The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-12-30
THE WHITE CALF.

one Of the picasantest among the many
lovely houses in Prescott. About my
fifteenth birthday, my father received n
letter announcing the death of his eldest
brother, who left his entire prUperty-a
considerable amount-to him. A. this
property was principally invested in some
valuable buildings, which he rented for
different mechanical labors, and rs these
building ut the time-it being one OF
those times, like the present, which We
call hsrd-would realize little at auction
sale, nv father decided that ho would
sell the farm, for which he had hand
some offer, and move INTO the city. We
went into nv uncle's hOuse-tOr he had
kept bachelors hsll-and SO suddenly
found ourselves changed from country
folks into fashionable people. But still,
after the lapse Of twenty years, l look
back upon my farm life as the hnppiest
period of my young days, for | found
warmer friends among the beautiful.
kind horses, and the patient cattle, than
| ever met afterwards at Nine de Fairs
dancing school. After this slight e1-
planation, pardon me If l write about
my farm life.
Nv father kept generally shout SIX
cowsand an indefinite number Of 'young
stock" The day was twelve, a little
pure white calf was added to our herd, and
father saving that he"guessed old Dru.
sIlla had intended it "a birthday pres.
emit gave it to me- The idea Of really
owning such beautiful little creature,
made NE grow at least two years o!derand
doubly full OF Importance. Henceiorth,
Cassie AS L called her, must be made to
feel her own exalted position, as she WIS
bopored with blue ribbon around her
neck. and under her throat "a silver bell
no, solid, l guesS-which my brother
bad given me. Cassie in few months
became a very ariStocratic calf; she
would scarcely deign to notice brindle's
spoted calf OF nearly the same age. Fred.
who WAS fond of teasing me, said he
often found her feeding on the edge of II
stream, which ran through the pasture
Rld gazing furtively at the "fair face be-
low, rs he expressed 1t.
After while one of the men common
ced to complain that the white calf was
ge,ting cross, and father himself said she
had not 50 peasant u disposition as Bri-
dies homely calf Spot. She was true
friend to me, however, and would often
look at me with an expression of real
love in her large brown eyes. used
to take my knitting stunt out into the
pasture, and sit and work under the shade
Of large chestnut tree. Cassie always
came TO craze near me, or if she preferred
TO chew the cud, she would lie down by
NV side, and | would alternately knit Il
stitch and cares her white head; and yet
a. every day grew more and more fond
of her the man Robert liked her less and
less. and often complained to father OF
her disposition. Father himself never
had y real love for cows; they were sim
plv means Of adding to his pile OF dollars
and cents.
One night be came IN. looking very
much cOnteuted and pleased. Rosie, who
WAS two years older than l, furtively
whispered to me that if | wanted to ask
father for anything, 1t was avery good
time to do it. As winter was coming, |
Ind been revolving in my mind for some
time whether | could have new winter
dress. was comfortably supplied alrecdy
ready. but there were II number OF little
parties given by my young friends, for
which ! had nothing really suitable.
$. after the supper dishes were done,
and father was sitting by the fireplace,
smoking his pipe, / ventured to draw a
low chair TO hi. side, and with some fear
and trembling, made known my wish
Tor dress. He did not answer, but the
smile on his face thought quite favora-
BILE; and 50 carefully explained my
reason for wanting it 40 awfuIly.'
Dwell" he said AT last, chow much do
you wantit
More than you can tell, father an
swered with animation, Il would give
anything for 1t.
aAnytbing?" questioned father. "Wen
pcrhaps can make bargain with you
You give me the white calf, and | will
give You the new dress!'
Nv face tell in a moment. | had
laid that | would give anything for the
dress. but Cassie was no HiRgto me, but
= perso y. real friend. | decided quick
" to give up the dress. Father, h 'wever
went on:
u mus, sell her, for ! have been offer
cd thirty dollars for her to day, which is
three times her worth TO me. Tho gentle
man who wishes to buy her Is trying to
form herd of pure white cattle, and Is
wiling to paw these fancy prices. She'll
make "a cross COW, too.
knew # father had made up his mind
there WAS no use in trying to change it.
So | crcpt up stairs 10 my little chamber,
and went soberly to bed. had quite
forgotten my dress. All my thoughts
were of Cassie-how much | should miss
her and she me-and when at last | fell
asleep, my face pressed wet pillow, and
troubled dreams came to me. In them
all Cassie was the principal object. and
she was always in some danger. But to-
ward, morning l grew calmer, and
dreamed of my seat under the chestnut
tree, and my knitting work and Castles
cod nose rubbing against my bare arm.
woke up early in the morning and
stole out to the barn, half expecting to
hndmy white calf gone. My eye ran
up and dowa the stable, and the only
white TO be seen was the white spots on
Brlndie and old HerefOrds white face.
did not even then believe Cassie could
20 away without saying good bye to me,
and all the more as | heard u low which
knew must come from her. ! looked
IN the stall whence it proceeded, and
there stood black calf! In Il moment
recognized my friend, changed AS she
was. She reached out her head and lick
ed my hand.
Robert came out in a moment, and
both ne and father expressed surprise
and dismay at Csssie's change in color.
No more 80 than the calf herself. She