"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.