I mourned for him , but was glad to be sent to my new owner 's racing-stable and made much of , for people predicted that I should be another Goldsmith Maid or Flora Temple . Ah , how ambitious and proud I was in those days ! Vain of my good blood , my speed , and my beauty ; for indeed I was handsome then , though you may find it hard to believe now . ' And Rosa sighed regretfully as she stole a look at me , and took the attitude which showed to advantage the fine lines about her head and neck . '' ' I do not find it hard , for we have always said you had splendid points about you . Miss Merry saw them , though you were a skeleton , when she bought you ; so did the skilful Cornish blacksmith when he shod you . And it is easy to see that you belong to a good family by the way you hold your head without a check-rein and carry your tail like a plume , ' I said , with a look of admiration which comforted her as much as if she had been a passée belle . '' ' I must hurry over this part of my story , because , though brilliant , it was very brief , and ended in a way which made it the bitterest portion of my life , ' continued Rosa . ' I won several races , and great fame was predicted for me . You may guess how high my reputation was when I tell you that before my last fatal trial thousands were bet on me , and my rival trembled in his shoes . I was full of spirit , eager to show my speed and sure of success . Alas , how little I knew of the wickedness of human nature then , how dearly I bought the knowledge , and how it has changed my whole life ! You do not know much about such matters , of course , and I wo n't digress to tell you all the tricks of the trade ; only beware of jockeys and never bet . '' ' I was kept carefully out of every one 's way for weeks , and only taken out for exercise by my trainer . Poor Bill ! I was fond of him , and he was so good to me that I never have forgotten him , though he broke his neck years ago . A few nights before the great race , as I was getting a good sleep , carefully tucked away in my roomy stall , some one stole in and gave me a warm mash . It was dark , I was half awake , and I ate it like a fool , though I knew by instinct that it was not Bill who fed it to me . I was a confiding creature then , and as all sorts of queer things had been done to prepare me I thought it was all right . But it was not , and that deceit has caused me to be suspicious about my food ever since , for the mash was dosed in some way ; it made me very ill , and my enemies nearly triumphed , thanks to this cowardly trick . ''
` XXXXX worked over me day and night , that I might be fit to run .
Bill Cornish Maid Merry Rosa Temple check-rein days right trainer