.Yorkhadintercededforhimwiththeearl，whoisverykind—hearted，andthemanhadpromisedfaithfullythathewouldnevertasteanotherdropaslongashelivedthere.
　　HehadkepthispromisesowellthatYorkthoughthemightbesafelytrustedtofillhisplacewhilehewasaway，andhewassocleverandhonestthatnooneelseseemedsowellfittedforit.
　　ItwasnowearlyinApril，andthefamilywasexpectedhomesometimeinMay.
　　Thelightbroughamwastobefreshdoneup，andasColonelBlantyrewasobligedtoreturntohisregimentitwasarrangedthatSmithshoulddrivehimtothetowninit，andrideback;forthispurposehetookthesaddlewithhim，andIwaschosenforthejourney.
　　AtthestationthecolonelputsomemoneyintoSmith’shandandbidhimgood—by，saying，"Takecareofyouryoungmistress，Reuben，anddon’tletBlackAusterbehackedaboutbyanyrandomyoungprigthatwantstoridehim——keephimforthelady."
　　Weleftthecarriageatthemaker’s，andSmithrodemetotheWhiteLion，andorderedthehostlertofeedmewell，andhavemereadyforhimatfouro’clock.AnailinoneofmyfrontshoeshadstartedasIcamealong，butthehostlerdidnotnoticeittilljustaboutfouro’clock.
　　Smithdidnotcomeintotheyardtillfive，andthenhesaidheshouldnotleavetillsix，ashehadmetwithsomeoldfriends.Themanthentoldhimofthenail，andaskedifheshouldhavetheshoelookedto.