A lady, shivering as she gazed out into the now pitchy darkness, asked me in quivering tones, what would be done if we came to a complete standstill and the engine was unable to move at all? I replied:—
“If a line becomes blocked up and impeded by snow, the company is bound to use all reasonable exertions to forward the passengers, although that may put the company to extra expense which of course they have no way of recovering from the travellers;[474] so I presume ere long extra engines and snow ploughs will come to our rescue.”
“It is to be hoped that the fuel will last,” said the lady. “How I pity those poor cattle that we heard lowing so plaintively as we passed them at the last siding,” she added tenderly.
“Yes; no great efforts will be made for their convenience; if a snow-storm comes, the company is not bound to forward them by extraordinary means and at additional expense.”[475]
“Poor things,” said my fair companion, who seemed
A very woman; full of tears,
Hopes, blushes, tenderness, fears,
Griefs, laughter, kindness, joys, and sighs,
Loves, likings, friendships, sympathies;
A heart to feel for every woe,
And pity, if not dole, bestow.
“Poor things, unless in the hereafter there is a place where the spirits of animals be at rest, they have to bear a very heavy share of the primeval curse, and pay dearly for Adam’s transgression and fall.”
FOOTNOTES:
[444] Hawkins v. Hoffman, 6 Hill (N. Y.), 586; Duffy v. Thompson, 4 E. D. Smith, 178.
[445] Gamble v. G. W. Rw., 24 U. C. Q. B. 407; Le Conteur v. London & S. W. Rw., L. R., 1 Q. B. 54.