The Black Swans 



that in the winter time each individual 

 member of the herd knew her own 

 particular stall inside the barn, and 

 rarely made mistake in seeking it. 

 Each knew that a bed of clean, dry- 

 straw had been prepared before they 

 entered for the night, and that all 

 troughs and mangers were well-filled 

 and waiting. And when the storm 

 went driving by as a bitter night came 

 on and the big bare trees along the 

 creek were lashed and coated with the 

 driving snow or sleet, and I had gone 

 to bed, how satisfied I used to feel to 

 know that those four-footed friends 

 were warm and snug inside and did not 

 want! 



I am sorry I cannot say that I saw 

 very many well-bred animals this day 

 of my October gypsying along this 

 country road. It is a district populated 

 mainly by folk of German birth or 

 blood, and whatever of thrift or other 

 virtues they may possess, an apprecia- 

 tion of improved varieties of domestic 



[i94] 



