"Well, it don't hurt critters to stand out; it jest hardens 'em."
"I tell you, sir, you are mistaken. All domestic animals need shelter, clean bedding and plenty of food. They need it, and it is their right. They furnish you with food and much of the money you have; do they not, in turn, deserve something? Besides you are defrauding yourself when you defraud them. The neglected cow will not begin to do as well in the way of milk and butter as the one that is well cared for. The food she eats must go to keep her from freezing; it acts in the place of fuel, as it were, while if you attended to keeping her warm, it would go to make milk and meat. These are unalterable laws of nature; disregard them and you pay the penalty, not only here but hereafter. God has promised mercy only to the merciful."
We went on, then, for the storm was increasing, but a few days after I noticed that rude sheds were in process of construction, and the straw was being brought in to help in the work.
I am so glad that my master dares to speak his mind, and yet he never does it in a way to offend. Any one can see that he feels every word that he says, and above all he practices what he preaches.
Speaking of the care of cows reminds me of one that used to hang around the livery stable and pick at the straw that was thrown out from our bedding; and at night, especially very cold ones, she would come and lie on the manure pile. Some of the men said it was for the sake of the little heat in the manure, and they thought she must have a wretched place at home, and be almost starved into the bargain. I watched my chance, and asked her about it. She said her owner was quite well off, but that he looked upon an animal as having no more feeling than a wagon; indeed, that he took better care of the latter than he did of her. That she was hungry all the time, and "oh, so cold." She was not giving milk just then, so they paid no attention to her. She said she had been in the pound twice, and that was dreadful, but she would as soon be there as at home.
I guess the pound man thought she belonged at the livery stable until Park Winters called his attention to the matter, and she was driven off and I never saw her again.
It seems strange that people can sit down to well-filled tables, knowing that their animals are starving; and lie in soft, warm beds, knowing that they are freezing. Master says that for all these things man shall be brought into judgment, but it don't help the dumb creatures now.