SUNSHINE WINTERS WELL. 29 



front of Puffy Doddles' linen until it began to bear the effect 

 of a duster recently employed by an energetic maid-of-all-work. 



"In course," continued the exemplary lad lately recom- 

 mended by the head of the family of the Tops, and described 

 in his letter as his " best " — " in course," repeated he with a 

 sarcastic sneer, " professionals will have the mounts in all these 

 engagements. / don't stand a chance of having a leg up. But 

 let 'em look out," added he, with a significant motion of the 

 head. " Let 'em look out. You've a temper of your own, and 

 will show it, perhaps, when least expected. You'll want riding, 

 you will ; not bullying. I know ye, and, what's better, you 

 know me. Hah ! there's more in the 'oss knowing his rider 

 than most folks are aware of. Isn't there, my pink of toolips ?" 



The pink of tulips increased the friction to an extent which 

 threatened to rub holes of great magnitude in the front of 

 Puffy Doddles' Sunday shirt. 



" They'll call ye by-an'-by," resumed the speaker, " a bad- 

 tempered brute — one that can't be depended upon. They'll say 

 you'll race when ye like, and shut up when you don't. They'll 

 be afraid to trust ye, and yet, knowing what you can do, be 

 more afraid not to trust ye. I see it all," added the speaker, 

 partly closing his eyes as if to get a stronger focus for looking 

 into the future ; " it's all coming. I shall be wanted." 



CHAPTER Y. 



Nobody in particular, but everybody in general, stated as a 

 great fact, replete with interest of a most absorbing character, 

 that Sunshine had " wintered well." There was no dispute, no 

 shade of difference of opinion, as to the unexceptionable man- 

 ner in which Sunshine, by Glitter, dam Comet, by Falling Star, 

 had wintered. Weather permitting, he had done good and 

 strong work ; weather declining, he had borne the interval of 



