The Republican journal., 1882-06-15
Mary Jane Tells About the Spicers' Cows

They had lots of COWS, the Spicers had,
and they passed most Of their time in
our garden. The reason they didn't stay
in the pasture was because the fences
were all broken down; for the Spicers
were the most shjftless folks in Tucker
town. Why | cared about the cows was
because had to drive 'em out.
Well, one day, Grandpa said:
"If those COWS get into my corn again;
iii drive EN- up to the pound
''Whats the pound ?" asked Dot.
ITS pen" said Grandpa, "where YOU
can drive any cattle YOU find on your
land; and the owner can't get them out
without paying fine"
"Oh, | think that's elegant" said |.
Il know lots Of peoples COWS | should
like to get into. the pound"
When Grandpa went ont, said would
20 and tell Sarah Spicer just what he had
said
Nov, Mary Jane, you Just stay where
You are. You want Your fingers in every
body's pies" 1t was Aunt Jane-you
might hnow-Who said that. | might
have answered that she was so sparing
With hers especially mince) that ! never
could touch them. But | didn't | often
think OF real smart things, and it's mean
that can't say them.
Bat | declare, there is never any use at
all in my arguing with Aunt Jane: for,
when get the best OF her, she always
stttcns up and says: "There, that will
do, Mary Jane, Not another word ~
Besides, it isn't right to answer back.
50 lust said nothing, but took Dot and
marched straight off TO the Spcers'.
We found Sarah and sam playing in
front of their house.
''How d We do, Mary Jane ?" said She
'IIoW 4 ye do, Miss Spicer?' said |.
"Mercy me, Mary Jane, what airs y
said she. "It'S no use to put 'em on here
in Tuckertown, can tell you, for folks
know all about you"
"Thcre, that will do, said |, as like
Aunt Jane rs ever could II only came
over here to tell You that we are going to
have your COWS put in the pound, the
very next time we find 'em in our garden
.poh + cried out that IIop-o'- my
thumb Of a sam. Your grandfather has
said so, lots Of times, but be never does .
doesn't dare to-" snapped Sarah.
was just boiling mad. The idea OF
my being treated SO 10y those low Spicers
"DMe to ?" said l. 'I wonder who
you think would be afraid Of such a poor,
shftless set !'
And then took Dots hand and Just
ran for home, 50 as not to give Sarah a
chance TO have the last word.
Oh, but don't 'spise her
Well, that afternoon, Dot and | were
in the barn playing with all our might,
when Aunt Jane screamed ont:
MARY Jane. Mary Jane The COWS are
in the garden. Run and drive them out
Its too bad ,"' cried Dot Those Sp-
GERS COWS spoil all our fun
"l'll tell You what" said |, after had
Ehoo'd them into the road. " I'm going
I" drive EN- right up to the pound. III
show that Sarah Spicer "
'Why, Mary Jane Hunt" cried silly
Dot. "What'll Grandpa say? | wont
co."
Say Why, that he is much obliged
to me-" Dot trOtted after me, as meek
as lamb.
it wasn't far to the pound but there
was one cow and her calf that wouldn't
| hurry, and besides, we walked very slow
| " along the sunny parts Of the road and
rested every time we came to a shady
| place: SO it was late III the afternoon
when we left the pound, and turned to
come home.
We came quite distance by the road
and then through Mr. Halls corn field
and the woods beyond, and right out in
the Spicers' pasture. Dot and | noticed
that there was only one COW left now in
the pasture.
'I hope Sarah and Sam will have a
good time hunting after the others; and
| good enough for en- said |. "perhaps
her father is just soolding her now fol
letting em stray away"
"Well, he isn't, for there he is now
Dot pointed, and saw Sarah in the swing
on the butternut tree in front of theiI
| house, and her father was swinging heI
np ever 50 high.
When she saw us she jumped out and
ran to the fence.
Hope you'll find your cows tonight,
! Sarah" said |.
"lou had better 90 for EN-" chimed in
| Dot.
"IIope you'll find yon's," retorted Sarah
| 'If you don't keep 'em out of our garden,
we are going to drive em to the pound"
''Te. he" giggled Sam.
Although we hurried 50, it was late
when we got home We were afraid that
supper would be all over, and Aunt Jane
would scold us for being late. But though
the table was set, and Grandpa was home
from work, no one had set down to it,
''Been waiting for the milk said Aunt
Jane. "But, la, it's no use waiting any
longer. III use mornings milk"
'1es,' said Grandpa, who was washing
bis hands at the sink. "Do let's have
supper. Children, have you seen the
| COWS z"
"Why, no. answered, 'not ours but
Dot and drove the Spicers' cows up tc
the pound.'
'Those that were in our garden Y de
manded Aunt Jane, looking straight at
me.
nodded.
"Well, of all the little mischief makers
Those were our cows"
"My gracious, goodness me" said |;
''and Grandpa's got to pay a fine to get
his own COWS out OF the pound . Oh dear
| do hope Sarah Spcer won't find out
about it."
And so Dot and had to go to bed ar
hour earlier than usual; but Sarah Spicel
doesn't know anything about it. A. 6
Plympton's, in ST. Nicholas for June.
GAS the gale M moderated"- a
writer in the June Century, describing