Chapter 15—Charlie Takes Them Through

“I am worried about Mrs. White,” said a woman to her neighbor who sat in the back of the meetinghouse. “She is so tired and worn she can scarcely stand.”HMes 83.1

“Yes,” said the neighbor, “she and her husband travel nearly all the time, going from place to place to hold meetings. The stages go slowly and stop so often that it takes hours and hours to go only a few miles; and the train isn’t much better. One has to wait a long time at the junctions where a change of cars is made too.” She sighed. “They will soon wear out and be able to visit us no more, I fear.”HMes 83.2

Mr. and Mrs. White were attending meetings in Sutton, Vermont. Mrs. White was extremely tired. She could scarcely stand to speak.HMes 83.3

One of the women spoke to her husband about it. “What they need,” he answered, “is a good horse and a covered buggy of their own. Then they could travel much faster and safer than by stage. They could stop when they please, and go across country if they wanted to, and save much time.”HMes 83.4

At once he began talking to other men attending the meetings. “A horse and buggy is what they need,” he told them. “They are too poor to buy one of their own. Why can’t we take up a collection and buy them one?”HMes 83.5

The idea struck them all as being just the right thing to do, and before long the hat was being passed. When the money was counted, with a few promises added from those who did not have very much money with them, there was $175! What a fine sum of money! Several of the men who had horses for sale agreed each to bring a horse to a certain place on Monday morning and let Mr. and Mrs. White choose the one that they liked best. Of course, the tired workers were surprised and delighted to hear that they were to have a horse of their own to drive. They knew better than anyone else how tiresome it was riding on the train and in the stagecoach.HMes 83.6

Sunday night Mrs. White was given a vision in which she saw a group of men gathered at the crossroads. They were holding three horses that they had brought for Mr. White to inspect. The first one brought forward was a high-spirited, nervous sorrel. As they were looking at the horse, the angel who was acting as their guide said to Mrs. White, “Not that one.” Then the man showed them a large gray horse that was clumsy and awkward, and again the angel said, “Not that one.” The third horse was a beautiful dappled chestnut, a fine, intelligent-looking horse. When he was led forward, the angel said, “This is the one for you.”HMes 84.1

The next morning Mr. and Mrs. White went to the crossroads where the men were to bring the horses, and the fulfillment of her vision was exact. The same three horses were brought forward for inspection—the nervous sorrel, the clumsy gray, and the dappled chestnut. Of course, it was not hard for Mr. White to make his choice, and soon Old Charlie, the dappled chestnut, was hitched to a good buggy and presented to the delighted workers.HMes 84.2

With happy hearts Mr. and Mrs. White went on their way. They were not only happy that they had this comfortable way to travel but they were cheered by the kindness of the good people who had been so thoughtful of their comfort. It was autumn, and as they traveled over the beautiful hills of New England, the road wound in and out among the trees flaming with autumn colors, and now and then dipped down into a valley where orchards lined the road. Big red apples lay in the path which Old Charlie was following. He soon made known to his new masters that he was fond of apples, and Mr. White unhitched the checkrein so that the horse could lower his head.HMes 84.3

Charlie would come trotting down the road until he saw an apple within easy reach, and gently slowing down, he would pick up the apple. Then throwing his head high he would trot on, eating the apple as he went.HMes 85.1

At noon they often stopped beside the road to eat their lunch and to rest. Mr. White would spread a blanket on the grass for Mrs. White to rest, and then braid the tall grass and tie the horse to it, so that Charlie might feed and not wander away. During these periods of rest Mr. White was often busy answering letters or writing articles for the paper. He frequently used a box for a writing table, or if he could find nothing better he even laid his paper on the stiff crown of his tall hat.HMes 85.2

After a simple lunch and a little rest they thanked God for a safe, pleasant journey, and then traveled on.HMes 85.3

Mr. White was so anxious that all his possessions be used in the cause of God that he often lent Old Charlie to other ministers who were called upon to go to some distant place and preach.HMes 85.4

One Fourth of July, Mr. Loughborough and another minister started across the country, driving this faithful horse. A heavy rain had been falling, and they found a bridge gone at a stream crossing. Some people living on the bank of the stream told them that teams had been fording the creek; so Mr. Loughborough drove Old Charlie into the water while the other minister crossed on a narrow footbridge. In a moment the wagon was floating and the horse was pulled off his feet. Both horse and wagon began to float down the stream. The ministers both lifted their hearts to God, asking that He would save Mr. Loughborough and the faithful horse. As they were being swept down the stream, the wagon wheels struck a large rock. Old Charlie turned his head back and cast a pitiful glance at the driver. “Charlie,” called Mr. Loughborough, “you’ve got to get me out of this!” The horse gave two or three lunges forward with all his might toward the bank. He gained a footing and drew the wagon up out of the water.HMes 85.5

A group of people had gathered on the shore when they saw Mr. Loughborough drive the horse into the water, and now they gave a shout of cheer for the brave horse.HMes 87.1

The men drove on until they came to a little grove of trees, where they allowed the horse to rest while they gave thanks to God for saving Mr. Loughborough from drowning.HMes 87.2