I was pronounced good for nothing , and he bought me cheap . I was lame and useless for a long time , but his patient care did wonders , and just as I was able to be of use to him he was killed . '' ' A gentleman in want of a saddle-horse purchased me because my easy gait and quiet temper suited him ; for I was meek enough now , and my size fitted me to carry his delicate daughter . '' ` For more than a year I served little Miss Alice , rejoicing to see how rosy her pale cheeks became , how upright her feeble figure grew , thanks to the hours spent with me ; for my canter rocked her as gently as if she were in a cradle , and fresh air was the medicine she needed . She often said she owed her life to me , and I liked to think so , for she made my life a very easy one . '' ` But somehow my good times never lasted long , and when Miss Alice went West I was sold . I had been so well treated that I looked as handsome and gay as ever , though my shoulder never was strong again , and I often had despondent moods , longing for the excitement of the race-course with the instinct of my kind ; so I was glad when , attracted by my spirit and beauty , a young army officer bought me and I went to the war . Ah ! you never guessed that , did you ? Yes , I did my part gallantly and saved my master 's life more than once . You have observed how martial music delights me , but you do n't know that it is because it reminds me of the proudest hour of my life . I 've told you about the saddest ; let me relate this also , and give me a pat for the brave action which won my master his promotion , though I got no praise for my part of the achievement . '' ` In one of the hottest battles my captain was ordered to lead his men to a most perilous exploit . They hesitated , so did he ; for it must cost many lives , and , brave as they were , they paused an instant . But I settled the point , for I was wild with the sound of drums , the smell of powder , the excitement of the hour , and , finding myself sharply reined in , I rebelled , took the bit between my teeth , and dashed straight away into the midst of the fight , spite of all my rider could do . The men thought their captain led them on , and with a cheer they followed , carrying all before them . '' ` What happened just after that I never could remember , except that I got a wound here in my neck and a cut on my flank ; the scar is there still , and I 'm proud of it , though buyers always consider it a blemish . But when the battle was won my master was promoted on the field , and I carried him up to the general as he sat among his officers under the torn flags . '' ` Both of us were weary and wounded , both were full of pride at what we had done ; but he got all the praise and the honor , I only a careless word and a better supper than usual . '' ' I thought no one knew what I had done , and resented the ingratitude of your race ; for it was the horse , not the man , who led that forlorn hope , and I did think I should have a rosette at least , when others got stars and bars for far less dangerous deeds .
Never mind , my master knew the truth , and thanked me for my help by keeping me always with him till the sad day when he was shot in a skirmish , and lay for XXXXX with none to watch and mourn over him but his faithful horse . ''
Alice hour hours nothing point race-course rosette thanks war year