Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-26

The COW was the cause OF the entire
trouble There could not have been
more seIf-conhdent COW in any country;
a COW more filled with the comforting
conviction that whatever was. was hers.
Moreover. she vas a resourceful COW. ana
vrhen selfish people built fences around
their possessions and established gates
with cunning fastenings. she laughed IN
whatever part OF her integument an
severed 10 her for a sleeve. and went gaiiy
forth 70 set their, plans at naught
Added 10 her other evil habits. she wore
q bell. There vas nothing siiNery or to ~
mantle about the bell. There was no
gentle ssKo-ling. ko-lang. ko-hngie-nngle,
as IL woke the echoes OF the night ana
startled whippoorwills and crickets INTO
dfsnayed silence. II was harsh. brassy'
Irritating bell that seemed 20 be the voice
OF the COW, keeping up an endless hre OF
argument
Journalist. found himself sick from over
work. and hied him TO the little farm he
had bought in the heart OF the pine coun-
trv. IL was. the COW that gave him cor
diai erecting and made him welcome.
The COW and Mr.. Lanham did not meet
Immediately after his arrival. Perhaps
that circumstance accounted In great
measure for his satisfaction as he lay in
a hammock under the trees, that hrst
xuorning. and said TO the colored man who
vas 10 share his solitude as general fac
totum:
This Is very pleasant Sam. As soon
a. YOU finish breakfast wish you would
mend that fence. there. where Il Is bro
ken. II THIS orchard Is taken care OF q
little we viii have plenty OF fruit next
summer"
ssFessah. I was Jes' a noticin' dat hole
In de- fence" said sam: and q little while
after his master heard the sound OF ham
uer and saw in the direction OK the bro
kan fence.
Not for many weeks had the faded
literary hack fallen asleep so peacefully
or slept so sweetly as that night WIN
the muFmur OF the pines around MIN.
Something had swept away all the tired
years in which he had toiled beyond his
strength for so little gain and he was as
happy as a boy again. II think ! shall
spend the remainder OF my life here, he
said to himself dreamily. when he walked
smiling into the darkness and turned over
and went 70 sleep again
Then the COW arrived
IL was the brassy. insistent Jangling Of
a far-off bell first: bell that seemed 20
be merely wandering aimlessly around the
country Lanham awolxe and heard It and
moved about a little restlessly.
81 don't know why can't get 70 sleep
again" he said to- himself.
All AZ once Llt COW was crAASA WIN ~
impulse. She came nearer. He could recOg-
ri1e the fact that she had approached the
fence and had paused. astonished 70 find
that the broken place was there no more.
Can believe my eyes7'' she seemed
tofbs saying.
The bell moved slowly up and down the
rne OF fence. The COW was reconnOiter-
Ing.
Then the bell gave out a leaden sound
and a loud crash woke the stiffness. The
Gov had thrown herself against the fence
The bell changed merrily along the or
eharJl and into the garden.
There's nothing In the place TO eat;
she can't stay long" said the weary Ian
ham He turned over 10 the other side
and tried 20 cover both ears with the
pillow By winding II around MS head.
The COW cane on into the yard and
rubbed her own head against the corner
% the house. Just beneath Lanham's win
dow. Her head seemed 20 need a good
deal Of rubbing. Minutes passed and there
was no sign OF abatement In her enthusi-
aSm.
Il was Sam who arose. Lanham heard
HIN coming along the hall and hastily lay
down again.
cit out o. here. you OF wir-catF' shout
ed sam. brandishing some weapon OF Of
Tense. and there was the sound OF hurry
ing feet. accompanied By a merry jubila-