didnât look a good bargain. I was very thin and lame and shabby, but she saw and loved the willing spirit in me. She pitied my hard lot and felt that it would be a good deed to buy me even if she never got much work out of me.
ââI shall always remember that, and whatever happens to me hereafter, I never shall be as proud again as I was the day she put my new saddle and bridle on me. I was led out, sleek, plump, and handsome with blue rosettes at my ears, my tail cut in the English style, and on my back, Miss Merry sat in her London hat and habit, all ready to head a cavalcade of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen.
ââWe were the most perfect pair of all, and when the troop pranced down the street six abreast, my head was the highest, my rider the straightest, and our two hearts the friendliest in all the goodly company.
ââNor is it pride and love alone that bind me to her. It is gratitude as well. She often bathed my feet herself, rubbed me down, watered me, blanketed me, and came daily to see me when I was here alone for weeks in the winter. Didnât 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? Didnât she give me weeks of rest without shoes in order to save my poor, contracted feet? And am I not now fat and handsome, and barring the stiff knees, a very presentable horse? If I am, it is all owing to Miss Merry, and for that reason, I want to live and die in her service.
ââShe doesnât want to sell me and only told you to do so because you didnât want to care for me while she is gone. Dear Miss Belinda, please keep me! Iâll eat as little as I can. I wonât ask for a new blanket, though this old army one is thin and shabby. Iâll trot for you all winter and try not to show it if I am lame. Iâll do anything a horse can, no matter how humble, in order to earn my living. Donât, I beg you, send me away among strangers who have neither interest nor pity for me!â
âRosa had spoken rapidly, feeling that her plea must be made now or never. Before another Christmas, she might be far away and speech of no use to win her wish. I was greatly touched, even though she was only a horse. She was looking earnestly at me as she spoke and made the last words very eloquent by preparing to bend her stiff knees and lie down at my feet. I stopped her and answered with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my handâ
ââYou shall not be sold, Rosa! You shall go and board at Mr. Townâs great stable, where you will have pleasant society among the eighty horses who usually pass the winter there. Your shoes shall be taken off so that you might rest until March at least. Your care will be only the best, my dear, and I will come and see you. In the spring, you shall return to us, even if Miss Merry is not here to welcome you.â
ââThanks, many, many thanks! But I wish I could do something to earn my board. I hate to be idle, though rest is delicious. Is there nothing I can do to repay you, Miss Belinda? Please answer quickly. I know the hour is almost over,â cried Rosa, stamping with anxiety. Like all horses, she wanted the last word.
ââYes, you can,â I cried, as a sudden idea popped into my head. âIâll write down what you have told me and send the little story to a certain paper I know of. The money I get for it will pay your board. So rest in peace, my dear. You will have earned your living after all, and you may rest knowing that your debt is paid.â
âBefore she could reply, the clock struck one. A long sigh of satisfaction was all the response in her power. But, we understood each other now, and cutting a lock from her hair for Miss Merry, I gave Rosa a farewell caress and went on my way. I couldnât help wondering if I had made it all up or the charming beast had really broken a yearâs silence and freed
ââI shall always remember that, and whatever happens to me hereafter, I never shall be as proud again as I was the day she put my new saddle and bridle on me. I was led out, sleek, plump, and handsome with blue rosettes at my ears, my tail cut in the English style, and on my back, Miss Merry sat in her London hat and habit, all ready to head a cavalcade of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen.
ââWe were the most perfect pair of all, and when the troop pranced down the street six abreast, my head was the highest, my rider the straightest, and our two hearts the friendliest in all the goodly company.
ââNor is it pride and love alone that bind me to her. It is gratitude as well. She often bathed my feet herself, rubbed me down, watered me, blanketed me, and came daily to see me when I was here alone for weeks in the winter. Didnât 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? Didnât she give me weeks of rest without shoes in order to save my poor, contracted feet? And am I not now fat and handsome, and barring the stiff knees, a very presentable horse? If I am, it is all owing to Miss Merry, and for that reason, I want to live and die in her service.
ââShe doesnât want to sell me and only told you to do so because you didnât want to care for me while she is gone. Dear Miss Belinda, please keep me! Iâll eat as little as I can. I wonât ask for a new blanket, though this old army one is thin and shabby. Iâll trot for you all winter and try not to show it if I am lame. Iâll do anything a horse can, no matter how humble, in order to earn my living. Donât, I beg you, send me away among strangers who have neither interest nor pity for me!â
âRosa had spoken rapidly, feeling that her plea must be made now or never. Before another Christmas, she might be far away and speech of no use to win her wish. I was greatly touched, even though she was only a horse. She was looking earnestly at me as she spoke and made the last words very eloquent by preparing to bend her stiff knees and lie down at my feet. I stopped her and answered with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my handâ
ââYou shall not be sold, Rosa! You shall go and board at Mr. Townâs great stable, where you will have pleasant society among the eighty horses who usually pass the winter there. Your shoes shall be taken off so that you might rest until March at least. Your care will be only the best, my dear, and I will come and see you. In the spring, you shall return to us, even if Miss Merry is not here to welcome you.â
ââThanks, many, many thanks! But I wish I could do something to earn my board. I hate to be idle, though rest is delicious. Is there nothing I can do to repay you, Miss Belinda? Please answer quickly. I know the hour is almost over,â cried Rosa, stamping with anxiety. Like all horses, she wanted the last word.
ââYes, you can,â I cried, as a sudden idea popped into my head. âIâll write down what you have told me and send the little story to a certain paper I know of. The money I get for it will pay your board. So rest in peace, my dear. You will have earned your living after all, and you may rest knowing that your debt is paid.â
âBefore she could reply, the clock struck one. A long sigh of satisfaction was all the response in her power. But, we understood each other now, and cutting a lock from her hair for Miss Merry, I gave Rosa a farewell caress and went on my way. I couldnât help wondering if I had made it all up or the charming beast had really broken a yearâs silence and freed
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