`` Thus encouraged , Rosa threw up her head , and began with an air of pride which plainly proved , what we had always suspected , that she belonged to a good family . '' ` My father was a famous racer , and I am very like him ; the same color , spirit , and grace , and but for the cruelty of man I might have been as renowned as he . I was a very happy colt , petted by my master , tamed by love , and never struck a blow while he lived . I gained one race for him , and promised so well that when he died I brought a great price . I mourned for him , but was glad to be sent to my new owner 's racing-stable and made much of , for people predicted that I should be another Goldsmith Maid or Flora Temple . Ah , how ambitious and proud I was in those days ! Vain of my good blood , my speed , and my beauty ; for indeed I was handsome then , though you may find it hard to believe now . ' And Rosa sighed regretfully as she stole a look at me , and took the attitude which showed to advantage the fine lines about her head and neck . '' ' I do not find it hard , for we have always said you had splendid points about you . Miss Merry saw them , though you were a skeleton , when she bought you ; so did the skilful Cornish blacksmith when he shod you . And it is easy to see that you belong to a good family by the way you hold your head without a check-rein and carry your tail like a plume , ' I said , with a look of admiration which comforted her as much as if she had been a passée belle . '' ' I must hurry over this part of my story , because , though brilliant , it was very brief , and ended in a way which made it the bitterest portion of my life , ' continued Rosa . ' I won several races , and great fame was predicted for me . You may guess how high my reputation was when I tell you that before my last fatal trial thousands were bet on me , and my rival trembled in his shoes . I was full of spirit , eager to show my speed and sure of success . Alas , how little I knew of the wickedness of human nature then , how dearly I bought the knowledge , and how it has changed my whole life ! You do not know much about such matters , of course , and I wo n't digress to tell you all the tricks of the trade ; only beware of jockeys and never bet . '' ' I was kept carefully out of every one 's way for weeks , and only taken out for exercise by my trainer . Poor Bill ! I was fond of him , and he was so good to me that I never have forgotten him , though he broke his neck years ago .
A few nights before the great race , as I was getting a good sleep , carefully tucked away in my roomy stall , some one XXXXX in and gave me a warm mash .
bought changed comforted forgotten guess predicted sighed stole tamed tell