know what is going to happen to it. I think
that they are very like human beings in this respect.

The lady had taken a seat beside Miss Laura, and as we went along, she
too looked out of the window and said in a low voice:

"What is so rare as a day in June,
Then, if ever, come perfect days."

"That is very true," said Miss Laura; "how sad that the autumn must
come, and the cold winter."

"No, my dear, not sad. It is but a preparation for another summer."

"Yes, I suppose it is," said Miss Laura. Then she continued a little
shyly, as her companion leaned over to stroke my cropped ears, "You seem
very fond of animals."

"I am, my dear. I have four horses, two cows, a tame squirrel, three
dogs, and a cat."

"You should be a happy woman," said Miss Laura, with a smile.

"I think I am. I must not forget my horned toad, Diego, that I got in
California. I keep him in the green-house, and he is very happy catching
flies and holding his horny head to be scratched whenever any one comes
near."

"I don't see how any one can be unkind to animals," said Miss Laura,
thoughtfully.

"Nor I, my dear child. It has always caused me intense pain to witness
the torture of dumb animals. Nearly seventy years ago, when I was a
little girl walking the streets of Boston, I would tremble and grow
faint at the cruelty of drivers to over-loaded horses. I was timid and
did not dare speak to them. Very often, I ran home and flung myself in
my mother's arms with a burst of tears, and asked her if nothing could
be done to help the poor animals. With mistaken, motherly kindness, she
tried to put the subject out of my thoughts. I was carefully guarded
from seeing or hearing of any instances of cruelty. But the animals
went on suffering just the same, and when I became a woman, I saw my
cowardice. I agitated the matter among my friends, and told them
that our whole dumb creation was groaning together in pain, and would
continue to groan, unless merciful human beings were willing to help
them. I was able to assist in the formation of several societies for the
prevention of cruelty to animals, and they have done good service. Good
service not only to the horses and cows, but to the nobler animal,
man. I believe that in saying to a cruel man, 'You shall not overwork,
torture, mutilate, nor kill your animal, or neglect to provide it with
proper food and shelter,' we are making him a little nearer the kingdom
of heaven than he was befo