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