Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-12-15
How Leo ChurnS.

If Leo himself should tell this story,
though, he would begin:
How Leo doesn't churn."
For there never was 4 more unwilling
butter-maker than he proves himself to
be once Il week Did you say he must be
an overworked dogo Not a bit Of it.
He is a large, handsome shepherds dog.
with curly brown hair and a bushy. flat
tail. lie lies under the table and snoozes
quietly until some one mentions to HIM
that there are chickens among the flowers.
Then what Il rush. am very sure. for
| have heard him often. that he uses more
strength barking 1T imaginary robbers at
night, than would do two Cummings.
O no. he is not an overwOrked dog.
You see, it is IL very easy matter, THIS
churning. Leo has only to keep walking.
an! the Stats of the trcad-mill slip from
under him. and the wheel turns. and the
dasher moves up and down slowly. and
after Il while the butter comes. l should
think Master Leo would deeply feel his
Importance. He generally does. but, some
how he has discovered that thi. particular
service is useful, and he objects to USE
fulneS>. Don't blame HIM. have even
seen bows too tired to do IN errand, who
could work hard at u game.
Leo is fond of eating. Some dogs are.
But is wonderful how little he cares for
breakfast. He keeps quite out of sight
mornings, creeping about in out-of-the-
way places. and casting shy glances at the
churn from around the corners of the wood
house doors.
If any one goes near the churn to
prepare it for the cream, Leo seems to
see something very interesting in the
road.
But he does not 90 straight down the
path, and out of The gate. He slides
through the grass, and round the bushes
to the fence. Then he slips under very
quietly, and goes on his way, looking lik,
u thief.
Leo is not Il thief. however, He is only
lhnkiny that maple-sugar is Nude III the
spring. and it is now midsummer. an,
probAby the sap hou>e is seldom usei
SO he finds his way stealthiiy across the
road, and p,st the barn yard to the sap
house.
Farmer Goodwin sees him going, and
knows by his uncomfortable look that it is
churnng- day. But the pigs :,rs to be fed
and the horses cared for, and the goot
farmer is too busy to notice where the dog
goes.
BY and 10y the churn is ready. Leo
Leo O. Leo. " here is L-o?" shouts ever,
body. Leo doesn't come.
"Why. SAW him going across tn.
road, looking real foolish" SAYS the f.rm
Where dii he go?"
dunno. Guess TO the sup-hoUsc. II
go see
The f,rmcr goes slowly toward the sap
house, calling Leo in excited tones tt
come and drive whole drove, of COWS
| rhc temptation is strong. but Leo conclude:
to keep still.
After :. while the farmer discovers tht
sap-hous- door slightly open. Then h.
knows where Leo is But he does no
| open the door directly, he goes back t.
the barn ana gets 4 leather strap. Alas
poor Lro, The strap is soon buckle,
around bis neck. amt he is led. led. lrd
like u slave to his work. - The mos
.hamcd lookin' critter You ever saw" say:
Farmer Goodwin
Leo says never word. but when h,
>tel> on the cturn he applies himself te
business. and stops not until the cream l:
ann ist,krlbe butter. aud he i, told to ge
cut.
It is \ long tim. before Leo iorsets tn,
lesson OF the strap. He ilits to the churl
at the lir>, call. Indeed. except fur th'
sly way i'll which he hides hnn>r!f morn
ings, We should think his cAurniny great
delight.
Ii Leo could bark the boys Il sermon.
think i. would be this Ii Won must 10
thug. tl,at you hate to do. wax up 10 tn,
work like a man, and let no one htv,
10 drag You. '-HuDlAr,y y, ~ II M}usra
toll Cirl>titN Wt,kt.