ORIGINAL

Otago Witness, Issue 1952, 23 July 1891, Page 37

ORIGINAL

M. 1.-THE DOCI/ /S. By TMJir^r As the doctor's pair of high-stepping greys were indulging in their usual ohat ■ after supper the ofi-sid«r said : " Well, I declare I have not enjoyed my tea at all to-night, for my mouth is so sore with tbe chafing of the bit thai; it is quite a trouble to eat." " Why, surely there is none but yourself to blame for that," replied his mate ; " for if you would only readily obey the reins there would be no chafing at all." " Ah,. you see yon are so different to me; I have such a high spirit that this constant restraint is most irksome and galling, while you are content to take it quite as a matter of course." . " Well," replied the near-sider, " I think we ought to look upon the guidance of the coachman as a great blessing to us. You see he is seated up so high that he can see danger ahead when we should otherwise run into it; and how can he guide us without the r^eins and a bit 1 " " Well, I am very sorry to hear you talk like that —it shows such a miserable, frightened nature ; and I was going to propose to you that we should take a favourable opportunity of asserting our independence and competency to look after ourselves when the coachman was off the box by just taking a turn along High street on our own account." " Well, you may certainly save yourself the trouble of unfolding any such plan," replied the near-sider, "I know too well what is really best for yourself and me to listen to any, such proposition; and I think the best thing we can do, as our conversation has assumed such an unprofitable turn, is to lie down and get on with our night's rest." So sjying he foiled himself over in his pleasant straw and was soon fast asleep. His mate, however, was in no mood for sleeping. He kept turning over in his, mind the flattering remarks he had heard from passers by, as they noticed the fi nepaceSof his friend and himself and he thought to himself, "If they admired me so much when I was held in restraint by that abominable bit, what would they think of me if only I -was free to show my ability to the utmost?" There was no hope, however, whilst his partner remained so unconcerned, and he had to content himself by resolving to embrace the first opportunity that should occur when he should be in single harness. As it he did not have long to vrait, for the very next day the near-sider picked up a stone and hurt his hoof so badly that rest was absolutely necessary. The doctor consequently ordered the off-sider to be harnessed to the single buggy, and when brought round to the front door by the stable lad, before the coachman had time to get up into his seat away started the frisky §rey. He only meant to give*an*txhibition f his trotting powers along the High street, but no sooner had he made & start than someone trying to stop him caused him to swerve aside and nearly come to grief against a cab, and this annoyance, coupled with the shouting of the men and the screaming of tbe women so enraged him that he broke out into a gallop to get clear away from them, intending afterwards to settle down again to the trot. But he could not get clear of his pursuers at all. Fresh ones kept joining in the chase, and first from one side, and then the other,' men would make a rush at him until he was well nigh out of his mind. Still be was too proud to stop and to admit his fault, and on he went until at last he ran full tilt into a dustcart that had just emerged from a side street, which threw him down and the buggy on top of him. He was soon surrounded by a lot of men, some of whom knelt on his head, whilst others disengaged him from the broken trap and harness, and when at length he regained bis feet he did indeed look a Borry spectacle with his coat all bemired and his knees badly cut. He was led back home, but his master would not hear of keeping him another day, and he was sent away to the saleyard to be sold for what he would fetch. He fell to the bid of a settler for a merely nominal sum, and now has to content himself with sledging wood, ploughing, working in a threshing machine, and such like degrading work — scarcely getting enough food to keep him alive, and never getting the sight of currycomb or brush. His late master has purchased another grey in his place; and after the doctor's round is finished the near-sider often talks of and bewails the fate of his late partner who could not bear the restraint of reins and bit. Moral. — Do not be impatient of control ; there is no indignity in submitting to restraint ; and self-indulgence often leads to results too awful to contemplate.