28 MY VINEYARD. 



word ; but a horse cannot, or at least he does not, practice 

 such deception. He always reveals his disposition in his 

 eye. 



The requirements of our household seemed to demand 

 the purchase of two cows, so as to secure a continual sup- 

 ply of milk, there being in the house a certain brown- 

 haired boy of three years, who was possessed of a firm 

 notion that that beverage was particularly well adapted 

 to his wants. There were plenty of cows to be found 

 who were to come in in the succeeding spring, but to find 

 one who would give milk until that time, was the difficul- 

 ty. By a considerable inquiry and search, a couple of 

 cows, which seemed to meet our wants, were found and 

 purchased. One of them, red, with a white face and one 

 white foot, foi'tunately the one we most needed, being 

 then in milk, proved a good one. The other was a brin- 

 dle. I have often wondered how so much viciousness 

 could be wrapped up in so small a hide. She would kick 

 with the most unparalleled vehemence, on the least provo- 

 cation, and without any provocation at all. ]!fo amount 

 of so-o-o-o-o bossing, or other gentle words, or the bland- 

 est coaxing seemed to have any effect. Nor were the 

 gentle persuasions of the milking-stool, vigorously applied, 

 in any respect more effectual. What object she had in 

 view, if any object there were, in making these aerial ex- 

 ploits, is something I never could divine. And then the 



