Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-10-13
A DANDY AMONG THE cows.


Adolphus Spriggins, Of The Fifth avenue and
Water street, prided himself considerably on
his acquaintance with the ways Of the town,
but his knowledge Of country matters was hni-
tied. Mr. Spriggias, having rather outrun the
constable, found himself one summer not in a
situation TO undertake his usual jaunt TO Sara
toga or Newport, and bethought himself of an
invitation which he had formerly received from
his uncle. Van Brommel, the hearty old farmer,
to pay him visit ~ rumpkindale To Pump
kindale Mr. Spriggns repaired, with ,he express
resolution Of astonishing the natives. This,
with the aid of his yellow kids, embroidered
waisicoats, brilliant neck ties, patent leather,
French phrases, and fashionable air, he certain
ly succeeded in doing. He even made some
impression by attractions, on the feelings OF
Miss RipPleway, young lady visitor, who had
previously been on amable terms with Gerl
Van Brommel, the farmers oldest son. Cert
sulked ana swore in private, but fear of his "a
ther kept him from publicly showing his resent
men,. One day, however, an idea occurred to
him, which he turned TO account for getting rid
Of his rival. Cert invited his cousin to 60 ou,
with him pigeon shooting, and Adolphus, though
his taste did not like much in that way, coil-
senied TO go a means of killing time. They
set out accordingly with arms, ammunition and
provisions for the day, which last were carried
by Cert in small tin pail About two miles
from the house, they came 10 a pasture field
bordered by extensive woods. A score Of COWS
Van BroInmel was a noted cattle breeder
I f--l..,@- a. =. IL 81
"See, Dolph," said Cert, ''the pigeons are
in the woods yonder. Now, il you will just
stand awhile on that fiat coruer of the field so
that | shall know where you are, will 90 into
the woods and drive the pigeons over to you,
and you can pop them as they come out. You
keep the pail, too, and we'll have dinner there
by-and-by."
Spriggins agreed to these terms, which ex-
actly suited his easy notions of sport, and while
Cert plunged into the woods he started for the
fiat rock which had been pointed out to him.
No sooner had he placed himself upon il
than, to his amazement, all the cows n the pas
ture rushed franieally towards him, lowing
loudly, kicking up their heels, pushing one an
other, and behaving as though they had been
suddenly smitien with insanity. Adolphus
stood paralyzed, expecting to be gored to death,
or trampled under foot But instead Of that the
COTS merely formed circle round him, stamp
ing, believing, shaking their horns, and gar-
ing at him with their great eyes, in an unac-
countable manner. He shouted in terror to
Cert, 6ut received no answer. He dared moi
leave the rock, OF even fire his gun 10 attract
his cousins attention, for, q. the slightest
ment that he made, there was a general stir
among the cows, a shaking Of the formidable
array Of horns, and an impatient stamp and
murmur, as II preparatory to a rush. Sprig-
gins was utterly bewildered. To do him JUS
liee, he would very likely have faced loaded
pistol at ten PAGES withou, finehing. Bot this
novel danger was Of such strange and fright
ful character that he was totally unnerved. lie
stood moiionless, waiting for his cousin OF some
body else to rescue him, and the COWS, with
equal patience kept up the siege until their
wretched prisoner was ready TO drop with ter
ror and exhaustion. At last, late in the afler-
noon, the burly form of old Van Brommel pre-
senled itself, to the delighted eyes Of AdOlphus.
His uncle came slowly through the field with a
tin pail on his arm and no sooner did the cows
get glimpse of him than they deserted and
tore furiously toward his uncle, who shouldered
his way through them with the utmost uncon-
cern.
"Goo6ness gwacious, UNCLE" gasped poor
Spriggins, whats the meaning Of this extwa-
ordinary conduct OF these dwedfu animals!''
And he related with considerable agitation
the history Of his captivity among them His