Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-18
A COW WITH A HISTORY.
How an Orphan Calf Was Reared on
Gruel--Sow Mother OF Tripietts.


Gruel-Sow Mother OF TripiettS
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispstch.l
WrNarSA, NELSON COUNTY. Va, August
l6.-There ia a COW now owned by an ac-
ouaintance of mine that has such re-
markable history | think she deserves
space in the columns Of your paper. She
was born some five years ego at the time
when all of our cattle was being swept
away by that terrible cattle scOurge-
Texas-fever. She was pretty cherry RED,
and the poor little thing was left mother
less when only o day OF two old, her beau
tlful mother yielding up her gentle spirit
after a few hours illness. What 20 DO
with the little orphan became question
of absorbing interest, as there was no
milk 20 be had anywhere. The few cows
that we're left By the fever were either
SICK. or, If not sick, there was the proba-
bility Of the disease attacking them at
any time. and IL Cherry drank their muk
her DAYS would be numbered. so she was
looked upon a. doomed 10 an early death;
Finally, after n dav of fasting for caihe,
the cook suggested that she should Try 10
rear il on Cruel. No one thought II posi-
ble that she could escape the many MS
that surrounded her in the form OF DIS
ease. early fasting. and unsuitable food.
A GENERAL PET.
After a good deal of persuasion and un-
tiring patience. cook succeeded IN getting
Baby, " as she renamed the calf, 10 take
her Cruel. Before long. BABY" seemed
TO relish her meals and she lost the plead
ing look in her dark eyes, her little hollow
sides begun 20 fill out, and she looked
plump and round. Her helplessness won ner
many friends aud she became general pet,
all OF which she enjoyed and showed ner
appreciation of in every way calf could
by bleating ioyously and running up 10
every one who chanced to cross the yard.
The cook, " Charity" (and Doubtless
Babv " Thought her well named), was an
especial favorite. When about a week old
Charity taught her to eat grass by rubbing
a little salt in her mouth. The grass was
cooling and refreshing. and soon she was
grazing greedilv. For several years
BABY" was very small, but now she Is
fine, large COW.
LARGE FAMILY.
Here comes the most remarkable part Of
her life so far. On last Sunday her cup OF
happiness seemed to be filled TO overflow
ing by the arrival of three babies In her
family. There was the greatest excite
meut on the place when their advent was
made known. At first their mamma looked
! perfectly bewildered with so many little
ones TO care for. but before long she ac-
cepted her responsibilities with a great
deal Of pride and grace. One is little
cherry-red, an exact reproduction OF her
mother. The other two are almost exactly
alike, red, with few white spots on
their backs. and will in time doubtless
make "A handsome pair. think, though,
| they deserve a better fate than TO me
mere drawers" of carts. They are a
most happy family, and 1t is all their
mamma can do. by living on the richest OF
| food. to supply the many and constant
wants of her trio. They have had many
visitors and seem thoroughly to appre-
ciate the admiring glances of all specta-
| tors. They are very sociable and will re-
ceiye with pleasure all who may care TO
visit them in their pretty little lot, about
| one mile from Winglna, on the Richmond
and Allegheny railroad, Nelson county,
Va