Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-26

countryside pedestrian. The latter
honestly prefers easy going. but the
former likes, or processes TO like, cliffs
and creeks and COWS.
When he, comes to creek, or other
stream, nothing will do him but that
all wade 1t. There may be . nice
bridge not . hundred yards up the
Sundry take to the water. One realizes,
now, that he knew all about this
stream when the hike began. He had
the entire "crick" up his sleeve, as It
were, waiting for this very moment,
when he could look at you with q sly
wink, which seemed to say, "Well.
expect you will wilt here, all right"
One approaches 1t rather gingerly.
There are Q few large rocks sticking
one place, and right in the middle of
the stream, OF course, where only long
legs and the leaping abilities Of q
goat will get one across.
Its not Deep" he says, f1endishly.
"Only about 8 feet there, and you can
make 1t easily"
Oh, you can make It easily enoughi
Nothing could be easier for you, you
attempt to intimate, than q leap 6
feet broad and perhaps as many high.
You could do O great deal better than
doubt q bit rusty now. Still, this will
be easy-not only easy, but positively
pleasant. Positively you step onto the
FIRST rock and positively you stride to
the next. The fool is paying no more
attention to you; he has gone on ahead,
leaping across the chasm as II it were
mere child's play. He deserves nothing
less than drowning, but he doesn't
even get wet.
~ II n
As for COW facing, 1t Is at once an
art a business and q profession. We
mean, Of course, for the person unac-
customed to cows. To face a COW in a
meadow is entirely different from meet
ing her in barn. Behind the Stanch-
ion, or whatever 1t is the worthy crea-
ture stands behind, she seems gentle
enough, with her soft ears, and cud
chewing, and all that. In the meadow
she becomes positively malignant, as
she raises her head and eyes one with
Surely few hippopotami could equal
her, when it comes to sheer bulk. Now
dozen Of her comrades come trooping
I'D from over the shoulder Of yonder
charming little knoll. It was charming
enough q moment ago, when one
thought it unoccupied, but now that Il
holds a large tonnage OF COW, 1t Is a
menace.
Stealthily the cows advance.
And one faces them. This Is what Is
known as cow facing. It Is better to
face them bluntly, and at once, than
after q rapid retreat. The best way is
to take ones seat at the base Of a large
tree, and to pretend to be reading.
This maneuver will cause the COWS
to become puzzled. They will stand
around in large ring, at comfortable
distance, and make mooing sounds out
Of the corners of their large mouths.
Continue to read. Assure yourself
that COWS, after all, are comparatively
harmless, despite their bulk and horns
and their intense curiosity. Remember
that the COW is one Of mankind's best
friends. Repeat this over and over.
After awhile the COWS viii become tired
Of the. spectacle, and go away. Wait
until they are again behind the knoll,
then suddenly lose interest In youS
reading, and get away from the meadow
as rapidly as possible.
These are a few Of the main points
for the cautious urban pedestrian to
inquire into, when an enthusiast comes
in with glowing stories Of beautiful
country road to be explored some sunny
Sunday afternoon. Pin him down as
to cliffs, creeks &nd COWS. II he can
satisfy you as to their lack, the remain
ing risks Of. chiggers, poison ivy, surly
dogs and Jones' old bull will be easy.