THE LAY OF THE COW.

SWITCH engine Louisa, “B., C. R. & M.,” Was slowing up Front Street about three P. M., When the stoker looked out of the window to say, “There’s a cow going ’cross the t-r-a-c-kay.” Pensively halted the cow on the track, Burs on her pendent tail, bran on her back; Dreaming of Summer, she seemed not to see The approach of the switch e-n-g-i-n-e. Once more spake the Stoker, “There she is now,” “Bully,” the engineer quoth, “for the cow.” And reversing his engine he cried, “Shoo! Oh, shoo!” Said the stoker, “Oh, shoo’t the see-oh-doubleyou.” Shrilly the whistle shrieked for its alarm, And the stoker threw firewood and coals in a swarm; But the cow never heeded, nor thought that her star Was setting at four miles an h-o-u-r. The switch engine struck her about amidships, And her Summer dreams met with a total eclipse; It mangled her carcase, most shocking to see, And threw her down Front s-t-r-double-e-tea. Sadly the engineer drew in his head, And “pulled her wide open,” as onward he sped; But the stoker smiled gayly, “Old fellow,” said he, “There’s some cheap porterhouse s-t-a-k-e.”⁠[A]