218 FARMING IT 



shoulder, and three X's on her flank. Then I 

 quietly led her to the hitching-post at the side 

 of the house and awaited developments. 



In a moment my wife came to the door, with 

 wide-open eyes. "For gracious sake what have 

 you been doing to that cow?" she demanded. 



"Oh, nothing," Ireplied, "that's the way range- 

 cattle are branded. This cow had a good many 

 owners and evidently each one branded her," 

 I further explained. 



"It's no such thing," she retorted hotly, "you 

 did it yourself. That explains why she bellowed 

 so this winter." 



She had bellowed a good deal when I took 

 away her calf, but I did not say so, for I always 

 liked to get a rise out of my wife. 



"I think it is just horrid in you, and about the 

 cruelest thing I ever heard of, and you have just 

 spoiled her looks." 



Now out of the corner of my eye I could see 

 old Cyrus peering over the fence and listening 

 gloatingly to the conversation. After giving him 

 time to satisfy himself thoroughly, I led the cow 

 back to the barn, followed by my wife, and there 

 illustrated the matter by drawing on the off-side 

 of the animal a serpent and a circular brand, 

 while that delighted animal stood with eyes half 

 closed in ecstasy. 



Much relieved and amused, my wife went back 



