108 M7 FARM. 



quest, but with no better success. The task became 

 the measure of a man's long-suffering disposition ; 

 some gave over, and lost their tempers before the first 

 trial was finished ; others conjured down the spirit 

 by all sorts of endearing epithets and tenderness, 

 until the conquest seemed almost made ; when sud- 

 denly pail, stool, and man would lapse together, and 

 a stream of curses carry away all record of the ten- 

 derness. We came back at last to Patrick's original 

 suggestion ; the legs must be tied. A short bit of 

 thick rope passed around one foot and loosely knot- 

 ted, then passed around the second and tied tightly 

 in double knot, rendered her powerless. There was 

 a slight struggle, but it was soon at an end ; and she 

 made no opposition to the removal of the thong after 

 the milking was over. With this simple provision, 

 the trouble was all done away ; and for a whole year 

 matters went well. But after this, there came a re- 

 former into control of the dairy. The rope was bar- 

 barous ; he didn't believe in such things ; he had seen 

 kicking cows before. A little firmness and gentle- 

 ness would accomplish the object better ; God didn't 

 make cows' legs to be tied. The position was a 

 humane one, if not logical. And the thong was dis- 

 carded. 



"Well Patrick," said I, two days after, "how 

 fares the cow ? " 



