Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-07-05

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I'm not going TO deny it, replied
the farmer as he gritted his teeth.
Eyes; | have been swearing. I know
| its wicked and that charges would lie
against me, but 1 just couldn't help it.
1 expect to swear again this evening at
milking time
! lis COW mixed up with it," asked
the pastor.
Very much so. Two weeks ago 1
traded some hogs with Il man over in
Delhi for COW. She's the worst kicker
on the face of this earth. She has kick
ed me off the milk stool from one to
three times every time l have tried to
milk her.
And you have sworn?"
Il couldn't help it,
And you have pounded herr"
Il have tried to break her back"
Il am sorry, brother JOhnson-very
| sorry. You must expect to be tried i'll
| this world and you must expect to rise
superior. Swearing and cruelty TO ami
mails is altogether un-Christianlike.
| presume you have heartily repented"
II won't admit that l have" answer
ed the farmer in stubborn tones.
The pastor shook his head and clasp
ed his hands and looked up at the cell
J ing. BY and by he said:
81 think you need an object lesson
! in patience and kindness, Brother
Johnson, and guess will stay TO sup
| per and milk that COW myself"
by John, but I'll put a bag of po-
tatoes into your buggy If you will.
Yes, and if you want to criticse me
| A. I
| beyond begging your pardon"
Three hours later the farmer and the
pastor approached the barnyard To do
the milking. The kicking COW was the
most humble and demure of the three
| cows in the yard. There was self alb
negation in her pose and timidity in
! her eye. The pastor studied her for
| couple of minutes and then wondered
If Brother Johnson hadn't been tapping
| q barrel of old cider.
That's the critter." said the farmer
as he pointed her out
The pastor approached and stroked
her and had few kind words to say
His look grew complacent as he did so.
lie was almost beaming as he planted
his stool and sat down and began
work. The COW stood like statue
| There were flies trying to get in their
work on her hind legs, but she never
even switched her tail.
brother Johnson" was remarked
after about five minutes. don't you
think You have been mistaken in this
cow"
Hardly ever, pastor
Then | can't quite make it out.
more kind and gentle animal i never
The cow swung with her right leg,
and the hoof and all the weight behind
it caught the good man full in the
stomach and sent him rolling over and
over. He lay gasping for breath for
moment. and when helped TO his feet
he leaned against Il shed and said:
Brother Johnson, | seem to have
been kicked by your cow"
Right you are, parson. Are you
thinking of any swear words?'
The parson smiled family.
Don't you want a fence rail to
pound her WITH
The parson smiled family some more
and then said:
You might go across the road and
ask Aunt Hetty to step over here for
moment Tell her l wish to speak to
her.
Ten minutes later Aunt Hetty arriv-
ed. She expected the pastor was going
to confront her with Farmer Johnson
as to the swearing and pounding. and
she turned pale and grew nervous over
it, but he softly and kindly said;
SISTER Strong, would you kindly sit
down and milk this cow"
why, certainly" she replied. '"rhis
is the new cow Brother Johnson'S been
getting, and it's a shame the way he
has sworn at her and pounded her
around. AS 1 was saying to my hus-
band this morning, she's as quiet as an
old sheep
The pastor and the farmer stood
aside, and Aunt Hetty sat down with
stool and pail. For three or four min
uteS the COW closed her eyes and
seemed to dream of babbling brooks
and grassy dells. Then she opened
them and went to business with that
right leg. A little extra steam was put
on for the occasion, and Aunt Hetty
went five feet beyond the pastors rec
ord and was a full minute longer than
he in recovering her senses Her first
exclamation was, Darn that GOVT,
Her first move was to grab up Il club.
"Sister Strong, do you blame Brother
Johnson for swearing at and pounding |
this cow?'' asked the pastor.
Not by a dunn sight.'' she heartily |
replied.
And you you don't want him |
churchedT'
Not unless he refuses to knock her |
horns off and break her backr'
'Well, feel somewhat that way my
self. and If you are willing we will |
drop the matter of this morning and |
say no more about 1t. Thanks for your |
kindness in coming over and demon |
strating, Sister Strong" NJ. QUAD. |