Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-12-12


though l beg leave to say that l think
my original sound sense and judgment
would, In an emergency, save me from
committing any glaring mistakes II
were suddenly to be transported to the
backwOods as a permanent inhabitant
But to return to Purdy.
Until very short time since he mas
religiously believed that there were GER
tain kinds Of cows which gave butter
milk, and other kinds known as the
sour-milk cows, and again breed
called the skinned milk-and-water
cows, the latter being the only kind
known to the city milkmen.
For some time he and Mrs. Purdy
agitated the matter of keeping COW.
They had baby which was being
brought up on the bottle, and 1t was SO
difficult to procure pure milk for the
little cherub that Mrs. Purdy coveted a
real COW, so that upon her lacteal Sc
cretions her dear little Amabel Selma
might grow fat and rosy.
Purdy is an igdulgent man, and he
concluded to crafty the wife of his
bt som. He came over three or four
weeks ago and discussed the matter
it'll me. He looked over my farm
books on the subject Of dairying, and
found that there was no way man
could get rich so fast as by keeping a
cow. A cow would average pound
of butter day, besides the milk. said
the books, and that was fifty cents,
and it wouldn't cost more than twenty
five cents day to keep her.
why when I come to think of it,
said Purdy. II marvel that every man
does not keep cows. 1t is better than
getting a government contract from
the postoffice department, to supply
mail boxes, or patent locks for the mail
bags, or being head Of ring"
ITO be sure" said l.
$50 I should say" remarked Mrs.
Potts.
NOW, the fact is. Potts." said Purdy
81 am not the best judge Of cows in
the world; in truth, the most 1 have
ever seen Of them was in landscape
pictures, and in patent Office reports,
and want the benefit Of your judg-
ment in selecting one. Suppose YOU
and take trip out to Belmont Mead
ows tomorrow and buy one?"
Iagreed to it, and on the morrow we
set forth.
BE sure and have her gentle, ard
so the children can play with her, and
one that chews her cud like the cows
in poetry" was the parting admonition
of Mrs. Purdy, as she held up the baby
for Purdy to kiss.
He reached Belmont Meadows. and
inquired Of the station agent who had
cows to sell. He directed us to ths
farm of Major Grey, half mile of.
The major was at home. and he had
cows to sell. Eleven Of them. He
looked them over. Were they gentle
Oh, yes, gentle as lambs, and kittens
thrown in.
But they had horns, Purdy said; III
was a little shy Of cows with horns
Hadn't the major got some withou
horns?
The major was mildly indignant. In
deed he hadn't. They didn't maxi
cows without horns out that way. No
sir. If hornless cows were wanted
Purdy might seek them in some othel
locality
Purdy begged pardon, and said nj
offense was meant; only he though
that horns would be in the way If thu
baby was playing with the cow, ant
wanted to get on her back over he
head. That was all.
Purdy bought cow. She was blacl
and white, and warranted five year
old; a good mixer, and gentle in al
kinds of harness-or under all circum
stances.
He paid eighty dollars for her, ant
the major was to deliver her at Purdy'
house.
The next day she came.
After the majors man went ava
Purdy came over after me and Mrs
Potts.
"Marier and are going to milk on
cow" he said, land we want you t
be there, il anything should happier
| Neither of us exactly understand til
science of milking, and your advic
and Judgment may be of use to u.s."
| So Mrs fctts and 1 went over. and
took my books on dairying along wit
me.
| The cow stood in the stable, chewin
away. viciously, thought, on bundl
II hay. and swinging her tail ina bus
ness sort of way, as If she meant
say she was mistress of the situation.
MS. Purdy and Purdy stood on on
side of her, and Mrs. Potts and / stOo
on the other.
"Now," said I, "the book says I'll
tactical fluid should be drawn swift
and promptly from its receptacle, ar
the sooner the operation Of milking
performed. the greater will be Il
yield Of milk"
Just so" says Purdy. $50, of cours
it is best for two of us to milk he
Two can Go it quicker than one! "
take her on one side. and III take b
on the other"
Are you going to milk her from Il
side:" asked Mrs. Purdy. ut seen
to me that 1t would be easier gettil
al her from behind!
.That's all woman knows" 81
I. pass on the pail, neighbor Purdy
wen soon settle the question:"
Now. look herew said Mrs. Purd
with emphasis, an never give my CO
sent, Tom Purdy, for You to sit dov
in front Of that cows legs! You are
husband and the father Of a fami
and your life insurance has run o.
and I won't! So there!'
where shall I sit;' asked Pure
in discouraged tone.
why, behind her. OF course" 50
Mrs. Purdy.
III I sit behind her, she may st
backwardr' said Purdy.
"And IL you sit before her. she m
stem forwardv' said Mrs. Purdy.