The Brunswick times. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 188?-1900, 1897-08-22
The History of Black Beauty.
CONTINUED from last sundaY.D

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"Well, sir, we can't drive over that tree
nor yet get round it; there will be nothing
for it, but to go back to the four cross
ways, and that will be good six miles be-
fore we get round to the wooden bridge
again; it will make us late, but the horse
is fresh"
So back we went and round by the cross
roads, but by the time we got to the bridge
it was very nearly dark; we could just see
that the water was over the middle of it
but as that happened sometimes when the
foods were out. master did not STOP We
were going along at good pace, but the
moment my feet touched the first part of
the bridge, felt sure there was something
wrong. Idare not go forward, and made
dead stop.
go on Beauty" said my master, and he
gave me touch with the whip, but | dare
not stir; he gave me sharp cut; | Jump
ed. but dare not go forward
"There's something wrong, sir" said
John and he sprang out of the dog-cart
and came to my head and looked all about.
He tried to lead me forward Come on,
Beauty, what's the natter" OF course |
could not tell him, but | knew very well
that the bridge was not safe.
Just then the man at the toll-gate on the
other side ran out of the house, tossing a
torch about like one mad.
"Hoy, hoy, hoy halloo! stopm he cried.
"What's the natter" cried my master.
1.-THE bridge is broken in the middle, and
part of it is ca ried away; if you come on
you'll be into the river"
"Thank God" said my master You
Beauty" said John, and took the Bride
and gently turned me round to the right
han1 road by the river side The sun had
set some time; the wind seemed to have
Iulled off after that furious blast which
tore up the tree. l trotted quietly along,
the wheels hardly making sound on the
soft road. For good while Leither mas
ter nor John spoke, and then master began
in serious voice. l could not understand
much of what they said, but found they
thought, if had gone on as the master
wanted me, most likely the bridge would
have given way under us, and horse,
chaise, master, and man would have fallen
into The river; and as the current was flow
ing very stongly and there was no light
and no help at hand, it was more than
likely we should all have been drowned.
Master said, God had given men reason,
by which they could find out things for
themselves; but he had given animals
knowledge which did not depend ON rea
son, and which was much more prompt
and perfect in its way and by which they
had often saved the lives of men. John
had many stories to tell of dogs and horses.
and the wonderful things they had done.
he thought people did not value their ami
mails half enough nor make friends of them
as they ought } do. am sure he makes
friends of them if ever man did.
At last we came to the park gates and
found the gardener looking out for us,
He said that mistress had been in dread
full way ever since dark, fearing that
something had happened, and tn at she
had sent James off on Justice, the roam cob,
towards the wooden bridge to make in
quiry after us.
We saw light at the hall door and at
the upper windows and as we came up,
mistress ran cut saying, Are you really
safe, my dear? Oh! have been SO anx-
ious fancying all sorts of things. Have
you had no accident"
"No my dear; but if your Black Beauty
had not been wiser than we were, we
should all have been carried down the
river at the wooden bridge" | heard no
more, as they went into the house, and
John took me into the stable. Oh, what a
good supper he gave me that night, good
bran mash and some crushed beans with
my oats, and such a thick bed of straw
and Twas glad of it, for was tired.