Chapter 15
chapter fifteen at a sale i found myself in company with a lot of 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 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 humane with voices that i could trust there was one tottering old man that 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 eyes rest on me and 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 lady bird my dear boy i can't make all old horses young besides lady bird 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 here orse is just pulled down with overwork in the cabs he's not an old one
and i heard as how the veterinary 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 gratefuler pleasanter animal i never met with and twould be 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 him for said the farmer as i came back
five pounds sir that was the lowest price my master set tis a speculation said the old man 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 chapter fifteen recording by prachi pense wilmington delaware
