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have time to come up and bid us good…bye。 The tent he left in
charge of a very respectable man； from whom he had had supplies。
That morning I had the camp…equipage packed up and expressed to its
owner。 We did not care to camp out any more that season； but
thought it would be better to spend the rest of my vacation at the
sea…shore。
Our ex…boarder wrote to us that he and his wife were anxious that
we should return their visit during my holidays； but as we did not
see exactly how we could return a visit of the kind； we did not try
to do it。
CHAPTER XII。
LORD EDWARD AND THE TREE…MAN。
It was winter at Rudder Grange。 The season was the same at other
places； but that fact did not particularly interest Euphemia and
myself。 It was winter with us； and we were ready for it。 That was
the great point； and it made us proud to think that we had not been
taken unawares； notwithstanding the many things that were to be
thought of on a little farm like ours。
It is true that we had always been prepared for winter； wherever we
had lived； but this was a different case。 In other days it did not
matter much whether we were ready or not； but now our house； our
cow； our poultry； and indeed ourselves； might have suffered；there
is no way of finding out exactly how much；if we had not made all
possible preparations for the coming of cold weather。
But there was a great deal yet to be thought of and planned out；
although we were ready for winter。 The next thing to think of was
spring。
We laid out the farm。 We decided where we would have wheat； corn；
potatoes； and oats。 We would have a man by the day to sow and
reap。 The intermediate processes I thought I could attend to
myself。
Everything was talked over； ciphered over； and freely discussed by
my wife and myself； except one matter； which I planned and worked
out alone； doing most of the necessary calculations at the office；
so as not to excite Euphemia's curiosity。
I had determined to buy a horse。 This would be one of the most
important events of our married life； and it demanded a great deal
of thought； which I gave it。
The horse was chosen for me by a friend。 He was an excellent beast
（the horse）； excelling； as my friend told me； in muscle and wit。
Nothing better than this could be said about a horse。 He was a
sorrel animal； quite handsome； gentle enough for Euphemia to drive；
and not too high…minded to do a little farm…work； if necessary。 He
was exactly the animal I needed。
The carriage was not quite such a success。 The horse having cost a
good deal more than I expected to pay； I found that I could only
afford a second…hand carriage。 I bought a good； serviceable
vehicle； which would hold four persons； if necessary； and there was
room enough to pack all sorts of parcels and baskets。 It was with
great satisfaction that I contemplated this feature of the
carriage； which was a rather rusty…looking affair； although sound
and strong enough。 The harness was new； and set off the horse
admirably。
On the afternoon when my purchases were completed； I did not come
home by the train。 I drove home in my own carriage； drawn by my
own horse！ The ten miles' drive was over a smooth road； and the
sorrel traveled splendidly。 If I had been a line of kings a mile
long； all in their chariots of state； with gold and silver； and
outriders； and music； and banners waving in the wind； I could not
have been prouder than when I drew up in front of my house。
There was a wagon…gate at one side of the front fence which had
never been used except by the men who brought coal； and I got out
and opened this； very quietly； so as not to attract the attention
of Euphemia。 It was earlier than I usually returned； and she would
not be expecting me。 I was then about to lead the horse up a
somewhat grass…grown carriage…way to the front door； but I
reflected that Euphemia might be looking out of some of the windows
and I had better drive up。 So I got in and drove very slowly to
the door。
However； she heard the unaccustomed noise of wheels； and looked out
of the parlor window。 She did not see me； but immediately came
around to the door。 I hurried out of the carriage so quickly that；
not being familiar with the steps； I barely escaped tripping。
When she opened the front door she was surprised to see me standing
by the horse。
〃Have you hired a carriage？〃 she cried。 〃Are we going to ride？〃
〃My dear；〃 said I； as I took her by the hand； 〃we are going to
ride。 But I have not hired a carriage。 I have bought one。 Do you
see this horse？ He is oursour own horse。〃
If you could have seen the face that was turned up to me；all you
other men in the world；you would have torn your hair in despair。
Afterward she went around and around that horse； she patted his
smooth sides； she looked； with admiration； at his strong； well…
formed legs； she stroked his head； she smoothed his mane； she was
brimful of joy。
When I had brought the horse some water in a bucketand what a
pleasure it was to water one's own horse！Euphemia rushed into the
house and got her hat and cloak； and we took a little drive。
I doubt if any horse ever drew two happier people。 Euphemia said
but little about the carriage。 That was a necessary adjunct； and
it was good enough for the present。 But the horse！ How nobly and
with what vigor he pulled us up the hills and how carefully and
strongly he held the carriage back as we went down！ How easily he
trotted over the level road； caring nothing for the ten miles he
had gone that afternoon！ What a sensation of power it gave us to
think that all that strength and speed and endurance was ours； that
it would go where we wished； that it would wait for us as long as
we chose； that it was at our service day and night； that it was a
horse； and we owned it！
When we returned； Pomona saw us drive in；she had not known of our
ride；and when she heard the news she was as wild with proud
delight as anybody。 She wanted to unharness him； but this I could
not allow。 We did not wish to be selfish； but after she had seen
and heard what we thought was enough for her； we were obliged to
send her back to the kitchen for the sake of the dinner。
Then we unharnessed him。 I say we； for Euphemia stood by and I
explained everything； for some day； she said； she might want to do
it herself。 Then I led him into the stable。 How nobly he trod；
and how finely his hoofs sounded on the stable floor！
There was hay in the mow and I had brought a bag of oats under the
seat of the carriage。
〃Isn't it just delightful；〃 said Euphemia； 〃that we haven't any
man？ If we had a man he would take the horse at the door； and we
should be deprived of all this。 It wouldn't be half like owning a
horse。〃
In the morning I drove down to the station； Euphemia by my side。
She drove back and Old John came up and attended to the horse。
This he was to do； for the present； for a small stipend。 In the
afternoon Euphemia came down after me。 How I enjoyed those rides！
Before this I had thought it ever so much more pleasant and
healthful to walk to and from the station than to ride； but then I
did not own a ho