“From a loaded omnibus horse, to a New York street-car horse, is a very natural step,” remarked George. “Listen to this account by Supt. Hankinson of Mr. Bergh's society, of the appreciation of kindness, which was manifested by some car-horses that had been turned out to rest on a farm near the city:
“'Among the animals were three which appeared to have formed an attachment for each other, for no matter where one went, the others would follow. One of the officers had plucked several apples from a tree on the grounds, and while eating the fruit the horses approached, and stood in line before him. The first, a sorrel, had a most perfect face, and evidently came from the best stock. The other two appeared to be of ordinary breed; but all were completely run down physically, by reason of the hard work they had done while engaged in dragging street cars. The poor creatures looked longingly at the officer as he ate the fruit, and when the sorrel was given a piece of an apple, the other two took positions, one on the right, the other to the left, with the sorrel well in front.
“'The sight of the group would have gladdened the heart of an artist. Their wistful looks beaming from beautiful eyes, as the officer preceeded to cut an apple into three parts and distribute it among them, would have pleased a sympathetic mind. When the last piece of apple was disposed of, and the officer moved to another part of the field, he was followed at a respectful distance by his dumb acquaintances, and from place to place, wherever duty required his presence, the three horses would accompany him, as if to show their appreciation of the simple kindness which had been shown them. A stone wall, about four feet high, divided the field from the highway leading to the place where the Society's patrol wagon, had been left, and when the officers had finished their work, they passed through a gate opening into the road. Sorrel and his companions did not propose, however, to be left in any such a summary manner, and followed along by the stone wall, until further progress was stopped by a high wooden fence.
“'When about half-way down the road, the officers heard sounds of furious galloping, and, to their amazement, the sorrel came dashing up, having leaped the stone wall, a feat which his companions either could not or would not venture to do. He followed after the officials until great results from his work. Superintendent Hankinson said recently, in an interview with a newspaper reporter:
“'We have not in these days the disgusting exhibitions of cruelty and brutality that disgraced civilization a quarter of a century ago. You rarely see lame horses dragging heavily loaded trucks or cars now. You seldom hear of men brutally beating their horses. People are no longer sickened by the spectacle of horses covered with bleeding, festering sores. The cattle yards are better and cleaner and healthier than they ever were. The swill-milk stables are gone. Dog fights and cock they had reached the vehicle, when he was captured and led back to the paddock.'”