The nect moring John took me into the yard and agave my coat a good brushing. Just as I
was going into my box, with my xoat soft and bright, the master came in to look at me,
and seemed pleased."John," he said,"I meant to try the new horse this moring, but I have
other business. Go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the
river. That wil show how fast he can go."
"I will, sir," said John. After breakfast, he came and fitted me with a bridle. He was
very particular in adjusting the straps. He wanted to fit my head comfortably. Then he
brought a saddle, but it was not wide wnough for my back. He saw it in a minute and
went for another, which fitted nicely. He rode me first slowly, then faster and faster.
When we were on the common, he gave me a lighe touch with his whip, and we had
a splendid run.
As we came back through the park, we met LMr.Gordon and his wife, who were having a walk.
They stopped, and John jumped off.
"Well, John, how does he go?"
"First-rate, sir," answered John,"he is as fast as a deer, and has a fine spirit too.
The lightest touch of the reini will guide him. We met one of those traveling carts, and
as you know, sir, many horses will not pass those carts quietly. But he just took a good
look at it, and then went on as quiet and pleasant as it could be. Also there were some
people shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by. He pulled up a
little and looked, but didi not move a step to right or left. It's my opinion that he has
not been frightened or ill-used while he was young."
"That's good," said the master,""I will try him myself tomorrow."
The next day I was brought up for my master. I remembered my mother's advice and my
good old master's, and I tried to do exactly waht he wanted me to do. I found he rode on
me well and also showed care for his horse. When he came home, his wife was at the hall
door.
"Well, my deer," she said,"how do you like him?"
"He is ecaxtly waht John said," he replied,"a friendly creature I never wish to mount.
What shall we call him?"
"He is really auite a beauty, and he has such a nice and sweet face, anda such a fine,
intelligent eye. What do you say to calling him Black Beauty?"
"Black Beauty-I think that is a very good name."
John seened very proud of me. He used to make the hair on my head and tail almost
as smooth as a lady's haid. He would atald to me a great deal. Of course, I did not
understand all he said. However, I learned more and more to know what he meant,
and waht he wanted me to do. He was so gentle and kind, and I grew very fond of him.
He seemed to know just how a horse felt. When he cleaned me, he knwe the tender places
and the sensitive places. When he brushed my head, he want carefully over my eyes as if
they were his own, and never made me angry.
James, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant as John, so I thought myself well
off.
A few days after this, I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage. I wondered how we
would get on together, but she acted very well. She did her work honestly, and did her
ful share. I never wish to have a better partner.
After we had been out two or three times together, we grew quite friendly, which made me
fell very much at home.
As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great frieds.
Our master had two other horses in another stable. One was Justice, and the other was Sir
Oliver. We were quite happy in our new place. Sometimes we had some free time for a few
hours on fine summer Sundays. The carriage never went out on Sundays, so we were all
taken out into the home field or the old orchard. The grass was so cool and soft to our
feet. The air was so sweet. The feedom to do what we liked was so pleasant. We ran, lay
down, rolled over on our backs, and ate a little of the sweet grass. Then is was a very
good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of the large tree.