Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-07-05
RAIDlNG THE cows.
An Expedition Over the Commons with
the Poundmaster.

An Expedision Over the Commons with
the Poundmaster.
THE DISADVANTAGES UNDER WHICH THE CITY
COW LABORs-THE PASTURES IN THE CITY
IRREGULARITIES OF THE CowBoTs-THE AFFECT
ING TALE OF Mr.. o'FLAHERTY's HoRsE--A GAL
LIANT CHARGE IN SwAMPooDLE, &C.
rolling country, cut up In squares by the
muddy stripes which mark the lines Of the
streets cabbage patch or two. deep gulch
made by gravel cut, a few shanties or tumble
down houses, railroad crossing. gas tank
rising from an open field like huge turret, a
dlngy brick yard on the sky line in one direc-
ton, and In the distance in the other the dome
of the Capitol shining in the sunlight. These
features formed the still life of the rus-urban
scene. herd Of cows browsing upon the
heritage Of the corner lots, few enormous
umbrellas, old and faded, propped on the ground
near the cows, and wagon in the distance,
drawn by horse travelling at a lively gait. gave
animation to the picture. When the wagon
draws a little nearer the umbrellas become agi-
tated. Then they roll over or rise in the air,
and under each one appears an old man or an
urchin or two, who suddenly display consider
able activity in collecting the cows together
after which they stand innocently and uncon-
cernedly, with hands in pockets, as if to give
the impression that they had been standing that
way since daylight. Perhaps two or three
ragged, barefooted, but nimble youths. leave
the group and race rapidly over the brow Of the
next hill. shouting as they run. Hog catchers
hog catchers." thereby causing much disturb
ance among other little colonies Of umbrellas in
the commons beyond.
THE WAGON
contains Poundmaster Einstein and his staff
including Police Officer Farrar, who accompanies
the expedition as police contingent.
POundmaster Einstein will tell you that the
umbrellas form the chief part Of the outfit Of the
cow herders, sheltering them alike from the
rain and the rays of the sun; that the cow herd
ers recognize the poundmasters wagon when 1t
Is mere speck in the distance, and that the
news Of its approach is carried By rapid and
mysterious telegraphy through all the commons
that encrcle the thcky settled parts Of the city,
and here and there run far into the town like arms
of the sea. At least that is what he told a STAR
reporter who accompanied him on this particu-
lar expedition. AS q dispensation has been
granted to the dogs during few days to allow
their owners time to renew their tags the pound
master has been turning his attention especially
to cows, though goats, geese, and other crea-
lures, over whose wanderings he exercises a
discreet but firm control are not In any way
sighted. The law recognizes the fact that the
COW is by nature nomadic, and that it has q
contempt for the narrowmihded prejudices and
conventionalities regarding boundary lines
which restrict the movement Of the biped. Hence
1t Is provided that q cow pastured on unen-
closed lots shall be either securely tethered or
closely attended by biped duly impressed with
the necessity Of resisting by persuasion or force
the tendency Of the cow to roam in the streets,
or ravage unprotected cabbage patches. 1t is
also written in the municipal law that no person
shall own and keep within the city limits more
than two cows. and that no cow shall be pas
tured within one hundred feet of dwelling
These and other regulations sadly restrict the
natural ffOlicsome freedom Of the city COW,
though, undoubtedly. they add greatly to the
sense Of security felt by timid old ladies' to
whose minds there is no terror equal to that of
suddenly meeting an unclaimed GOWN the high
way.
THE COW PASTURE SOUTH OF THE CAPITOL.
Starting from Capitol Hill and going south
the expedition struck the first open space dotted
with cows and umbrellas, almost, as Washing
ton correspondents say, under the shadow of
the dome. AS prosy matter Of fact, however,
at that particular time of the morning the dome
cast its shadow in another direction. In the
stretch Of open ground along 1st street east,
South Capitol street and the old canal a pretty
picture of peace-a whole bucolic poem In real
life-was presented. Here and there were ro,ly
pools In which quacking geese were fussily navi-
eating; the scum in the old canal glistened with
emerald hues In the sunlight; the smoke curled
lazily upward from stOve-pipes. protrudIng
through the clsp-boarding Of shanties; the cows
munched contentedly the grass and weeds, and
the cOwherds sprawled indolently under the UNI
brellas, their pastoral dreams to be rudely
broken upon by the shrill alarm OF the small
boy screaming, Hog catcher" Forty-fve cows
were found pastured 10 the neighborhood Of the
gas tank south Of the Capitol. The pound
master, whose sense Of duty could not be dulled
by the appeal to his esthetic nature, made By
the surrounding scenery, gazed over the COM
mons with an eye that meant business, and
glistened little, perhaps, with the expectation
of prospective pound fees. surrey of the
situation, however, satisfied him that 1t was un-
necessary to take any active measures in that
neighborhood, and he logged on. Down about
BuzZard's point could be seen other herds, num-
cows, the poundmaster explained, belonged
in South Washington, and included about all
that are owned Id South Washington there
being three or four, however. kept In the vacant
space between 9th aud 9TH and NJ and streets
southwest, and like number on 18th street,
near the river.
THE COWS, THE COWBOYS AND TIE MILK WOMEN
The cows are driven out to pasture about or
o'clock In the morning after milking. Some
are driven home at noon for midday milking,
and then again at night. The milk is sold In
the city by women, who carry their cans In their
hands. 10 some cases the owners keep milk
wagons. and have extensive routes. The pound
master directed the reporters attention espe-
cially to the healthy and wholesome appearance
Of the cows which Seemed, in almost every
case, to be well kept and we'll fed. These peo-
pie" he observed, know as Well as any one
when COW is sick. The COWS are all In good
condition. II one Of them gets to cough
ing, or showing any signs Of disease. the others,
who have COWS In the same herd. have II re-
moved at once and looked after. 1t lie a matter
of business with them"
OF COWS is the fact that all those who seem to
unmistakable evidence of Hibernian birth. Gen.
orally, when an umbrella rose up it revealed to
view wry-looking, elderly man, with whisk-
ers cut In the style known as Galway Slug
glers," with short pipe clenched between his
teeth. hairy arms barred half way to the
shoulder, and the peculiar stiffness Of joint
which all Irish gentlemen who labor outdoors
seem to contract after passing middle lfe Cen
orally the disturbed cowherd lying at full
length upon the grass, accomplished the feat of
rising erect without bending his knees. Here
and there cows were tended by urchins, who
formed in little bands and played merrily. Quite
number of cows would sometimes be found in
charge of one small boy who received from
each owner pittance every week for his faith
full services in driving the cows to and from
home, and keeping them from the ruthless
grasp OF the pOundmaster. The men who tend
the COWS generally, when the poundmaster
comes among them, begin to give a catalogue
OF the owners of the cows. They never claim to
own more than two which is the legal limit,
nvnIc f11v f..-x