If one has money enough, there seems no reason why one should not go and buy such a horse as he wants. This is the commonly accepted theory, on which the whole commerce in horses is founded, and on which my friend proceeded.
He was about removing from Charlesbridge, where he had lived many happy years without a horse, farther into the country, where there were charming drives and inconvenient distances, and where a horse would be very desirable, if not quite necessary. But as a horse seemed at first an extravagant if not sinful desire, he began by talking vaguely round, and rather hinting than declaring that he thought somewhat of buying. The professor to whom he first intimated his purpose flung himself from his horse's back to the grassy border of the sidewalk where my friend stood, and said he would give him a few points. "In the first place don't buy a horse that shows much daylight under him, unless you buy a horse-doctor _with_ him; get a short-legged horse; and he ought to be short and thick in the barrel,"--or words to that effect. "Don't get a horse with a narrow forehead: there are horse-fools as well as the other kind, and you want a horse with room for brains. And look out that he's _all right forward_."
"What's that?" asked my friend, hearing this phrase for the first time.
"That he isn't tender in his fore-feet,--that the hoof isn't contracted," said the professor, pointing out the well-planted foot of his own animal.
"What ought I to pay for a horse?" pursued my friend, struggling to fix the points given by the professor in a mind hitherto unused to points of the kind.
"Well, horses are cheap, now; and you ought to get a fair family horse--You want a family horse?"
"Something you can ride and drive both? Something your children can drive?"
"Well, you ought to get such a horse as that for a hundred and twenty-five dollars."
This was the figure my friend had thought of; he drew a breath of relief. "Where did you buy your horse?"
"Oh, I always get my horses"--the plural abashed my friend--"at the Chevaliers'. If you throw yourself on their mercy, they'll treat you well. I'll send you a note to them."
"Do!" cried my friend, as the professor sprang upon his horse, and galloped away.
My friend walked home encouraged; his purpose of buying a horse had not seemed so monstrous, at least to this hardened offender. He now began to announce it more boldly; he said right and left that he wished to buy a horse, but that he would not go above a hundred. This was not true, but he wished to act prudently, and to pay a hundred and twenty-five only in extremity. He carried the professor's note to the Chevaliers', who duly honored it, understood at once what my friend wanted, and said they would look out for him. They were sorry he had not happened in a little sooner,--they had just sold the very horse he wanted. I may as well say here that they were not able to find him a horse, but that they used him with the strictest honor, and that short of supplying his want they were perfect.
In the mean time the irregular dealers began to descend upon him, as well as amateurs to whom he had mentioned his wish for a horse, and his premises at certain hours of the morning presented the effect of a horse-fair, or say rather a museum of equine bricabrac. At first he blushed at the spectacle, but he soon became hardened to it, and liked the excitement of driving one horse after another round the block, and deciding upon him. To a horse, they had none of the qualities commended by the professor, but they had many others which the dealers praised. These persons were not discouraged when he refused to buy, but cheerfully returned the next day with others differently ruinous. They were men of a spirit more obliging than my friend has found in other walks. One of them, who paid him a prefatory visit in his library, in five minutes augmented from six to seven hundred and fifty pounds the weight of a pony-horse, which he wished to sell. ("What you want," said the Chevaliers, "is a pony-horse," and my friend, gratefully catching at the phrase, had gone about saying he wanted a pony-horse. After that, hulking brutes of from eleven to thirteen hundred pounds were every day brought to him as pony-horses.) The same dealer came another day with a mustang, in whom was no fault, and who had every appearance of speed, but who was only marking time as it is called in military drill, I believe, when he seemed to be getting swiftly over the ground; he showed a sociable preference for the curbstone in turning corners, and was condemned, to be replaced the next evening by a pony-horse that a child might ride or drive, and that especially would not shy. Upon experiment, he shied half across the road, and the fact was reported to the dealer. He smiled compassionately. "What did he shy _at_?"
"Well! I never see the hoss _yet_ that _wouldn't_ shy at a wheelbarrow."
My friend owned that a wheelbarrow was of an alarming presence, but he had his reserves respecting the self-control and intelligence of this pony-horse. The dealer amiably withdrew him, and said that he would bring next day a horse--if he could get the owner to part with a family pet--that _would_ suit; but upon investigation it appeared that this treasure was what is called a calico-horse, and my friend, who was without the ambition to figure in the popular eye as a stray circus-rider, declined to see him.
These adventurous spirits were not squeamish. They thrust their hands into the lathery mouths of their brutes to show the state of their teeth, and wiped their fingers on their trousers or grass afterwards, without a tremor, though my friend could never forbear a shudder at the sight. If sometimes they came with a desirable animal, the price was far beyond his modest figure; but generally they seemed to think that he did not want a desirable animal. In most cases, the pony-horse pronounced sentence upon himself by some gross and ridiculous blemish; but sometimes my friend failed to hit upon any tenable excuse for refusing him. In such an event, he would say, with an air of easy and candid comradery, "Well, now, what's the matter with him?" And then the dealer, passing his hand down one of the pony-horse's fore-legs, would respond, with an upward glance of searching inquiry at my friend, "Well, he's a leetle mite tender for'a'd."
I am afraid my friend grew to have a cruel pleasure in forcing them to this exposure of the truth; but he excused himself upon the ground that they never expected him to be alarmed at this tenderness forward, and that their truth was not a tribute to virtue, but was contempt of his ignorance. Nevertheless, it was truth; and he felt that it must be his part thereafter to confute the common belief that there is no truth in horse-trades.
These people were not usually the owners of the horses they brought, but the emissaries or agents of the owners. Often they came merely to show a horse, and were not at all sure that his owner would part with him on any terms, as he was a favorite with the ladies of the family. An impenetrable mystery hung about the owner, through which he sometimes dimly loomed as a gentleman in failing health, who had to give up his daily drives, and had no use for the horse. There were cases in which the dealer came secretly, from pure zeal, to show a horse whose owner supposed him still in the stable, and who must be taken back before his absence was noticed. If my friend insisted upon knowing the owner and conferring with him, in any of these instances, it was darkly admitted that he was a gentleman in the livery business over in Somerville or down in the Lower Port. Truth, it seemed, might be absent or present in a horse-trade, but mystery was essential.
The dealers had a jargon of their own, in which my friend became an expert. They did not say that a horse weighed a thousand pounds, but ten hundred; he was not worth a hundred and twenty-five dollars, but one and a quarter; he was not going on seven years old, but was coming seven. There are curious facts, by the way, in regard to the age of horses which are not generally known. A horse is never of an even age: that is, he is not six, or eight, or ten, but five, or seven, or nine years old; he is sometimes, but not often, eleven; he is _never_ thirteen; his favorite time of life is seven, and he rarely gets beyond it, if on sale. My friend found the number of horses brought into the world in 1871 quite beyond computation.
He also found that most hard-working horses were sick or ailing, as most hard-working men and women are; that perfectly sound horses are as rare as perfectly sound human beings, and are apt, like the latter, to be vicious.
He began to have a quick eye for the characteristics of horses, and could walk round a proffered animal and scan his points with the best. "What," he would ask, of a given beast, "makes him let his lower lip hang down in that imbecile manner?"
"Oh, he's got a parrot-mouth. Some folks like 'em." Here the dealer would pull open the creature's flabby lips, and discover a beak like that of a polyp; and the cleansing process on the grass or trousers would take place.
Of another. "What makes him trot in that spread-out, squatty way, behind?" he demanded, after the usual tour of the block.
"He travels wide. Horse men prefer that."
They preferred any ugliness or awkwardness in a horse to the opposite grace or charm, and all that my friend could urge, in meek withdrawal from negotiation, was that he was not of an educated taste. In the course of long talks, which frequently took the form of warnings, he became wise in the tricks practiced by all dealers except his interlocutor. One of these, a device for restoring youth to an animal nearing the dangerous limit of eleven, struck him as peculiarly ingenious. You pierce the forehead, and blow into it with a quill; this gives an agreeable fullness, and erects the drooping ears in a spirited and mettlesome manner, so that a horse coming eleven will look for a time as if he were coming five.
After a thorough course of the volunteer dealers, and after haunting the Chevaliers' stables for several weeks, my friend found that not money alone was needed to buy a horse. The affair began to wear a sinister aspect. He had an uneasy fear that in several cases he had refused the very horse he wanted with the _aplomb_ he had acquired in dismissing undesirable beasts. The fact was he knew less about horses than when he began to buy, while he had indefinitely enlarged his idle knowledge of men, of their fatuity and hollowness. He learned that men whom he had always envied their brilliant omniscience in regard to horses, as they drove him out behind their dashing trotters, were quite ignorant and helpless in the art of buying; they always got somebody else to buy their horses for them. "Find a man you can trust," they said, "and then put yourself in his hands. And _never_ trust anybody about the health of a horse. Take him to a veterinary surgeon, and have him go all over him."
My friend grew sardonic; then he grew melancholy and haggard. There was something very strange in the fact that a person unattainted of crime, and not morally disabled in any known way, could not take his money and buy such a horse as he wanted with it. His acquaintance began to recommend men to him. "If you want a horse, Captain Jenks is your man." "Why don't you go to Major Snaffle? He'd take pleasure in it." But my friend, naturally reluctant to trouble others, and sickened by long failure, as well as maddened by the absurdity that if you wanted a horse you must first get a man, neglected this really good advice. He lost his interest in the business, and dismissed with lack-lustre indifference the horses which continued to be brought to his gate. He felt that his position before the community was becoming notorious and ridiculous. He slept badly; his long endeavor for a horse ended in nightmares.
One day he said to a gentleman whose turn-out he had long admired, "I wonder if you couldn't find me a horse!"
"Want a horse?"
"Want a horse! I thought my need was known beyond the sun. I thought my want of a horse was branded on my forehead."
This gentleman laughed, and then he said, "I've just seen a mare that would suit you. I thought of buying her, but I want a match, and this mare is too small. She'll be round here in fifteen minutes, and I'll take you out with her. Can you wait?"
"Wait!" My friend laughed in his turn.
