LIFE WITH TILE TROTTERS.



so that I shall never forget it. I think if the public knew
and could appreciate how a game horse will struggle, strive
and strain every muscle to win under unfavorable circum-
stances, they would treat them in a very much more humane
manner than they sometimes do. It seems so strange to me
that the noblest, truest, kindest and bravest animals in all
the Lord's creation should be placed in a position where to
say the least 50 per cent. of them are badly if not cruelly
treated. I often hear people say that the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has too much power. I
think not. If I were a judge on the bench and a man was
proven guilty before me of beating his wife or abusing his
horse in any manner, I should certainly want to give him a
life sentence.
   Writing about this race recalls to my mind the sad end-
ing of Mr. Baker's career. At the time he owned Calmar
he was wealthy, prosperous and the world was his friend.
lie lost his fortune, and as is very often the case, his friends
with it; lived some years in next to actual poverty and died
a violent death. Mr. Baker may have had his faults; I never
saw a man who did not. I have heard him severely criti-
cised and by those whom I think should have befriended
instead, as I know he had befriended them. I believe in the
old adage of speaking well of a bridge which carries you safely
over. To me Mr. Baker was a true friend, a kind employer;
helped me in every way it is possible for one man to help
another, and I always pitied him in his trouble and misfor-
tune.
   I have often heard people remark that they wondered at
blacksmiths and horseshoers being such an ignorant class
of men. I know this is the reputation they have among
some people. I perhaps have as large a personal acquaint-
ance among that class of mechanics as anyone in the world,
and I wish to deny emphatically that such is the case. I
know any number of blacksmiths who in their own business
are first-class artizans, and with brains and intelligence
enough to fill almost any position in life with success. I



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