should say that is his case; but, of course, I do not wish to influence
you. If you incline, you can have him on trial, and then your coachman
will see what he thinks of him."

"You have always been such a good adviser to us about our horses," said
the stately lady, "that your recommendation would go a long way with me,
and if my sister Lavinia sees no objection, we will accept your offer of
a trial, with thanks."

It was then arranged that I should be sent for the next day. In the
morning a smart-looking young man came for me; at first, he looked
pleased; but when he saw my knees, he said in a disappointed voice: "I
didn't think, sir, you would have recommended a blemished horse like
that."

"'Handsome is that handsome does,'" said my master; "you are only taking
him on trial, and I am sure you will do fairly by him, young man; if he
is not safe as any horse you ever drove, send him back."

I was led to my new home, placed in a comfortable stable, fed, and left
to myself. The next day, when my groom was cleaning my face, he said:
"That is just like the star that Black Beauty had, he is much the same
height, too; I wonder where he is now."

A little further on, he came to the place in my neck where I was bled,
and where a little knot was left in the skin. He almost started, and
begun to look me over carefully, talking to himself. "White star in the
forehead, one white foot on the off side, this little knot just in that
place"; then, looking at the middle of my back--"and as I am alive,
there is that little patch of white hair that John used to call