The mare dashed up before the fifteen minutes had passed. She was beautiful, black as a coal; and kind as a kitten, said her driver. My friend thought her head was rather big. "Why, yes, she's a _pony_-horse; that's what I like about her."
She trotted off wonderfully, and my friend felt that the thing was now done.
The gentleman, who was driving, laid his head on one side, and listened. "Clicks, don't she?"
"She _does_ click," said my friend obligingly.
"Hear it?" asked the gentleman.
"Well, if you ask me," said my friend, "I _don't_ hear it. What _is_ clicking?"
"Oh, striking the heel of her fore-foot with the toe of her hind-foot. Sometimes it comes from bad shoeing. Some people like it. I don't myself." After a while he added, "If you can get this mare for a hundred and twenty-five, you'd better buy her."
"Well, I will," said my friend. He would have bought her, in fact, if she had clicked like a noiseless sewing-machine. But the owner, remote as Medford, and invisibly dealing, as usual, through a third person, would not sell her for one and a quarter; he wanted one and a half. Besides, another Party was trying to get her; and now ensued a negotiation which for intricacy and mystery surpassed all the others. It was conducted in my friend's interest by one who had the difficult task of keeping the owner's imagination in check and his demands within bounds, for it soon appeared that he wanted even more than one and a half for her. Unseen and inaccessible, he grew every day more unmanageable. He entered into relations with the other Party, and it all ended in his sending her out one day after my friend had gone into the country, and requiring him to say at once that he would give one and a half. He was not at home, and he never saw the little mare again. This confirmed him in the belief that she was the very horse he ought to have had.
People had now begun to say to him, "Why don't you advertise? Advertise for a gentleman's pony-horse and phaeton and harness complete. You'll have a perfect procession of them before night." This proved true. His advertisement, mystically worded after the fashion of those things, found abundant response. But the establishments which he would have taken he could not get at the figure he had set, and those which his money would buy he would not have. They came at all hours of the day; and he never returned home after an an absence without meeting the reproach that _now_ the very horse he wanted had just been driven away, and would not be brought back, as his owner lived in Billerica, and only happened to be down. A few equipages really appeared desirable, but in regard to these his jaded faculties refused to work: he could decide nothing; his volition was extinct; he let them come and go.
It was at this period that people who had at first been surprised that he wished to buy a horse came to believe that he had bought one, and were astonished to learn that he had not. He felt the pressure of public opinion.
He began to haunt the different sale-stables in town, and to look at horses with a view to buying at private sale. Every facility for testing them was offered him, but he could not make up his mind. In feeble wantonness he gave appointments which he knew he should not keep, and, passing his days in an agony of multitudinous indecision, he added to the lies in the world the hideous sum of his broken engagements. From time to time he forlornly appeared at the Chevaliers', and refreshed his corrupted nature by contact with their sterling integrity. Once he ventured into their establishment just before an auction began, and remained dazzled by the splendor of a spectacle which I fancy can be paralleled only by some dream of a mediaeval tournament. The horses, brilliantly harnessed, accurately shod, and standing tall on burnished hooves, their necks curved by the check rein and their black and blonde manes flowing over the proud arch, lustrous and wrinkled like satin, were ranged in a glittering hemicycle. They affected my friend like the youth and beauty of his earliest evening parties; he experienced a sense of bashfulness, of sickening personal demerit. He could not have had the audacity to bid on one of those superb creatures, if all the Chevaliers together had whispered him that here at last was the very horse.
I pass over an unprofitable interval in which he abandoned himself to despair, and really gave up the hope of being able ever to buy a horse. During this interval he removed from Charlesbridge to the country, and found himself, to his self-scorn and self-pity, actually reduced to hiring a livery horse by the day. But relief was at hand. The carpenter who had remained to finish up the new house after my friend had gone into it bethought himself of a firm in his place who brought on horses from the West, and had the practice of selling a horse on trial, and constantly replacing it with other horses till the purchaser was suited. This seemed an ideal arrangement, and the carpenter said that he _thought_ they had the very horse my friend wanted.
The next day he drove him up, and upon the plan of successive exchanges till the perfect horse was reached, my friend bought him for one and a quarter, the figure which he had kept in mind from the first. He bought a phaeton and harness from the same people, and when the whole equipage stood at his door, he felt the long-delayed thrill of pride and satisfaction. The horse was of the Morgan breed, a bright bay, small and round and neat, with a little head tossed high, and a gentle yet alert movement. He was in the prime of youth, of the age of which every horse desires to be, and was just coming seven. My friend had already taken him to a horse-doctor, who for one dollar had gone all over him, and pronounced him sound as a fish, and complimented his new owner upon his acquisition. It all seemed too good to be true. As Billy turned his soft eye on the admiring family group, and suffered one of the children to smooth his nose while another held a lump of sugar to his dainty lips, his amiable behavior restored my friend to his peace of mind and his long-lost faith in a world of reason.
The ridiculous planet, wavering bat-like through space, on which it had been impossible for an innocent man to buy a suitable horse was a dream of the past, and he had the solid, sensible old earth under his feet once more. He mounted into the phaeton and drove off with his wife; he returned and gave each of the children a drive in succession. He told them that any of them could drive Billy as much as they liked, and he quieted a clamor for exclusive ownership on the part of each by declaring that Billy belonged to the whole family. To this day he cannot look back to those moments without tenderness. If Billy had any apparent fault, it was an amiable indolence. But this made him all the safer for the children, and it did not really amount to laziness. While on sale he had been driven in a provision cart, and had therefore the habit of standing unhitched. One had merely to fling the reins into the bottom of the phaeton and leave Billy to his own custody. His other habit of drawing up at kitchen gates was not confirmed, and the fact that he stumbled on his way to the doctor who pronounced him blameless was reasonably attributed to a loose stone at the foot of the hill; the misstep resulted in a barked shin, but a little wheel-grease, in a horse of Billy's complexion, easily removed the evidence of this.
It was natural that after Billy was bought and paid for, several extremely desirable horses should be offered to my friend by their owners, who came in person, stripped of all the adventitious mystery of agents and middle-men. They were gentlemen, and they spoke the English habitual with persons not corrupted by horses. My friend saw them come and go with grief; for he did not like to be shaken in his belief that Billy was the only horse in the world for him, and he would have liked to purchase their animals, if only to show his appreciation of honor and frankness and sane language. Yet he was consoled by the possession of Billy, whom he found increasingly excellent and trustworthy. Any of the family drove him about; he stood unhitched; he was not afraid of cars; he was as kind as a kitten; he had not, as the neighboring coachman said, a voice, though he seemed a little loively in coming out of the stable sometimes. He went well under the saddle; he was a beauty, and if he had a voice, it was too great satisfaction in his personal appearance.
One evening after tea, the young gentleman, who was about to drive Billy out, stung by the reflection that he had not taken blackberries and cream twice, ran into the house to repair the omission, and left Billy, as usual, unhitched at the door. During his absence, Billy caught sight of his stable, and involuntarily moved towards it. Finding himself unchecked, he gently increased his pace; and when my friend, looking up from the melon-patch which he was admiring, called out, "Ho, Billy! Whoa, Billy!" and headed him off from the gap, Billy profited by the circumstance to turn into the pear orchard. The elastic turf under his unguided hoof seemed to exhilarate him; his pace became a trot, a canter, a gallop, a tornado; the reins fluttered like ribbons in the air; the phaeton flew ruining after. In a terrible cyclone the equipage swept round the neighbor's house, vanished, reappeared, swooped down his lawn, and vanished again. It was incredible.
My friend stood transfixed among his melons. He knew that his neighbor's children played under the porte-cochere on the other side of the house which Billy had just surrounded in his flight, and probably.... My friend's first impulse was not to go and see, but to walk into his own house, and ignore the whole affair. But you cannot really ignore an affair of that kind. You must face it, and commonly it stares you out of countenance. Commonly, too, it knows how to choose its time so as to disgrace as well as crush its victim. His neighbor had people to tea, and long before my friend reached the house the host and his guests were all out on the lawn, having taken the precaution to bring their napkins with them.
"The children!" gasped my friend.
"Oh, they were all in bed," said the neighbor, and he began to laugh. That was right; my friend would have mocked at the calamity if it had been his neighbor's. "Let us go and look up your phaeton." He put his hand on the naked flank of a fine young elm, from which the bark had just been stripped. "Billy seems to have passed this way."
At the foot of a stone-wall four feet high lay the phaeton, with three wheels in the air, and the fourth crushed flat against the axle; the willow back was broken, the shafts were pulled out, and Billy was gone.
"Good thing there was nobody in it," said the neighbor.
"Good thing it didn't run down some Irish family, and get you in for damages," said a guest.
It appeared, then, that there were two good things about this disaster. My friend had not thought there were so many, but while he rejoiced in this fact, he rebelled at the notion that a sorrow like that rendered the sufferer in any event liable for damages, and he resolved that he never would have paid them. But probably he would.
Some half-grown boys got the phaeton right-side up, and restored its shafts and cushions, and it limped away with them towards the carriage-house. Presently another half-grown boy came riding Billy up the hill. Billy showed an inflated nostril and an excited eye, but physically he was unharmed, save for a slight scratch on what was described as the off hind-leg; the reader may choose which leg this was.
"The worst of it is," said the guest, "that you never can trust 'em after they've run off once."
"Have some tea?" said the host to my friend.
"No, thank you," said my friend, in whose heart the worst of it rankled; and he walked home embittered by his guilty consciousness that Billy ought never to have been left untied. But it was not this self-reproach; it was not the mutilated phaeton; it was not the loss of Billy, who must now be sold; it was the wreck of settled hopes, the renewed suspense of faith, the repetition of the tragical farce of buying another horse, that most grieved my friend.
