Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-08-16
A MODEL HOG REEVE.
by THE YOUNG 'UN.

Years ago, and for aught we know, it
still exists-there was statute in vogue in
New Hampshire, !egalizing the annual cleo
ton of hog-reeves throughout the towns in
that State. The office was lucrative one,
in some places, though it was generally
made opprobious, and the most obnoxious
individuals in the community were usually
selected to fill the post. Some good jokes
occurred in various ways, in connection
with the office, however.
Farmer Thorow resided in small town,
above Nashua, and prided himself on the
neatness of his cattle, the cleanliness of his
fields, the symmetry of his fences, and the
thriftiness Of his orchards-but farmer T.
was nervous man, penurious and close
listed.
Waking early one morning, he discover
ed on a sudden, from his chamber window,
that four large hogs had broken into nice
young orchard Of his, just below the house
and in his usual excitabe manner, he
hurried on his clothes and made the best of
his way down to Squire Looksharp, (the
hog-reeve was called "'Squire,") whom he
very quickly aroused, with his vociferous
complaint.
"Now, Squire" he said, "hurry up
There's four of my neighbours hogs got i'll
to my little apple orchard, and if you'll hur-
ry, it'll be good job for you; they're
fat ones, an no mistake"
BE right straight along" said the Squire
who remembered the details OF the law re-
lating to this sort of seizure-one half to
The hog reeve, and the other half to the
poor Of the town-and within half an hour
he had peaceahle possession of four animals
such as the neighborhood couldn't other
wise boast of!
The seized hogs were quickly slaughter
ed by the town official, and were shortly
" hung up to dry" in the 'Squire's store
house. Farmer Il. righted up his broken
fence, and then repaired to his yard, to see
, that all was snug at the pig pen; he had no
idea that his hogs should trouble his neigh
bors; not he--when 10 he found that a
board had been forced from the side of the
enclosure, and the sly was empty
In the meantime, Squire Looksharp had
had the seized hogs dressed and now he
sent for his good wife, who appeared at the
store house door.
&C Betty" said the Squire, the statooi
pervides, in case of seizure, that one haf
the pigs shall go to the official, an the Other
| hatf to the poor. Now, Betty, who's poorer
than yOu are r.
"Sure enough" said the 'Squires wife
f obedientIy, "sure enough If any body.
poorer than am, I'd like to hear abaoui
II"
/ Well--so cal'late, Betty An THAR.
fore one half these pigs goes to the poor
that's yon,) and the other half, as said
, aiore, goes to the oficer-an' that's me P
| aud the four hogs very soon found their way
into Squire Looksharp's pork barrels.
An hour afterwards, Farmer Thorow ar
rived at the 'Squires, sprang over the stile
!, into the house, through the back kitchen,
ut again into the yard, where he encoun-
!, tered the Squire, quietly at work.
) " say Squire"
/ Hello !"
: Whatn thunder you dom"
: Baout what?"
! Where's the pigs?"
: Distributed according TO law"
What ?"
I Half to the hog-reeve. half to the poor
? They're mine !" shouted Farmer r..
half crazed at his loss. "They are mine
, 'Squire-broke out o. my pen"
You made the complaint yourself"
Fl 81 know--bu-"
f can its too late, Farmer the property.
dewly dvided-cant 60 behind the statoot. y
, The farmer squirmed, threatened to be
, revenged on somebody, at the first opportu
nifty, but seeing his mistake, at length re-
: turned home and from that day forward
q had no occasion for similar lesson. Ht
e never afterwards complained of his neigh
boris hogs!-Amer. Union.