章节正文
I got along fairly till we came to Ludgate Hill; but there the heavy load
and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on,
goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip,
when in a single moment -- I cannot tell how -- my feet slipped
from under me, and I fell heavily to the ground on my side;
the suddenness and the force with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath
out of my body. I lay perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move,
and I thought now I was going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me,
loud, angry voices, and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all
like a dream. I thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying,
"Oh! that poor horse! it is all our fault." Some one came and loosened
the throat strap of my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar
so tight upon me. Some one said, "He's dead, he'll never get up again."
Then I could hear a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes;
I could only draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water
was thrown over my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth,
and something was covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there,
but I found my life coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me
and encouraging me to rise. After some more cordial had been given me,
and after one or two attempts, I staggered to my feet,
and was gently led to some stables which were close by.
Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some warm gruel
was brought to me, which I drank thankfully.
In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back
to Skinner's stables, where I think they did the best for me they could.
In the morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me.
He examined me very closely and said:
"This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him
a run off for six months he would be able to work again;
but now there is not an ounce of strength left in him."
"Then he must just go to the dogs," said Skinner. "I have no meadows
to nurse sick horses in -- he might get well or he might not;
that sort of thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em
as long as they'll go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch,
at the knacker's or elsewhere."
"If he was broken-winded," said the farrier, "you had better have him
killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off
in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up,
and you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate."
Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders
that I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me,
carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had
in giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats,
hay, bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them,
did more to get up my condition than anything else could have done;
those linseed mashes were delicious, and I began to think, after all,
it might be better to live than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day
after the accident came, I was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London.
I felt that any change from my present place must be an improvement,
so I held up my head, and hoped for the best.
48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie
At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old
broken-down horses -- some lame, some broken-winded, some old,
and some that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot.
The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off
than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old men,
trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag about
some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell
a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater loss
of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times
had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have
willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby,
but kind and human, with voices that I could trust.
There was one tottering old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him,
but I was not strong enough -- it was an anxious time!
Coming from the better part of the fair, I noticed a man
who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by his side;
he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face,
and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions
he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye
rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something
for my appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him.
"There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days."
"Poor old fellow!" said the boy, "do you think, grandpapa,
he was ever a carriage horse?"
"Oh, yes! my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have been
anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears,
the shape of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding
about that horse." He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck.
I put out my nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face.
"Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness.
Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with Ladybird?"
"My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides,
Ladybird was not so very old, as she was run down and badly used."
"Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old;
look at his mane and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth,
and then you could tell; though he is so very thin,
his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'."
The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey
as his old grandfather."
"But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price;
I am sure he would grow young in our meadows."
The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word.
"The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is,
this 'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs;
he's not an old one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say,
that a six months' run off would set him right up, being as how
his wind was not broken. I've had the tending of him these ten days past,
and a gratefuller, pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth
a gentleman's while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have
a chance. I'll be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring."
The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly.
"Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more
than you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one."
The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained;
then he looked at my mouth. "Thirteen or fourteen, I should say;
just trot him out, will you?"
I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my legs
as well as I could, for they were very stiff.
"What is the lowest you will take for him?" said the farmer as I came back.
"Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set."
"'Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman, shaking his head,
but at the same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation!
Have you any more business here?" he said, counting the sovereigns
into his hand.
"No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please."
"Do so, I am now going there."
They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control
his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure.
I had a good feed at the inn, and was then gentlyridden home
by a servant of my new master's, and turned into a large meadow
with a shed in one corner of it.
Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor,
gave orders that I should have hay and oats every night and morning,
and the run of the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he,
"must take the oversight of him; I give him in charge to you."
The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness.
There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking me out
from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot,
or something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats.
He always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond
of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field
and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather,
who always looked closely at my legs.
"This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so steadily
that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring."
The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise,
soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good constitution
from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young,
so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked
before they came to their full strength. During the winter
my legs improved so much that I began to feel quite young again.
The spring came round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined
that he would try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased,
and he and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were not stiff now,
and I did the work with perfect ease.
"He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now,
and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful mouth
and good paces; they can't be better."
"Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!"
"So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me;
we must now be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him,
where he will be valued."
49 My Last Home
One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me
with such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand;
he trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs,
and even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish.
Willie seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise
with his grandfather.
"If the ladies take to him," said the old gentleman, "they'll be suited
and he'll be suited. We can but try."
At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty,
low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door.
Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen was at home.
Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. Thoroughgood went
into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, followed by three ladies;
one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, leaned on a younger lady,
with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a very stately-looking person,
was Miss Blomefield. They all came and looked at me and asked questions.
The younger lady -- that was Miss Ellen -- took to me very much;
she said she was sure she should like me, I had such a good face.
The tall, pale lady said that she should always be nervous
in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might come down again,
and if I did she should never get over the fright.
"You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses
have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers
without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse
I should say that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you.
If you incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see
what he thinks of him."
"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses,"
said the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me,
and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer
of a trial, with thanks."
It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day.
In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first
he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice:
"I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies
a blemished horse like that."
"`Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking him
on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man.
If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back."
I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed,
and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face,
he said:
"That is just like the star that `Black Beauty' had;
he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now."
A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled
and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started,
and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself.
and my own exhaustion were too much. I was struggling to keep on,
goaded by constant chucks of the rein and use of the whip,
when in a single moment -- I cannot tell how -- my feet slipped
from under me, and I fell heavily to the ground on my side;
the suddenness and the force with which I fell seemed to beat all the breath
out of my body. I lay perfectly still; indeed, I had no power to move,
and I thought now I was going to die. I heard a sort of confusion round me,
loud, angry voices, and the getting down of the luggage, but it was all
like a dream. I thought I heard that sweet, pitiful voice saying,
"Oh! that poor horse! it is all our fault." Some one came and loosened
the throat strap of my bridle, and undid the traces which kept the collar
so tight upon me. Some one said, "He's dead, he'll never get up again."
Then I could hear a policeman giving orders, but I did not even open my eyes;
I could only draw a gasping breath now and then. Some cold water
was thrown over my head, and some cordial was poured into my mouth,
and something was covered over me. I cannot tell how long I lay there,
but I found my life coming back, and a kind-voiced man was patting me
and encouraging me to rise. After some more cordial had been given me,
and after one or two attempts, I staggered to my feet,
and was gently led to some stables which were close by.
Here I was put into a well-littered stall, and some warm gruel
was brought to me, which I drank thankfully.
In the evening I was sufficiently recovered to be led back
to Skinner's stables, where I think they did the best for me they could.
In the morning Skinner came with a farrier to look at me.
He examined me very closely and said:
"This is a case of overwork more than disease, and if you could give him
a run off for six months he would be able to work again;
but now there is not an ounce of strength left in him."
"Then he must just go to the dogs," said Skinner. "I have no meadows
to nurse sick horses in -- he might get well or he might not;
that sort of thing don't suit my business; my plan is to work 'em
as long as they'll go, and then sell 'em for what they'll fetch,
at the knacker's or elsewhere."
"If he was broken-winded," said the farrier, "you had better have him
killed out of hand, but he is not; there is a sale of horses coming off
in about ten days; if you rest him and feed him up he may pick up,
and you may get more than his skin is worth, at any rate."
Upon this advice Skinner, rather unwillingly, I think, gave orders
that I should be well fed and cared for, and the stable man, happily for me,
carried out the orders with a much better will than his master had
in giving them. Ten days of perfect rest, plenty of good oats,
hay, bran mashes, with boiled linseed mixed in them,
did more to get up my condition than anything else could have done;
those linseed mashes were delicious, and I began to think, after all,
it might be better to live than go to the dogs. When the twelfth day
after the accident came, I was taken to the sale, a few miles out of London.
I felt that any change from my present place must be an improvement,
so I held up my head, and hoped for the best.
48 Farmer Thoroughgood and His Grandson Willie
At this sale, of course I found myself in company with the old
broken-down horses -- some lame, some broken-winded, some old,
and some that I am sure it would have been merciful to shoot.
The buyers and sellers, too, many of them, looked not much better off
than the poor beasts they were bargaining about. There were poor old men,
trying to get a horse or a pony for a few pounds, that might drag about
some little wood or coal cart. There were poor men trying to sell
a worn-out beast for two or three pounds, rather than have the greater loss
of killing him. Some of them looked as if poverty and hard times
had hardened them all over; but there were others that I would have
willingly used the last of my strength in serving; poor and shabby,
but kind and human, with voices that I could trust.
There was one tottering old man who took a great fancy to me, and I to him,
but I was not strong enough -- it was an anxious time!