Billy's former owners made a feint of supplying other horses in his place, but the only horse supplied was an aged veteran with the scratches, who must have come seven early in our era, and who, from his habit of getting about on tiptoe, must have been tender for'a'd beyond anything of my friend's previous experience. Probably if he could have waited they might have replaced Billy in time, but their next installment from the West produced nothing suited to his wants but a horse with the presence and carriage of a pig, and he preferred to let them sell Billy for what he would bring, and to trust his fate elsewhere. Billy had fallen nearly one half in value, and he brought very little--to his owner; though the new purchaser was afterwards reported to value him at much more than what my friend had paid for him. These things are really mysteries; you cannot fathom them; it is idle to try. My friend remained grieving over his own folly and carelessness, with a fond hankering for the poor little horse he had lost, and the belief that he should never find such another. Yet he was not without a philanthropist's consolation. He had added to the stock of harmless pleasures in a degree of which he could not have dreamed. All his acquaintance knew that he had bought a horse, and they all seemed now to conspire in asking him how he got on with it. He was forced to confess the truth. On hearing it, his friends burst into shouts of laughter, and smote their persons, and stayed themselves against lamp-posts and house-walls. They begged his pardon, and then they began again, and shouted and roared anew. Since the gale which blew down the poet ----'s chimneys and put him to the expense of rebuilding them, no joke so generally satisfactory had been offered to the community. My friend had, in his time, achieved the reputation of a wit by going about and and saying, "Did you know ----'s chimneys had blown down?" and he had now himself the pleasure of causing the like quality of wit in others.
Having abandoned the hope of getting anything out of the people who had sold him Billy, he was for a time the prey of an inert despair, in which he had not even spirit to repine at the disorder of a universe in which he could not find a horse. No horses were now offered to him, for it had become known throughout the trade that he had bought a horse. He had therefore to set about counteracting this impression with what feeble powers were left him. Of the facts of that period he remembers with confusion and remorse the trouble to which he put the owner of the pony-horse Pansy, whom he visited repeatedly in a neighboring town, at a loss of time and money to himself, and with no result but to embarrass Pansy's owner in his relations with people who had hired him and did not wish him sold. Something of the old baffling mystery hung over Pansy's whereabouts; he was with difficulty produced, and when _en evidence_ he was not the Pansy my friend had expected. He paltered with his regrets; he covered his disappointment with what pretenses he could; and he waited till he could telegraph back his adverse decision. His conclusion was that, next to proposing marriage, there was no transaction of life that involved so many delicate and complex relations as buying a horse, and that the rupture of a horse-trade was little less embarrassing and distressing to all concerned than a broken engagement. There was a terrible intimacy in the affair; it was alarmingly personal. He went about sorrowing for the pain and disappointment he had inflicted on many amiable people of all degrees who had tried to supply him with a horse.
"Look here," said his neighbor, finding him in this low state, "why don't you get a horse of the gentleman who furnishes mine?" This had been suggested before, and my friend explained that he had disliked to make trouble. His scruples were lightly set aside, and he suffered himself to be entreated. The fact was he was so discouraged with his attempt to buy a horse that if any one had now given him such a horse as he wanted he would have taken it.
One sunny, breezy morning his neighbor drove my friend over to the beautiful farm of the good genius on whose kindly offices he had now fixed his languid hopes. I need not say what the landscape was in mid-August, or how, as they drew near the farm, the air was enriched with the breath of vast orchards of early apples,--apples that no forced fingers rude shatter from their stems, but that ripen and mellow untouched, till they drop into the straw with which the orchard aisles are bedded; it is the poetry of horticulture; it is Art practicing the wise and gracious patience of Nature, and offering to the Market a Summer Sweeting of the Hesperides.
The possessor of this luscious realm at once took my friend's case into consideration; he listened, the owner of a hundred horses, with gentle indulgence to the shapeless desires of a man whose wildest dream was _one_ horse. At the end he said, "I see you want a horse that can take care of himself."
"No," replied my friend, with the inspiration of despair. "I want a horse that can take care of me."
The good genius laughed, and turned the conversation. Neither he nor my friend's neighbor was a man of many words, and like taciturn people they talked in low tones. The three moved about the room and looked at the Hispano-Roman pictures; they had a glass of sherry; from time to time something was casually murmured about Frank. My friend felt that he was in good hands, and left the affair to them. It ended in a visit to the stable, where it appeared that this gentleman had no horse to sell among his hundred which exactly met my friend's want, but that he proposed to lend him Frank while a certain other animal was put in training for the difficult office he required of a horse. One of the men was sent for Frank, and in the mean time my friend was shown some gaunt and graceful thoroughbreds, and taught to see the difference between them and the plebeian horse. But Frank, though no thoroughbred, eclipsed these patricians when he came. He had a little head, and a neck gallantly arched; he was black and plump and smooth, and though he carried himself with a petted air, and was a dandy to the tips of his hooves, his knowing eye was kindly. He turned it upon my friend with the effect of understanding _his_ case at a glance.
It was in this way that for the rest of the long, lovely summer peace was re-established in his heart. There was no question of buying or selling Frank; there were associations that endeared him beyond money to his owner; but my friend could take him without price. The situation had its humiliation for a man who had been arrogantly trying to buy a horse, but he submitted with grateful meekness, and with what grace Heaven granted him; and Frank gayly entered upon the peculiar duties of his position. His first duty was to upset all preconceived notions of the advantage of youth in a horse. Frank was not merely not coming seven or nine, but his age was an even number,--he was sixteen; and it was his owner's theory, which Frank supported, that if a horse was well used he was a good horse till twenty-five.
The truth is that Frank looked like a young horse; he was a dandy without any of the ghastliness which attends the preservation of youth in old beaux of another species. When my friend drove him in the rehabilitated phaeton he felt that the turn-out was stylish, and he learned to consult certain eccentricities of Frank's in the satisfaction of his pride. One of these was a high reluctance to be passed on the road. Frank was as lazy a horse--but lazy in a self-respectful, aesthetic way--as ever was; yet if he heard a vehicle at no matter how great distance behind him (and he always heard it before his driver), he brightened with resolution and defiance, and struck out with speed that made competition difficult. If my friend found that the horse behind was likely to pass Frank, he made a merit of holding him in. If they met a team, he lay back in his phaeton, and affected not to care to be going faster than a walk, any way.
One of the things for which he chiefly prized Frank was his skill in backing and turning. He is one of those men who become greatly perturbed when required to back and turn a vehicle; he cannot tell (till too late) whether he ought to pull the right rein in order to back to the left, or _vice versa_; he knows, indeed, the principle, but he becomes paralyzed in its application. Frank never was embarrassed, never confused. My friend had but to say, "Back, Frank!" and Frank knew from the nature of the ground how far to back and which way to turn. He has thus extricated my friend from positions in which it appeared to him that no earthly power could relieve him.
In going up hill Frank knew just when to give himself a rest, and at what moment to join the party in looking about and enjoying the prospect. He was also an adept in scratching off flies, and had a precision in reaching an insect anywhere in his van with one of his rear hooves which few of us attain in slapping mosquitoes. This action sometimes disquieted persons in the phaeton, but Frank knew perfectly well what he was about, and if harm had happened to the people under his charge my friend was sure that Frank could have done anything short of applying arnica and telegraphing to their friends. His varied knowledge of life and his long experience had satisfied him that there were very few things to be afraid of in this world. Such womanish weaknesses as shying and starting were far from him, and he regarded the boisterous behavior of locomotives with indifference. He had not, indeed, the virtue of one horse offered to my friend's purchase, of standing, unmoved, with his nose against a passing express train; but he was certainly not afraid of the cars.
Frank was by no means what Mr. Emerson calls a mush of concession; he was not merely amiable; he had his moments of self-assertion, his touches of asperity. It was not safe to pat his nose, like the erring Billy's; he was apt to bring his handsome teeth together in proximity to the caressing hand with a sharp click and a sarcastic grin. Not that he ever did, or ever would really bite. So, too, when left to stand long under fly-haunted cover, he would start off afterwards with alarming vehemence; and he objected to the saddle. On the only occasion when any of my friend's family mounted him, he trotted gayly over the grass towards the house, with the young gentleman on his back; then, without warning, he stopped short, a slight tremor appeared to pass over him, and his rider continued the excursion some ten feet farther, alighting lump-wise on a bunch of soft turf which Frank had selected for his reception.
The summer passed, and in the comfort of Frank's possession my friend had almost abandoned the idea of ever returning him to his owner. He had thoughts of making the loan permanent, as something on the whole preferable to a purchase. The drives continued quite into December, over roads as smooth and hard as any in June, and the air was delicious. The first snow brought the suggestion of sleighing; but that cold weather about Christmas dispersed these gay thoughts, and restored my friend to virtue. Word came from the stable that Frank's legs were swelling from standing so long without going out, and my friend resolved to part with an animal for which he had no use. I do not praise him for this; it was no more than his duty; but I record his action in order to account for the fact that he is again without a horse, and now, with the opening of the fine weather, is beginning once more to think of buying one.
But he is in no mood of arrogant confidence. He has satisfied himself that neither love nor money is alone adequate to the acquisition: the fates also must favor it. The horse which Frank's owner has had in training may or may not be just the horse he wants. He does not know; he humbly waits; and he trembles at the alternative of horses, mystically summoned from space, and multitudinously advancing upon him, parrot-mouthed, pony-gaited, tender for'a'd, and traveling wide behind.
