CHAPTER IV. 



The Family Horse and the Children's 



Pony 



THE writer cannot lay claim to many virtues, 

 but he has refrained from two misdeeds, — 

 an abnegation which affords him unceasing gratifi- 

 cation, — he has never sold a horse (but once) guar- 

 anteed as " safe for a woman to drive," and he has 

 never sold a pony at all, as " clever enough for chil- 

 dren's use." These facts do not at all prove that 

 there are not many animals reliable for such pur- 

 poses — the roads and parkways testify to the con- 

 trary ; but intimate acquaintance with every kind, 

 size, and disposition of equine flesh has afforded 

 evidence that these prophecies are generally un- 

 warranted, and that such accomplishments are 

 claimed most unwisely for the average animal. 

 It is astounding that so many purveyors will 

 sell animals, with which they have but the most 



