Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5

en, not even the cat," said Mrs. Ward to her daughter, as she looked at Pobbylinda, purring on

oors, and everything ready for the happy day which would begin as the clock struck twelve. They were resting after their labors

have a present nevertheless. Late as it is, she will like s

remnants of the feast as a horse would relish, she put on

g a friend, she rose and came rustling through the straw to greet her late visitor. She was evidently much pleased with the attention, and rubbed her nose agains

e ate it, for Rosa was a very social beast, Miss Belinda hung up the lantern,

t sure whether I took a nap and dreamed what follows, or whether it actually

ich affirms that all dumb animals are endowed with speech for one hour after midnight on

ould speak, if only for an hour, because I am sure s

e stopped eating, fixed her intelligent eyes upon my face

be sold. That nearly broke my heart, for no one has ever been so kind to me as Miss Merry, and nowhere shall I be taken care of, nursed, and loved as I have been since she bought me. I know I am getting old, and stiff in the knees, and my forefoot is lame, and somet

ined. She seemed to enjoy my surprise, and added to it by letting me hear a genuine horse laugh, hearty, shrill, and clear, as she shook her pretty head, a

can, for I have often longed to recount the trials and triumphs of my life. Miss Merry came last Christmas eve to

e happy year which had followed the day she was bought from the drudgery of a livery-stable to be a

ll of interest, and under

ith an air of pride which plainly proved, what we had

or him, and promised so well that when he died I brought a great price. I mourned for him, but was glad to be sent to my new owner's racing-stable and made much of, for people predicted that I should be another Goldsmith Maid or Flora Temple. Ah, how ambitious and proud I was in

you; so did the skilful Cornish blacksmith when he shod you. And it is easy to see that you belong to a good family by the way you hold your head wit

how high my reputation was when I tell you that before my last fatal trial thousands were bet on me, and my rival trembled in his shoes. I was full of spirit, eager to show my speed and sure of success. Alas, how little I knew of the wickedness

ing a good sleep, carefully tucked away in my roomy stall, some one stole in and gave me a warm mash. It was dark, I was half awake, and I ate it like a fool, though I knew by instinct that it was not Bill who fed it to me. I was a confiding creature then, and as all sorts of

and pride alone kept me up. "I'll win for my master if I die in doing it," I said to myself, and when the hour came pranced to my place trying to look as well as ever, th

What a splendid minute that was when, encouraged and refreshed by my faithful Bill, I came on the track again! I knew my enemies began to fear, for I had bo

de her red nostrils, and pawed the straw with one little foot, while her eyes shone with su

see you!' I exclaimed, quit

l have died then, people thought, for the poison, the exertion, and the fall ruined me for a racer. My master cared no more for me, and would have had me shot if Bill had not saved my life.

my easy gait and quiet temper suited him; for I was meek enou

gure grew, thanks to the hours spent with me; for my canter rocked her as gently as if she were in a cradle, and fresh air was

ith the instinct of my kind; so I was glad when, attracted by my spirit and beauty, a young army officer bought me and I went to the war. Ah! you never guessed that, did you? Yes, I did my part gallantly and saved my master's life more than once. You have observed how martial music

instant. But I settled the point, for I was wild with the sound of drums, the smell of powder, the excitement of the hour, and, finding myself sharply reined in, I rebelled, took the bit between

the scar is there still, and I'm proud of it, though buyers always consider it a blemish. But when the battle was won m

e at what we had done; but he got all the praise and the ho

k I should have a rosette at least, when others got stars and bars for far less dangerous deeds. Never mind, my master knew the truth, and thanked me for my hel

is eye turned to me till it grew too dim for seeing, and when help came, among the last words he whi

n, and she did not live long to cherish me. Then my hard times began, for my next owner was a fast young man, who ill use

was dreadful drudgery to tug, day after day, over the hard pavement with heavy lo

prevent such crowds from piling into those cars; and now I

. I used to wish I could do the same, for my poor feet, badly shod, became so lame I could hardly walk at

re then; but there must be something attractive about me, I fancy, fo

out you, that win the hearts of women, if not of men. They see your weak points, and take a money view of the case; but we sympathize with your af

gently waved the docked tail, which was her delight; for the sly th

ew Hampshire, and had a fine rest among the green hills, with a dozen or so of weary friends. It was during this holiday that I acquired the love of natu

but through the summer many city people visited there, so I was kept on the trot while the season lasted, because ladies could drive me. You, Miss B

y, I know, with my proudly waving tail and high-carried head. You liked me nevertheless, because I didn't rattle you down the

she came to the stable to order a saddle-horse. Her cheery voice made me prick up my ears, and when she said, after looking at several showy beasts, "No, they don't suit me. This one now has the right air; can I ride her?" my heart danced within me and I lo

oping over the breezy hills, or pacing slowly along quiet lanes, where I often lunched luxuriousl

anced for pleasure on the soft turf, never chid me when I snatched a bite from the young trees as we passed through sylvan ways,

spring on and off, and such infectious spirits, that no matter how despondent or cross I

e pranced about the box with a neigh which waked the big brown colt next door, and set poor Bu

would, glad to see me lively. Never mind, Miss Belinda, come out and I'll be sober, as befits my years,

base man declared, but just in the prime of life for a horse. Hard usage h

nd you certainly have earned the right to rest,' I said con

tunity to express my thanks for all the kindness I've received since Miss M

by; but she saw and loved the willing spirit in me, pitied my hard lot, and felt

, with blue rosettes at my ears, my tail cut in the English style, and on my back Miss Merry in her London hat and habit, all ready to head a cavalcade of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen. We were the

't she study horses' feet and shoes, that I might be cured if possible? Didn't she write to the famous friend of my race for advice, and drive me seven miles to get a good smith to shoe me well? Have not my poor contracted feet grown much be

tle as I can. I won't ask for a new blanket, though your old army one is very thin and shabby. I'll trot for you all winter, and try not to show it if I am lame. I

win her wish. I was much touched, though she was only a horse; for she was looking earnestly at me as she spoke, and made the last words very eloque

horses who usually pass the winter there. Your shoes shall be taken off, and you shall rest till March at least. The best care will be t

st is delicious. Is there nothing I can do to repay you, Miss Belinda? Please answer quickly, for I know th

, and send the little story to a certain paper I know of, and the money I get for it will pay your boa

But we understood each other now, and, cutting a lock from her mane for Miss Merry, I gave Rosa a farewell caress

Belinda. "I call occasionally and leave my card in the shape of an apple, finding Madam Rosa living like an independent lady, with her large box an

d any reasonabl