Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-29
NO. 25.

~ So you 8Gt pau Iof IL.
I'D do it to oblige you. Rachel as quick
as Il WINK; but you see, father sent me
down to the blacksmiths after coulter.
The horses are up ready to do lob of fall
plowing and, if | should stop by the way
he might whale me-
i go along, them said Rachel proudly.
Il will drive them to pound myself and
at the moment she looked and felt equal to
anything. At starting Rachel tied on her
sun-bonnet and armed herself with long
carriage whip, having particularly vim
dictive snapper
The corn field. which was rustling with
ripened grain almost ready for the sickle
lay on crossroad, and it gave Rachel a
peculiar feeling of satisfaction to know
that she would be able to drive the cows
past her enemy's very door, and thus cast
another act of defiance in their very teeth.
Secretly she hoped to find the whole Bray
ton dairy of thirty cows browsing and
crushing the tall stalks but instead of that
only two animals had broken bonds, and
having eaten to point of safety, they
were now stupidity standing by the gap in
the rail fence.
Rachel drove them out into the road at a
very smart trot; but as she neared the
Brayton place she slackened her gait and
looked up at the front window, but none
OF the iamiley We're visible, and thus par,
OF her triumph proved abortive
The pound was a good, long country
mile distant. Rachel was in hurry for
she had unfinished work at home. The
heat of the autumnal midday appeared to
come straight down. with scarcely breath
of air stirring; and Rachel did not spare
the COWS. When She arrived, hot and tired
at her destination, the pound master, who
was Il jolly, fat man, came out to meet
her.
well, now, Rachel" said he as he
took in the situation. ..you are a spunky
little girl, but tell my wife / wouldn't
give brass farthin@ for a girl that hasn't
got some snap to her"
I'VE couldn't stand it any longer" said
Rachel, detiantly. The Brayton animals
were oyerrunning us. and its my opinion
that there's point where patience ceases
to be 4 virtue
That's true as preachin and all the
better for my trade said the man, walk
ing slowly round one Of the COWS that was
shaking and quigering now, as if in an ague
lit. But it strikes me YOU must have druv
pretty good jog he added with refresh
ING disregard for grammar. This one
acts as if she is sick. She has eat herself
rs full as Il tick; and it amt safe to stir
critters much in such case They some
times die in less then twenty-four hours
That would be bad piece of business.
You would not like to kill neighbor's COW
now. would you?'
OF course not" returned Rachel sharply,
with Il dreadful sinking Of the heart You
don't mean to tell me there is any such
danger ?"
I'm afraid So he replied, eyeing the
COW professionally; lit looks a little scalv;
but you had better go and find Herman
Brayton aud tell him all about it; he is
better posted Oh cattle diseases than half
the COW doctors in the country; and if
any body can save the critters life, he can
Rachel turned back on the road, feeling
halt-dazed and wholly frightened. Her
father was slow to anger; but she did not
like to think what the consequence might
be should he discover that his girl had
been instrumental in killing neighbor's
COW. Her pugilistic spirit had oozed out.
and left her in a bad scrape How could
she face these Braytons with her story
and how could She beg pardon and assis-
tance, as it were, of Herman Brayton, to
whom she had begun to feel Il settled dis
| like?
While she was hurrying along. with
burning cheeks turning over the wretched
thoughts in her mind, and feeling very
humble, young man sprang over the low
wall by the roadside, and politely raised
his hat. He wore Il farm laborer's blouse
and checked shirt but the lines of his form
were graceful and his manner had charm
quite foreign to the homespun youths of
the neighborhood
Excuse me, Miss Henderson" he said,
at once; II know YOU by sight, and, see
ing YOU go by, thought would take the
opportunity to send word TO your father
that six of his cows are in my barnyard
Old Bess, believe they call her, has
vicious pair of horns. She slipped her
hamper and let the others into my buck
wheat field. | shall leave it to Mr.. Hem
derson to estimate the damages for from
what report says of him know he will be
inclined to do the fair thing"
For moment Rachel stood quite over
whelmed by the lesson of Christian for
bearance which Herman Brayton had un-
consciously taught her; but at last the
tears would come to relieve her painfully
excited state of feeling and must admit
| that for the moment her conduct was not at
all in keeping with the character of high
strung spirited girl. How confession was
made do not quite know but certain it is
that Heramn, as old Mrs. Pettigrow ex-
pressed 1t, 'took shine'' to Rachel, even
in her tears. Don't distress yourself
about Brindle, he said, soothingly, as soon
as matters We're made plain TO him. II
understand COW doctoring pretty thoroug-
ly, and think know just what TO do for
her. You have been sadly pestered with
our unrnly animals this Summer; but
must say, 10y way of apology that the cid
place when we moved in was neither hen
nor pig proof Crops We're pressing,
hands short; and of course some things
Were neglected, BE assured, YOU shall
have nothing to complain Of in the future.
/ Miss Henderson, unless you take me up for
trespas>ing; for mean to come over some
/ day and see il we cannot arrange II treaty
of peace.
That evening Herman sent messenger
to say the COW was out of danger and
strange new fiutter awoke in Rachel's
heart.
4 few weeks later, when the first SHOWS
were lying on the ground, one Sunday
! morning in church the palSon took for his