262 The. Farm on the Flats. [May, 



toraer he had to deal with. He sold him six cows at a price con- 

 siderably higher than he expected to get in New York. A lad in 

 his service drove them to Mr. Lord's barn, where they were soon 

 reviewed and fed with great complacency by their new owner. 



" I have been so fortunate as to procure six of the finest cows 

 in a large drove," said he, with considerable animation to his wife. 



" We can have some fresh butter then of our own making." 



"A great abundance of it." 



" Margaret," said Mrs. Lord, " I should like a little fresh milk. 

 The cows have come. While you go to see them; just milk part 

 of a bowl full for me." 



Margaret took her pail and went to the yard. " He assured 

 me that we shoukl have no trouble in milking them," said Mr. 

 Lord. " They must be gentle." 



It was not long before Margaret was seen returning with an 

 empty pail, a red face, and something in the general movement 

 of her person, indicating a disturbance of feeling, very nearly ap- 

 proaching to irrascibility. 



" Where is the milk?" " said Mrs. L. 



" Sorrow a bit of milk will you see from the cratures this sum- 

 iBer. Havn't they been fatted for the slaughter, and dried up 

 months ago? " 



" He said we should have no trouble in milking them." 



" The rnore's the pity. Little trouble indeed is one like to have 

 when there is no more milk about them than there is in the dry 

 straw." 



" Mr. Lord recollected that in his inquiries, he had said nothing 

 about milch cows. In fact the distinction which he now found 

 to exist among those worthy animals, had never been the subject 

 of distinct apprehension with him. He w^as somewhat at a loss 

 to know what to do, and was half-inclined to ask advice. He 

 resolved to make another effort. He went to his nearest neighbor 

 and inquired if he had a cow for sale, a cow that gave milk." 



" I have a cow," said the farmer, " that gives first rate milk, 

 and a great deal of it." 



"Will you sell her?" 



" I may, if I can get my price." 



" How much do you ask? " 



Instead of giving a direct answer, Mr. Burke began to expati- 

 ate on the excellence and quantity of the milk furnished by said 

 cow. A bargain was at length struck. 



" If you find that she don't give as much as I tell you, it is no 

 sale." 



The cow was driven home. A large quantity of tempting food 

 was given her, and Margaret was summoned to pronounce her 

 judgment upon her. Margaret brought her pail, and commenced 



