It was but a few weeks after this, that, as Harriet and I were oneevening passing Mr. Graham's house, we saw a man tying a rope around theneck of his fine cow, which was noted everywhere for her gentleness andfor the quantity of milk she gave. In the yard, not far from the cow,stood Mr. Graham. He was looking very serious, but did not say anything. But poor Jessie!--her arm was over the cow's neck and her facerested against her side, while she sobbed so loudly that we heard herbefore we reached the gate. As I did not quite understand what wasgoing on, I hesitated a little about entering, but Mr. Graham saw me,and stepping up opened the gate. As I went in, I said to him, "What isthe matter with my friend Jessie?"
He tried to smile as he replied, "Only parting with the cow, ma'am. Itis very foolish in her to take on so;--but she has always fed her, andso the creature knows and follows her, and Jessie feels as if she wasjust like a friend."
"But why are you parting with your cow, Mr. Graham?"
Mr. Graham colored and turned a little away from me as he said, "It isnot just convenient to me to keep her at present, ma'am."
I saw from his manner that it would pain him to have me ask furtherabout his reasons for selling her. Supposing that the cow was alreadysold, I asked who had bought her.
"Nobody yet, ma'am," said Mr. Graham, "I am only sending her to town tobe sold."
"Then I am very glad I came here before she went," said I, "for I shouldlike very much to own her, and I will give you gladly whatever youexpected to get for her in town."
Jessie looked up at this, and as she saw her father hesitate, cried out,"Oh yes! do, father, sell her to Aunt Kitty, and I can see poor Moolysometimes; and then too, if you are ever rich enough to buy her back, Iknow she will let you have her again."
"You are a foolish thing," said Mr. Graham, as he put his hand kindly onJessie's head, for we had walked together to the cow--then turning tome, he told me he would be very glad to sell the cow to one who he knewwould use her well. The business was soon arranged. The cow was to betaken home at once to my house; but she need not be tied, for Jessiewould lead her there, and there was no difficulty in getting her tofollow Jessie. Mr. Graham went along with us too, to receive his money.Before Jessie left us I begged her to feed the cow for me.
"That I will, ma'am," said the delighted girl, "and if you will let me,I will come every evening and give her her supper, for I am sure shewill like it better, if she takes it from me."
"I shall be very much obliged to you, Jessie, and as your friend Moolymay not be quite so gentle with strangers as with you, if you will comeover and keep her quiet when she is milked in the morning, you will bedoing me a favor, and then you can carry back the cup of warm milk whichHarriet tells me your grandmother drinks every morning."
Jessie looked at me for a moment with a happy smile, and then said, "Oh,ma'am! how glad I am that you walked by our house this evening. Thiswill be almost as good as having Mooly at home ourselves."