the best of her race; but being merely a somewhat venerable cow, she
could only wander. In the wide fields still surrounding the Mansion
there was sufficient pasturage for many cows, and certainly too much for
one; so there was not the slightest reason why she should trespass upon
village dooryards except the fact that she delighted to do so. Broken
gates, which there was nobody to repair, made wandering easy; and it may
be that she had, in part, acquired the habit in the days of her youth,
when Verplanck Sturtevant had 'tended her as his son did now. Both
masters were far better content elsewhere than at home, and Whitey fully
shared their preferences. She had wandered again, some two days since,
and had not returned at nightfall, as was her habit. Therefore,
remembering that at the "Hallowe'en Corkis" there would be many children
assembled, and that children "know everything" of village happenings,
Madam had come, meaning to ask for news.

So the daisies had it, truly; and to the young bond-maid the longed-for
happiness had been given.

When Madam had been assigned a place beside Miss Eunice, and the murmur
of voices had recommenced, somebody struck a bell and every ear and eye
became attentive. Katharine did not know whether this were the approved
method of bringing a "Corkis" to silence, but it was one that served in
school and proved to do so here. While the silence lasted and the
crowding guests craned their necks forward, she was seen to lead, push,
or in some manner propel a reluctant boy toward a ladder resting against
the hay-mow and in full sight of most.

The boy was Montgomery, of course, and he was positively shaking with
fright; but the girl whispered something in his ear--"For Uncle Mose!"
and he rallied to his duty. Tossing off her guiding hand, he ran to the
ladder, mounted it half-way, and faced about upon the multitude. He had
been well tutored. He fixed his eyes not upon the faces below but at an
exalted roof-beam, and addressing that began:

"Girls and boys, gentlemen and ladies: You have been invited here
to-night to enjoy yourselves and to make somebody else enjoy himself.
That somebody is Uncle Moses Jones, whom we all love, and who has had
lots of trouble and broken bones lately. Next Tuesday is going to be
election when our fathers and mothers vote, or--or--fathers do, anyway.
If we ask our folks to do things they generally do them. What I ask now
is that every one of you shall ask your f