第5章

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.