The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-07

q diet OF single nails. pad-locks. and
small pieces OF steel link chain is GER
tainly an animal whose gastronomic
achievements are worthy Of chronicling
Tender green grass. rich meadow hay
or even delicate branmash had no at
fractions for this Jersey. when any odd
pieces Of hardware were obtainable. Her
preference seems TO be for such unusual
things as railroad spikes. screws. nut
heads. and pieces OF wire.
In only one respect did this cow diff
fer from any other OF her specie. She
gave an excellent quality OF milk. and
more than the ordinary quantity. and
how she came TO develop n digestion
which. for its ability to assimilate almost
anything. has never been equalled. is a
marvel as We; unexplained by scientific
men.
DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.
Ostriches and goats have heretofore
been the only creatures reputed to be
able TO exist upon a long continued diet
Of miscellaneous hardware. but for a
varied assortment of unusual articles
which can be taken into the stomach.
and the animal apparently experiencing
no inconvenience. this New Jersey COW
has established a record.
How she came 70 acquire her peculiar
taste and where she managed TO pick
up such odd pieces of metal. no one has
as yet been able TO explain. she might
stlll be making a living hardware store
Of herself had not her owner decided to
convert the living animal into beef for
winter and spring consumption by his
family.
When few days ago Mr.. Risler decided
that one Of his cattle must be sacrificed
70 xulf
he looked around among his numerous
animals and without hcsiteting selected
this particular COW as the victim for the
butcher.
1t was one OF tho best he owned. and
such milk as she gave could not be
equallcd in tho entire State. There was
q peculiar taste TO the milk Not un-
pleasant but a sort OF iron taste which
was rather agreeable than otherwise and
dairy experts who have analysed the
fluid. said that there was a trace OF iron
IN the milk. but they could not account
for It's presence there The wiseacres Of
the neighborhood decided that IL must be
because there was more or less iron in the
water the COW drank.
She was in appearance the latest and
sleekest OF all the herd. Her glossy sides
shono like those Of we'll kept race
horse. There was every indication that
the COW would make prime beef and she
was accordingly sent 20 the slaughter
THE REASONS AMPLE
Never was the old saying that things
are seldom what they seem" better Illus
trated than when this Same COW. meta
morphOsed into beef. was returned TO Mr..
Rsler.
Like every honest American farmer.
he objected 20 being defrauced IN any
manner. and when nc saw the beef which
the butcher sent he very promptly made
most vigorous protest.
Whereas b. had sent away nm appar-
entity healthy. fat and wcli-fed COW. he
received In return a beef which would
throw dscredit upon u maverick.
There was hardly meat enough 10 cover
the bones. What little there was was
fibrous and as full OF muscle as that OF
the widest steer which ever came over
the drive. A healthy ycarling would give
a better proportion Of meat and Mr..
Risier lost no time I'm setting out 10 inves
tigate. 81
After patiently listening 20 the MANI
reasons given by Mr.. Risler why tho
meat sent him could not possibly be
that Of the COW which he had sent ire
butcher. that phiegmatic individual asked:
sWhat did you send me. anyhow
why. the best four-year-old COW on