The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1899-01-26


These morning providers were as cunning
as rats in finding their prey. and tie onl,
security that man had of keeping his ration.
till morning was to eat them up before hi
went to he'd TheiI sharp eyes had not
failed to notice the signs of unusual plenty
about the Deacon's corn-crib, and they gave
it earnest attention.
The Deacon had slipped out very quietly.
and taken little turn around the end of the
crib, to see that his other provisions had not
been disturbed, before he approached the
cow AS he did so he saw a figure sauatted
beside her, and heard q low voice say:
80. Pos! Hist, Lady! Hist up, you
measly hcifer !"
Well, declare to goodness" gasped the
Deacon. ''How could they've found heI
out so soon?"
He walked quietly up to the mixer, and
remarked:
'Purty early in the mornin' to do your
milkin'. Didn't used to git up so early
when you was at home, did you?'
Sh-sf-sh!" whispered the other.
Don't speak SO loud. You'll wake up that
old galoot inside. Keep quiet till | fill my
cup. and then I'll let you have chance
There'll be plenty for you.'
Purity good mixer, is she?'' inquired
the Deacon with interest.
"Naw!" whispered the other. "She's
got her bag full, but she won't give down
worth cent"
Better let me try my hand" said the
Deacon. you've bin away from the farm
Tor so long you've probably lost the knack.
Pm famous mixer"
"You'll play fair?" said the mixer
doubtfully.
Eyes; just hold her till 90 inside and git
my bucket, and III milk your cup clean
full" answered the Deacon, starting inside
the corn crib
"Well, you're a cool one," gasped the
mixer, realizing the situation. But I'll
hold you to your bargain, and I'll play fair
with you."
and after filling the mans cup as full as it
gan drawing the rest into his own bucket
Careful mixer that he was, he did not
stop until he had stripped the last drop, and
the cow, knowing at once that a master hand
was at her udder, willingly yielded all her
store
"There,'' said the Deacon if ANYBODY
gifts any more ont o. her till eyenin' he's well
come to it."
Two or three other men had come up in
the meanwhile with their cups, and they
started, without so much as asking. to din
their cups in.
6 Hold on =" commanded the first-comer
sternly. Stop that! This old mans
friend O. mine, and won't see him imposed
on. Go somewhere else and git your milk. F."
A wordy war enshed, but the first-comer
was stalwart and. determined. The row
walked up Shorty, who appeared with an AK
Ali right, " said one of the men, looking
at the AK; keep your burned old milk, if
you're so stingy toward hungry soldiers
It'll give you milk-sick anyway. There's
lots o. milk-sick round here All the cows
have it, That cow has it bad / kin tell by
her looks. We had lots o. milk-sick in our
neighborhood, and got real well-acq uainted
with it, kin tell a milk-sick COW as fur as
kin see her, and if that cow hasn't it, no
one ever had it,"
He made furtive attempt to kick the
bucket over, which was frustrated by the
Deacon's watchfulness.
9 Better do something with that cow right
off" advised the first-comer, as he walked
off You can't keep her in camp all day.
Somebody'll git her away from you if they
have to take her by main force'
Are you willin' cs risk the milk-sick Pr
asked the Deacon, han&pg Shorty cupful
of the milk, together with piece of corn
pone.
"Yum-yum, should say so, - mumbled
the long-legged gentleman. "I'l make the |
milk sicker'n it kin me. you bet. Jest bring