Black Beauty

JoJin Manley s Talk. 67shall pull through, and there s notJiing like doing a kindnesswhen ' tis put inyour zuay, and I am glad I can do it.''"Then," said James, "you don't hold with that saying,*Everybody look after himself, and take care of numberone.' "" No, indeed," said John, " where should I and Nelly havebeen if master and mistress and old Norman had only takencare of number one ? Why, she in the workhouse and I hoe-would Black Beauty and Ginger haveing turnips ! Wherebeen if you had only thought of number one ? Why, roastedto death ! No, Jim, no ! that is a selfish, heathenish saying,whoever uses it ;and any man who thinks he has nothing todo but take care of number one, why, it's a pity but what hehad been drowned like a puppy or kitten, before he got hiseyes open—that's what I think," said John, with a verydecided jerk of his head.James laughed at this ; but there was a thickness in hisvoice when he said, " You have been my best friend exceptmy mother ; I hope you won't forget me.""No, lad, no!" said John, "and if ever I can do you agood turn, I hope you wont forget me."The next day Joe came to the stables to learn all he couldbefore James left. He learned to sweep the stable, to bringin the straw and hay ; he began to clean the harness, andhelped to wash the carriage. As he was quite too short to doanything in the way of grooming Ginger and me, Jamestaught him upon Merrylegs for he was to have full charge ofhim, under John. He was a nice little bright fellow andalways came whistling to his work.Merrylegs was a good deal put out at being " mauledabout," as he said " by a boy who knew nothing ; but towardthe end of the second week he told me confidently that hethought that the boy would turn out well.At last the day came when James had vo leave us