36 JUSTIN MORGAN 



CHAPTER IV. 



JUSTIN MORGAN. 



In True's third year, Master Whitman came one morn- 

 in, betimes, to brush him clown before taking him out 

 for his usual exercise — so the ''pony" thought. But 

 after a while he was convinced that his master called 

 him names more loving and tender than usual and that 

 his voice had a sorrowful ring. 



Gipsey and True knew that hard times had come knock- 

 ing at the farm-gate and that their kind master was in 

 debt because his crops had failed the year before. They 

 knew, too, if the worst came to the worst they might 

 have to be sold to pay these debts. 



On this particular morning Master Whitman mur- 

 mured sadly to his pet as he continued to polish the sides 

 of his symmetrical body until they shone like the bosom 

 of the river when the afterenoon sunlight played upon 

 it; and his heavy mane and tail were brushed until they 

 waved lightly under every passing breeze. 



With unfailing intuition the colt saw the future: their 

 happy home, alas, was about to be broken up. Even 

 Caesar felt the prevailing gloom ; dejectedly, he sat on a 

 beam and washed his face for the fifth time that morn- 

 ing, though it was but just sunrise. 



Gipsey peered over the partition of their stall and 

 whinneyed softly, but with resignation, for, wise old 

 horse that she was, she knew it was the lot of horses to 

 be parted, sooner or later — here to-day, there to-morrow. 



Presently the cat sprang nimbly down, and arching 



