Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-12-27


lives race of simple, pastoral people,
whose tastes are primitive and pleas
ures few. but whose hearts are large
enough to take in not only their kind
red and friends but their gentle domes-
tic animals. There is much to admire
in their conduct toward the pretty little
cattle that Craze on the scanty heritage
of these mountain sides. We can learn
from them that gentleness and consid-
Grafton, rewards and caresses are much
more potent in the profitable manage
ment of their dumb animals than kicks
and curses, punishment and revenge.
1t is customary among the noun
tains to hang bells around the necks of
the cattle, because, as they are allowed
to roam among the sleeps and vindings
of the hills, the sound of the bells tends
to keep them together and also to in
form the herdsmen of their wherea-
bouts. The bells are not the hideous-
toned instruments of torture to the ear,
so common in the back pastures of
America, but really musical bells, vary
ing in size and form from tinkling bits
of metal to large deep-toned bells, the
latter worn by leaders of the herd.
To show how much of the instinct of
pleasure and pain may be traced and
developed in these domesticated pets,
and how much of simple and commend
able pleasure these Swiss mountaineers
enjoy in their daily toll, we give a
sketch made by one who has visited
these mountain homes and who has
compared their methods of treatment
with our own.
So accustomed and attached do the
animals become to these bells that the
deprivation of them is felt as a punish
ment. The cow whose superior beauty,
sagacity and good conduct fit her to be
leader of the herd, is always on gala
days distinguished by the largest and
finest toned bell and the bravest orna-
mental collar, and so down, through
all the gradations of good, to the small
appendage that marks the indifferently
good animal, and the total absence Of
ornament and distinction which stamps
the self-willed or vicious cow. If any
cow has been guilty of straying, of un-
seemly behavior, breach Of discipline
or any vicious trick, the displeasure Of
the herdsman is not testified by blows
but by the temporary deprivation of her
bell; and this seldom fails to reduce her
TO order and prevent a repetition of the
offence. 1t is only necessary to see the
COW on q gala-day, with her badge Of
distinction strapped round her neck,
and then to see her deprived of it, for
some offence or other, to be convinced
that this is true.
A certain COW that had long worn
the bell of honor around her neck, had
recently given birth to calf and was
considered too weak to bear the weight
of the large bell, or, indeed of either
one. Her owner turned her out to go
with the herd to the upland pastures.
This summer removal of quarters is
always held as holiday. The peas
ants were dressed in their best clothes.
the cows had on their bells and badges.
and all went on gaiIy except the poor
matron who was deprived of hers. Af-
ter proceeding few PAGES she began
to show signs of great uneasiness,
which constantly increased. 1t was
vainly attempted to coax her forward,
and soon she lay down on her side and
would not move. In this dilemma one
of the old herdsmen came up, and, see
ing how matters stood, deliberately
went into the house and brought out
the bell and collar, which the animal
no sooner felt about her neck than she
rose, shook herself, and raising and
throwing her tail over her launches in
token of complete satisfaction, went
of, piancing and curvetting with every
appearance of health and gayety, and,
taking her place in the van, was from
that moment as well as ever.
The lesson we would inculcate from
this simple recital is that of the desira-
bility of kindly treatment to the ami
mails in our charge. Not only is pleas
ure to be derived from petting and
caressing them, but vastly more profit
can be secured by keeping them in a
state of satisfaction and contentment.