The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-12-13
GRANNY LEATHAMs REVENGE.


tanned the carcass OF the l1ataDy -sILlCAe'
beast, escaped the iutection;l 1t was tue 200
widows diminished stock which was at
tackled! The morning following the event
in the last chapter, that is, two days ate
the diseased beast was driven into the par
isb. Mrs. Leatham found two of her COWS
hanging their weary heads. and showing
other symptoms of the pest. On learning
this granny was sliced with kiDd OF par
aIvsis: her limbs stiffeued IN the chair, anf
her mind seemed as much affected as he
body. During that day the fearful secret
of tn, presence of the plague WAS kept from
The rest of the villagers, for the who's
household was crushed with terror
but in tile night time one COW died, and OF
the third morning two Others were alling
The constable had to be told OF it; and Bh'
circulation of the intelligence soon brought
alarmed rustics peering over the yard wall
although few or none Of them would ven
ture within
Found it out yesterday morning? Yol
couldn't help doing so, If you are not al
blind, since one COW is dead already, ant
that other will be so directly" pointing t.
one Of the three sick cows, which had beer
driven out into the yard for inspection
'sBut why didn't you make 1t Known ih'
speaker was Mr. Cotton, naughty looking
middle aged gentleman, the squire OF ths
parish, who, together with the clergyman,
had arrived at the homestead.
81 ought to have done so. sir; but
hoped they might get better" faltered pale
Mrs. Leatham, making cOncilatory curt
sey.
s'She is but woman, you see, sir" put
in the kind rector, standing at the Squire'l
shoulder.
Is There is Joseph there, and her son; they
might have known better, said the squire
al am very sorry for you, Mrs. Leatham,
he went on; 'for have heard of the trouble
you have had, and | doubt, now that the
disease has got such footing as this, every
beast you have will go"
II suppose 80, sir" the widow answered
resignedly, turning to look at the suffer- Dg
cows.
s'And that isn't all 1t will go right
through the parish, breaking out like this, "
petulantly resumed the squire. "How
could it come here? The COW OF BAtes's
did not 90 within half mile of your" Mrs.
Leatham's worn face flushed, and her eyes
went down, while her fingers convulsively
clutched her dress at the sides. "Have you
anv notion how it has Gomez the squire re-
peated, turning his glance to Mark and
Joseph. Neither of them spoke, but looked
wonderingly elsewhere, breathing very hard
and becoming very pale
''It has quite crushed them; they cannot
reason about it, again the clergyman
kindly iDterposed.
81 don't know what is to be done. |
would give fifty pounds myself to have that
mystery about Bates's COW cleared up, J"
pursued Mr. Cotton, every word making
the widow 10 start with fresh terror, aud to
glance appeaIipgiy to stoiid Joseph. How
the disease came to the FRS we know; it
was the two stirks they bought at market,
no doubt, but there has been no contact
here"
mo, though they say it may be brought
so very easily, remarked the rector.
"Where's the dog? If lie has been near
the cattle you must keep him up as well as
them" suddenly said the squire, looking
towards the empty kcnuel, by the side OF
which lay a-loose chain and an unclasped
collar.
..He's killed, sir; killed hi,n Yesterday
mornin'," said Joseph slowly
THAT was very wise tho 80 or you,
very prudent indeed. Who suggested that2''
inquired the complainant Clergyman.
No answer Was given, but Mrs. Leatham,
Mark and Joseph stared into one anothers
faces. 40
''Eh ? Don't you hear ?" reiterated Mr..
Cotton. ~ rHts
ut was granny, sir" said Joseph.
"Theu why couldn't you say so ?"
'sShe isn't very well, sir" stammered
Mrs. Leatham, as if thinking some reason
must be given.
s.Isn't sbe-isn't granny we'll must
speak with her. This has put her about,
daresay," and the lgood rector, reminded
thrt it was his duty to visit sick people as
well as sick cattle, strobe away towards the
house. Poor Mrs. Leatham staggered, as if
ready to fall to the ground. She had suffi-
Gent reason for this agitation, and for wish
ing her most unlucky words unsaid. The
old woman's wits, as We have limited, were
quite upset by the escape of Astburys stock
and the seizure of there own, and she now
kept up a nutteIing about the night
Journey of herself and Matty to and from
the FRS farm. 'ttH
'Oh, Mark, go to granny the widow
said, pressing her hands together and look
ing towards the house piteously.
mot one of these will get better" said
Mr.. Cotton, after a puzzled look at her, and
going little nearer to the suffering cattle,
though still keeping to windward OF them.
slow many more have you for of course
you have kept the rest by themselves.
''Is Matty there?' Mrs. Leatham was
just then saying, putting out her hands to-
wards Joseph, who was making clucking
noise with his tongue, both of them intent
" watching Mark hurry into the house.
81 asked how many more COWS you had2"
irately demanded Squire Cotton.
sOnly three not ILL.," Mrs. Leatham an
swered, with half curtsey, but still gazing
with fearful face towards the dwelling sob,
the Lord help us knew knew" she sd-
ded, as a sharp childish scream was heard
from within and before she had taken half
s-dozen steps forward the clergyman ap-
peared in the doorway, with face as pale
as her own, holding the weeping little Mat
ty by one hand, and reckoning to them
with the other. t
A few moments later they were grouped
in the kitchen about the big chair in which
granny lay, quite helpless of limb, but roll
ing her head from side to side swiftly, the
bright black eyes lighting up the otherwise
ghastly features. 1t afterwards came out
that when the rector first suddenly entered
the house, going straight to her, the old wo-
man, who knew that both he and the squire
had come. at once recognized him and uu
der the sharp shock took the mistaken fan.
CIV that those in the yard had divulged what
l.. e&t =
that it was right III her to try aud punish
the Astburys The arnazed clergyman
turned to Matty, who was covering on the
hearth. and her sff'ighted scream it wa,
that startled those outside
81 know your the parson, said granny
hoarsely. IAN | wish had gone more t.
church when I had the strength, ah' haC
ner turned the cheese on Sundays, though
IL would la made ageu 1t often. But
hammer done wrong now; no no. | uuue
~ If uo' ~ 81, IL