Winter started early that year. It was very cold and wet. There was a lot of snow and sleet (a mix of rain and snow). This was very hard for the horses. Our rugs got wet and we stayed cold.
The drivers suffered too. They had to sit on their cabs until late at night. The roads were very slippery. This was the worst thing for horses. I had to use all my strength to stand up. I was always afraid of falling.
Many drivers went to the tavern to drink alcohol. They thought it kept them warm. But Jerry Barker drank hot coffee instead. He said good food and a happy home were better. Polly Barker always gave him hot soup.
Sometimes little Dolly Barker brought the food to the street. One day, a gentleman saw her. He told Jerry Barker to finish his soup. The gentleman waited in the cab. Then he helped Dolly Barker cross the busy street.
Jerry Barker said this man was a "real gentleman." The man cared about a poor driver and a little girl. His name was Mr. Wright. He was a very serious and determined man. He had a kind voice.
One day, Mr. Wright saw a carter beating two horses. The horses were very large and beautiful. The carter was very angry. He hit the horses on their heads. Mr. Wright told the man to stop immediately.
Mr. Wright wrote the carter’s name in a notebook. The carter was afraid and stopped hitting the horses. Mr. Wright’s friend was surprised. He asked why Mr. Wright cared about other people’s horses.
Mr. Wright said the world is bad because people only think about themselves. He said people must stand up for those who are hurt. He said if we see a wrong thing and do nothing, we are guilty too. Jerry Barker liked Mr. Wright very much.