Cows and Courtship on the Farm 37 



CUPID EVEN ABOUT THE CHUBN 



Of course love-making was everywhere in the 

 olden days, at least where there was a man and a 

 maid — more particularly if the maid were a sweet, 

 pretty cream-of-the-country-society milkmaid. 

 Cupid was afoot in the hawthorn lane, in the shade 

 of the old apple-tree, in the farm parlour and the 

 dairy, as well as at the bars at the end of the lane. 



In my scrapbook I find a fragrant little poem 

 entitled ''Love-making at the Churn," which tastes 

 as sweet as butter and as good as bread. Jim 

 knew Mary 's churning day or evening, as the case 

 might be, and came across the fields, with light 

 springing footsteps, to help her at the task. Likely 

 they made poetry or sang love-songs while they 

 worked the old-fashioned churn-dasher. The touch 

 of her hand would be a thing divine and he 'd drink 

 of his love as men drink wine — or rather butter- 

 milk. Any young fellow who would help a pretty 

 dairymaid make condensed sunshine — butter, I 

 mean, couldn't fail to win his way in love affairs 

 and agriculture. 



HER SWEET VOICE CALLING CO-BOSS-CG ! 



Then there was Jo, on the next farm to Manda, 

 he'd hear her sweet voice calling Co-Boss Co ! and 

 stop the plough to listen to the milking call. Sure 

 thing, cows and courtship — cowbells and wedding 

 bells, were more or less linked up in the love 



