Page:Black Beauty (1877).djvu/184

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BLACK BEAUTY.

rather struggle on harder than we do, than go back to those horrid times, when you hardly had a minute to look at your own children, and we never could go to a place of worship together, or have a happy quiet day. God forbid that we should ever turn back to those times: that's what I say, Jerry."

"And that is just what I told Mr. Briggs, my dear," said Jerry, "and what I mean to stick to; so don't go and fret yourself, Polly, (for she had begun to cry,) I would not go back to the old times if I earned twice as much, so that is settled, little woman. Now cheer up, and I'll be off to the stand."

Three weeks had passed away after this conversation, and no order had come from Mrs. Briggs; so there was nothing but taking jobs from the stand. Jerry took it to heart a good deal, for of course the work was harder for horse and man; but Polly would always cheer him up and say, "Never mind, father, never mind,

Do your best,
And leave the rest,
'Twill all come right
Some day or night."

It soon became known that Jerry had lost his best customer, and for what reason; most of the men said he was a fool, but two or three took his part.

"If working men don't stick to their Sunday," said Truman, "they'll soon have none left; it is every man's right and every beast's right. By God's law we have a day of rest, and by the law of England we have a day of rest; and I say we ought to hold to