FOUNDER OF HIS RACE 57 



precipice if they had been wicked — or if men said they 

 had — which came to the same thing in the end. 



Certain days each week were called ''Market Days," 

 and farmers came to Hartford to sell their produce. 

 The Meeting House bell called them together and when 

 True was present they often stood near to admire him 

 and invite him to visit their farms. These were very 

 profitable experiences to True and his owner, for there 

 was always plenty of good food and bedding. 



It was with no little regret, therefore, that True found 

 one day Master Morgan was making ready to leave, and 

 he must say good-bye to his father and friends in that 

 pleasant town. 



Nevertheless, when they set out, and turned their 

 faces northward, he stepped out with a stout heart, re- 

 membering his mother's instruction: 



"Duty that we cheerfully do, 

 Is ahvays quickest through !" 



The highway they took was the one they had travelled 

 when on their way to Hartford, and True's spirits rose, 

 thinking he might soon see his dear mother and Caesar. 

 He would have so much to tell them of his experiences 

 in the great world. 



A feeling of keen content and happiness swept over 

 him as he cantered easily along the banks of the stately 

 Connecticut River, or stopped to graze on the rich abun- 

 dant grass bordering the roadway. 



'Twas at turn of day he felt a sweet nearness to his 

 old home, and by a thousand familiar signs and senses 

 he knew they were approaching. Plucking up all his cour- 

 age and enthusiasm, he increased his speed and, almost 

 breathless with joy, stopped at the familiar barn-door 

 and whinneyed twice in the old way. 



There was no response. 



