Minnie's Pet Horse Read online

  CHAPTER IV.

  HORSE GOING TO A DOCTOR.

  "Another instance of the same kind is related of a horse belonging to acarter in Fifeshire. From the carter having a large family, this animalhad become particularly intimate with children, and fond of them, sothat he would not on any account, move when they were playing among hisfeet.

  "One day, when he was dragging a loaded cart through a narrow lane nearthe village, a young child happened to be playing in the road, and wouldinevitably have been crushed by the wheels, had it not been for thekindness of the animal. He carefully took it by the clothes with histeeth, carried it for a few yards, and then placed it on a bank by thewayside, moving slowly all the while, and looking back, as if tosatisfy himself that the wheels of the cart had cleared it."

  "The effect of kind treatment," rejoined his brother, smiling atMinnie's delight, "was particularly manifest by a horse belonging to agentleman in England, called Colonel Smith. The charger had belonged tohim for two years, and became greatly attached to him; but he was atlast obliged to leave it with the army, though it was subsequently soldand carried back to London. About three years after, Colonel Smithchanced to travel to London by the mail coach, and while they werechanging horses, the off side one attracted his attention. Going near,the affectionate animal at once recognized him, testifying itssatisfaction by rubbing its head against his clothes, and making everymoment a little stamp with his fore feet, till the coachman asked, 'Areyou not an old acquaintance, sir?'

  "The same gentleman says there was a most beautiful and powerful chargerbelonging to a friend of his, then a captain in the fourteenth dragoons,which was bought by him in Ireland, at a low price, on account of hisviciousness, which had cost the life of one or two grooms. The captainwas a celebrated rider, not to be thrown by the most violent efforts,and of a temper so gentle and patient that he could effect a cure ifvice were curable.

  "After some very dangerous combats with his horse, the animal wassubdued, and became so attached that his master could walk any where,with him following like a dog, and even ladies could mount him withperfect safety. He rode him during several campaigns in Spain, and onone occasion, when, in action, horse and rider came headlong to theground, the animal, making an effort to spring up, placed his fore footon the captain's breast, but, immediately withdrawing it, rose withouthurting him, or moving till he was remounted."

  A few days later, and while his brother and wife were still visitingthem, Mr. Lee invited some of his city friends to come out and maketheir acquaintance. They were all seated at dinner when they heard Leobarking in a manner to express great joy. As the noise continued, Mrs.Lee allowed Minnie to see what occasioned the rejoicing.

  When she reached the door, she saw a gentleman mounted on a handsomegray horse, near the stable door, talking to Leo. There was somethingabout him which riveted her attention, and presently, with a joyfulcry, she ran forward to welcome uncle Frank, who had just come into portafter a long voyage.

  In answer to his inquiries for her father and mother, she led him intriumph to the dining hall, where a scene of excitement and pleasureensued.

  Captain Frank Lee was a fine, noble-hearted son of Neptune. Havingchosen the sea early in life, he had followed it for many years, risingstep by step until he reached his present honorable position. He hadbecome rich, too, as well as his brother, each being benefited by a kindof partnership existing between them; for, while the captain sailed toforeign ports, the merchant supplied the money to freight the vessel,which they owned in equal shares, and to buy goods at a foreign market.

  When he had answered some of the numerous questions which were crowdedupon him, such as, "How did you come?" "When did you arrive in port?""Is Louise well?" &c., &c., the captain begged them to reseat themselvesat table, adding, "I am as hungry as a bear, and long for some of thehome luxuries with which I see your table is spread."

  "Well, Minnie," he exclaimed, pinching her check, when he had thriceemptied his plate, "I'll not forget that you were the first one towelcome me; and, by the way, how is Jacko? and how are all the rest ofyour pets?"

  "You had better not name the subject of pets," cried uncle Harry,laughing, "unless you are willing to be pinned to a chair and tellstories--'yarns,' I think you call them--for the next five hours. Now,it's cats or dogs; then, it's monkeys or parrots; yesterday, it washorses; and you must rake up your memory for all the stories, true,veritable facts, that you ever heard in your life."

  "I know, I know," answered the captain, drawing the child toward him,and kissing her as well as his long, thick beard would allow. "Minnieand I are old cronies, and understand each other's crotchets prettywell. She's the little puss who threw down a beautiful bracelet I hadpurchased for her in Paris, and said, 'Uncle Frank, I don't care forpresents unless they're alive.' So, the next voyage, I brought her alive present, in the shape of a grinning monkey, with which she wasgreatly delighted."

  A roar of laughter from the company followed; but while they were eatingthe fruit, Minnie found an opportunity to whisper,--

  "You can't think, uncle, what funny things my pony does. He knows how todance beautifully."

  "I should admire to see him," returned the captain, glancing roguishlytoward his sister-in-law; "and you can't guess what I've brought for youthis time."

  "Alive, is it?"

  "Yes; alive and squealing when I left the vessel. You'll see it, orthem, to-morrow, and I hope you'll be as pleased as you were withJacko."

  After dinner, the party adjourned to the piazza, when the captain said,"Leo, good fellow, knew me at once, in spite of my heavy beard; but helooked rather shy at my new horse; and, by the way, Prince is well worthshowing. I brought him in the ship with me from England, and I wouldn'ttake a thousand dollars for him, if that sum were offered me to-day."

  "Let's go and see him!" exclaimed Mr. Harry Lee. "You were always a goodjudge of horseflesh, Frank."

  After the animal had gone through a thorough examination of hisqualities for the carriage, the saddle, &c., and the different gentlemenhad given their opinion of his various excellences, the conversationturned, to Minnie's delight, on horses in general, and many anecdoteswere related of their bravery, their fidelity to their masters'interests, their sagacity and memory, some of which I shall repeat inthis and the next chapters.

  "An instance of the latter trait, combined with reason," said Mr. HarryLee, "is well authenticated.

  "A cart horse, owned by Mr. Leggat, of Glasgow, had been several timesafflicted with disease, and as often cured by Mr. Downie, farrier there.He had not, however, been troubled for a long time; but on a recurrenceof the disorder, he happened one morning to be employed in CollegeStreet, a distance of nearly a mile from Mr. Downie's workshop. He wasarranged in a row with other horses engaged in the same work; but whenthe carters were absent, he left the range, and, unattended by anydriver, went down High Street, along the Gallowgate, and up a narrowlane, where he stopped at the farrier's door.

  "As neither Mr. Leggat nor any one appeared with the horse, it wassurmised that he had been seized with his old complaint. Being unyokedfrom the cart, he lay down, and showed, by every means in his power,that he was in distress. He was again treated as usual, and sent hometo his master, who by that time had persons in all directions in searchfor him."