第5章
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  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.

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