THE MAKE THAT WOULD NOT STA^D. 197 



unusual had taken place. We had no more trouble with 

 him the r^st of the season. I do not think he will make 

 the attempt now, as by never punishing him, or trying to 

 force him forward, always hitching him where he could 

 Jiave leeway, and trying to attract his attention till every- 

 thing is ready for him to go, he has nearly forgotten it. 

 In connection with this, and brought to my remembrance 

 by recounting Never Mind's memorable backing-out 

 scrape, I will relate a circumstance something analogous. 

 A neighbor of mine had a bay mare that would match 

 one of mine. Both were good steppers, and I finally suc- 

 ceeded in trading for her. On the completion of the deal, 

 he told me that the mare had only one failing, which was, 

 that she would not stand when a person was getting into 

 the wagon. I told him that was annoying, but I had 

 cured several of the same habit. The next clay I harnessed 

 her to a road sulky, and drove eight miles and back. The 

 trip was made satisfactorily. The day following, a friend 

 was to accompany me a few miles to see a quarter race. 

 We put the mare to a top wagon by the side of a steady 

 old trotter ; I threw the top back, the mare standing very 

 quietly, though as soon as I took up the reins, she wanted 

 to start. I said whoa, very gently, and accompanied the 

 command with a slight pull. Down she dropped, as 

 though she had been struck on the head with an axe, 

 lying quietly, and apparently comfortably to herself. I 

 could not help laughing, provoking as the situation was. 

 My friend did not see the reason for being amused, telling 

 me he would give her a good thrashing in place of laugh- 

 ing at her. I told him I was not laughing at the mare, 

 but at my own ignorance. The man I got her of told me 

 literally what she would do, and I had not sense enough 

 to understand him. I supposed she would rear and fret 

 when restrained from starting ; it never coming into my 

 head that she would drop down, and lie perfectly quiet. 



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