188 THE TIM BUNKER PAPERS. 



the load a little, that we had children and children s 

 children in the house, when there was so dark a shadow 

 upon the barn. But it was rather a sad breakfast, even 

 with these alleviations. 



&quot; She was just Sally s age, and &quot; remarked Mrs. Bun 

 ker, as she passed my cup of coffee, without being able to 

 finish the sentence. 



&quot; What s the matter, grandma,&quot; asked little Timothy, 

 who did not exactly understand the trembling lip, and 

 the tears that the spectacles did not hide. 



&quot; One of the earliest things I can remember,&quot; said Sally, 

 &quot; was a ride to mill, after old Rose, with you, father, and 

 John. I couldn t have been more than four years old. 

 I know John got to sleep before we got home, and you 

 left him under the shed to take his nap out. You must 

 not laugh at us, Josiah,&quot; directing her remarks, by way 

 of apology, to her husband, &quot; for our tears for old Rose. 

 She was the mother of our Charley, you know.&quot; 



&quot; A very remarkable beast, I have no doubt, from the 

 impression she seems to have made upon those who knew 

 her best,&quot; said Mr. Slocum, trying to enter into his wife s 

 sympathies. &quot; I have always thought horses approached 

 nearer to man than any other domestic animal. The name 

 of the horse recalls little Rose, in the Shady Side, who 

 seems to have been as much nfflicted at the sale of her 

 father s horse, Pompey, as you are at the death of the 

 family mare.&quot; 



&quot; Oh, yes,&quot; said Sally, &quot; I remember the passage, and it 

 is one of the best in the book, where Mr. Vernon, the 

 clergymen, had to sell his favorite horse out of sheer 

 poverty. The children got bravely through the dinner ; 

 but afterwards, seeing her father look sadly out toward the 

 empty stable, little Rose climbed his knee, and whispered, 

 Never mind, dear papa, we shall see Pompey again in 

 heaven, she was about to say, but suddenly recollecting, 

 she added, Oh, no ! he has no soul, has he? poor dear 



