Graham guardian., 1911-03-17

was, as the captain said. ''rigged out
fresh from main truck to keelson." In
this rigging" Captain Cy and his two
partners-Josiah Dimick had already
christened the pair "the board Of
strategy"-took marked interest.
They were on hand when each new
garment was tried on, and they ap-
proved or criticised as seemed to them
best.
Ono Sunday Cyrus took the Bos'n for
long walk. On the horizon the sand
hills of wellmouth notched the blue
sky. The girl drew a long breath.
"Ohw she exclaimed. isn't this just
lovely? do like the sea an awful lot"
"Say, Bos'n," he said few minutes
later, "I've been thinkin' about you.
You've been to school, haven't your
Course l have" was the rather in
dignant answer. II went two years in
Concord. Mamma used to help me
nights too. / can read almost all the
little words. Don't help you read
your paper most every night?'
'Sartin you do! Yes, yes! Well, our
school opens tomorrer, and I've been
thinkin' that maybe you'd better 60.
There's new teacher comm. and /
hear she's pretty good"
"Don't you know? Why, Mr.. It'd
dit said you was the one that got her
to come herer'
"Yes. Well, Asaph says most every
thing but his prayers. Still, he amt
fur of this time. carlate was some
responsible for her bein' voted in. Yet
don't really know anything about
her. You see, l. Well, never mind.
What do you think? Want to goY'
Bos'n looked troubled.
I'D like to-" she said. Course I
want to learn how to read the big
words too. But / like to stay at home
with you more"
"Ycu do, hey? Sho, sho! Well, l
guess l can get along between times.
Georgiana's there to keep me straight,
and she'll see to the dust and the
Dishes"
The child thought for moment.
II think you're awful good" she
said. II like you next to mamma,
even better than Auntie Oliver
Bos'n wandered or In search Of late
goldenrod. The captain smoked and
meditated. BY and by the puffs were
less frequent, and the cigar went out.
1t fell from his fingers. With his back
against pine tree Captain Cy dozed
peacefully.
He awoke with jump. Something
had awakened him, but he did not
know what. He blinked and gazed
about him. Then he heard a faint
scream.
"Unclev screamed Bos'n. "O-o-o.h!
Uncle Cyrus. help me! Come quickv
The next moment the captain was
plunging through the scrub of buckle
berry and bayberry bushes. humping
into pines and smashing the branches
aside as he ran In the direction Of the
call.
Back Of the pine grove was big IN
closed pasture nearly a quarter Of .
mile long. Its rear boundary was the
iron fence of,the cemetery. The other
three sides were marked by rail fences.
and stone wall. As the captain floun-
dered from the grove and vaulted the
rail fence he swore aloud.
''By the big dipper," he groaned,
'1t's that cussed heifer! l forgot her.
Keep dodgin', Bos'n, girl! I'm com
in,."
The pasture was tenanted by a red
and white COW belonging to Sylvanus
Cahoon. Whether or not the animal
had during her calfhood days been in
jured by woman is not known. Pos
sibly her behavior was due merely to
innate depravity. At any rate, she
cherished a mortal hatred toward hui
man beings Of her own sex. With
men and boys she was meek enough,
but no person wearing skirts and alone
might venture In that field without
being chased by that cow. What
would happen If the pursued one was
caught could only be surmised for so
far no female had permitted herself to
be caught. Few would come even so
near as the other side of the pasture
walls.
Bos'n had forgotten the COW. She
had gone from one goldenrod clump to
another until she had traversed nearly
the length of the field. Then the vi
ciOus creature had appeared from be-
hind knoll in the pasture and, head
down and believing wickedly, had
rushed upon her. When the captain
reached the faroff fence the little girl
was .GOdging from one dwarf pine to
the next with the COW in pursuit. The
Fines were few, and Bos'n was nearly
at the end of her defenses.
"Helpv' she screamed. "Oh. uncle,
where are you? What shall dor
Captain Cy roared in answer,
Keep 1t upv' he yelled. "Im aeon.
In! Shoe, you everlastin' critter! I'll
break your back for you'll"
The COW didn't understand English,
II seemed, even such vigorous Eng.
lish as the captain was using. Emily
lodged to the last pine. The animal
was close upon her. Her rescuer was
ssjll far away.
Add then the cemetery gate opened
and another person entered the mas.