The Coachmaster 



Misfortune had not yet had her will with 

 him. Shortly after the termination of the 

 lawsuit, glanders broke out in his stables. 

 Horse after horse went down with it, and 

 many that were purchased to fill their 

 places failed after a little while with the 

 same disease, for all the care and pre- 

 caution that was taken ; the murrain was 

 in the very harness. This matter of the 

 horses was a ruinous business ; and I 

 know how great the Coachmaster's suffering 

 must have been in spite of his brave heart ; 

 for his beasts were very dear to him, and 

 he knew the ways of each one, and took 

 ever a loving pride in their sound condition 

 and pretty show. 



I came as usual on one of those evenings 

 in the courtyard of the ''Old Bell " to see 

 him and to hear all news, and to send 

 o^reetino^s home. 



''Well, Father," I said cheerily, though I 

 was like to have cried at sight of the care- 

 worn face, " all well at home ? " 



" Yes, my boy, yes, thank God. Mother 

 and Mary all well," he said, folding and 

 unfolding his box-coat, with hands that 

 visibly trembled. 



" Things generally going on all right — I 

 mean as well as we can hope for ? " 



" Very well," he replied slowly, still busy 

 72 



