llustration]

JIBBING.

Of all the tiresome steeds that are
The jibber is the worst by far.
He stands and contemplates the scene--
An act embarrassing and mean.

And nine times out of ten he chooses
An awkward spot when he refuses
To move. To cure him, take him out
And turn the jibber round about.

SERVICE.

The Bus horse does not work all day,
For if he did he'd waste away.
He does his work and then is able
To take a long rest in the stable.

When summer suns beat down upon it
His head is sheltered by a bonnet;
And though it makes him look a duffer,
He hasn't half the heat to suffer.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

SHYING.

"A wicked horse," perhaps you say,
"To shy in such a sudden way,
And almost make his rider fall.
It is not nice of him at all."

It was not wickedness, but fear.
That dreadful white thing rushing near
Appeared to his affrighted eyes
Full seven times its proper size.

CURIOSITY.

All horses very curious are
And things which they espy afar
Arouse their curiosity:
They wonder what on earth they see.

With ears pricked up and cautious mien
They come to see. When they have seen,
They snort and turn and off they scurry
In a contemptuous desperate hurry.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

FRIENDSHIP.

A beautiful racehorse became very much attached to a cat. So much so
that he was never happy unless the cat was near him, either sleeping
curled up on his back or somewhere in his stall. They became such close
companions that when the horse was taken abroad to run in some races for
which he had been entered, he became so dejected at being separated from
his companion that it was found necessary that the cat should always
accompany him in his horse-box wherever he went.

OLD AGE.

This horse's working days are o'er.
The shafts and saddle nevermore
Shall hold him. Here he waits his end
Cared for by those who love to tend

An old companion. He may rest
In his loose box or take the best
Of grazing which the meadows give--
A pensioner while he shall live.

[Illustration]

Transcriber's Note

The following correction was made:

Page Correction
67 seats all through changed to seats all through.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A H