man was gone; and we were on our way home at a smart trot.
"Why, what's the matter with you, Joe? you look angry all over," said John, as the boy flung himself from the saddle.
"I am angry all over, I can tell you," said the boy, and then in hurried excited words he told all that had happened. Joe was usually such a quiet gentle little fellow, that it was wonderful to see him so roused.
"Right, Joe! you did right, my boy, whether the fellow gets a summons or not. Many folks would have ridden by and said 'twas not their business to interfere. Now I say, that with cruelty and oppression, it is everybody's business to interfere when they see it; you did right, my boy."
Joe was quite calm by this time, and proud that John approved of him, and he cleaned out my feet, and rubbed me down with a firmer hand than usual.
They were just going home to dinner when the footman came down to the stable to say, that, Joe was wanted directly in master's private room; there was a man brought up for ill-using horses, and Joe's evidence was wanted. The boy flushed up to his forehead, and his eyes sparkled. "They shall have it," said he.
"Put yourself a bit straight," said John. Joe gave a pull at his necktie and a twitch at his jacket, and was off in a moment. Our master being one of the county magistrates, cases were often brought to him to settle, or say what should be done. In the
