A little way down the street in advance of her was a heavy wagon drawn
by one patient horse that looked as though it might have seen better
days, but now one could numerate every rib in its worn frame.
The driver was beating the poor animal unmercifully. It doubtless had a
history, and if allowed speech would tell of a gradual decline, of
careful nourishment and little to do in its prime, but when strength
and beauty began to wane, of a harder life, and now in old age when
attention was most needful, must fall in line with the great majority
of overworked, under-fed beasts of burden, and some day when no longer
able to hold up the harness, would be taken out and shot.
Our Witch could hear in her mind's ear the rebuke of old:
What have I done unto thee, that thou has smitten me these three
times? Numbers xxii, 28.
She watched the man intently for a few seconds, and then his arm
dropped to his side. Why this sudden sympathy so foreign to his
hardened nature?
The All-seeing Eye must often look down in tenderest pity on this
ill-treated animal creation, which is more deserving of His regard than
these inhuman beings, who by their cruelty place themselves far below a
level with the lower animals.
The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His
works. Psalms cxlv, 9.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father is also merciful. Luke vi,
36.
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel
troubleth his own flesh. Proverbs xi, 17.
Surely the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is one of
the noblest organizations of modern times, and for good work stands
second to no religious denomination that has ever existed, or ever will
exist.