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1Mr. Thoroughgood, for that was the name of my benefactor, gave orders that I should have hay and oats every night and
2morning, and the run of the meadow during the day, and, "you, Willie," said he, "must take the oversight of him; I give
3him in charge to you." The boy was proud of his charge, and undertook it in all seriousness. There was not a day when he
4did not pay me a visit; sometimes picking me out from among the other horses, and giving me a bit of carrot, or
5something good, or sometimes standing by me while I ate my oats. He always came with kind words and caresses, and of
6course I grew very fond of him. He called me Old Crony, as I used to come to him in the field and follow him about.
7Sometimes he brought his grandfather, who always looked closely at my legs. "This is our point, Willie," he would say;
8"but he is improving so steadily that I think we shall see a change for the better in the spring." The perfect rest, the
9good food, the soft turf, and gentle exercise, soon began to tell on my condition and my spirits. I had a good
10constitution from my mother, and I was never strained when I was young, so that I had a better chance than many horses
11who have been worked before they came to their full strength. During the winter my legs improved so much that I began to
12feel quite young again. The spring came round, and one day in March Mr. Thoroughgood determined that he would try me in
13the phaeton. I was well pleased, and he and Willie drove me a few miles. My legs were not stiff now, and I did the work
14with perfect ease. "He's growing young, Willie; we must give him a little gentle work now, and by mid-summer he will be
15as good as Ladybird. He has a beautiful mouth and good paces; they can't be better." "Oh, grandpapa, how glad I am you
16bought him!" "So am I, my boy; but he has to thank you more than me; we must now be looking out for a quiet, genteel
17place for him, where he will be valued." 49 My Last Home One day during this summer the groom cleaned and dressed me
18with such extraordinary care that I thought some new change must be at hand; he trimmed my fetlocks and legs, passed the
19tarbrush over my hoofs, and even parted my forelock. I think the harness had an extra polish. Willie seemed
20half-anxious, half-merry, as he got into the chaise with his grandfather. "If the ladies take to him," said the old
21gentleman, "they'll be suited and he'll be suited. We can but try." At the distance of a mile or two from the village we
22came to a pretty, low house, with a lawn and shrubbery at the front and a drive up to the door. Willie rang the bell,
23and asked if Miss Blomefield or Miss Ellen was at home. Yes, they were. So, while Willie stayed with me, Mr.
24Thoroughgood went into the house. In about ten minutes he returned, followed by three ladies; one tall, pale lady,
25wrapped in a white shawl, leaned on a younger lady, with dark eyes and a merry face; the other, a very stately-looking
26person, was Miss Blomefield. They all came and looked at me and asked questions. The younger lady--that was Miss
27Ellen--took to me very much; she said she was sure she should like me, I had such a good face. The tall, pale lady said
28that she should always be nervous in riding behind a horse that had once been down, as I might come down again, and if I
29did she should never get over the fright. "You see, ladies," said Mr. Thoroughgood, "many first-rate horses have had
30their knees broken through the carelessness of their drivers without any fault of their own, and from what I see of this
31horse I should say that is his case; but of course I do not wish to influence you. If you incline you can have him on
32trial, and then your coachman will see what he thinks of him." "You have always been such a good adviser to us about our
33horses," said the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me, and if my sister Lavinia sees no
34objection we will accept your offer of a trial, with thanks." It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next
35day. In the morning a smart-looking young man came for me. At first he looked pleased; but when he saw my knees he said
36in a disappointed voice: "I didn't think, sir, you would have recommended my ladies a blemished horse like that."
37"'Handsome is that handsome does'," said my master; "you are only taking him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly
38by him, young man. If he is not as safe as any horse you ever drove send him back." I was led to my new home, placed in
39a comfortable stable, fed, and left to myself. The next day, when the groom was cleaning my face, he said: "That is just
40like the star that 'Black Beauty' had; he is much the same height, too. I wonder where he is now." A little further on
41he came to the place in my neck where I was bled and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and
42began to look me over carefully, talking to himself. "White star in the forehead, one white foot on the off side, this
43little knot just in that place;" then looking at the middle of my back--"and, as I am alive, there is that little patch
44of white hair that John used to call 'Beauty's three-penny bit'. It must be 'Black Beauty'! Why, Beauty! Beauty! do you
45know me?--little Joe Green, that almost killed you?" And he began patting and patting me as if he was quite overjoyed. I
46could not say that I remembered him, for now he was a fine grown young fellow, with black whiskers and a man's voice,
47but I was sure he knew me, and that he was Joe Green, and I was very glad. I put my nose up to him, and tried to say
48that we were friends. I never saw a man so pleased. "Give you a fair trial! I should think so indeed! I wonder who the
49rascal was that broke your knees, my old Beauty! you must have been badly served out somewhere; well, well, it won't be
50my fault if you haven't good times of it now. I wish John Manly was here to see you." In the afternoon I was put into a
51low park chair and brought to the door. Miss Ellen was going to try me, and Green went with her. I soon found that she
52was a good driver, and she seemed pleased with my paces. I heard Joe telling her about me, and that he was sure I was
53Squire Gordon's old "Black Beauty". When we returned the other sisters came out to hear how I had behaved myself. She
54told them what she had just heard, and said: "I shall certainly write to Mrs. Gordon, and tell her that her favorite
55horse has come to us. How pleased she will be!" After this I was driven every day for a week or so, and as I appeared to
56be quite safe, Miss Lavinia at last ventured out in the small close carriage. After this it was quite decided to keep me
57and call me by my old name of "Black Beauty". I have now lived in this happy place a whole year. Joe is the best and
58kindest of grooms. My work is easy and pleasant, and I feel my strength and spirits all coming back again. Mr.
59Thoroughgood said to Joe the other day: "In your place he will last till he is twenty years old--perhaps more." Willie
60always speaks to me when he can, and treats me as his special friend. My ladies have promised that I shall never be
61sold, and so I have nothing to fear; and here my story ends. My troubles are all over, and I am at home; and often
62before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the
63apple-trees.
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