“All but the name of Jane,” says Mr. Winklereid, with a grin. He was a great big man, and about as pleasant as any farmer in that part of the state. Everybody liked him on account of him always grinning and joking with folks, and it was said of him that he treated the animals on his place better than most men treated their families. “If you got the cow,” says Catty, and he grinned, too, “I guess I kin tend to christenin’ her Jane.” “Shouldn’t be s’prised a mite,” says Mr. Winklereid. “Who be you, anyhow?” I introduced them and Mr. Winklereid looked at Catty kind of sharp and says, “How come you in this deal?” “To make money,” says Catty. “I needed some money for a purpose I got in mind, and when I heard of a man that wanted a cow I figgered I’d buy him one and turn it over at a profit.” “Um!... You got gumption, young feller. Prepared to pay cash, be you?” “The man I’m a-sellin’ to, he’ll pay cash.” “How much?” “Don’t seem like I ought to tell you that. What I aim to do is to buy this cow off of you as cheap as I can and sell it to him as high as I can. If you knew what he’d pay me, why, you’d charge me more.” “Maybe so. Can’t tell. But you got business idees all right. Now here, young feller, is a cow I’ll guarantee to be kind and gentle, and capable of fillin’ the pail every evenin’ with the sweetest milk in this section. She’s young and willin’, and I’ll sell her to you for thirty-five dollars.” “Too high,” says Catty. “Tell you what I’ll do. I’ll give you thirty-two, even. I’ll drive her into town and sell her and fetch back the money in no time.” “How do I know you won’t run off with the money?” says Mr. Winklereid, but his eyes was kind of twinkling. Catty looked at him a minute like he was going to get mad, and then he says, “You know by the looks of me,” says he. Just like that. Mr. Winklereid laughed. “By Jing!” says he, “that was a mighty good answer. You git the cow, Sonny. Wait a minute till I put a leadin’-rope on her. Good luck to you. Any time you got business dealin’s of this here kind jest drop in to see me.” “Thankee,” says Catty, and in a couple of minutes more we were driving the cow down the road toward Mr. Gackins’s house. As we turned in his driveway Catty began talking to the cow. “Careful now, Jane,” says he. “Watch where you’re steppin’. You’re comin’ to your home now, and I hope you’re goin’ to enjoy it. There never was a better or pleasanter-natured cow than you and the way you give milk is a caution. I hate to part with you, but Mr. Gackins here needs a first-class cow and I want to find a home for you....” Then he pretended to notice Mr. Gackins, and says: “Here she is, sir.... Jane, here’s your new owner, Mr. Gackins. Come over and leave him pat your head.” Mr. Gackins came over and looked at Jane and talked to her and patted her head. “Guaranteed,” says Catty. He told how much milk she gave and all that as he had learned it from Mr. Winklereid. “I like her looks. How much?” says Mr. Gackins.