Ikiwa mtu ana pesa za kutosha, hakuna sababu ya mtu asingeenda na kununua farasi kama huyo anayemtaka. Hii ni nadharia ya kawaida kukubaliwa, ambayo biashara nzima katika farasi ni msingi, na ambayo rafiki yangu aliendelea. Alikuwa karibu kuondoka Charlesbridge, ambapo alikuwa ameishi miaka mingi ya furaha bila farasi, mbali zaidi katika nchi, ambapo kulikuwa na gari ya kuvutia na umbali usiofaa, na ambapo farasi ingekuwa sana kutamaniwa, kama si kabisa muhimu. Lakini kama farasi ilionekana kwanza ya kupita kiasi kama si tamaa ya dhambi, alianza kwa kuzungumza vaguely pande zote, na badala ya kuashiria badala ya kutangaza kwamba alidhani kiasi fulani ya kununua. Profesa ambaye alimwambia kwanza kusudi lake aliruka kutoka kwenye farasi wake na kwenda kwenye ukingo wa kijani cha kijia ambapo rafiki yangu alikuwa amesimama, na akasema kwamba angempa pointi chache. "Hakuna kitu cha kwanza kununua farasi kwamba inaonyesha mwanga wa mchana chini yake, isipokuwa wewe kununua farasi-daktari, kupata farasi mfupi-legged, na yeye lazima kuwa mfupi na nene katika pipa, "" - au maneno kwa madhumuni hayo." """Usipate farasi mwenye paji la uso laini, kuna wapumbavu wa farasi na aina nyingine, na unataka farasi mwenye nafasi ya akili." Na angalia kwamba yeye ni _all haki mbele_. " "Hiyo ni nini?" "Mara ya kwanza, rafiki yangu aliniuliza, akisikia maneno haya kwa mara ya kwanza.""" "Kwamba yeye si zabuni katika mbele yake-mguu, - kwamba paa si mkataba", alisema profesa, akionyesha vizuri kupandwa mguu wa mnyama wake mwenyewe. "Ni lazima nilipe kiasi gani kwa ajili ya farasi?" "Nilimwendea rafiki yangu, nikijitahidi kueleza mambo aliyoyasema profesa, kwa akili ambayo haikuwa imezoea mambo kama hayo.""" "Naam, farasi ni nafuu, sasa, na unapaswa kupata farasi haki ya familia - Je, unataka farasi familia?" "Kitu unaweza kuendesha na kuendesha wote wawili? Kitu ambacho watoto wako wanaweza kuendesha?" "Naam, unapaswa kupata farasi kama kwamba kwa dola mia moja na ishirini na tano". Hii ilikuwa takwimu rafiki yangu alikuwa na mawazo ya; yeye akauchukua pumzi ya misaada. "Ulinunua wapi farasi wako?" "Oh, mimi daima kupata farasi wangu" - wingi abashed rafiki yangu - "katika Chevaliers '. Ukijiweka chini ya rehema yao, watakutendea vizuri. Nitawatumia barua". "Fanya hivyo!" kelele rafiki yangu, kama profesa akaruka juu ya farasi wake, na galloped mbali. Rafiki yangu alirudi nyumbani akiwa amejivunia; kusudi lake la kununua farasi halikuwa limetokea kuwa baya sana, angalau kwa mtenda-dhambi huyo mwenye ugumu. "Akaanza kusema kwa ujasiri zaidi: ""Nataka kununua farasi, lakini sitaki zaidi ya mia moja.""" Hii haikuwa kweli, lakini alitaka kutenda kwa busara, na kulipa mia moja na ishirini na tano tu katika mwisho. Alipeleka barua ya profesa kwa Chevalier, ambaye alishikilia kwa heshima, alielewa mara moja kile rafiki yangu alitaka, na alisema kwamba wao kuangalia nje kwa ajili yake. Walikuwa na majuto kwamba hakuwa na kutokea katika kidogo mapema, - walikuwa tu kuuzwa farasi sana alitaka. "Naweza kusema hapa kwamba hawakuweza kumtafutia farasi, lakini walimtumia kwa heshima kubwa sana, na kwamba walipokuwa wakimtimizia mahitaji yake walikuwa wakamilifu.""" Wakati huo huo, wafanyabiashara wa kawaida walianza kumshambulia, pamoja na wapenzi ambao alikuwa amewashangaza kwa tamaa yake ya farasi, na majengo yake katika saa fulani za asubuhi yalionyesha athari ya farasi-fairi, au kusema, badala ya makumbusho ya farasi bric-a-brac. Mwanzoni alishangaa kuona hilo, lakini baada ya muda mfupi akaanza kuvutiwa na jambo hilo, na akafurahia kuendesha farasi mmoja baada ya mwingine kuzunguka-zunguka na kumchagua. Kwa farasi, hawakuwa na sifa yoyote iliyopongezwa na profesa, lakini walikuwa na nyingine nyingi ambazo wafanyabiashara walisifu. Watu hao hawakuvunjika moyo alipokataa kununua, bali walirudi kwa furaha siku iliyofuata wakiwa na wengine wenye uharibifu tofauti. Walikuwa watu wa roho zaidi ya kutoa msaada kuliko rafiki yangu amepata katika matembezi mengine. Mmoja wao, ambaye alimtembelea katika maktaba yake, kwa dakika tano aliongeza uzito wa farasi-poni aliyetaka kuuza kutoka pauni sita hadi pauni mia saba na hamsini. """Unachotaka,"" alisema Chevalier, ""ni farasi wa farasi,"" na rafiki yangu, akishukuru kwa kifungu hicho, alikuwa amekwenda akisema anataka farasi wa farasi." Baada ya hapo, wanyama wakubwa wenye uzito wa pauni elfu moja hadi mia tatu waliletwa kwake kila siku kama farasi-poni.) "Mfanyabiashara huyo alikuja siku nyingine na Mustang, ambaye hakuwa na kosa, na ambaye alikuwa na kila kuonekana ya kasi, lakini ambaye alikuwa tu alama wakati kama ni kuitwa katika mazoezi ya kijeshi, naamini, wakati alionekana kuwa kupata haraka juu ya ardhi; alionyesha upendeleo wa kijamii kwa curbstone katika kugeuka pembe, na alikuwa hatia, kuwa kubadilishwa jioni ijayo na farasi-pony kwamba mtoto inaweza kuendesha au kuendesha, na kwamba hasa si aibu. """ Baada ya kufanya jaribio hilo, alitoroka nusu ya barabara, na jambo hilo likaripotiwa kwa muuzaji. Alitabasamu kwa huruma. "Yeye aliona aibu kwa nini?" "Naam! Sijawahi kuona hoss _yet_ kwamba _wouldn't_ aibu katika wheelbarrow. " Rafiki yangu alidai kwamba gurudumu lilikuwa na uwepo wa kutisha, lakini alikuwa na akiba yake kuheshimu kujidhibiti na akili ya hii pony-farasi. "Mfanyabiashara huyo alimwomba, na kusema kwamba angeleta farasi siku iliyofuata, kama angeweza kumfanya mmiliki wa farasi huyo aondoke na mnyama wa familia yake, lakini baada ya uchunguzi, ilionekana kwamba hazina hiyo ilikuwa ""farasi wa calico,"" na rafiki yangu, ambaye hakuwa na tamaa ya kuonekana kama msafiri wa msafara, alikataa kumwona." Roho hizo zenye ujasiri hazikuwa zenye uchungu. Wakaweka mikono yao katika vinywa vyao vya mnyama ili kuonyesha hali ya meno yao, na kisha wakafuta vidole vyao kwenye suruali zao au nyasi bila kutetemeka, ingawa rafiki yangu hakuweza kamwe kuvumilia kutetemeka kwa kuona. Wakati mwingine walikuja na mnyama anayetamaniwa, bei ilikuwa zaidi ya takwimu yake ya kiasi; lakini kwa ujumla walionekana kufikiri kwamba hakutaka mnyama anayetamaniwa. Katika visa vingi, farasi-poni alitangaza hukumu juu yake mwenyewe kwa baadhi ya kasoro kubwa na ridiculous; lakini wakati mwingine rafiki yangu alishindwa kugonga juu ya udhuru wowote tenaable kwa kukataa yake. "Katika tukio kama hilo, yeye alisema, kwa hewa ya urahisi na wazi camaraderie, ""Naam, sasa, ni nini tatizo na yeye?""" "Na kisha muuzaji, kupita mkono wake chini moja ya farasi-poni ya miguu ya mbele, ingekuwa kujibu, na kuangalia juu ya kutafuta uchunguzi katika rafiki yangu, ""Naam, yeye ni leetle mite zabuni kwa ajili ya.""" Naogopa rafiki yangu alikuwa na furaha ya kukasirisha kwa kuwafanya wafunue ukweli huu; lakini alijitetea kwa sababu hawakuwahi kumtarajia kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya ujasiri huu, na kwamba ukweli wao haukuwa heshima kwa wema, bali ulikuwa dharau kwa ujinga wake. Hata hivyo, ilikuwa ni ukweli; na alihisi kwamba ni lazima kuwa sehemu yake baadaye kupinga imani ya kawaida kwamba hakuna ukweli katika farasi-biashara. Kwa kawaida watu hao hawakuwa wamiliki wa farasi walioleta, bali walikuwa wajumbe au mawakala wa wamiliki hao. Mara nyingi walikuja tu kuonyesha farasi, na hawakuwa na uhakika kwamba mmiliki wake angetengana naye kwa hali yoyote, kwa kuwa alikuwa mpendwa wa wanawake wa familia. Mwili wa mwenye farasi huyo ulikuwa umefunikwa na siri isiyoeleweka, na wakati mwingine alionekana kama mtu mwenye afya mbaya, ambaye alilazimika kuacha shughuli zake za kila siku, na hakuwa na haja ya farasi huyo. Kulikuwa na visa ambapo muuzaji alikuja kwa siri, kwa bidii safi, kuonyesha farasi ambaye mmiliki wake alidhani alikuwa bado katika kibanda, na ambaye lazima achukuliwe nyuma kabla ya kutokuwepo kwake kuonekana. Kama rafiki