WHY THE QUAKER BOUGHT A HORSE.
By Eugene Sue
DURING one winter in France the pavements became very slippery by the frost, and did not present any hold for the horses' feet. One of these animals, harnessed to a large cart heavily laden with wood, was utterly unable to advance a step forward, while the carter, a powerful fellow, was belaboring the poor brute with his heavy whip, striking him over the head with relentless ferocity. Breathless, and struggling violently, the poor horse was so exhausted by his continued and severe efforts that, in spite of the cold, he was covered with sweat and foam. Now, throwing himself into his collar with desperate exertion, he tugged so that the stones beneath his feet threw out sparks of fire; now, far from being discouraged, he backed a few paces to take breath, and again tried, but in vain, to draw his load. Twice did he nearly fall, his knees touched the pavement; the carter raised him by the bit, leaving the mouth of the animal raw and bleeding. A third time, after a violent effort, he fell on his knees, one knee entangled beneath him; he could not recover himself, but fell on his side, where he lay trembling, bathed in sweat, and his eyes fixed on his brutal owner. The rage of his master then knew no bounds; and after breaking his whip over the head of the horse, which, kept down by the shafts, lay groaning on the stones, he began kicking the unfortunate animal on the nostrils. At this moment a Quaker stopped, and pushed his way among the crowd. Unable to endure this scene for a moment, the Quaker approached the carter and took him by the arm, who turned with a menacing look. "Friend," said the Quaker in a calm tone, showing the carter fifteen louis d'or, which he held in his hand, "wilt thou sell me thy horse for this gold?" "What do ye say?" inquired the carter; "will ye give me that sum for the brute?" "Fifteen louis," said the Quaker. "But why should ye buy the horse?" "That is nothing to thee. If thou sellest thy horse, thee must unload thy cart, unharness the horse, and assist him to rise." "Then unshackle the poor horse, for he is crushed by the weight of his burden." The bystanders lent their aid to free the horse. The poor animal was bleeding in many places, and such was his terror of the carter that he trembled at his approach. "But I cannot tell why you bought the brute," said the carter. "I can tell thee; it was to free him from thy cruelty that I bought him," replied the Quaker.—Eugene Sue.