River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-06-20

We ell. said grandfather, quietly,
''if by coward Mike means a person
guilty of cruelty to things smaller and
weaker than himself. or in any way in
his power. ! am afraid he has chosen
the right name for YOU"
There was a grave, even rather Sc
we're, look on his face. Tom quieted
down and began TO feel little ashamed
of himself.
There's no use making fuss about
a little fun
Il am sorry, my boy, that you can
find fun in the suffering of dumb
creatures"
Suffering said Tom. impatiently.
-'Yes. suffering. Fright and annoy
ance and pain are suffering. l don't
think you will do for farmer, Tom.
Farmers are constantly in contact with
the creatures the Lord has made. lie
made them for our use anI our pleas
ure. The most of them are gentle and
submissive - us. They love US, and
are glad of the sound of our voice and
the touch of our hand"
There isn't crayther on the place
that won't shy or rim at the sight of
him, put in Mike, who, very fond him
self of the creatures under his care,
was greatly enjoying the rcbuke to
Tom.
''You may go and finish your
milking. Mike" said grandfather.
''You see, Tom,r he continued, IF it
were not a question of Christlilxe kind
ness to the helpless. it becomes one of
-. - I. 1.
So dependent upon them"
I'm not dependent upon animals"
said Tom, shortly. having been again
angered oy Mikes remark. AT least
l won't be. | needn't be if | don't
want 70.
You think so?" said grandfather,
with smile.
Yes. sir, I do. I know there's lots
of things we get from animals, but
there's lots of things we don't. I'm
willing To stick to the things we don't
just for the sake of argumentr' This
Tom thought sounded finely. ''I'll try
for day, anyway.
Il see. sir he went on, smiling
back at his grandfather, you're think
ing I'd better be taking off these
clothes, seeing that il was a sheep that
gave them to me. can. It's a warm
day. l was just going to put on my
duck suit"
Accordingly. ten minutes later. the
small boy who was going to spend the
day without animal help appeared be-
fore his grandfather in his cotton
clothing.
''Shoes?- asked grandfather.
'Oh. sure enough! Leather's made
of skins. | learned that long ago,
though | never could imagine how
they did it. Well, | can 60 barefoot.
Any boy can. It's fun-here IN the
country.
Tom wandered about, keeping him
self clear of the animals. for which
they surely had reason to congratulate
themselves. Tom was not a tad boy
not even a cruel one, as boys 60. lie
was simply rather selfish, thOughtless
and fun-loving. and had not been
taught to consider whether his fun
was a source of pain to other things or
persons
He spent some time working in a
y
his care. firing of this. he cast about
for other means of amusement.
''I'll go fishing"
"But." as he made his tackle ready,
grandfather would say that had
something to do with animals. I'm
going to stick 10y what | said
Going to the well tor drink of cool
water. he heard Barbara calling him
from the spring house.
Don't YOU want a drink of butter
milk? Its cool and good"
Yes, | do. You know what | like,
Barbara"
But. as he held the glass in his hand,
he remembered.
.'Pshaw. It's those old cows give il.
No. thank you, Barbara; won't drink
any now"
lie even denied himself the pleasure
Of hunting eggs in the great barn.
WHO'S going TO the post Office thus
morning." asked grandfather, coming
into the back yard This is mail
day"
Il will go, grandfather" said Tom,
briskly. IN get out the pony"
1t was one of his most highly priced
treats to ride the mile and half TO the
small village. He turned towards the
stale To ask Mike To catch the pony
for him. then stopped.
Il won't ask him. And. anyway, that
counts in what I'm not going to 10.
I'll walk. I'm not dependent on a pony
just as | said"
lie found the walk long. hot one.
and was glad to find dinner ready on
his return.
ist't it, asked Tom. who had caught a
quizzical look from his gran father as
his uncle passed him a well-hiied plate.
How good that roast mutton smelled,
How tempting 10 hungry boy. But
Tom heroic lily handed back the plate.
I'm not eating meat to-day, thank
you." he said. Potatoes and bread
and beam are good enough for me"
But the bread is made with milk.
Think" said grandfather. as Barbara
brought plate of hot rolls
Yes. said Barbara II always mix
nv bread with milk"
What of it. poor boy said grand
mother, who had heard that Tom was
trying. Don't mind it, dear-it's all
nonsense. Do help the child to good
dinner"
NO. thank YOU. grandmother, said
Tom. stoutly. Il spose / may eat some
crackers"
The beans are dressed with milk
and butter" suggested grandfather, in
spite of shakes of the head from grand
mother.
The crackers, with which Tom
loDged for glass of milk instead of
water. and the baked potatoes with
salt. made poor dinner, he thought
Iiut he comforted himself with antici-
patiOns of the juicy berry pie which
was to follow. Grandmother was a
person who believed in two pieces of
ple-and. for boy had even been
known To insist on three.
I'VE ought 70 have told Barbara to
make pie for you without butter in
the crust, remarked grandfather. as
the pie was placed before grand
mother.