90 The Carter. 



that for two or three weeks about the end of the old 

 and the beginning of the new year, if one chances to 

 be out at night, every now and then comes the un- 

 wonted note of a distant trumpet sounding over the 

 fields. The custom has grown frequent of recent 

 years, and these bands collect a good deal of money. 



The ringers from the church come too with their 

 hand-bells and ring pleasant tunes which, however, 

 on bells are always plaintive standing on the crisp 

 frozen grass of the green before the window. They 

 are well rewarded, for bells are great favorites with 

 all country people. 



What is more pleasant than the jingling of the tiny 

 bells on the harness of the cart-horses? You may 

 hear the team coming with a load of straw on the 

 wagon three furlongs distant ; then step out to the 

 road, and watch the massive yet shapely creatures 

 pull the heavy weight up the hill, their glossy quarters 

 scarcely straining, but heads held high showing the 

 noble neck, the hoofs planted with sturdy pride of 

 strength, the polished brass of the harness glittering, 

 and the bells merrily jingling ! The carter, the thong 

 of his whip nodding over his shoulder, walks by the 

 shaft, his boy ahead by the leader, as proud of his 

 team as the sailor of his craft : even the whip is not 

 to be lightly come by, but is chosen carefully, bound 

 about with rows of brazen rings ; neither could you 

 or I knot the whipcord on to his satisfaction. 



For there is a certain art even in so small a thing, 

 not to be learned without time and practice ; and his 

 pride in whip, harness, and team is surely preferable 

 to the indifference of a stranger, caring for nothing 

 but his money at the end of the week. The modern 



