The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-05-20
The Berkshire Pig.

MIA prevailed some years ago on the sub
ject Of Durham calves. Berkshire pigs.
South Down sheep. &c Well, | had a
neighbor By the name of Martin, who was
an uncommon clever physician and an im-
porter of fine stock One day the Doctor
stopped to get his horse shod at neighOor
Bids the blacksmith, who lived about
two miles from the Doctors house. The
Doctor commenced talking about bis
beautiful Berkshire pigs, and told the
blacksmith in ht of liberality that be
would give bin pig out Of the next it,
ter that ''Su" had
In the course of Two months or such
matter. the doctor called at the shop and
told neighbor Bird that '.Su" had fine
litter, and to send aud get bis pig So
Bird posts his man Bob off with his wife
large willow basket to get the pig. Be
tween Birds aud Martins. Sam Smith,
who was great quiz, kept little grocery,
and seeing Bob coming post haste on his
masters horse, old Tom, with the basket
on hls aru, he sang out
'HalleO, Bob, where are YOU going 10
such hurry this morning ?"
ii is gwine to Massa Doctor Martins
10 get Massa Toms Buekshur pig, what
Massa Doctor promise Massa Tom de las
time he shod dc hoss," said the negro as
he refined in hi> animal
well, Bob, you must stop as you come
back, and lei me see the pig"
"Dat | will, Massa Sam, dat I WILL"
and away he went a: the top of old Tom
speed. -
In less than an hour Bob returned with
a genuine swine, and ahghting at the gro
cery be lifted the cover Of the basket, and
to the asionished gaze of the grocery
man, who Imagined a Berkshire to be
something more than mere hog, exhib-
tied a very beautiful specimen of a Jet
black pig. An idea struck Sam Smith
to play joke on Bob, and knowing hi:
propensity TO inbbe, teld him to 90 into
the grocery and get dram. While Bob
was gone Sau Smith ran round the back
OF the house, and got little black pup
nigh about the same heft, and 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 basket.
aud off he went. On arriving at houe
the blacksmith asked him if he had got
the pig.
"Ies, massa, and a VERY fns pig be
be too said Bob, lifting up the cover,
"black as coal > when 10 the the utter
astonishment Of Bob aud Bird, there lay,
a little black curly puppy.
Is that Berkshire pig ?" asked the
blacksmith in awazement. why it is
pup, not pig .''
BLESS de Lor'," SAID Bob, "he be pig
wnen | put hin in de basket, but be
change to pup!'
Take him back SIR" said Bird, highly
indignant, land tell Doctor Martin that
| don't want to be fooled with bis pup
pies, and if he don't want TO give me
Berkshire pig, to say So"
Bob started back and naturally enough,
stopped at the grocery to relate his mis-
hap to Sam Smith, who heard him out
with eountenauce expressive of won
der, at the same time deing his best to
control bis increasing desire to burst Into
fits.
We'll, get down, Bob" said The gro,
Ger, land take another dram"
Bob didn't require second invite. and
while be was getting it his 'bald face"
the grocer took the pup from the basket,
and put back the pig
"Massa San," ,ad Bob, coming cut to
mount his horse, IL avn mighty ebfassi-
Gated bout dis pig; know be is pig
'ust, but den | know be is pup too
Arn't you sartin, Masss Sam, he was
pig fust p asked Bob, as be mounted his
,rittur
"Ill swear to it" replied Smith, and
away Bob rode for the Doctors. T.
On arriving at the house. Bob deliver
I'd his message, but the Doctor seemed
lGcredulous as to ,he truth Of
he story, Bob, with flourish Of insulted
Feracity, opened the lid of the basket.
when 10 there Was tbs identical pig that
ne had started with Bob stood trana-
ixed, and with hi. eyes protrudlng. aDd :
mouth open, remarked
"By golly, 'tains DO use; Massa, he |
be pup or pig jus as he p!easss. N ;
o. Picdqune