The day of the election (voting time) arrived. Jerry Barker and Black Beauty had a lot of work. They took many different people to different places in London.
Jerry Barker gave Black Beauty a special meal of oats. Jerry Barker was a very kind master. He ate a meat pie while he stood near Black Beauty. The streets were very full and crowded.
The horses in the street had a very hard time. Many people were shouting. Black Beauty saw two people get hit by carriages. It was a very dangerous day in the city.
A young woman came near the cab (carriage). She was carrying a heavy child. She looked lost and worried. She asked Jerry Barker for the way to the hospital.
The woman was from the country. She did not know London was busy because of the election (voting time). Her four-year-old son was very sick. He could not walk.
The doctor said the hospital could help the boy. Jerry Barker said the hospital was three miles away. He told the woman she could not walk that far with a heavy child.
Jerry Barker said, “It is going to rain. You might get hurt in the crowd. Get into my cab (carriage). I will drive you to the hospital for free.”
The woman started to cry. She was very thankful. But then two men ran to the cab (carriage). They wanted to hire Jerry Barker. One man jumped inside and told the woman to wait.
Jerry Barker looked very stern. He told the men that the lady was using the cab (carriage) first. The men were rude and said they would stay inside.
Jerry Barker smiled. He told the men they could stay as long as they liked. Then Jerry Barker turned his back on them. The men got angry and left. Then Jerry Barker drove the woman to the hospital.
The woman thanked Jerry Barker many times. Jerry Barker watched her go inside. He patted Black Beauty’s neck. He was happy because he helped a person in need.
It started to rain very hard. A lady came out of the hospital. She recognized Jerry Barker. She was Polly Barker's old mistress. She needed to go to the train station.
At the station, the lady talked to Jerry Barker. She was worried about his health. She knew Jerry Barker had a bad cough last winter. She said his work was very hard in the cold weather.
The lady said, “If you want to stop driving a cab (carriage), tell me. I can help you find a job as a groom (a person who takes care of horses).”
The lady gave Jerry Barker some money for his children. Jerry Barker was very pleased. Finally, Jerry Barker and Black Beauty went home. They were both very tired.