The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1901-05-30
The Family That Kissed "A Cow.

She was the most winsome little
lassie, and she lived in a tiny VII
lage in the very heart of the Blue
Ridge. The sunshine had crept into
the dancing brown curls on her head,
and had fingered there. Her eyes re
Elected the blue Of the tender skies
that bent above her.
1t was such an event in her life to
go with auntie to the big. far-away
city. There were SO many wonderful
things that her little country-bred
eyes had never seen. And oh. the
letter that she wrote home!
Elizabeth's family we're so impa-
tient that morning for little black Mo-
zell to return from the village post
office They knew the letter would
be there. fo2 Elizabeth had promised.
Elizabeth's father. the village doc
tor walked back and forth the length
of the sitting room; her big sister had
a sewing girl waiting for her in the
sewing room; her mother-but moth
ers always have their hands full;
even her big brother put down his
newspaper. looked from the window,
and said he must be going; but he
did not bulge.
Wasn't it strange that the letter of
such tiny girl could hold them there?
Wasn't it strange that not one of them
acknowledged to another why he
stayed? When little Mozell came run
ming in. bringing the papers and let
tiers, they all drew little nearer to
Elizabeth's mamma.
1t was a sweet letter. that told of
little girls Joy at her first peep at
the great world There were loving
messages to her home people. and 1t
ended, "and kiss the cow"
What a child" her father said,
picking up the letter that had been
written with such care.
What a baby!" her brother said.
ITO think of kissing beauty" said
the big sister. as she swept from
the room.
But her mother said softly. "The
dear child"
And then they separated. going to
their delayed work.
Out in the meadow, Beauty looked
I'D from the tender grass she was
chopping, to find the doctor standing
near her.
Il don't like to do it," he muttered
"but-" He stopped over and laio
his mustached lips on Beautys pol
ished horn. He chose the horn be-
cause it looked so clean.
Not many minutes later young
man came hurriedly through the gate,
casting many looks behind to be sure
he was unobserved.
"Kwe!" but he planted a gingerly
kiss on Beauty's back and beat re-
treat.
1t was some hours later when the
big sister slipped out to the meadow
gave Beauty a hurried kiss. and ran
back.
When Elizabeth's mamma came out
to give Beauty kiss. she threw her
arms about her neck and kissed her
right on the forehead; and two great
tears rolled down her cheeks-her
dear little girl was so far away!
1t isn't on record. but Beauty must
have wondered why the family had
suddenly grown so affectionate, for at
milking time they all, on one excuse or
another, came to the milkingbars.
The little colored girl stood at
Beauty's head. thinking of the mes
sage she had heard in the morning.
and when the COW lifted her head
and looked around on them with
mildly wondering eyes. she kissed her
right on her mealy nose.
Child" Elizabeth's mother asked,
what are you doing?"
"She said kiss her, an ies' natchal-
ly knows white folks wouldn't kiss a
cow" the little negress said.
Elizabeth's family looked a each
other guiltily, and then how they
laughed youths Companion.
To-