The Nome daily nugget., 1937-09-04
The Zebra
By James J. Montague

CHE was supposed to be partly Jer- O sey and partly other things.
 firmly believed, after the first time drove her to pasture that she was at least half zebra. This opinion was based on her markings. which l after ward learned were called brindles. These were darkish yellow stripes that extended from her spine down her sides, much as her ribs would have appeared had there been X-ray ma chimes in those days. and if she would have submitted to any internal photo graphings. which. from what know or her know she would not.
 My father proudly drove her home one night and committed her to my care. He said that boy of twelve ought to be able to take charge of cow-especially such a nice gentle COW as this one. While he was saying this the animal turned her head slightly and glanced at me out of the corner of one eye I knew from that time forward that we two were not soon to be friends. She proceeded to confirm that conviction the first time 1 attempted to milk her.
 approached her gingerly on the side from which the milking Is done. She moved over gently toward the side of her stall, and without any apparent effort flattened me against it's wall protected myself with my fist, the ot hon braced her feet again,' the floor and pushed little harder. My breath de- parted from my body. but managed to worm my way out and dive under. heath her to the other side of the stall, where there was more room. She split tacks and came after me again, but this time had backed away to safety
 What to do about iti could n, admit that an undersized COW, how. ever ugly her disposition. could defeat me. got long pole that was for merly used to separate two horses in another stall. One end of this braced against cleat on the floor, the other 1 wedged into her ribs. Then l bal. anced myself on the pole and jumped as hard as my eighty pounds would permit. Taken by surprise she moved over. And for time she remained so astonished that 1 was able to ex- tract about a quart of milk from her. Then she recovered from her aston. ishment, and with one swift motion of her off hind hoOf scattered that quart of milk on the stable floor. gave up and went into the house, declaring that I had not been trained in a zoo, and was wholly unfitted by size and craft to compete with wild animal.
 Drive her out to pasture tomorrow. and you will get acquainted with her. But don't half-mllk her any more. That's how COWS go dry" My father was a man who expected to be obeyed. 1 went to bed and dreamed that l was flying over a fence with a pair of horns immediately behind me. When 1 woke up was consOled by the fact that felt little pain. and then thought of driving that COW to pas. ture.
 Practically nothing can spoil boy $ breakfast, but my mother observed that l ate only three waffles and was alarmed. "l think your father should have driven the COW to the pasture the first day. anyway" she said. But never mind. She is only COW. She won't hurt you"
 Completely convinced of the erro, of this statement, and of woman's na tive inability to understand animals 1 went grudgingly to the barn. My charge was sleering placidly and wher 1 prodded her indicated by snort that she did not want her beauty nap dis turbed. l inslsted-wlth the stick, ant she rose and looked at me.
 It was . look of unfrlendliness, might say of positive dislike. But sh,
 was . little more patient about suffer l ing the lozs of her milk. had tn,