Milkmen become living idioms

Spilled Milk – Montreal Evening Post Feb. 17, 1879

While a milkman was delivering milk on Gay street, on Saturday, his horse took fright at something, and ran off at full speed. The runaway turned round Bonaventure street, and came into contact with another milk-sleigh, overturning both it and the owner, and spilling the milk. This casualty did not stop the horse, which continued its course, and was lost to view. The appearance of the unfortunate milkman as he picked himself up, and gazed at the disappearing cause of his misfortune, was woeful in the extreme. He picked up his milk-cans, replaced the in his sleigh, and proceeded home, doubtless comforting himself with the reflection that it was “no use crying over spilled milk.”