The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-11-08
RINGING OF THE cow CHIMES.

Read ye these strange lines and
marvel, but doubt not, for great is
the instinct Of the noble animal called
COW, and she liketh her daily grub.
On the main barn of large dairy
farm over in Jersey there was a big
bell, which at noon and night On each
succeeding day was hung to call the
laborers from the field for their noon
day and evening meals. Incidental
ly, it was the time that the cows were
fed in their yokes and MIXED. Soon
the cows came to learn that the sound
OF the bell meant hash-time, and they
invariably hustled hence. This was
the custom for years, and each gener-
alton of calves learned the trick from
their elders.
Finally it was decided to make
some improvements to the barn, and
among other things a new and larger
bell was decided upon. At the same
time the good colored folk in the
neighborhood had built a church,
which had all the ecclesiastical ac-
couterments except bell, which was
much needed to call in the be1ated
sinner, but they were shy on cash,
and bell metal swings high. Hearing
that the bell on the dairy farm was
about to be discarded for new one,
the good deacons of the colored faith
went to headquarters and began to
negotiate for the old ringer. They
were successful, paid cash in faith
and promises, and got the bell. The
new bell was to arrive at the barn in
few days, so possession of the old
one was Immediately given. Down
to the little church it was carried and
hung in the tiny belfry, and the next
day being the Sabbath, great was the
JOY throughout the colored commu-
nifty.
The glad day dawned, and prompt
1y at 10 O'Clock the colored gent,
who was to ring the new bell until he
fell dead and be succeeded by the
next candidate, grabbed the rope,
and the sweet notes pealed forth.
The cows in the adjacent fields look
ed up in astonishment. They glanc-
ed at the sun, and then at their shad-
ows on the ground. 1t was yet two
hours before noon, and also Sunday,
when ordinarily the bell did not ring.
However, that was not for them to
figure out, and without waiting for a
second invitation they hustled toward
the sound of the Changing bell. Over
bitches and over fences they dashed,
and just as the good minister had
given out "Cobet not dy neighbah's S
OK as the text for the day brindle
beef poked her head in the window
and bawled for grub. In the next
window two Jerseys were looking,
while in the other four windows and
also the door were more cows heads
than you could find on prairie, and
all were asking for hash.
The colored preacher, exemplify-
ing his text, broke away and was
soon hanging on to the highest Sec
ton or the ote~eriP~, -~l4;i~ tl~ ,,e,-.,e
lady who was about to make the organ
squeal yelped herself instead and
started for the cellar. Even the dea-
cons had no desire for prayerful de-
votion, and quickly got next to a
place of safety, while the rest of the
congregation hustled for the trapdoor
and skylight. Fortunately those at
the barn heard the bell and saw the
COWS break away, and in few min
utes the excitement was over and the
service resumed.
But you can bet yellow pup to
bag Of peanuts that the next time the
colored gents rang that bell its tone
was disguished.