Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-05-25
DoCTORING A PIG.

Mr. Michael Pagan is a very worthy repre-
sentative from ssGreen Erin,' residing IN a
small dwelling in small village near Boston.
Michael is industrious and strives hard to turn
an honest penny to account, whenever, and
however, there may be the slightest prospect
of profit. Michael has a little patch of ground
behind his house, where he supports a few
ducks and chickens; and the freshest eggs in
the neighborhood can always be found on his
premises, for he never allows himself to be
possessed of more than single dozen at any
time before diSposing of them. In addition
to his stock of poultry, Michael purchased a
young pig, which after four months petting
and nursing, he prided himself upon exhibit
ing to his friends and acquaintances, as one
of the ssswatest and kindest craythurs in the
wurld.''
But Michael's pig took sick, and from his
coughing and sneezing symptoms, it was GER
tainly evident that he had contracted very
bad cold.
Close by the residence of this honest Hiber-
nian, there dwells the village physician, kind
hearted man, and very skillful, whose practice
is none OF the largest. As he came from his
house, short time since, Michael stood at
his gate, ruminatng upon the chances in favor
OF his favorite porker, and observing the doc
tor, he hailed him with: S'The top NV the
mornin' to ye docthur!'
''Ah, Michael, how are you ?''
ssIt's very we'll l am meself docthur-but
perhaps ye'll be tellin' poor man what he d
be afther, dou' for his pig; ahone F.. ahone
he's very sick, docthur.''
''Pig,' exclaimed the doctor with smile,
''what pig, Michael, and what's the matter
with him %
s.Shure he's very bad indade, SO he is. y
cowid, docthur, shneezin' and barllin the head
off him and divil blasht the thing l can do wild
him.
''Well, really, Michael, can't say, I'm not
pig doctor!"
s'Shure it's myself that knows that. But if
it was gosson instead NV the darlin' craythur
what would | be afther doing wild him for the
cowld he has 10
ssWelI,'' continued the doctor, considerate-
ly, s'were it child, Michael, perhaps should
recommend a mustard poultice to his back,
and his feet put in hot water.''
s.lt's meself that's obliged to We, docthur,
he dad l am,'' responded Mike, as the physi-
clan passed along, and he entered his house.
ssBiddy 20 he added, addressing his wife,
swell cure the pig, so we will.' In a short
time the porker was invested in strong mus
tard plaster from his tail to his ears. Not
withstanding his struggles, and his wheezings
and torture from the action of the unyielding
plaster, tub of almost boiling water was pre-
pared, and into it poor piggy was soused a.
bOve his knees. The result may be easily con-
ceived.
Next morning, bright and early, Michael
stood at the gate once more, awaiting the COM
ing Of the doctor, who soon made his appear
ance.
Good morning, Mike, how does the pig
come on 2"
go, be gorrah, doc .ur! it was mighty
onciyil in ye TO be tr ling neighbor in that
way, so it was"
ssWhy, what is &c matter, what has happen
ed, Michael ?''
''Happen'd is il, put the powltice on the
fha. 10
dad it's no wonde., for the wull roll'd oil his
back from head to ilil.''
s1What!''
'.Didn't put the pigs feet in hot wather
as ye tolwd me, an, - jaberS the hoofs tUmbted
off nr him entirciy!''f
Poor Mike spoke fr1ly. Through his ig-
norance he had blistcrp off the bristles, and
with the hot water he seaIded off poor grim
ter's feet. He died under this double dose,
and though Michael has meyer since asked the
doctor upon similar matters, he still insists
that it was ga name thrick so it was"