The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-06-10
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
When Tom Chased the Cows
BY LEILA EsMoNp

Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicatel.
Tom Maben was cultiyating the corn
when across the expanse Of golden
brown loan with the sholts OF tend.
er green came terrified scream. He
dropped the hoe and ran toward the
road from which the sound had come,
but all he could see was long stretch
OF dusty yellow in both directions and
In the near distance four or five Here
fords grazing peacefully along the
fence.
He listened intently, but hearing
nothing more turned to 60 back. Some
Of the Strauss kids playing under the
hazel bushes. suppose. but It did
sound as thought some one was in
mortal agony"
He had scarcely gone dozen feet
when some one called despairingly,
"oh, please don't go away!"
Tom turned and saw girl leaning
over the fence toward him, her hands
out stretched in supplication. She was
pretty and we'll dressed, her hat and
shoes almost matching the dust color
of the road. Beside her on the ground
was travelling bag.
whats wrong" he called, coming
back in a couple Of bounds. SIS any,
body-did anything hurt you?" He
looked quickly in every direction for
fleeing highwayman, or crouching
lion. or something OF that sort The
girls hysteria would warrant moth
ing less.
"lt's-it's those cows" she shivered.
They're coming this way! And can't
run. for IL l do they'll chase me and
l can't climb fence. oh, do hurry up
and do something!"
For Tom was standing motionless
and, indeed, open mouthed. He wasn't
quite sure he had heard Alright to be.
gin with, and II he had he wasn't GER
tain whether she was making a fool
Of him or posing for a movie, like the
crowd that had been there in the fall.
"oh, pleased"
This brought him to his senses.
There was no mistaking the frightened
agony Of her, tone. The girl was almost
scared to death!
"Surei I'll chase 'em. Don't be
frightened. They won't hurt you. They
got out of the pasture some way. The
gates been left open, l suppose. Why,
you're shaking like leaf! That's
too bad! But they wouldn't hurt you
in ten years. Why, they're afraid
OF you"
He picked up a stick and went af.
ter the black and white bugaboos
peacefully eating the juicy young
grass In the fence corners. get back,
there. Posey: go along there Molly,
hike; Scoot-the whole bunch Of
you'll
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.
Tom swung the big gate shut and fas-
tened it. There was q twinkle in his
eye as he went back to the girl sit.
ting beside the road. Her own eyes
were shut and she was breathing
quickly.
"Are they gomez" she whispered.
Eyes. They won't eat you now" II
was impossible for him to keep the
note OF fun out OF his voice.
She flushed angrily an sprang up
TITS 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. Anyway, you've no bus.
mess letting them roam around loose!"
She picked up her bag and brushed at
her dress. I'm hunting Maybens. Will
you please tell me where they liver
That's our house, = answered Tom.
1T you give me your bag I'll take you
over. Did you see mothers advertise.
ment for. summer boarders?"
Eyes" go
live didn't want her to do"
he began. and then changed Il. "She
wants money for some orphan fund
and has chosen this way Of getting
1t. Mothers wonder!"
But II he had any notion Of starting
conversation with the newcomer he
was mistaken. A short Indeed" was
her only reply.