Coming from the better part of the fair, I noticed a man
who looked like a gentleman farmer, with a young boy by his side;
he had a broad back and round shoulders, a kind, ruddy face,
and he wore a broad-brimmed hat. When he came up to me and my companions
he stood still and gave a pitiful look round upon us. I saw his eye
rest on me; I had still a good mane and tail, which did something
for my appearance. I pricked my ears and looked at him.
"There's a horse, Willie, that has known better days."
"Poor old fellow!" said the boy, "do you think, grandpapa,
he was ever a carriage horse?"
"Oh, yes! my boy," said the farmer, coming closer, "he might have been
anything when he was young; look at his nostrils and his ears,
the shape of his neck and shoulder; there's a deal of breeding
about that horse." He put out his hand and gave me a kind pat on the neck.
I put out my nose in answer to his kindness; the boy stroked my face.
"Poor old fellow! see, grandpapa, how well he understands kindness.
Could not you buy him and make him young again as you did with Ladybird?"
"My dear boy, I can't make all old horses young; besides,
Ladybird was not so very old, as she was run down and badly used."
"Well, grandpapa, I don't believe that this one is old;
look at his mane and tail. I wish you would look into his mouth,
and then you could tell; though he is so very thin,
his eyes are not sunk like some old horses'."
The old gentleman laughed. "Bless the boy! he is as horsey
as his old grandfather."
"But do look at his mouth, grandpapa, and ask the price;
I am sure he would grow young in our meadows."
The man who had brought me for sale now put in his word.
"The young gentleman's a real knowing one, sir. Now the fact is,
this 'ere hoss is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs;
he's not an old one, and I heerd as how the vetenary should say,
that a six months' run off would set him right up, being as how
his wind was not broken. I've had the tending of him these ten days past,
and a gratefuller, pleasanter animal I never met with, and 'twould be worth
a gentleman's while to give a five-pound note for him, and let him have
a chance. I'll be bound he'd be worth twenty pounds next spring."
The old gentleman laughed, and the little boy looked up eagerly.
"Oh, grandpapa, did you not say the colt sold for five pounds more
than you expected? You would not be poorer if you did buy this one."
The farmer slowly felt my legs, which were much swelled and strained;
then he looked at my mouth. "Thirteen or fourteen, I should say;
just trot him out, will you?"
I arched my poor thin neck, raised my tail a little, and threw out my legs
as well as I could, for they were very stiff.
"What is the lowest you will take for him?" said the farmer as I came back.
"Five pounds, sir; that was the lowest price my master set."
"'Tis a speculation," said the old gentleman, shaking his head,
but at the same time slowly drawing out his purse, "quite a speculation!
Have you any more business here?" he said, counting the sovereigns
into his hand.
"No, sir, I can take him for you to the inn, if you please."
"Do so, I am now going there."
They walked forward, and I was led behind. The boy could hardly control
his delight, and the old gentleman seemed to enjoy his pleasure.
I had a good feed at the inn, and was then gentlyridden home
by a servant of my new master's, and turned into a large meadow
with a shed in one corner of it.
Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor,
gave orders that I should have hay and oats every night and morning,
and the run of the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he,
"must take the oversight of him; I give him in charge to you."
The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness.
There was not a day when he did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking me out
from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot,
or something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats.
He always came with kind words and caresses, and of course I grew very fond
of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field
and follow him about. Sometimes he brought his grandfather,
who always looked closely at my legs.
"This is our point, Willie," he would say; "but he is improving so steadily
that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring."
The perfect rest, the good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise,
soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good constitution
from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young,
so that I had a better chance than many horses who have been worked
before they came to their full strength. During the winter
my legs improved so much that I began to feel quite young again.
The spring came round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined
that he would try me in the phaeton. I was well pleased,
and he and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were not stiff now,
and I did the work with perfect ease.
"He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now,
and by mid-summer he will be as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful mouth
and good paces; they can't be better."
"Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you bought him!"
"So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me;
we must now be looking out for a quiet, genteel place for him,
where he will be valued."
49 My Last Home
One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me
with such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand;
he trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the tarbrush over my hoofs,
and even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish.
Willie seemed half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise
with his grandfather.
"If the ladies take to him," said the old gentleman, "they'll be suited
and he'll be suited. We can but try."
At the distance of a mile or two from the village we came to a pretty,
low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door.
Willie rang the bell, and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen was at home.
Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr. Thoroughgood went
into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, followed by three ladies;
one tall, pale lady, wrapped in a white shawl, leaned on a younger lady,
with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a very stately-looking person,
was Miss Blomefield. They all came and looked at me and asked questions.
