akes ye think so, parson?"

"Didn't you know that she would break down almost any fence?"

"Yes, I suppose I did."

"And that she would naturally take my cow with her?"

As the captain did not answer, the parson continued.

"You did it merely to make a scoff at religion, and have a joke to tell
at the store for others to laugh at. Oh, I know your tricks well
enough. I have striven to live peaceably with all men, but you have
sorely tried me on various occasions. Whatever good I have done in
this parish, you have endeavoured to undo it by your scoffs and
actions. I often wonder why you do such things to oppose me."

Into the captain's face came an expression of surprise mingled with
anger. He had never heard the clergyman speak to him so plainly
before, and he resented it.

"You have had your say, parson, and I have the cow," he retorted, "so
we are quits. Come and take her out of my yard if ye dare."

"I don't intend to try, captain. If you wish to injure your own soul
by stealing Brindle you may do so. I can get another, only it will be
hard on the little chap not to get his milk. I see it is no use for us
to continue this conversation any further," and the clergyman turned to
go.

"Hold on, parson," the captain cried, as he took a quick step forward.
"D'ye mean the wee lad which was left at yer door t'other night?"

"Why, yes," the clergyman replied, in surprise, as he turned around.
"How did you hear about him?"

"H'm, ye can't keep anything in this place a secret fer twenty-four
hours. Trust the women to find out, especially about a baby, ha, ha!"

"Well, what of it?" and the parson looked keenly into the captain's
eyes.

"Ob, nothin', except that if the wee chap has to go without his milk
because I have Brindle, it makes all the difference in the world, see?"

"And you will let me have the cow without any fuss?"

"Sure. I'll bring her right over, and milk her fer ye, too. And, see
here, parson, I didn't mean to offend ye. I know that I am a queer
cranky cuss, but I never meant to keep Brindle. I only wanted to have
a little fun, that's all. You've gone up a peg in my estimation since
I heard that ye'd taken in that poor little waif. Shake on it, and let
bygones be bygones."

So there in the middle of the road on this peaceful morning, the two
neighbours clasped hands, and as Parson Dan walked slowly back to his
house there was a sweet peace in his heart, and his eyes were a little