ing to the chickens, one to the
fruit trees, one to the vegetable garden, one to the horse, several to
the cow, and so on. It will be seen later on why, in this distribution
of labor, Steve always assigned several men--able-bodied at that--to
the cow. It has already been mentioned that he was persuaded early in
his matrimonial career to buy a beast of this variety. This beautiful
animal (for she was handsome, unless she be judged by the homely rule
that regulates beauty by conduct) he immediately presented to Nannie.
Whether she was originally vicious (and this her former owner
vehemently denied) or was affected by the nature of her mistress, no
one knows. Suffice it to say that upon Nannie's flying out of the
house to gaze upon her new possession, the latter lowered her head,
raised her tail like a flagstaff, and galloped to meet her, and it was
only by the execution of a sort of double-barreled backward somersault
that Nannie saved her life.

"Most extraordinary conduct," said Steve. "Threatening from both
ends."

Nannie was in no wise dismayed, and either by reason of her
fearlessness or because of a secret bond between their natures, she
and Sarah Maria--for so she named her after a troublesome
neighbor--became comrades after a fashion. Between Sarah Maria and
Brownie, however, there was always war from horn to heel, and nothing
could effect a reconciliation. The danger of this enmity was clearly
demonstrated on a Sabbath morning, otherwise peaceful, when Nannie
started out with Brownie (the former carrying a milk pail, for some
reason best known to herself, since she knew nothing of milking) and
went down to the pasture for Sarah Maria. The latter was awaiting them
at the bars, and, as it appeared, was ready for the business of the
day. No sooner was she liberated from the bondage of the pasture than
she made a bold charge upon Brownie, who promptly took to cover behind
his mistress, barking the while in a manner both rasping and
aggravating to one of Sarah Maria's irritable nervous system. The
bovine's attention being now drawn to Nannie, it behooved the latter
to clear the path, and in short order, and Steve, who came running to
the scene, attracted by the din of battle, beheld with horror-stricken
sight a confused medley consisting of wife, dog, Sarah Maria, milk
pail--all going head over heels into the nearest ditch.

By some miracle no one was hurt, and an energetic use of the milk
pail--a use unforeseen b