She is bright and a general favorite. Her father keeps a Jersey cow, which has a calf. The calf and little Dillie have formed a mutual affection.
“In the adjoining lot to Mr. Welsh is a mineral well, which has a low opening, and a child can stand and look over it. A few days ago Dillie and her calf were playing near the well when the little girl went too near. She crawled up and was looking over, when the calf came up and held onto her dress with his teeth. She lost her balance and fell over in the mouth of the well. The calf held on to the child's clothes while she was suspended in the air over the water. If the animal had let go the dress, the child would have been drowned. The child was rescued by a servant, and the calf was happy.”
“That's a very pretty story,” said George; “and I have a good one to go with it.” Thereupon he read something which he said was from The Greenville (N. C.) Reflector.
“An amusing incident occurred at the home of Mr. S. M. Jones, near Bethel, recently. Among his cattle was a calf that seemed to possess a very great dislike to being roped at milking time and always made quite an objection. One morning Mrs. Jones went out to attend the milking, and upon looking in the accustomed place for the rope failed to find it. While the search for it was going on the calf thought, perhaps, to get more than his share of the milk, but something seemed to interfere with the imbibing process, and his peculiar actions attracted attention to him, whereupon it was discovered that the calf had swallowed the rope, but failed to make a complete job of it, as the noose was hanging from one corner of his mouth. The noose was laid hold of and a steady pull brought the rope to light. The calf is sufficiently amused and doesn't swallow any more ropes to evade being tied.”
“Isn't it unusual for calves or any of their relatives to display as much intelligence as we have in these two stories?” one of the boys asked.
“Decidedly unusual,” was the reply, “and that's the reason why these performances have been placed on record. But the fact is,” the gentleman continued, “that the ox is not as stupid a creature as is generally supposed. He is patient and slow, and for this reason the conclusion has been arrived at that he is correspondingly dull. The naturalists tell us that some of the tribes of South Africa trust to oxen to care for their flocks, and that the sagacious animals perform their duties in a manner worthy of the highest praise. They are quick to discover the approach of danger, and if the flocks are attacked by wild animals the oxen show a great deal of bravery in defending their charges. But while brave, they are prudent, and will not take any needless risk. When night approaches they drive the flocks to the camp or village, and if any of the sheep are inclined to straggle. The watchful guardians prod them in no gentle manner with their horns and make them understand that they are liable to severe punishment.
alt="191 " width="100%" />