The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-06-27
E" Black Beauty
CHAPTE r ~.
BORTWICK PARK.


At this time | used to stand in the stable
and my coat was brushed every day till it
shone like birds wing. 1t was early in
May, when there came man from Squire
Gordons who took me away to the Hall.
My master said, good bye, Darkie; be a
good horse, and always do your best"
could not say good bye" so put my nose
into his hand; re patted me kindly and
left my first home. As | lived seven
years with Squire Gordon | may as well
tell something about the place.
Squire Gordon's park skirted the village
of Borwtek. 1t was entered by gate at
which stood the first lodge. and then you
trotted along a smooth road between
clumps of large trees; then another lodge
and another gate, which brought you to
the house and the gardens Beyond this
lay the home paddock, the old orchard,
and the stables. There was accommoda-
ton for many horses and carriages but
need only describe the stable into which
was taken. This was very roomy, with
four good stalls; large swinging window
opened into the yard, which made it pleas
ant and airy.
The first stall was a large one shut in
behind with wooden gate; the others
were common stalls, good stalls, but not
nearly so large; it had low rack for hay
aud low manger for corn; it was called
q loose box, because the horse that was
put into it was not tied up, but left loose
to do as he liked. 1t is great thirg to
have loose box
| Into this fine box the groom put me; it
was clean, sweet, and airy. never was in
better box than that, and the sides were
not so high but that could see all that
went on through the iron rails that were
at the top
He gave me some nice oats, he patted
me, spoke kindly, and then went away.
When had eaten my oats. L looked
around. In the stall next to mine stood a
little fat gray pony with thick name
and tail, a very pretty head and pert
little nose.
put my head up to the iron rails at the
top of my box, aud said How do you do?
What is your manner" He turned around
as far as his halter would allow, held up
his head, and said, "Myname is Meriylegs
l am very handsome. | carry the young
lad es on my back, and sometimes [ take
our mistress out in the chaise. They
think great deal of me, and so does
James. Are you gong to live next door
to me irSthe box?" | sald eyes, 4
| "Well, them" he said, IL hope you are
good tempered; | do not like any one next
door who b tes"
Just then horses head looked over
from the stall beyond, the ears were land
back, and the eyes looked rather i'll tenn
pered. This was tall chestnut mare, with
long handsome neck, she looked across
to me and said: $50 it is you lave turned
me out OF my box il is very strange
thing for colt like you to come and turn
lady out of her own home" "l beg your
| pardon" | said, 81 have turned no one
out the man who bought me put me here
| and had nothing to do with it; and as to
my being colt, am t, rned four years
old, and am grown up horse. never
had words yet with horse or mare, and it
is my wish to live in peace"
"Well," she said I'VE shall see of course
do not want to have words with young
thing like you" | said no more
In the afternoon, when she went out,
Merry legs told me all about it,
"The thing is this" said Merry-legs
"Ginger has a bad habit of biting and
swapping; that is why they call her Gin
ger, and when she was in the loose box,
she used to snap very much. One day
she bit James in the arm and made it
bleed. and so Miss Flora and Miss Jess e,
VINO are very fond of me were afraid to
come into the stable. t-lr
"They used TO bring me nice things to
cat, an apple. or a carrot, or piece of
bread but after Ginger stood in that box
they dared not come, and@l missed them
very much. | hope they will now come
again, il you donot bite or snap a
1T, !, told oh him M nSsNasl Anything but
grass, nay and Nuld not think
what plPs7 d in it
80 ~ q ffdss -