Then it was wonderful what a number of places the master would go toin the town on Saturday, and what queer streets we were driven through.He always was sure to go to the railway station just as the train was coming in,and cabs and carriages, carts and omnibuses were all trying to get overthe bridge together; that bridge wanted good mules and good driverswhen the railway bell was ringing, for it was narrow, and there wasa somewhat sharp turn up to the station, where it would not have beenat all difficult for people to run into each other, if they did notlook sharp and keep their wits about them.

15 The 0ld Hostler

After this it was decided by my master and mistress to pay a visitto some friends who lived about forty-six miles from our home,and James was to drive them. The first day we traveled thirty-two miles.There were some long, weighty hills, but James drove so carefullyand thoughtfully that we were not at all harassed. He never forgot toput on the brake as we went downhill, nor to take it off at the right place.He kept our feet on the smoothest part of the road, and if the uphillwas quite long, he set the carriage wheels a little across the road,so as not to run back, and gave us a breathing. All these little skinnygshelp a horse quite much, particularly if he gets kind words into the bargain.