Morning journal and courier., 1891-10-13
COMMUNICATIONS.
old Nell.

One could see at glance that old Nell was in a bad humor. She was-to speak the enthusiastically cross; and the worst of it was that she thought she had had trouble enough to make her so. There was worried look in her usually mild eyes, and an expression of unwonted care on her motherly old face.
 Somehow everything had gone wrong with her that morning. For one thing, her children bothered her more than usu- al. It was bad enough when there was but one to look after, but this year there were twins; and they would go fishing around the field, kicking up their heels as they went-they were at dreadfully awk- ward age-apparently deaf to her remon- strant whinny. And they would persis. in going down to the swamp in spite of their mothers express commands. She had heard that it was unsafe for horses or cattle to penetrate its gloomy depths. It looked cool and shady, and most inviting on hot summers day, but she remem- bered to have heard that long ago some
 
 wandered into the thicket and had become hopelessly fastened in the treacherous mire, and were not found until they were quite dead.
 So many times as she had been there this very morning to call those frolicsome twins that she was completely tired out; and, as if that were not enough to try her al,a bod bod ,isif of her elder children, who had jumped over the low fence that enclosed their pas ture across the way, and had cleared the rather high wall where their mother was. They cared very little for fences, those two. They were exceedingly lively, and usually she was glad to see them, but to- day they wearied her.
 To be sure she was proud of their ap- pearance; they looked as we'll as any of her neighbours children, and little better, she thought with mothers pardonable pride. The elder of the two was just three years old. He was dark iron-gfay in color, with a splendid mane and long flowing tail, and was noble looking animal; she knew that he was much admired. The younger was black and not as handsome; but he was only a year old and would improve in looks as he grew.
 They acted like spoiled children, I am sorry to say, and gave their mother many little nip with their sharp teeth, which she very properly resented. They did not stay long however, but had vaulted over the fence into an adjoining field and were soon out of sight.
 Old Nell had another grievance. A young lady of the city had come to spend the summer on the farm. As she was very fond of animals she took lively interest in Nell and her twins, and decided tc sketch them.
 Nell was highly fiattered at the idea ot having her picture taken, and at first put on her most amiable expression and hoped the twins would behave. She remembered that once travelling artist came with his camera and wanted to take the picture oi | the pleasant old farm house; and she re collected as distinctly as if it were but yesterday how excited the family were | how they came out into the front yard and how straight and still they stood. 1 That had taken but very little time 1 but this was an entirely different matter | for this young lady came day after day | and when she had finished one view sht | tried still another, until at last old Nel | became quite disgusted. Besides she wal | tired of being tied under a tree for long | hours at time, and then the young lady | had habit of looking at her 80 critically | that it made her feel nervous and grow restive.
 l She knew that she had great deal to bt l thankful for. She lived in this lovely greer meadow, in which were two wide | spreading trees that cast such a gratefu ! shade that she delighted to rest there whe1 l the day was warm. Then she had acces! to a spring of clear, cool water, whicl
 was great luxury, especially now whel | | throughout the state Of course the gras
 was not as tender and succulent in th, | dry weather, but every morning it wa plentifully besprinkled with Aurora
 tears, which made it more palatable And then, when she wanted little seclu
 cion, she could always stand on the nortl
 side of the old red barn, where it was coo
 and she was out of sight of every one.
 The meadow sloped down to the yer
 edge of the swamp, which was filled wit
 so many varieties of beautiful trees tha
 were restful for her old eyes to look upon
 On one side of it was a well-traveled roat
 over which teams were constantly passing
 Like the country folk among whom sh
 lived, she was extremely curious, am
 took great pleasure in watching those wh
 went by.
 Some of the horses that she saw mad
 her heart ache. One in particular she wa
 very sorry for. She could count ever
 bone in his anatomy, he was so thin; an
 he was lame and had lost one eye. Be
 sides all this he had drunken master
 and it used to make her indignant to SC
 him beat the poor beast on his way bac
 from town, where he had been to fetc
 new supplies of maddening drink.
 would be @ relief to hear that the poo
 abused creature was dead and out of mi;
 cry. If only MT. Bergh could have know
 about him. She had heard how muc
 good his society were doing in just sue l cases.
 The horses were not all miserable, how ever, that passed by. Now there was Jel "; fine, young dappled- gray, who bt
 longed on the farm adjoining. He carrie heavy wagon full of milk to the city e7 ! cry morning, bringing back in its plac l bags of grain with which the cattle wei
 to be fed. There was never wet hair
 his shining coat. if the day was ever { l warm. Nell had great respect for his ma
 ter and mistress, for every living thing 0
 their farm was so we'll cared for. St liked to see the large herd of cows pa l morning and evening on their way to an
 ful and matronly. They were usually
 tended by old Jack, who, imbibing tl spirit of his owners, followed them 8 8 berly, never running after or barking s them unless he deemed it necessary.
 Notwithstanding her blessings old Ne :. l was out of temper this morning; and add to her vexatio9 the young lady can B again and commenced her sketching. No