yangu alisisitiza juu ya kujua mmiliki na kushauriana naye, katika yoyote ya matukio haya, ilikuwa giza alikiri kwamba alikuwa mtu wa heshima katika biashara livery juu katika Somerville au chini katika bandari ya chini. Ukweli, ilionekana, inaweza kuwa haipo au sasa katika biashara ya farasi, lakini siri ilikuwa muhimu. Wafanyabiashara hao walikuwa na lugha yao wenyewe, ambayo rafiki yangu akawa mtaalamu wake. "Hakuna mtu aliyesema kwamba farasi alikuwa na uzito wa pauni elfu moja, bali mia moja; hakuwa na thamani ya dola mia moja ishirini na tano, bali dola moja na robo; hakuwa na umri wa miaka saba, bali alikuwa na umri wa miaka saba.""" Kuna ukweli wa kushangaza, kwa njia, kuhusiana na umri wa farasi ambayo si kawaida inayojulikana. Farasi hana umri sawa, yaani, hana umri wa miaka sita, nane, au kumi, bali ana umri wa miaka mitano, saba, au tisa; wakati mwingine ana umri wa miaka kumi na moja, lakini si mara nyingi; hajawahi kuwa na umri wa miaka kumi na mitatu; wakati wake wa kupenda katika maisha ni miaka saba, na ni nadra sana kupita hapo, ikiwa ni kwa ajili ya kuuza. """Nafikiri idadi ya farasi waliozaliwa mwaka 1871 ni kubwa sana." Pia aligundua kwamba farasi wengi wanaofanya kazi kwa bidii walikuwa wagonjwa au wagonjwa, kama vile wanaume na wanawake wengi wanaofanya kazi kwa bidii; kwamba farasi wenye afya kamili ni nadra kama wanadamu wenye afya kamili, na wana uwezo, kama wa mwisho, kuwa waovu. Alianza kuwa na jicho la haraka kwa ajili ya sifa za farasi, na angeweza kutembea pande zote za mnyama aliyetolewa na kuchunguza alama zake kwa njia bora. "Ni nini", angeuliza, ya mnyama fulani, "kinafanya aachie mdomo wake wa chini utungue kwa njia hiyo ya kipumbavu?" "Oh, yeye got parrot- mdomo. Watu fulani huwapenda". Hapa mtoaji angefungua midomo ya mnyama huyo, na kugundua mdomo kama ule wa polyp; na mchakato wa kusafisha kwenye nyasi au suruali ungefanyika. Ya mwingine. "Ni nini humfanya kutembea-tembea katika kwamba kuenea-nje, squatty njia, nyuma?" alidai, baada ya ziara ya kawaida ya block. "Yeye husafiri sana. Wanaume wa farasi hupendelea hilo". Walipendelea uglyness yoyote au awkwardness katika farasi kwa neema kinyume au charm, na wote kwamba rafiki yangu inaweza kushinikiza, katika utulivu wa upole kutoka mazungumzo, ilikuwa kwamba hakuwa na ladha elimu. Katika mazungumzo marefu, ambayo mara nyingi yalichukua namna ya maonyo, akawa na hekima katika mbinu zilizotumiwa na wafanyabiashara wote isipokuwa mwenzake. Mojawapo ya hizo, kifaa cha kurudisha ujana kwa mnyama anayekaribia kikomo hatari cha miaka kumi na moja, kilimvutia sana. "Ukipiga upinde kwenye paji la uso na kuupiga kwa mkia, hilo linatoa umajimaji mzuri na kuinua masikio yaliyoanguka kwa njia ya ujasiri na ya ujasiri, ili farasi anayekuja saa kumi na moja aone kwa muda kama anakuja saa tano.""" Baada ya kuwachunguza wauzaji wa farasi kwa uangalifu, na baada ya kutembelea vibanda vya Chevallier kwa majuma kadhaa, rafiki yangu aligundua kwamba si pesa tu zilizohitajika kununua farasi. Jambo hilo lilianza kuwa na maana mbaya. Aliogopa sana kwamba mara kadhaa alikuwa amemkataa farasi aliyemtaka kwa sababu ya ujasiri aliokuwa ameupata kwa kuwafukuza wanyama wasiofaa. Ukweli ni kwamba alijua kidogo kuhusu farasi kuliko wakati yeye alianza kununua, wakati yeye alikuwa kwa muda usiojulikana kupanua maarifa yake idle ya watu, ya fatuity yao na hollowness. Alijifunza kwamba watu ambao alikuwa daima wivu wao kipaji omniscience kuhusiana na farasi, kama wao kuendesha nje nyuma yao dashing trotters, walikuwa kabisa ujinga na kukosa msaada katika sanaa ya kununua; wao daima got mtu mwingine kununua farasi wao kwa ajili yao. "Pata mtu unayeweza kumwamini", wakasema, "na kisha ujitie mikononi mwake. Na _hajawahi_ kuamini mtu yeyote kuhusu afya ya farasi. Mpeleke kwa daktari wa mifugo, na amfanyie upasuaji wote". Rafiki yangu akawa mcheshi; kisha akawa mwenye huzuni na mvivu. Kulikuwa na kitu cha ajabu sana katika ukweli kwamba mtu asiye na hatia ya uhalifu, na asiye na kasoro ya kiadili kwa njia yoyote inayojulikana, hakuweza kuchukua pesa zake na kununua farasi kama alivyotaka. Mfahamu wake alianza kumpendekeza wanaume. "Ikiwa unataka farasi, Kapteni Jenks ni mtu wako". "Kwa nini usiende kwa Meja Snaffle? Angefurahia kufanya hivyo". Lakini rafiki yangu, kwa asili asiyependa kusumbua wengine, na amechukizwa na kushindwa kwa muda mrefu, na pia amechukizwa na upumbavu kwamba ikiwa unataka farasi lazima kwanza upate mtu, alisahau ushauri huu mzuri sana. Yeye kupoteza maslahi yake katika biashara, na kufukuzwa na ukosefu wa lustre kutojali farasi ambayo iliendelea kuletwa kwa lango lake. Alihisi kwamba cheo chake mbele ya jumuiya kilikuwa kikijulikana sana na kuwa cha kuchekesha. Alilala usingizi mbaya; jitihada zake za muda mrefu za kupata farasi zilimalizika kwa ndoto mbaya. Siku moja alimwambia mwanamume mmoja ambaye kwa muda mrefu alikuwa amemsifu, "Nashangaa kama huwezi kunipatia farasi!" "Je, unataka farasi?" "Nataka farasi! Nilidhani uhitaji wangu ulijulikana zaidi ya jua. Nilidhani kwamba ukosefu wangu wa farasi ulikuwa umewekwa alama kwenye paji la uso wangu". "Mtu huyo akacheka, kisha akasema, ""Nimeona farasi ambaye angekufaa.""" Nilidhani ya kununua yake, lakini nataka mechi, na mare hii ni ndogo sana. Yeye itakuwa karibu hapa katika dakika kumi na tano, na mimi itabidi kuchukua wewe nje na yake. Je, unaweza kusubiri?" "Subiri!" Rafiki yangu pia alicheka. Punda huyo alikimbia kabla ya dakika kumi na tano kupita. Alikuwa mzuri, nyeusi kama makaa ya mawe; na aina kama kitten, alisema dereva wake. Rafiki yangu alifikiri kichwa chake kilikuwa kikubwa sana. "Kwa nini, ndiyo, yeye ni _pony_-farasi; kwamba ni nini napenda kuhusu yake. " Yeye trotted mbali ajabu, na rafiki yangu waliona kwamba kitu sasa ilikuwa kufanyika. Bwana, ambaye alikuwa kuendesha gari, kuweka kichwa chake upande mmoja, na kusikiliza. "Clicks, si yeye?" "Yeye _does_ bonyeza", alisema rafiki yangu obligingly. "Je, unasikia?" aliuliza yule mwanamume. "Naam, ukiniuliza", akasema rafiki yangu, "sikusikia. Nini ni kubonyeza?" "Oh, striking kisigino cha mguu wake wa mbele na kidole cha mguu wake wa nyuma. Nyakati nyingine hutokana na viatu visivyofaa. Watu fulani hupenda hivyo. Mimi mwenyewe sipendi hivyo". Baada ya muda aliongeza, "Ikiwa unaweza kupata farasi huyu kwa mia moja na ishirini na tano, ni bora umnunue". "Naam, nitafanya hivyo", rafiki yangu akasema. Yeye ingekuwa kununuliwa yake, kwa kweli, kama yeye alikuwa bonyeza kama mashine ya kushona noiseless. Lakini mwenye nyumba, aliye mbali kama Medford, na asiyeonekana, kama kawaida, kupitia mtu wa tatu, hakutaka kumuuza kwa dola moja na robo; alitaka dola moja na nusu. Mbali na hilo, chama kingine ilikuwa kujaribu kupata yake; na sasa ensued mazungumzo ambayo kwa intricacy na siri alishinda wengine wote. Ilikuwa ikiongozwa kwa maslahi ya rafiki yangu na mtu ambaye alikuwa na kazi ngumu ya kuweka mawazo ya mmiliki katika kuangalia na mahitaji yake ndani ya mipaka, kwa sababu ni mara moja alionekana kwamba alitaka hata zaidi ya moja na nusu kwa ajili yake. Akiwa asiyeonekana na asiyeweza kufikiwa, akawa asiyeweza kudhibitiwa kila siku. Aliingia katika mahusiano na chama kingine, na yote yalimalizika kwa kumtuma siku moja baada ya rafiki yangu kwenda nje ya nchi, na kumtaka aseme mara moja kwamba angetoa nusu. Hakuwa nyumbani, naye hakumwona yule punda mdogo tena. Jambo hilo lilimtia moyo aamini kwamba yeye ndiye farasi aliyepaswa kumiliki. "Watu walianza kumwambia, ""Kwa nini huitangazi?" Tangazo kwa ajili ya pony-farasi wa mtu wa kiume na phaeton na harness kamili. Utakuwa na msafara mkamilifu wa wao kabla ya usiku. " Jambo hilo lilithibitika kuwa kweli. Tangazo lake la biashara, lililoandikwa kwa njia ya ajabu kulingana na mtindo wa mambo hayo, lilipata majibu