128 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



send this to the person who invents signs for Inns. By 

 the way, who is he ? Is it a regular profession, — the Sign- 

 Inventor ? 



The Ostler makes a mysterious noise. When the horse 

 hears this, he stumps less, and goes quicker. 



" It's only his way at starting sometimes," the Ostler 

 explains. 



So far I see the Ostler is right. The horse has dropped 

 his stump, and is going well — with an exception. He 

 doesn't seem quite to know what to do with his head. He 

 jerks it up loosely, about every two minutes, towards the 

 left, as though he were saying, " Look here ! Come this 

 way, down to the left: that's where I want to go." I remark 

 this to the Ostler. 



"That ain't nothing," replies the Ostler. "It's only his 

 way. He's as sound a little 'oss as can be. Ifyouwasto 

 drive him all day he'd be no different." 



To the horse's credit-side I must note that he doesn't shy, 

 doesn't rear, or attempt to run away. That, in fact, he is 

 quiet in harness. 



I observe that I should like to take the reins. 



The Ostler makes no objection. We change places. I 

 drive, and the Ostler looks over my shoulder. I wish the 

 Ostler had brought out a pocket-handkerchief. Sniffing 

 may be, and probably is, economical, but it is unpleasant. 

 Now I think of it, I never remember having heard of, or 

 seen an Ostler with a pocket-handkerchief. 



We turn to the right on a new road. 



The horse seems to hang on my hand heavily. 



