At the horse sale, Black Beauty stood with many old and sick horses. Some horses could not walk well. Other horses had difficulty breathing. Some were so old that it was sad to see them.
The buyers and sellers looked poor too. Some poor men wanted to buy a horse for very little money. They wanted the horse to pull a small cart with wood or coal. Other men tried to sell their tired horses for two or three pounds.
Some men were very hard and mean because they were poor. But other men had kind voices. One very old man liked Black Beauty. Black Beauty liked the old man too, but the man was not strong enough to keep a horse.
Then, a man and a young boy walked toward Black Beauty. The man looked like a rich farmer. He had a kind face and a wide hat. He looked at all the sad horses and felt sorry for them.
The farmer looked at Black Beauty. Black Beauty still had a nice mane (the long hair on a horse's neck) and a nice tail. Black Beauty moved his ears and looked at the man.
The farmer told the boy, Willie, that Black Beauty was once a very good horse. Willie asked if Black Beauty was a carriage horse. The farmer said yes. He looked at Black Beauty’s neck and shoulders.
The farmer petted Black Beauty’s neck. Black Beauty put his nose near the farmer. Willie petted Black Beauty’s face. Willie asked his grandfather to buy the horse and help him feel young again.
Farmer Thoroughgood said he could not help every old horse. But Willie did not think Black Beauty was very old. Willie said Black Beauty’s eyes were still bright. The farmer laughed because Willie loved horses.
The man who brought Black Beauty to the sale spoke. He said Black Beauty was only tired from working in the city. He said a vet (a doctor for animals) thought the horse needed six months of rest.
The man said he cared for Black Beauty for ten days. He said Black Beauty was a very kind animal. He said Black Beauty was worth five pounds. He promised that Black Beauty would be worth twenty pounds after a rest.
Farmer Thoroughgood felt Black Beauty’s legs. The legs were swollen and weak. Then he looked at Black Beauty’s teeth. He said the horse was thirteen or fourteen years old.
The farmer asked the man to make Black Beauty trot. Black Beauty tried to move his legs well, but they were very stiff. The farmer asked for the lowest price. The man said five pounds.
Farmer Thoroughgood said it was a speculation (a risk taken to make a profit later). He took out his money and paid the man. Willie was very happy.
A servant rode Black Beauty to the farmer’s home. Black Beauty went into a large field with green grass. Farmer Thoroughgood gave Black Beauty good food every morning and night.
The farmer told Willie to take care of the horse. Willie visited Black Beauty every day. Willie gave Black Beauty carrots and spoke kind words. Black Beauty began to love Willie.
Willie called Black Beauty "Old Crony." Black Beauty followed Willie around the field. Sometimes Farmer Thoroughgood came to look at Black Beauty’s legs. He said the horse was getting better.
The rest and the good food helped Black Beauty. He started to feel strong and happy. His legs were not swollen anymore. In the spring, Farmer Thoroughgood put Black Beauty in a small carriage.
Black Beauty pulled the carriage for a few miles. He felt very good. His legs were not stiff. Farmer Thoroughgood was very happy. He said Black Beauty was as good as a new horse.
Willie was glad he helped save Black Beauty. Farmer Thoroughgood said they must find a good home for the horse. He wanted Black Beauty to live with kind people.