The Nursery, May 1873, Vol. XIII. / A Monthly Magazine for Youngest Readers

VOLUME XIII.—No. 5 BOSTON: JOHN L. SHOREY, No. 36 BROMFIELD STREET. 1873.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, By JOHN L. SHOREY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. Boston: Rand, Avery, & Co., Stereotypers and Printers.

MABEL'S COW.
HE cow nearest to you in the picture is Mabel's cow; and Mabel Brittan is the taller of the two girls on the bridge. I will tell you why the cow is called Mabel's cow.
Her family live in a wild but beautiful part of New Hampshire, where it is very cold in winter, and pretty warm in summer. There are only two small houses within a mile of her father's. He keeps cows, and makes nice butter from the cream.
Not long ago he bought a cow at a great bargain, as he thought; for she was a fine-looking young cow, and the price he paid for her was only twenty-five dollars.
But, before he had got through the first milking of her, he began to think she was dear at any price. She would kick over the pail, make vicious plunges, and try to hook him. Indeed, he grew afraid of her, she was so violent.
He took down a heavy whip, and was about to strike her in great anger, when his little daughter Mabel caught his arm, and said, She will never be good for any thing if you strike her. Let me try to manage her.
And, before Mr. Brittan could prevent her, Mabel had her arm round the cow's neck, and was calling her all the sweet pet names she could think of.
All that is very well, said her father; but just you try to milk her: that's all. No, you sha'n't venture. It would be as much as your life is worth.