ed it; and
though he never became so profane and blasphemous as some of his
companions (for he never swore in cool blood, or in mirth, as so
many do), yet he would too often use a dreadful bad word when he was
in a passion with his horses. And here I can not but drop a hint on
the deep folly as well as wickedness, of being in a great rage with
poor beasts, who, not having the gift of reason, can not be moved
like human creatures, with all the wicked words that are said to
them; though these dumb creatures, unhappily, having the gift of
feeling, suffer as much as human creatures can do, at the cruel and
unnecessary beatings given them. Tom had been bred up to think that
drunkenness was a great sin, for he never saw Farmer Hodges drunk in
his life, and where a farmer is sober himself, his men are less
likely to drink, or if they do the master can reprove them with the
better grace.

Tom was not naturally fond of drink, yet for the sake of being
thought merry company, and a hearty fellow, he often drank more than
he ought. As he had been used to go to church twice on Sunday, while
he lived with the farmer (who seldom used his horses on that day,
except to carry his wife to church behind him), Tom felt a little
uneasy when he was sent the very first Sunday a long journey with a
great family; for I can not conceal the truth, that too many
gentlefolks will travel, when there is no necessity for it, on a
Sunday, and when Monday would answer the end just as well. This is a
great grief to all good and sober people, both rich and poor; and it
is still more inexcusable in the great, who have every day at their
command. However, he kept his thoughts to himself, though he could
not now and then help thinking how quietly things were going on at
the farmer's, whose wagoner on a Sunday led as easy a life as if he
had been a gentleman. But he soon lost all thoughts of this kind,
and in time did not know a Sunday from a Monday. Tom went on
prosperously, as it is called, for three or four years, got plenty
of money, but saved not a shilling. As soon as his horses were once
in the stable, whoever would might see them fed for Tom. He had
other fish to fry. Fives, cards, cudgel-playing, laying wagers, and
keeping loose company, each of which he at first disliked, and each
of which he soon learned to practice, ran away with all his money,
and all his spare time; and though he was generally in the way as
soon as the horses were ready (becaus