The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-05-28
Won by Kindness.

Clara arose bright and early that morn
ing, even before the sun, and it was sum
mer time. Her father had entrusted he
with wonderful task the previous day.
was nothing less than to milk Lady Beauty
young, high-bred COW whom no one bu
was dainty, nervous animal, very valu
able, but shy as swallow, not at all ugly
in disposition, but to strangers quite un
approachable; and, as some one said
"manageable as baloon." Many haC
tried to make her acquaintance, but al
had failed except Clara; and she had gone
so far as to ''strip" the last Of the mill
from her udder two or three times. This
was when her master was by, however, tG
soothe and pet her.
But now Clara's father was to go away
from home for q day or two, and in sheer
despair he had said:
.'Clara, if you think you can milk Beau
ty, you may; but"-he was going to add
don't go near her HEELS" he said instead
'be very careful"
How the little girls eyes and cheeks
glowed OF all things she had most wanted
to do, it was to milk that cow. She did
not like milking excessively, because, fol
girl of ten, that is very hard work; but
to milk Lady Beauty To do something
no one but her father had ever done! And
to have her father praise her for it! The
last was the crown Clara was to get when
her wonderful task was accomplished.
She would have gone through fire if nee
essary to win her fathers approval.
Lady Beauty opened wide her great
brown, intelligent eyes when she saw the
little girl with bright tin pail come to-
ward her in the early morning. Back and
forth went Beauty's ears, and her wide
trembling nostrils shifted the airquestion
ingly. She looked ready to take to her
hoofs and vanish.
"Good morning, Lady Beauty; will you
have some salt ?" asked Clara, softly, as
she opened her hand and showed the cow
that coveted luxury.
Timidly, but with a sniff of pleasure,
Beauty came near, and licked the salt
from Clara's hand, Clara all the tine talk
ing coaxingly and looking kindly into the
half-human eyes.
sNow, Lady, dear, you must be good
COW and let me have some milk"
Thus talking and patting the animal,
Clara knelt close to the COW on the side
she then was, and placed her pail in prop
er position beside Beautv's left hind foot.
The cows feet were still, but it seemed
that all the rest of her velvet body was
ready to fly away.
So, Lady Beauty, wonld not hurt you
for anything. Give me your milk Bessie,
and I'll give you some nice warm bran
mush. So, Beauty" and the child's soft
hands stroked the cows clean fanks very
gently.
Beauty grew more quiet, but she stood,
as it were, on tip-toe till the wonderful
task Clara had undertaken was completed,
then she danced away shor: distance,
faced about and stood blinking and nod
ding at her small mistress, as much as to
say, There, you won't catch me doing
that for anyone else"
How Clara's arms ached! And how
happy she was! With more caresses and
repeated promises of a warm breakfast,
the cow was left standing at the gate
watching expectantly. In a little while
Clara came running back with the steam
ing "mush," and all the time Beauty was
eating Clara patted and stroked and talked.
At night there were several who wanted
to see Clara milk Lady Beauty. Directing
them to a respectful distance, Clara bade
them take seat on the fence and watch.
Beauty was not so shy as she had been in
the morning, but Clara petted her none
the less. When the milking was about
half done farmers boy came along, and
seeing Clara at her work, he drew nearer,
and with shout that electrified Beauty
from ears to hoof, called:
OD, no w udb d llGClo kOO6e WHO
ever heard of any body milking a COW on
the left side! should think she'd kick
you over! Most any cow would that knew
ANYTHING"
$50, Beauty l don't believe you, Josy
Tanner. l milked her SO this morning,
and she never budged an inch. She
wouldn't now if you hadn't come here and
yelled so."
"Well, 60 as you please" retorted Josy.
"Ask your father or anybody else that
knows anything about it, That COW must
be awful gentle"
"No, the COW isn't gentle, Josey, but
Clara is" said the teacher, who was one
of the lockers on. when One is gentle
and determined, too, something has to
give in, you see"
Upon inquiring, Clara found that Josy
was right, and that she had indeed ac-
compllshed feat which is marvel yet to
those who know it. Her father declared
that he will never cease wondering why
Clara was not kicked over and badly hurt
if not killed For this victory won by
faithful kindness, his daughter received
praise enough to keep her heart glad for
many days.