Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-05-17

waited as far even as the lonely cabin
at the top of the range.
This rejuvenation of nature did not fail
to have its effect on old Mrs. Weems,
and as there had not been general up
heaval Of things during the past winter
she consented reluctantly. and with some
inward quakiBgs. to accept the wicked
world as her abiding place for while
longer.
Il low I'll put in few peas, an
drap er leetle corn terday, Pinkey," she
said one morning, whilst you uns hunt
up ole Bloss. But the Lord only knows
IF we uns IL be lef' ter eat emmy gyarden
truck this year." 49,
So Pinkey Ann, with little Ike trotting
along behind her. bare-headed and bare
footed, started down the mountain path
In search of the delinquent Blossie cow.
A shower had left a fringe of raindrops
on the leaves, and through the pure at
mosphere the dim outline of the moon
was family defined, as delicate as the
petals of white flower against the deep
blue sky.
Now, Ike" said Pinkey. after an
hours fruitless search for Bessie, s'you
uns better run home ter grannie an hope
her drap the corn, fur ole BlOss air
mighty apt ter be er grain fur down
the mountain nigh the edge of the val
ley now the grass airser CROWN
The thought of taking a hand in the
gardening pleased Ike and he was soon
out OF sight on the path homeward.
Pinkey Ann watched the small figure till
1t disappeared behind the tall tree ferns,
then she started forth briskly, following
the sound of a tinkling cow-bell in the
distance far down on the north side of
the mountain. She chung to bushes,
scrambled over rocks, peeped through
the underbrush, only to encounter each
time the mild gaze of strange, stray
cow. for old Blossfe was nowhere in
sight
She then turned her weary footsteps
into the beaten path, determined to give
up the search for the day, when suddenly
she heard what seemed to her q herd of
cattle stampeded and coming in her d.
rection. Before she could proceed on
her way homeward old Blossie dashed
past her up the mountain path, believing
and paving the earth. followed by other
cows and horses, all apparently mad
dened with fright and panic stricken.
Some of them started down the noun
tain. others rushed into the woods, but
old Biossie, at a break-neck speed, with
an agility that would have done credit
to her early youth, took the straight path
homeward, with head erect and tail dis
tended.
Pinkey Ann was seized with an inde-
Unable fear, and she, too, began to run
swiftly up the mountain, never pausing
till she reached home,.a close second in
the race, with Blossfe in the lead.
What on the face Off the yarth ails
the critterv' cried Mrs Weems. as the
maddened cow rushed frantically up to
the rail fence that surrounded the house,
with Pinkey Ann, to all appearances in
hot pursuit, breathless and painting.
You uns an the critter air actin power
full strange do say Pears like you uns
thought was in err mighty big hurry to
git the animal druv up.HsaA
Pinkey Ann leaned against the fence
and famed herself with her sun-bonnet,
hardly knowing what explanation to give
for her sprinting match with Blossie.
'.Hev the whole mountn lost hits
mind, PinkeyY exclaimed the old lady.
as she watched Blossle's excited. fright
ened antics, and heard In the distance
the believing OF other cattle. AN whar
air Ike? hain't surprised tibet his leetle
legs couldn't keep up IN no SIGH er race"
Ike! Hain't Heecome yet, grann.e ?"
cried Pinkey W, difmay,
s'He haini been hyar sence he lef with
you inns to hunt Bloss h made sure he
was along er you uns. 80.
without waiting I'd explain, If she
could, her strange conduct sPinkey Ann
turned and sped back down the noun
tain path, the thought of her little lamb
being astray and lost IN the woods CIV
ing wings to her tired feet
The woods were growing darker with
the afternoon shadows. The notes of q