Well, you know there is a lot of cruelty going on all around the world.
Just think, in the summer time, how animals suffer, poor things. But I cannot do a thing. I just have to see and hear about it.
Now there goes a horse-car driver whipping his horse, and here's a man pulling the reins so the poor creature's head is bent way back and his lip bleeding. I do beg you to write something in your paper about it, but don't say who told you to, for all the children whom I know that get your paper would laugh at me; but if you don't tell them they will think it all right. I'll tell you what to write: just something to ask them to be good to animals; and tell them some of the sufferings of animals.
I don't know what to say now, so good-by.
Your friend,
Dear Little Friend:
We could not resist the temptation to publish your letter, though we have not put your name to it, and so no one will guess that it comes from you. Dear child, your gentle plea for dumb animals will do far more to make thoughtless people care for them than any words of ours.
But we will do our best to help you, and will try to have the article you ask for written.
There is a Society in New York for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and it publishes a lot of little books and papers telling people how to take care of animals. You should ask your mamma to let you go to the Society's rooms at No. 10 East 22d Street, and get Mr. Haines to give some of these books to you.
When you grow up you should join the Society, and then you would be able to do a great deal for animals. They will love you for your kind little heart as much as we do.