Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1850-10-03
berkshire Pigs.

You all remember what perfect ma
MIA prevailed some years ago on the sub
iect of Durham calves, Berkshire pigs,
South Down sheep, sc. Wen, ! had a
|neighbor by The name of Martin, who
was an uncommon clever physician and
an importer Of fine stock. One day the
doctor stopped to get his horse shod at
neighbor Birds, the blacksmith, who
lived about two miles from the doctors
house. The doctor commenced talking
about his fine Berkshire pigs, and told
the blacksmith, in a fit Of liberality, that
he would give him a pig out of .he next
litter that SUI" had.
In the course Of two months or there
aboufs, the Doctor called at the shop,
/ and told neigbor Bird that & Su" had a
fine litter, ard to send and get his pig.
So Bird posts his man Bob OF with his
wife's large willow basket to get the
lpig. III
Betwoe+ Tslfa's and Martins, Sam
Smith, who was great quiz, kept a lit
tie grocery, and seeing Bob coming post
haste on his masters horse, old Tom,
with his basket on his arm, he sang
out -
Halloo, Bob, where are you going in
such hurry this morning?n
81 is gwine to Massa Doctor Martins
to get Massa Toms Buckshur pig, what
Massa Doctor promised Massa Tom de
las time he shod de hos, said the negro,
as he rairsd in the animal.
Well, Bob, you must stop as you
come back, and let me see the pig"
"Dat | will, Massa Sam dat will"
And away he went, at the top of " old
Toms" speed.
In less than an hour Bob returned
with genuine swine, and alighted at the
grocery, he lifted the cover of the basket,
and to the astonished gaze of the grocery
man, who imagined Berkshire TO be
something more than mere hog, exhib-
tied very beautiful specimen of a jet
black pig. An idea struck Sam Smith
TO play a joke OIL Bob, and knowing his
propensity TO inbibe, told him to go into
the grocery and get a dram. While
Bob was gone, Sam Smith ran round the
back Of the house, and got little black
pup nighabout the same size, took the
pig out Of the basket, and put the pup
in. When Bob came out and mounted
his nag, Sam Smith handed him the bas-
ket, and off be went. On arriving at
home the blacksmith asked him if he
had got the pig. ns
eyes, massa, and very fine pig he
be too," said Bob, lifted up the cover,
g black as a coal,n when to the utter as
constituent Of Bob and Bird, there lay a
little black curly puppy.
" Is that Berkshire pig Z" asked the
blacksmith in amazement. Why, il is
la pup, not a pig"
Bless de Lor," said Bob, g he be pig
when | put him in the basket, but he
change TO pupil"
Take him back, sir,'' said Bird, high
ly indignant, "and tell DIR. Martin that
/ don't want to be fooled with his pup
pies, and il he don't want TO give me a
Berkshire pig, TO say So"
Bob started back, and, naturally en-
ough, stopped at the grocery to relate
his mishap to Sam Smith, who heard
him out with a countcnance expressive
of wonder, at the same time doing his
best to control his increasing desire to
burst into fits.
!" Well. get down, Bob" said the gro
Ger, " and take another dram"
Bob didn't require second invite,
and while nc was getting bis dram the
grocer took the pup from the basket, and
put back the pig.
Massa SAM" said Bob, coming out
to mount bis horse, +" am mighty OBJ
fusticeted bout dis big; ! know he is a
pig fust, but den know he is pup
too. Arnt you sartain, Massa Sam, he
was pig fust?" asked Bob, as he noun
ted his horse.
ell swear to it, replied Smith; and
away Bob rode for the doctors.
On arriving al the house Bob deliver
ed his message. but the doctor seeming
somewhat incredulous as to the truth of
the story, Bob, with a flourish Of insult
ted veracity, opened the lid Of the bas-
ket, when 10 there was the identical
pig that he had started with. Bob stood
transfxed, and with his eyes protruding,
and mouth open, remarked:
" BY golly, faint no use, massa; he
be pup or pig, just as he pleases."
FIRsr rowx IL AMERIcA.-The Ma