News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-11
FOR WANT OF A NAIL.
BY HELEN p. BA MA D.

Mr.. Bilkins is a most accommodating
nelghbOr. All last winter. when Squire
Prescott's family were in Europe, he
went over their house every day to sec
that 1t was as they left it, and took such
care of the stock that the squire said he
thought it would pay him to stay away.
The squire brought back some additions
to the fam; among others a fine Guern-
sey Cow-ttueens sBess- and her calf The
latter they named Princess. The two
were the admiration of the farmers for
lies around. They had more faith in
this living stock than in any to be pur-
chased off a broker
When the Princess was six weeks OLD.
the squire called Mr. Bilkins in, as he
was passing, and, to his astonishment
made him present of her
So along the country road, shortly
after, Mr.. Bilkins joyfuIly wended his
way, leading by rope the baby of
Queen BeSs. She proved to be very
frollcSome and headstrong; what with
her jumping, tugging and pulling, her
new master had trial indeed.
But although breathless, Mr. BiIkius
did not lose his Patience5 triunssla
beamed from every line of his perspir@g
face. 1t added to his pleasure to meet
several farmer friends who, recognizing
the royal beauty, asked facetiously if he
was stealing the squire's calf Mir. Bill
kins explained, with becoming mod esty,
how he came to be the owner of such a
valuable bit of beef. So. although at
tended with some difficulty, Mr.. Bill
kin's progress homewa1d was a sort of
triumphal march, with variations-ac-
cording to the mood of the Princess.
He entered his own yard with the air
of conqueror He fastened towards
the great barn, intending to fasten his
uneasy prize to post till he could pre-
pare a pen, and thus transfer the strain
from muscle to insensate wood.
1t happened that Mrs Bilkins was in
the barn when he arrived, and also
Orrin, the hired man. The latter was
examining a broken frame on which was
stretched Mrs. Bilkin's latest work of
art in rags, a hooked-in mat The de-
sign was wonderful garland of flowers
whose roses Orrin stupidity mIstooll
for colOred cabbages-in the midst of
which a yellow cat Teposed.
As this masterpiece was to compete
for prize at the next "cattIe-show," ="
Mrs Biikin's hoped Orrin could repair
the frame He said he could Indeed,
Orrin never acknowledged that anything
was beyond his ability. He had even
taken the old clock to pieces when it
stopped: but assurance would not put
it together again without the aid of
knowledge, and he was forced TO wheel
1t to town. As he lost part of the ma
chinery on the way, it cost not little
money Mrs Bilkin's faith in Orrin
never recovered from that shock.
That was why she fingered, resolved
that he should not get her mat-frame
into q worse condition, and why she was
present when her spouse made his hasty
entrance. She shared his delight, declar-
Ing she didn't know when she'd seen
such beautiful bossy.
'It orter bep' said Orrin, with his in
imitably profound air. 'It's the real
Gun-sy; wuth big price amongst any
O. them fancy farmers"
Mr.. Bilkins turned the Princess over
to Orrin. And thcn occurred something
that made Mrs. BiIkins always connect
the arrival of the foreign scion with rag
mats. For somehow, in the transfer,
the calf executed new manGuvre, got
away, and plunged into the frame
as the Princess danced off in IT, When
at length the garland and the pussy
were handed to Mrs. Bilkins, she had
given all hope of obtaining the prize.
A little pen, labelled by Orrin,
ffGunsy princes. " now became the home
of the calf.
She held quite a court there, for every
one who called at the farm must see the
squire's gift. Experts SAID she would
make most valuable COW, a prospect
that greatly helped Mr.. Bilkins bear
with the foreigner, as daily her activi-
ties strengthened In the wrong direc
tion. She had a chronic habit Of jump
ing over walls, and preferred to browse
In neighbours garden TO the finest pas
ture. Almost daily Orrln cried, THAT
'ere Gunsys got OUT agin!"
Then, after a prolonged chase, Mr..
Bilkins would appear in the kitchen,
sink into the nearest chair, wipe his
heated brow, and tell his wife, conf
dentially, that if he'd known that calf
was going to be such a poster, he
''wouldn't have taken her for glftl'
When this selfish baby was e;ght
months old. Mr.. Bilkins was called upon
by stock dealer, who was passing
through the town, and who asked if he
would sell the calf.
five thought sometimes I might, "
said Mr. Bilkins but anybody that
wants that calf S got to pay for it :"
His emphasis limited at large sum.
He repeated the sentence several times
before be would give his figures. Fl
nally he offered the Princess for seventy
five dollars, declaring he knew it was
large sum, but she was a real Gurnsey
The dealer departed, saying he would
let him know in a few days Very soon
Mr. BitkNns received this brief letter:
Mn BLKIEs-I accept your offer.
Will take calf at S75. F. o. B. cars,
Boston"