That nearly broke my heart , for no one has ever been so kind to me as Miss Merry , and nowhere shall I be taken care of , nursed , and loved as I have been since she bought me . I know I am getting old , and stiff in the knees , and my forefoot is lame , and sometimes I 'm cross when my shoulder aches ; but I do try to be a patient , grateful beast . I 've got fat with good living , my work is not hard , I dearly love to carry those who have done so much for me , and I 'll tug for them till I die in harness , if they will only keep me . ' `` I was so astonished at this address that I tumbled off the pail , and sat among the straw staring up at Rosa , as dumb as if I had lost the power she had gained . She seemed to enjoy my surprise , and added to it by letting me hear a genuine horse laugh , hearty , shrill , and clear , as she shook her pretty head , and went on talking rapidly in the language which I now perceived to be a mixture of English and the peculiar dialect of the horse-country Gulliver visited . '' ` Thank you for remembering me to-night , and in return for the goodies you bring I 'll tell my story as fast as I can , for I have often longed to recount the trials and triumphs of my life . Miss Merry came last Christmas eve to bring me sugar , and I wanted to speak , but it was too early and I could not say a word , though my heart was full . ' `` Rosa paused an instant , and her fine eyes dimmed as if with tender tears at the recollection of the happy year which had followed the day she was bought from the drudgery of a livery-stable to be a lady 's pet . I stroked her neck as she stooped to sniff affectionately at my hood , and said eagerly , -- '' ` Tell away , dear , I 'm full of interest , and understand every word you say . ' `` Thus encouraged , Rosa threw up her head , and began with an air of pride which plainly proved , what we had always suspected , that she belonged to a good family . '' ` My father was a famous racer , and I am very like him ; the same color , spirit , and grace , and but for the cruelty of man I might have been as renowned as he . I was a very happy colt , petted by my master , tamed by love , and never struck a blow while he lived . I gained one race for him , and promised so well that when he died I brought a great price . 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 XXXXX . '
English Gulliver Maid Rosa Temple check-rein days forefoot passée racer