atched, and of a colour, with new
harness, the most complete I ever saw in my life; and they have stopped
at our back-door, and the man says they are brought for you!" Farmer
Sandford was just then in the middle of his history of the
ploughing-match at Axminster; but the relation of his son had such an
involuntary effect upon him, that he started up, overset the liquor and
the table, and making a hasty apology to Mr Merton, ran out to see these
wonderful horses.

Presently he returned, in equal admiration, with his son. "Master
Merton," said he, "I did not think you had been so good a judge of a
horse. I suppose they are a new purchase, which you want to have my
opinion upon; and I can assure you they are the true Suffolk
sorrels--the first breed of working-horses in the kingdom; and these are
some of the best of their kind." "Such as they are," answered Mr Merton,
"they are yours; and I cannot think, after the obligations I am under to
your family, that you will do me so great a displeasure as to refuse."

Mr Sandford stood for some time in mute astonishment; but at length he
was beginning the civilest speech he could think of, to refuse so great
a present, when Tommy, coming up, took him by the hand, and begged him
not to deny to his father and himself the first favour they had ever
asked. "Besides," said he, "this present is less to yourself than to
little Harry; and surely, after having lived so long in your family, you
will not turn me out with disgrace, as if I had misbehaved." Here Harry
himself interposed, and, considering less the value of the present than
the feelings and intentions of the giver, he took his father by the
hand, and besought him to oblige Master Merton and his father. "Were it
any one else, I would not say a word," added he; "but I know the
generosity of Mr Merton and the goodness of Master Tommy so well, that
they will receive more pleasure from giving, than you from taking the
horses, though I must confess they are such as would do credit to
anybody; and they beat farmer Knowles all to nothing, which have long
been reckoned the best team in all the country."

This last reflection, joined with all that had preceded, overcame the
delicacy of Mr Sandford; and he at length consented to order the horses
to be led into his stable.

And now Mr Merton, having made the most affectionate acknowledgments to
all this worthy and happy family, among whom he did not forget the
honest Black, whom he prom