The younger lady -- that was Miss Ellen -- took to me very much;
she said she was sure she should like me, I had such a good face.
The tall, pale lady said that she should always be nervous
in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might come down again,
and if I did she should never get over the fright.
"You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses
have had their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers
without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this horse
I should say that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you.
If you incline you can have him on trial, and then your coachman will see
what he thinks of him."
"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses,"
said the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me,
and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection we will accept your offer
of a trial, with thanks."
It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day.
In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first
he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said in a disappointed voice:
"I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies
a blemished horse like that."
"`Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking him
on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man.
If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back."
I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed,
and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face,
he said:
"That is just like the star that `Black Beauty' had;
he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now."
A little further on he came to the place in my neck where I was bled
and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started,
and began to look me over carefully, talking to himself.
- constant [´kɔnstənt]
a.坚定的；坚贞的 (初中英语单词) - confusion [kən´fju:ʒən] n.混乱(状态)；骚乱 (初中英语单词)
- throat [θrəut] n.咽喉；嗓子；出入口 (初中英语单词)
- policeman [pə´li:smən] n.警察 (初中英语单词)
- breath [breθ] n.呼吸；气息 (初中英语单词)
- gently [´dʒentli] ad.温和地；静静地 (初中英语单词)
- sufficiently [sə´fiʃəntli] ad.充分地，足够地 (初中英语单词)
- stable [´steibəl] n.马棚 a.稳固的 (初中英语单词)
- delicious [di´liʃəs] a.美味的，可口的 (初中英语单词)
- poverty [´pɔvəti] n.贫穷(乏，瘠)；不足 (初中英语单词)
- anxious [´æŋkʃəs] a.担忧的；渴望的 (初中英语单词)
- carriage [´kæridʒ] n.马车；客车；货运 (初中英语单词)
- knowing [´nəuiŋ] a.会意的，心照不宣的 (初中英语单词)
- meadow [´medəu] n.草地；牧场 (初中英语单词)
- charge [tʃɑ:dʒ] v.收费；冲锋 n.费用 (初中英语单词)
- standing [´stændiŋ] n.持续 a.直立的 (初中英语单词)
- extraordinary [ik´strɔ:dinəri] a.非常的；额外的 (初中英语单词)
- harness [´hɑ:nis] vt.上马具 n.马具 (初中英语单词)
- incline [in´klain] v.(使)倾斜 n.斜坡 (初中英语单词)
- objection [əb´dʒekʃən] n.反对；异议；缺点 (初中英语单词)
- height [hait] n.高度；顶点；卓越 (初中英语单词)
- perfectly [´pə:fiktli] ad.理想地；完美地 (高中英语单词)
- luggage [´lʌgidʒ] n.行李；皮箱 (高中英语单词)
- pitiful [´pitifəl] a.可怜的；慈悲的 (高中英语单词)
- bridle [´braidl] n.(马)笼头；束缚 (高中英语单词)
- cordial [´kɔ:diəl] a.热忱的；亲切的 (高中英语单词)
- adviser [əd´vaizə] n.顾问 =advisor (高中英语单词)
- stately [´steitli] a.庄严的，雄伟的 (高中英语单词)
- recommendation [,rekəmen´deiʃən] n.推荐；劝告 (高中英语单词)
- exhaustion [ig´zɔ:stʃən] n.用完；精疲力尽 (英语四级单词)
- grandson [´grænsʌn] n.孙子；外孙子 (英语四级单词)
- trying [´traiiŋ] a.难堪的；费劲的 (英语四级单词)
- drawing [´drɔ:iŋ] n.画图；制图；图样 (英语四级单词)
- ridden [´ridn] ride 的过去分词 (英语四级单词)
- undertook [,ʌndə´tuk] undertake的过去式 (英语四级单词)
- carelessness [kɛəlisnis] n.粗心；漫不经心 (英语四级单词)
- coachman [´kəutʃmən] n.赶马车人 (英语四级单词)
- overwork [,əuvə´wə:k] v.(使)劳累n.过分劳累 (英语六级单词)
- linseed [´linsi:d] n.亚麻籽 (英语六级单词)
- merciful [´mə:sifəl] a.仁慈的；宽大的 (英语六级单词)
- arched [´ɑ:tʃid] a.弓形(结构)的 (英语六级单词)
- genteel [dʒen´ti:l] a.有教养的；文雅的 (英语六级单词)
- taking [´teikiŋ] a.迷人的 n.捕获物 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
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