WE TAKE POSSESSION 37 



roans broke his stifle during the following win- 

 ter and had to be shot. The bereaved relicts of 

 these two pairs have taken kindly to each other, 

 and now walk soberly side by side in double 

 harness. I sometimes think, however, that I see 

 a difference. The personal relation is not just 

 as it was in the old union, no bickerings or 

 disagreements, but also no jokes and no caresses. 

 The soft nose doesn't seek its neighbor's neck, 

 there is no resting of chin on friendly withers 

 while half-closed eyes see visions of cool shades, 

 running brooks, and knee-deep clover ; and the 

 urgent whinney which called one to the other 

 and told of loneliness when separated is no longer 

 heard. It is pathetic to think that these good 

 creatures have been robbed of the one thing 

 which gave color to their lives and lifted them 

 above the dreary treadmill of duty for duty's 

 sake. The kindly friendship of each for his 

 yoke-fellow is not the old sympathetic compan- 

 ionship, which will come again only when the 

 cooling breezes, running brooks, and knee-deep 

 pastures of the good horse's heaven are reached. 

 A horse is wonderfully sensitive for an animal 

 of his size and strength. He is timid by nature 

 and his courage comes only from his confidence 

 in man. His speed, strength, and endurance he 

 will willingly give, and give it to the utmost, if 

 the hand that guides is strong and gentle, and 

 the voice that controls is firm, confident, and 

 friendly. Lack of courage in the master takes 