mengi. Lakini vitu ambavyo angetaka kuvitwaa hakikuweza kupata kwa kiasi alichokuwa ameweka, na vitu ambavyo angetaka kununua kwa pesa zake hakutaka. Walikuja saa zote za mchana, na hakuwahi kurudi nyumbani baada ya kutokuwepo bila kukutana na dharau kwamba farasi aliyetaka alikuwa amepelekwa mbali, na hakutaka kurudishwa, kama mmiliki wake aliishi Billerica, na tu alikutana kuwa chini. Vifaa vichache vilionekana kuwa vya kupendeza, lakini kwa habari ya vitu hivyo, uwezo wake uliopungua ulikataa kufanya kazi; hakuweza kuamua chochote; mapenzi yake yalikuwa yamekufa; aliwaacha waje na kwenda. Wakati huo huo, watu ambao mwanzoni walishangaa kwamba alitaka kununua farasi walianza kuamini kwamba alikuwa amenunua farasi, na wakashangaa kujua kwamba hakuwa amenunua farasi. Alihisi mkazo wa maoni ya watu. Alianza haunt mbalimbali ya mauzo-stadi katika mji, na kuangalia farasi kwa mtazamo wa kununua katika mauzo ya kibinafsi. Alipewa kila kitu ili awajaribu, lakini hangeweza kuamua. Kwa ujasiri wa udhaifu, alitoa miadi ambayo alijua haipaswi kushikilia, na, akipita siku zake katika uchungu wa kutokuwa na uamuzi mwingi, aliongeza kwenye uongo ulimwenguni jumla ya uchafu wa ahadi zake zilizovunjwa. Mara kwa mara yeye desperately alionekana katika Chevaliers, na refreshed asili yake uharibifu kwa kuwasiliana na uadilifu wao sterling. Mara moja aliingia katika kiwanda chao kabla tu ya mnada kuanza, na alibaki akishangazwa na uzuri wa maonyesho ambayo mimi fancy inaweza kuwa sambamba tu na baadhi ya ndoto ya mashindano ya enzi za kati. Farasi, waliovaa mavazi ya kipekee, wakiwa wamevaa viatu vyema, na wakiwa wamesimama juu ya viatu vilivyopakwa rangi, shingo zao zikiwa zimepindika kwa kamba ya kudhibiti na manyoya yao meusi na ya rangi ya manjano yakitiririka juu ya upinde wenye fahari, yenye kung'aa na makunyanzi kama satini, walikuwa wamepangwa katika mzunguko wa nusu-mzunguko wenye kung'aa. Walimgusa rafiki yangu kama ujana na uzuri wa karamu zake za jioni za mapema; alipata hisia ya aibu, ya dharau ya kibinafsi ya kuugua. Hangeweza kuwa na ujasiri wa kutoa zabuni kwa ajili ya moja ya viumbe hao bora, kama Chevaliers wote pamoja alikuwa whispered yake kwamba hapa hatimaye alikuwa farasi sana. "Nilikuwa nimepita kipindi kisicho na faida, ambapo alijiacha mwenyewe kwa kukata tamaa, na kweli aliacha matumaini ya kuwa na uwezo wa kununua farasi.""" Wakati huohuo, alihamia mashambani kutoka Charlesbridge, na kwa kujidharau na kujisikitikia, alijikuta akiajiri farasi wa kila siku. Lakini kitulizo kilikuwa karibu. Mfanyakazi wa mbao, ambaye alikuwa amebaki kumaliza nyumba mpya baada ya rafiki yangu kuingia ndani yake, alijiita kampuni katika eneo lake ambayo ilileta farasi kutoka Magharibi, na alikuwa na zoea la kuuza farasi kwa jaribio, na daima kubadilisha kwa farasi wengine mpaka mnunuzi alikuwa suited. Hilo lilionekana kuwa mpango mzuri sana, na seremala huyo akasema kwamba alifikiri walikuwa na farasi ambaye rafiki yangu alitaka. Siku iliyofuata, alipanda farasi huyo, na kwa mpango wa kubadilishana farasi mmoja baada ya mwingine mpaka farasi huyo akamilike, rafiki yangu alimnunua kwa dola moja na robo, kiasi alichokuwa ameweka akilini tangu mwanzo. Alinunua phaeton na harness kutoka kwa watu hao, na wakati meli nzima ilipoisimama mlangoni mwake, alihisi msisimko wa muda mrefu wa kiburi na kuridhika. Farasi huyo alikuwa wa jamii ya Morgan, mwenye umbo la mwangaza, mdogo na mwenye umbo la mviringo na mwenye umbo la kawaida, akiwa na kichwa kidogo kilichopinduliwa juu, na akiwa na mwendo laini lakini wenye tahadhari. Alikuwa katika upeo wa ujana wake, umri ambao farasi yeyote anataka kuwa, na alikuwa anakaribia miaka saba tu. Rafiki yangu alikuwa tayari amemchukua kwa daktari wa farasi, ambaye kwa dola moja alikuwa amemshinda, na kumwita sauti kama ya samaki, na kumsifu mmiliki wake mpya juu ya upatikanaji wake. Yote hayo yalionekana kuwa mazuri sana hivi kwamba hayangeweza kuwa kweli. Billy alipomtazama kwa huruma familia hiyo, na kumruhusu mmoja wa watoto amnyunyize pua yake, huku mwingine akimshika kwa sukari kwenye midomo yake, tabia yake ya upole ilimrudishia rafiki yangu amani ya akili na imani yake iliyopotea kwa muda mrefu katika ulimwengu wa akili. Sayari hiyo ya kipumbavu, iliyotembea kama popo katika anga, ambayo haikuwezekana kwa mtu asiye na hatia kununua farasi anayestahili, ilikuwa ndoto ya zamani, na alikuwa na ardhi ya zamani thabiti, yenye busara chini ya miguu yake tena. Alipanda farasi na kuondoka na mkewe, kisha akarudi na kuwapa watoto wake kila mmoja gari moja baada ya nyingine. Aliwaambia kwamba yeyote kati yao angeweza kumendesha Billy kama alivyopenda, na akatuliza kilio cha kila mmoja kuwa mmiliki wa pekee kwa kutangaza kwamba Billy alikuwa wa familia nzima. Hadi leo hawezi kutazama nyuma nyakati hizo bila huruma. Kama Billy alikuwa na kosa lolote dhahiri, ilikuwa indolence amiable. Lakini hii ilifanya yeye wote salama zaidi kwa ajili ya watoto, na si kweli kiasi cha uvivu. Wakati wa kuuza alikuwa kuendeshwa katika gari ugavi, na kwa hiyo alikuwa na tabia ya kusimama unhitched. Mtu alikuwa tu kutupa reins katika chini ya phaeton na kuondoka Billy kwa ulinzi wake mwenyewe. Mazoea yake mengine ya kuogelea kwenye milango ya jikoni hayakuthibitishwa, na ukweli kwamba alijikwaa njiani kwenda kwa daktari ambaye alimtambua kuwa hana hatia ulihusianishwa kwa sababu ya jiwe lililokuwa limepotea chini ya kilima; hatua hiyo mbaya ilisababisha shin ya barking, lakini mafuta kidogo ya gurudumu, katika farasi wa rangi ya Billy, yaliondoa kwa urahisi ushahidi wa hili. Ilikuwa ni jambo la kawaida kwamba baada ya Billy kununuliwa na kulipwa, farasi kadhaa sana ya kutamaniwa inapaswa kutolewa kwa rafiki yangu na wamiliki wao, ambao alikuja binafsi, kuondolewa siri yote adventurous ya mawakala na wa kati. Walikuwa waungwana, na walizungumza Kiingereza cha kawaida na watu ambao hawakuchafuliwa na farasi. Rafiki yangu aliwaona wakija na kuondoka kwa huzuni, kwa maana hakupenda kutikiswa katika imani yake kwamba Billy ndiye farasi pekee duniani kwa ajili yake, na angependa kununua wanyama wao, ikiwa tu kuonyesha uthamini wake kwa heshima na uwazi na lugha ya akili. Hata hivyo, alifarijiwa na kumiliki Billy, ambaye aliona kuwa bora zaidi na mwenye kutegemeka. Mtu yeyote wa familia alimsafirisha; alisimama bila kuogopa; hakuwa na hofu ya magari; alikuwa kama aina ya kitten; hakuwa na, kama jirani coachman alisema, sauti, ingawa alionekana kidogo loose katika kuja nje ya imara wakati mwingine. Yeye alikuwa vizuri chini ya farasi; alikuwa uzuri, na kama alikuwa na sauti, ilikuwa ni kuridhika sana katika muonekano wake binafsi. Jioni moja baada ya chai, kijana huyo aliyekuwa karibu kumfukuza Billy, akishikwa na wazo la kwamba hakuwa amechukua blackberry na cream mara mbili, alikimbia ndani ya nyumba ili kurekebisha kosa hilo, na kumwacha Billy, kama kawaida, bila kushikamana mlangoni. Wakati wa kutokuwepo kwake, Billy aliona kibanda chake, na bila kukusudia akahamia karibu nacho. Kupata mwenyewe unchecked, yeye polepole kuongezeka kasi yake, na wakati rafiki yangu, kuangalia juu kutoka melon-patch ambayo alikuwa admiring, aliita nje, "Ho, Billy! Whoa, Billy!" Alipoingia kwenye shamba hilo, Billy alitumia nafasi hiyo kugeuka na kuingia kwenye shamba la peari. Uwanja wa mchanga chini ya manyoya yake ya kuvutia ulionekana kumfurahisha; mwendo wake ukawa kama kuteleza, kuteleza, kuteleza, kuteleza; mikongojo iliruka kama kamba hewani; ndege huyo aliruka kwa kasi sana. Katika kimbunga mbaya equipage swept pande zote za nyumba ya jirani, kutoweka, reappeared, swooped chini ya nyasi yake, na kutoweka tena. Lilikuwa jambo la ajabu. Rafiki yangu alisimama akiwa ameshtushwa kati ya matango yake. Alijua kwamba watoto wa jirani yake walikuwa wakicheza chini ya chumba