Chapter 15 Jerry Barker and a London Cab Horse I never knew a better man than my new master.
He was good, kind, and strong.
He was so good-tempered and merry that few people could even argue with him.
He liked to make up little songs and sing them to himself.
One he really liked was this come, father and mother and sister and brother come, all of you turn to and help one another.
The family did just that.
Polly and dolly would come in the morning to help with a cab to brush off and beat the cushions and polish the glass.
Jerry would give Captain and me a good cleaning in the yard while Harry rubbed the harnesses.
There was a great deal of laughing between them, and it put Captain and me in great spirits.
We often heard Jerry sing to himself 'If you in the morning throw minutes away, you can't pick them up in the course of the day'.
One morning a gentleman walked into the yard."
"'Good morning, Mr. Barker,' the man said kindly.
"'I would like to hire you to take my wife, Mrs. Briggs, to church every Sunday.
"'We go to a church now that is a little too far for her to walk.'
"'Thank you,' said Jerry, "'but I only have a license to drive from Monday to Saturday.'
Oh, the man answered, it would be easy to fix your license.
Mrs. Briggs wants only you to drive her.
I'd be happy to help you sir, but I had a seven-day license before and the work was too hard for me and my horse.
I did not get to see my family much, and I never got to go to church.
I agree, said the man, but this short trip would be easy for you, and I'm a good customer, remember?
Yes sir, that's true Jerry said, and I am grateful for all you do, but please understand why I must turn down the Sunday work.
I read that God made man and he made horses and all the other beasts, and as soon as he made them, he made a day of rest.
I know my horses better after a day of rest, and I think I am also."
Oh, very well, said the gentleman.
Don't trouble yourself, Mr. Barker.
I will find someone else.
And he walked away.
Although I was proud of my master for standing firm for our day of rest, Mrs Briggs stopped calling on us for work.
The men Jerry worked with soon found out about him losing his best customer.
Most of them said he had made a bad decision, but Jerry stuck to his promise.
He answered them with a rhyme.
Just do your best and leave the rest.
T'will all come right some day or night.
Three weeks after this, late one evening, Polly came running across the road with the lantern.
Mrs. Briggs sent her servant this afternoon to ask you to take her out tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
I told her that would be fine.
You see Jerry, Mr Briggs asked other cab drivers to take his wife to church, but the mistress says not one cab is as clean as yours and nothing will suit her but your cab.
Jerry broke out into a merry laugh.
"'We knew this would work out,' Jerry said, taking my harness off.
After this, Mrs. Briggs wanted Jerry's cab as often as before, but on Sundays he was to rest.
One Sunday morning Jerry was cleaning me in the yard when Polly came running over.
"'Poor Dinah Brown just got a letter saying her mother is very sick.'
Dinah must go to her right away.
She says that if she takes the train, that would be impossible.
Her new baby is only four weeks old.
If you take her in your cab, she promises to pay you well.
It's not the money I'm thinking about, Jerry said.
I was wondering about losing our Sunday together.
The horses are tired, and so am I.
Your family will be fine, Polly said.
Wouldn't you want someone to do this for us if my mother was very sick and I needed to see her?
Polly, tell Dinah we will leave by ten.
While I get ready, ask Butcher and Braden if he would lend me his light.
High-wheeled carriage.
It will make it easier for the horse.
Soon she returned, saying that Jerry could borrow the lighter carriage.
Polly then brought Jerry some bread and cheese, promising a good meal when he got back.
I was chosen for the journey.
It was a fine May day, and the light, big-wheeled cart ran easily.
As soon as we were out of town, the smell of the fresh grass and the country roads were as pleasant as in old times.
Dinah's family lived in a small farmhouse, close by a meadow with shady trees.
There were two cows feeding there.
If your cows don't mind, I know my horse would just love some time in your meadow.
He's quiet, and it would be a special treat for him.
Please help yourself to anything, the young man answered.
After your kindness to my sister, we want you to have the best.
We will be having some dinner in an hour.
I hope you'll come in.
Jerry thanked him kindly, but told him he'd brought some lunch with him.
When my harness was taken off, I didn't know what I should do first whether to eat the grass, or roll over on my back, or lie down and rest, or gallop across the meadow to celebrate being free.
I decided to do everything.
Jerry seemed to be as happy as I was.
He sat down by a bank under a shady tree and listened to the birds.
Then he sang to himself, read out of a little brown book he always carried and wandered around the meadow and down by a little brook.
Afterward, he picked some wildflowers and tied them together with long strands of ivy.
Then he gave me a good lunch of oats that he had brought with him, but the time seemed all too short.
I had not been in a field since I left for Ginger.
We came home gently.
Jerry's first words when we got home were 'Well Polly, I haven't lost my Sunday after all?
For the birds were singing hymns in every bush, and I joined in the service.
And Jack, well, he was like some young colt.'
Jerry thought for a moment.'
Perhaps I won't get rich, he mused, but I will still be happy knowing that my horse and I have helped people.
When he handed Dolly the flowers, she jumped about for joy.
