The herald., 1916-11-09
TOM CHASED THE COWS
BY LEILA EsMoND.

corn when across the expanse of gold
en- brown loan with the shoots of ten
der green came terrified scream. II,
dropped the hoe and ran toward tn,
road from which the sound had come
but all he could see was a long stretch
or dusty yellow in both directions anC
In the near distance four or five Here
fords grazing peacefully along the
fence.
Tom turned and saw a girl leaning
over the fence toward him, her hands
outstretched in supplication. She was
pretty and well dressed. Beside her
on the ground was a travelling bag.
What's wrong?" he called. rs any.
body-did anything hurt you?"
"lts-it's those cows" she shivered
They're coming this way! Oh, dc
hurry up and do something"
Sure! I'll chase EN-! Don't be
frightened. They won't hurt you"
He picked up stick and went az
ter the black and white bugaboos
peacefully eating the juicy young
grass in the fence corners.
The cows turned slowly with eyes of
hurt surprise and went quietly back
the way they had come through the
gap in the fence and into the pasture.
There was twinkle in his eye as he
went back to the girl sitting beside
the road. Her own eyes were shut
and she was breathing quickly.
Are they gomez" she whispered.
Yes. They won't eat you now"
She flushed angrily and sprang I'D.
It's Just as natural for me to be
afraid Of cows as it is for you farmers
to dodge trolleys and taxis in the
city" she retorted. She picked up her
bag and brushed at her dress. I'm
hunting Maybens. Will you please tell
me where they live?"
That's our house." answered Tom.
III you give me your bag I'll take you
over. Did you see mothers advertise
ment for summer boarders?"
Yes"
To herself Carolyn Wilson was say.
ing, Il ought to be able to pay ex-
penses here! The people promise well
If this one is sample. l can send in
story every day to the paper"
Carolyn wrote mornings and slept in
the afternoons, but after five o'clock,
when she made her daily trip to the
post Office and Toms work in the
fields was done they had many pleas
ant times together. To Tom it was
heaven. To the girl merely pastime.
Tom was intelligent, she discovered,
and knew lot of things. In fact, the
whole family was entertaining, and
Carolyn sent many humorous quip
to her paper accompanied by pen-and-
ink sketches, at which she was clever.
One Sunday, as she lay almost
asleep in the hammock, Tom picked
up a paper from the ground beside
her and started to read.
Suddenly he flung it down. That !
rot is unkind and untrue!" he cried. |
Those city chaps think it's funny to |
write all kinds Of things about US here |
in the country. It's all exaggerated |
and gives false impression. One
would think that people who work
with their hands can't grow brains at
all, that we are an ignorant, stupid lot
made to be laughed at, when the truth
of it is we are doing the real work of
the world"
Carolyn sprang to her feet. It was
on her tongue to defend what she had
done, but Tom, with his blazing eyes
and head thrown back, frightened her.
And he was right! Her head dropped.
Eyes! 1t is wrong!" she said sim.
ply. Tom" suddenly, I'm going home
Tomorrow! Good heavens!"
Eyes, I've some business to attend to
and must go. VIII you come to see
me sometime, Tom?" very kindly. DO |
you ever come to the city," s
"Yes!" he said after a pause. 81 do I
90 sometimes and I'll go to see you" t
So Carolyn said good-by to the May t
oens and Tom. II
On Tuesday, she reported at the of.
Ice, rested and ready for work. "
where's Stubbs?" she asked.
Stubbs was nickname for the editor
n-chief.
mot hero yet"
well, I'll wait inside" III
Someone ahead OF you" III
ooh, that's all right. I'll have com.
amy" IL
She opened the door and went in. o
There, in the editors chair, sat Tom
fayben. Carolyn went up close to the
esk and looked at him in silence.
'om, too. seemed too paralyzed to
peak.
Then the girls sense of humor tri-
implied. "Hello!" she giggled.
What's the joke? / leave you on
Ionday in blue jeans and boots. I
nd you on Tuesday in a tailor-made
nd spats. What's the joker" II
Joke? There isn't any unless it's
,r you to explain. What are you do
lg here?"
Il write for the paper"
$50 do l." he said. Scientific farm.
lg stuff. But I'm starting a magazine
II myself, so cams to your editor for
Twice."
Bravo, Tom," cried Carolyn. Some
~ I'm going to beg your forgiveness
II something, but not just now. II
IN wait"