Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-06-28

that Is necessary 10 keep me alive; but o,
the WEAKNESS when l am sent out with q
big hcrdic attached TO me, which l am
obliged TO drag, uphill and down, mile after
mile; till the gray dawn breaks in the East
and l am at last turned towards my stable.
Ny drivers are all in q hurry; they never
seem TO think that l have any feeling; tbs
a continuous trot-trot-trot; and if, from
sheer weakness, L drop into "a walk,
crack goes the cruel whip, n I again
struggle on, though it seems as if my heart
would burst. have some little rest when
we wait by the curb-stone for a passenger,
but it never is a long one. Ny lot seems
harder when / remember that l was not
born TO such degrading toll; Cor came Of
good stock.
How ny mind revels in delight when l
think Of my coltish days.
I can not say how. long ago they were; I
have passed through 80 many hands that
measure of time is blotted from my recol-
lection; then, again, l have heard so many
different versions OF my age that even u
more able intellect than mine might be con-
fused. i have heard men say, in the morn
ing, that / was f~ourteen-that was when
they were buying mc-and in the evening
affirm with the strongest oaths, that / was
rising six.
Ny coltish days do not seem so far of. I
remember them we'll; whenever / think Of
them l feel like kicking up my heels as l
used to, in the old pasture at home; but 1
know that it would only bring me- an extra
cut Of the whip, so I keep on thinking till l
imagine myself in tho old field, nibbling tho
soft, green grass or drinking from the clear
brook hat Bowed through the grove OF
trees inthe corner.
All those were happy daysl I was the
pet of the household; how well I remember
the children who would pat me on tho nose
or ride On my back, when held there by my
master.
Every one said that I was a promising
colt. / remember when l was only two
years old Of hearing my master refuse five
hundred dollars Cor me-. i came of tho best
bluegrass stock, and much was expected of
me as q racer. 1 don't look much like IL
now; but the thought that 1 have come TO
my present state, through no fault of mine,
allows me to take pleasure, in the remem-
brance of my former prowess.
AS n three-year-old 1 was champion OF
Kentucky, and many a sharp tussle l had
TO uphold my honors.
One night l was standing by the bars en-
joying the cool breezes which blew from the
river. Suddenly i heard q rush and a %clatter,
and up the road came a horse on the gallop.
He was cover<1 with foam and painting for
breath The rider drew up before the
house and, without ~dismounting, shouted
my masters name. Lights flashed in the
window and my master came TO the door
with q gun in his hand. After q careful
seeming through the half-opened shutter
he came out on the porch. "What is the
matter, Jackln he said.
"No time to waste, Ned" answered tho
stranger. "Young Bowers and his gang
have been at my house. Jones heard them
laying a plot TO kill your brother and his
family. They started by the Foxboro road
half an hour ago"
"My Godi what will l dol exclaimed my
master, "that murderous gang won't leave
one of them alive; they have had it against
John ever since he shot old Bowers for
stealing his horse. What can l dol
"Take the colt, he'l get you there before
the gang"
My master shook his head. "I Inn afraid
IL can't be done Jack; 1T is twenty miles by
Hawlsboro pike, the nearest way l can go,
and only fifteen by tho Foxboro; besides
they have had q half hour start"
"Well, for Gods sake, man, try IL any
way Don't waste time talking about it."
"You are right, Jack, the colt must show
his mettle tonight"
How my heart beats with pride, as my
master vaulted on my buck, and we rushed
of into tho darknessl My limbs tnRled