cha kulala upande ule mwingine wa nyumba ambayo Billy alikuwa amezunguka katika kukimbia kwake, na labda... msukumo wa kwanza wa rafiki yangu haukuwa kwenda na kuona, lakini kutembea ndani ya nyumba yake mwenyewe, na kupuuza jambo lote. Lakini huwezi kupuuza jambo kama hilo. Lazima ukabiliane nayo, na kwa kawaida inakuangalia bila kukutazama. Kwa kawaida, pia, hujua jinsi ya kuchagua wakati wake ili kumfedhehesha na pia kumwangamiza mhasiriwa wake. Jirani yake alikuwa na watu wa kunywa chai, na muda mrefu kabla ya rafiki yangu kufika nyumbani mwenyeji na wageni wake wote walikuwa nje kwenye lawn, baada ya kuchukua tahadhari ya kuleta napkins zao pamoja nao. "Watoto!" alisimama kwa mshangao rafiki yangu. "Oh, walikuwa wote katika kitanda", alisema jirani, na alianza kucheka. Hiyo ilikuwa sahihi; rafiki yangu angekuwa amecheka msiba huo ikiwa ungekuwa wa jirani yake. "Hebu twende na kuangalia juu ya phaeton yako". Aliweka mkono wake juu ya upande uchi wa elm nzuri vijana, ambayo bark alikuwa tu stripped. "Inaonekana kwamba Billy amepita kupitia njia hii". Kwenye mguu wa ukuta wa mawe, urefu wa futi nne, palikuwa na gari lenye magurudumu matatu, na la nne lilipigwa na mhimili; mti wa mti wa willow ulikuwa umevunjika, na mti wa mti huo ulikuwa umevunjika, na Billy alikuwa amepotea. "Ni jambo zuri kwamba hakukuwa na mtu yeyote ndani yake", akasema jirani huyo. "Ni jambo zuri kwamba haikushambulia familia fulani ya Ireland, na kukusababisha uharibifu", akasema mgeni mmoja. Basi, ilionekana kwamba kulikuwa na mambo mawili mazuri kuhusu msiba huo. Rafiki yangu hakufikiri kwamba kulikuwa na watu wengi hivyo, lakini ingawa alifurahi kwa sababu ya ukweli huo, alikataa wazo kwamba huzuni kama hiyo ilimfanya mgonjwa awe na wajibu wa kulipa hasara, na aliamua kwamba hangeweza kamwe kulipa. Lakini yaelekea angefanya hivyo. Baadhi ya wavulana nusu kukua got phaeton haki upande juu, na kurejesha shafts yake na viti, na ni limped mbali na wao kuelekea gari-nyumba. Hivi karibuni mwingine nusu-kukua mvulana alikuja farasi Billy juu ya kilima. Billy alionyesha pua iliyoinuka na jicho lenye msisimko, lakini kimwili hakuwa na madhara, isipokuwa kwa makwaruzo madogo kwenye kile kilichoelezwa kama mguu wa nyuma; msomaji anaweza kuchagua mguu gani huu ulikuwa. "Mzuri zaidi ni", alisema mgeni, "kwamba huwezi kamwe kuamini 'em baada ya wao kuwa mbio mbali mara moja. " "Je, unaweza kunywa chai?" mwenye nyumba akamwambia rafiki yangu. "Hapana, asante, "alisema rafiki yangu, ambaye moyo wake mbaya zaidi ya ni ranced, na yeye alitembea nyumbani uchungu na dhamiri yake ya hatia kwamba Billy haipaswi kamwe kuwa kushoto untied. """ Lakini si kujilaumu, si yule farasi aliyeharibika, si kupoteza Billy, ambaye sasa lazima auzwe, bali kuharibika kwa matumaini yaliyokuwa yamekamilika, kuimarika upya kwa imani, kurudia tena mchezo wa kuigiza wa kununua farasi mwingine, ndio ulimhuzunisha rafiki yangu zaidi. Wamiliki wa zamani wa Billy walijaribu kumpa farasi wengine badala yake, lakini farasi pekee aliyempa alikuwa mzee wa vita mwenye makovu, ambaye lazima awe alikuja miaka saba mapema katika enzi yetu, na ambaye, kutokana na tabia yake ya kutembea juu ya vidole vya miguu, lazima awe alikuwa na hisia zaidi ya uzoefu wa zamani wa rafiki yangu. "Labda kama angelingoja wangelimchukua Billy kwa wakati, lakini mzigo wao uliofuata kutoka Magharibi haukutoa kitu chochote kilicholingana na mahitaji yake isipokuwa farasi na uwepo na gari la nguruwe, na alipendelea kuwaacha kumuuza Billy kwa kile alichokuwa akileta, na kuamini hatima yake mahali pengine. """ Billy alikuwa ameshuka karibu nusu katika thamani, na yeye alileta kidogo sana - kwa mmiliki wake, ingawa mnunuzi mpya alikuwa baada ya taarifa ya thamani yake katika zaidi ya nini rafiki yangu alikuwa kulipwa kwa ajili yake. Mambo hayo ni mafumbo; huwezi kuyaelewa; ni ubatili kujaribu. Rafiki yangu aliendelea kuomboleza upumbavu wake na kutojali, na kutamani sana farasi huyo maskini aliyempoteza, na kuamini kwamba hangeweza kamwe kupata mwingine kama huyo. Hata hivyo, alikuwa na faraja ya mfadhili. Alikuwa ameongeza kwa hisa ya furaha harmless katika kiwango ambacho hakuweza kuwa na ndoto. Watu wote aliowajua walijua kwamba alikuwa amenunua farasi, na sasa wote walionekana kushirikiana kumwuliza jinsi alivyoendelea na farasi huyo. Alilazimishwa kukiri ukweli. 6 Mara rafiki zake waliposikia hayo, wakaanza kupiga kelele kwa kucheka, na kujipiga makofi, na kujisimamisha juu ya nguzo za taa na ukuta wa nyumba. Walisali msamaha wake, kisha wakaanza tena, na kupiga kelele na kunguruma tena. Tangu dhoruba iliyopiga chini chemchemi za mshairi na kumfanya ajirekebishe, hakuna mzaha wa kuridhisha kwa ujumla uliotolewa kwa jamii. "Mwanamume huyo alikuwa amepata sifa ya kuwa na akili kwa kwenda huku na huku akisema, ""Je, ulijua kwamba chemchemi za moshi zilikuwa zimepasuka?""" Na sasa alikuwa na furaha ya kusababisha ubora kama huo wa akili katika wengine. Baada ya kuacha matumaini ya kupata chochote kutoka kwa watu ambao walikuwa wameuza Billy, alikuwa kwa muda wa mawindo ya kukata tamaa inert, ambayo hakuwa hata roho ya repent katika machafuko ya ulimwengu ambapo hakuweza kupata farasi. Sasa hakupokea farasi, kwa kuwa watu wote katika biashara hiyo walijua kwamba alikuwa amenunua farasi. Kwa hiyo alilazimika kuanza kupinga hisia hiyo kwa nguvu dhaifu zilizobaki kwake. Kwa habari ya mambo ya wakati huo, anakumbuka kwa kuchanganyikiwa na kujuta kwa shida ambayo alimfanya mmiliki wa farasi Pansy, ambaye alimtembelea mara kwa mara katika mji jirani, kwa kupoteza wakati na pesa kwa mwenyewe, na bila matokeo ila kumfanya mwenyeji wa Pansy aiburudishe katika mahusiano yake na watu ambao walikuwa wamemwajiri na hawakutaka kuuzwa. Kitu cha zamani baffling siri hung juu ya mahali Pansy ya; alikuwa na ugumu zinazozalishwa, na wakati _en ushahidi_ yeye hakuwa Pansy rafiki yangu alikuwa inatarajiwa. Alijaribu kufunua majuto yake, akaficha tamaa yake kwa udanganyifu wowote aliokuwa na uwezo wa kuufanya, na akangoja mpaka alipopata njia ya kufuta uamuzi wake mbaya. "Mwisho wake ulikuwa kwamba, baada ya kuomba ndoa, hakukuwa na shughuli nyingine ya maisha ambayo ilihusisha mahusiano mengi ya kipekee na magumu kama kununua farasi, na kwamba kuvunjika kwa biashara ya farasi ilikuwa kidogo chini ya aibu na kusumbua kwa wote kuhusika kuliko kuvunjika kwa uchumba. """ Kulikuwa na urafiki wa karibu sana katika uhusiano huo; ulikuwa wa kibinafsi sana. Alizunguka huku akihuzunika kwa sababu ya maumivu na kukata tamaa aliyowapatia watu wengi wenye kupendeza wa kila daraja ambao walikuwa wamejaribu kumpa farasi. "Tazama hapa,"" alisema jirani yake, kumkuta katika hali hii ya chini, ""kwa nini si wewe kupata farasi wa mtu ambaye furnishes yangu?" Hilo lilikuwa limedokezwa hapo awali, na rafiki yangu alieleza kwamba hakuwa amependa kutokeza matatizo. Hisia zake zilikuwa zimetengwa kwa urahisi, na alijisumbua mwenyewe kuombwa. Kwa kweli alikuwa amevunjika moyo sana kwa kujaribu kununua farasi, hata kama mtu yeyote angempa farasi kama alivyotaka, angemchukua. Asubuhi moja yenye jua na upepo, jirani yake alimsafirisha rafiki yangu kwenye shamba la ajabu la yule mjuzi wa mambo, ambaye kwa fadhili zake alikuwa ameweka matumaini yake ya kutotenda. """Hakuna haja ya kusema jinsi mandhari ilikuwa katikati ya Agosti, au jinsi, kama wao drew karibu shamba, hewa ilikuwa kutajirishwa na pumzi ya bustani kubwa ya matunda ya mapema, apples kwamba hakuna kulazimishwa vidole mbaya kuvunja kutoka shina yao, lakini kwamba kukomaa na laini untouched, mpaka wao kuanguka katika nyasi ambayo bustani aisles ni kitanda; ni ushairi wa bustani; ni sanaa mazoezi ya subira ya hekima na neema ya asili, na kutoa kwa soko ya majira ya joto ya Hesperides." Mmiliki wa ufalme huu wa kupendeza mara moja