O
LD Bossy had been on the farm many years. She was a very fine cow in her prime; but as she grew old she learned some bad tricks. Although gentle and kind in the stable, she would push down fences, and open every gate on the farm. She would get into the cornfields, make herself at home in the wheat and oats, and do a great deal of mischief.
Some check had to be put upon her. So one day shewent to the pasture with her head tied down to her foot by a strong rope. In about three hours a man came running up to the house, to tell us that old Bossy had fallen over a log, and was lying on her back.
Now, if a cow gets down on her back, in this way, in a place where she cannot turn over, she is in great danger. It is called being "cast." This man said, "Come quickly, for old Bossy is cast." Every one ran to the pasture, and by much pulling and lifting got the cow up. She looked very happy to be on her feet once more; but as soon as the rope was cut she was at her old tricks again.
The very next day she was found quietly eating down a neighbor's corn. Something must be done. We did not like to tie her head down again: so we concluded to put a board over her eyes.
The board was brought, and fastened with cords to her horns. She stopped chewing her cud at once and stood still. The men left her in the lane that led to the pasture, and went to their work. She did not move. I don't think she even whisked her tail to drive away the flies.
When the men came home to dinner, they were surprised to see her still standing in the very place where they left her. They patted her kindly, took the board off, and saw on her forehead a spot as large as a man's hand, where the hair had turned grayish-white. There was not a bit of white on her forehead before the board was put on. The poor thing had begun to turn gray from sheer fright.
We all felt sorry for her; and the board was never again tied to her horns. After a time she began to chew her cud, and seemed all right; and she went on pushing down the fences, and opening the gates, just as often as before. This is a true story.
ROYALSTON, WIS. MRS. LUCY EASTMAN ERMINE.
tree by a brookThere'sa glad merry voice, children, calling to you,A gay burst of song from a wee bit of blue,Poised daintily there on the maple-twig now,Like a bright little blossom upon the bare bough,—"Tu-ra-la, tu-ra-lee,We're coming, you see:I'm building my nest in the old apple-tree."To you, little children, this message I bring,The birds, every one, will return with the spring.What care I if cold winds are blowing around!The flowers are already awake under ground.Tu-ra-la, tu-ra-lee:If snowflakes I see,I'll dream they are blooms shaken off from the tree."Hark! the shy little brooklet is humming a songAs it breaks loose from winter, and dances along.How happy we'll be through the blithe summer hours,—The children, the sunbeams, the birds, and the flowers!Tu-ra-la, tu-ra-lee:How busy we'll be,My sweet mate and I, in the old apple-tree!"RUTH REVERE.
Words byGeo. Cooper.Music byD. B. Moody.
Music: The Bird's Retun
[Transcriber's Note: You can play this music (MIDI file) by clickinghereand a larger image of the music sheet may be seen by clicking on the image.]
1 "Where have you been, little birdie,Where have you been so long?""Warbling in glee,Far o'er the sea,And learning for you a new song.My sweet,Learning for you a new song."2 "Why did you go, little birdie,Why did you go from me?""Winter was here,Leafless and drear,And so I flew over the sea.My sweet,And so I flew over the sea."3 "What did you see, little birdie,What did you see each day?""Sunshine and flowers,Blossoms and bowers,And pretty white lambkins at play.My sweet,Pretty white lambkins at play."4 "Who kept you safe, little birdie;Who kept you safe from harm?""The Father of all,Of great and of small:He sheltered me under his arm.My sweet,Under his dear, loving arm."
Transcriber's Notes:Obvious punctuation errors repaired.The original text for the January issue had a table of contents that spanned six issues. This was divided amongst those issues.Additionally, only the January issue had a title page. This page was copied for the remaining five issues. Each issue had the number added on the title page after the Volume number.Page 106, the final line of the first stanza of "Going to School" was indented to follow the pattern of the remaining stanzas.
Transcriber's Notes:Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
The original text for the January issue had a table of contents that spanned six issues. This was divided amongst those issues.
Additionally, only the January issue had a title page. This page was copied for the remaining five issues. Each issue had the number added on the title page after the Volume number.
Page 106, the final line of the first stanza of "Going to School" was indented to follow the pattern of the remaining stanzas.