252 THE HOBSE BOOK. 



tramp comes along. It never was good policy 

 to put the whole batch of eggs in one basket. 

 Horses are proverbially chuckle-headed in a 

 fire. I have in mind a splendid big barn that 

 was the pride of a great farm and was con- 

 structed in accordance with the plans of a 

 noted builder. An immense amount of hay and 

 grain was stored in its capacious loft and in 

 the boxstalls on the ground-level many mares 

 and foals were quartered. It went afire how 

 no one ever knew and life was risked to get 

 out the animals. The men who liberated the 

 first four mares and foals neglected to close 

 the doors after them. Three mares and four 

 foals dashed back into the blazing structure 

 and were cremated. 



On the ruins of this palatial barn arose one 

 still grander in its proportions and equip- 

 ment. The insurance companies, which made 

 good many thousands of dollars for the build- 

 ing burned, were consulted absolutely as to the 

 plans. A handsomer structure than the new 

 barn there was not in one of the most populous 

 and best farmed counties in a great state, yet 

 it burned to the ground in a short time after 

 it was put into commission. Had the same 

 amount of money been utilized to construct 

 several smaller stables the loss could have been 

 confined to one of them. Besides it is easier 

 to provide for the thorough lighting and ven- 

 tilation of small stables than it is for large 



