14000 MILES 



Charlie became so lame, not from rheumatism, strained 

 cords, etc., as they said, but from sand under his shoe. 

 That was our first unpleasant experience, and a second 

 was at hand ; for as we came from the dining-room, a 

 man was waiting to tell us our horse was very sick. We 

 hurried to the stable yard, where he lay in great distress, 

 refusing to stand up. What could have happened to him? 

 Surely, that generous farmer at whose place we 

 "camped" must have over-fed him when he was warm. 

 Now we repented in good earnest, but little good that 

 did Charlie. The proprietor was as thoughtful of our 

 horse as of us, and sent a man to walk him about. We 

 followed on and pitied him as he was kept moving, 

 despite every effort he made to drop upon the green 

 grass. After a time he seemed a little better, and the 

 man took him back to the stable. We could not feel easy 

 and went to see him again, and finally took him ourselves 

 and led him up and down Tolland street for an hour or 

 more (we could not have done that in Springfield), 

 answering many inquiries from the people we met. By- 

 and-by he began to steal nibbles at the grass and to give 

 evidence of feeling better, and when we took him back to 

 his stall we were assured he would be all right in the 

 morning. 



We arose early, for Sunday, for we could not wait to 

 know if he was well again. His call as we entered the 

 stable told us our second disagreeable experience was at 

 an end. Now we began the day ; read, breakfasted, went 

 to the little church around the corner, wrote letters, 

 walked and enjoyed every hour in that restful place, 

 where it is said no one locks the doors, for thieves do not 



76 