alichukua kesi ya rafiki yangu kwa kuzingatia; yeye kusikiliza, mmiliki wa farasi mia, na indulgence upole kwa tamaa shapeless ya mtu ambaye ndoto wildest alikuwa farasi mmoja. "Mwishowe akasema, ""Ninaona unataka farasi anayeweza kujitegemeza.""" "Hapana", akajibu rafiki yangu, kwa msukumo wa kukata tamaa. "Nataka farasi anayeweza kunitunza". Binafsi, genius alishangaa na kugeuka mazungumzo. Wala yeye wala jirani ya rafiki yangu hakuwa mtu wa maneno mengi, na kama watu taciturn wao alizungumza katika sauti ya chini. Wote watatu wakazunguka katika chumba hicho na kutazama picha za Hispano-Roman; walikuwa na glasi ya sherry; mara kwa mara kitu kilikuwa kimenong'onezwa kwa kawaida kuhusu Frank. Rafiki yangu alihisi kwamba alikuwa katika mikono nzuri, na kushoto jambo hilo kwao. Mwishowe, nilitembelea kibanda, ambapo niliona kwamba mtu huyo hakuwa na farasi wa kuuza miongoni mwa wale mia mia aliowapatia rafiki yangu, lakini alinipa Frank kwa mkopo wakati mnyama mwingine fulani alipokuwa akifundishwa kazi ngumu aliyoihitaji. Mmoja wa watu hao alitumwa kumleta Frank, na wakati huohuo rafiki yangu alionyeshwa farasi wa jamii ya purebred wenye umbo la mnyama na wenye umbo la mnyama, na akafundishwa kuona tofauti kati yao na farasi wa jamii ya plebeian. Lakini Frank, ingawa hakuwa wa jamii safi, aliwashinda wakuu hao alipokuja. Alikuwa na kichwa kidogo, na shingo gallantly arched; alikuwa nyeusi na plump na laini, na ingawa yeye mwenyewe kubeba na hewa peted, na alikuwa dandy kwa ncha ya viatu yake, jicho lake kujua alikuwa na fadhili. Yeye akageuka juu ya rafiki yangu na athari ya kuelewa _his_ kesi kwa jicho moja. Ilikuwa kwa njia hii kwamba kwa ajili ya mapumziko ya muda mrefu, kupendeza majira ya joto amani ilikuwa kuanzishwa tena katika moyo wake. Hakukuwa na swali la kununua au kuuza Frank; kulikuwa na ushirika ambao ulimfanya apendwe zaidi ya pesa kwa mmiliki wake; lakini rafiki yangu angeweza kumchukua bila bei. Hali hiyo ilikuwa ya aibu kwa mtu ambaye alikuwa amejaribu kwa kiburi kununua farasi, lakini alijiunga na unyenyekevu wa shukrani, na kwa neema ambayo Mbingu ilimpa; na Frank kwa furaha aliingia katika majukumu ya kipekee ya nafasi yake. Kazi yake ya kwanza ilikuwa kuvunja maoni yote ya awali ya faida ya ujana katika farasi. Frank hakuwa na kuja saba au tisa, lakini umri wake alikuwa hata idadi, - alikuwa kumi na sita, na ilikuwa nadharia ya mmiliki wake, ambayo Frank mkono, kwamba kama farasi alikuwa vizuri kutumika alikuwa farasi mzuri mpaka ishirini na tano. Ukweli ni kwamba Frank inaonekana kama farasi kijana; alikuwa dandy bila yoyote ya ghastliness ambayo inahudhuria uhifadhi wa vijana katika beaux zamani ya spishi nyingine. Rafiki yangu alipompeleka kwa gari la Phaeton lililoboreshwa, aliona kwamba mwendo wake ulikuwa mzuri, na akajifunza kujadili mambo fulani ya ajabu ya Frank kwa kuridhika na kiburi chake. Mojawapo ya mambo hayo ilikuwa kukataa sana kuvutwa barabarani. Frank alikuwa mvivu kama farasi - lakini mvivu katika kujistahi, aesthetic njia - kama milele alikuwa; lakini kama yeye kusikia gari katika hakuna jambo jinsi umbali mkubwa nyuma yake (na yeye daima kusikia kabla ya dereva wake), yeye brightened na azimio na uhasama, na kushambulia nje na kasi ambayo alifanya ushindani vigumu. Kama rafiki yangu aliona kwamba farasi aliyekuwa nyuma ya Frank angeweza kumkimbia, alishinda kwa kumzuia. Kama walikutana timu, yeye kuweka nyuma katika phaeton yake, na kuonekana si kujali kuwa kwenda kwa kasi zaidi ya kutembea, njia yoyote. Mojawapo ya mambo ambayo Frank alimheshimu sana ilikuwa ustadi wake wa kurudi nyuma na kugeuka. Yeye ni mmoja wa wale watu ambao wanashtuka sana wanapoulizwa kurudi nyuma na kugeuza gari; hawezi kusema (hadi kuchelewa sana) kama anapaswa kuvuta kamba ya kulia ili kurudi kushoto, au kinyume chake; anajua, kwa kweli, kanuni, lakini anakuwa paralyzed katika matumizi yake. Frank hakuwahi kuaibika, wala kuchanganyikiwa. Rafiki yangu alimaanisha tu, "Rudi nyuma, Frank!" Frank alijua kwa sababu ya hali ya ardhi ni mbali kadiri gani ya kurudi nyuma na ni upande gani wa kugeuka. Hivyo amemwondoa rafiki yangu katika hali ambayo ilionekana kwake kwamba hakuna nguvu ya dunia inaweza kumsaidia. Alipokuwa akipanda mlima, Frank alijua wakati wa kupumzika na wakati wa kujiunga na kikundi cha watu ili kutazama na kufurahia mandhari. Alikuwa pia mtaalamu wa kuondoa nzi, na alikuwa na usahihi katika kufikia wadudu mahali popote katika gari lake na moja ya miguu yake ya nyuma ambayo wachache wetu kufikia katika kupiga mbu. Hatua hii wakati mwingine ilisumbua watu katika phaeton, lakini Frank alijua vizuri sana kile alichokuwa akifanya, na ikiwa madhara yalikuwa yametokea kwa watu walio chini ya malipo yake, rafiki yangu alikuwa na uhakika kwamba Frank angeweza kufanya chochote isipokuwa kutumia arnica na telegraphing kwa marafiki zao. Ujuzi wake wa maisha na uzoefu wake wa muda mrefu ulimfanya akubali kwamba kuna mambo machache sana ya kuogopa katika ulimwengu huu. Udhaifu kama huo wa wanawake kama vile aibu na kuanza ulikuwa mbali naye, na alichukua tabia ya kelele ya injini kwa kutojali. Kwa kweli hakuwa na sifa ya farasi mmoja aliyepatikana kwa ajili ya rafiki yangu, ya kusimama bila kutikisika, pua yake ikikabili gari-moshi la haraka lililokuwa likipita; lakini kwa hakika hakuwa na hofu ya magari. Frank hakuwa, kwa namna yoyote ile, kile ambacho Mheshimiwa Emerson anaita mchanganyiko wa makubaliano; hakuwa mwenye kupendeza tu; alikuwa na nyakati zake za kujidai, nyuso zake za uchungu. Haikuwa salama kumkumbatia pua, kama vile Billy aliyekosea; alikuwa na mwelekeo wa kuleta meno yake mazuri pamoja karibu na mkono wa kumkumbatia kwa kugonga kwa kasi na tabasamu ya ucheshi. Si kwamba yeye milele alifanya, au milele kweli kutafuna. Hivyo, pia, wakati kushoto kusimama kwa muda mrefu chini ya kuruka-haunted cover, yeye kuanza mbali baada ya hapo na wasiwasi vurugu; na yeye alipinga saddle. Wakati mmoja tu mmoja wa familia ya rafiki yangu alipomshambulia, aliruka kwa furaha juu ya nyasi kuelekea nyumba, akiwa na kijana huyo mgongoni mwake; kisha, bila ya onyo, akasimama kwa muda mfupi, tetemeko dogo lilionekana kupita juu yake, na mpanda farasi wake aliendelea na safari ya miguu kumi zaidi, akishuka kwa busara juu ya rundo la nyasi laini ambayo Frank alikuwa amechagua kwa ajili ya mapokezi yake. Majira ya kiangazi yalipita, na kwa sababu ya starehe ya kumtunza Frank, rafiki yangu alikuwa karibu kuacha wazo la kumrudishia mmiliki wake. Alikuwa na mawazo ya kufanya mkopo wa kudumu, kama kitu kwa ujumla bora kuliko ununuzi. Safari hiyo iliendelea hadi Desemba, kupitia barabara zenye utulivu na ngumu kama zile za Juni, na hewa ilikuwa nzuri sana. Theluji ya kwanza alileta pendekezo la sleighing; lakini kwamba hali ya hewa baridi kuhusu Krismasi dispersed mawazo haya ya furaha, na kurejesha rafiki yangu kwa wema. Habari ilitoka kwenye ghala kwamba miguu ya Frank ilikuwa ikivimba kwa sababu ya kusimama kwa muda mrefu bila kwenda nje, na rafiki yangu aliamua kuachana na mnyama ambaye hakuwa na haja yake. Mimi si kumsifu kwa hili; ilikuwa si zaidi ya wajibu wake; lakini mimi kumbuka hatua yake ili kuelezea ukweli kwamba yeye ni tena bila farasi, na sasa, na ufunguzi wa hali ya hewa nzuri, ni kuanza mara nyingine tena kufikiri ya kununua moja. Lakini yeye si katika hali ya kujiamini kwa kiburi. Yeye mwenyewe amejiridhisha kwamba wala upendo wala pesa peke yake hazitoshi kwa upatikanaji: hatima pia lazima iipendeze. Farasi ambaye mmiliki wa Frank amekuwa akizoezwa huenda akawa au asiwe farasi anayemtaka. Yeye hajui; yeye kwa unyenyekevu anangojea; na yeye kutetemeka katika mbadala wa farasi, mystically kuitwa kutoka nafasi, na multitudinously kusonga mbele juu yake, papoose-mouthed, pony-gaited, neema for'a'd, na kusafiri mbali nyuma.