Black Beauty

164 Black Beauty.are many drivenCHAFER XLI.THE BUTCHER.oy" SAW a great deal of troubleamongst the horses in London,and much of it that might havebeen prevented by a little commonsense. We horses do notmind hard work if we are treatedreasonably ; and I am sure thereby quite poor men who have a happier lifethan I had, when I used to go in the Countess of W 'scarriage, with my silver mounted harness and high feeding.It often went to my heart to see how the little ponies wereused, straining along with heavy loads, or staggering underheavy blows from some low, cruel boy, Once I saw a littlegray pony with a thick mane and a pretty head, and so muchlike Merrylegs, that if I had not been in harness, I shouldhave neighed to him. He was doing his best to pull a heavycart, while a strong, rough boy was cutting him under thebelly with his whip, and chucking cruelly at his little mouth.Could it be Merrylegs.^ It was just like him ; but then Mr.Bloomiield was never to sell him, and I think he would not doit ; but this might have been quite as good a little fellow, andhad as happy a place when he was young.I often noticed the great speed at which butchers' horseswere made to go, though I did not know why it was so, tillone day we had to wait some time in St. John's Wood. Therewas a butcher's shop next door, and as we were standing, ab.itcher's cart came dashing up at a great pace. The horse