Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1864-07-15
How Salmon p. Chase Shaved n Pig.

from the recently published biography OF Hon
S. p. Chase, entitled, "The Ferry Boy and the
Financier"
Salmon says the Bishop, as he is setting
out, Il am going away to-day, and | want you
10 come home from school in season to Kill
and dress that pig
yes sir says Salmon cooly, asking no
questions, although he never dressed a pig in
his life.
The bishop says not another word, for he
knows well, that wh9t Salmon is told TO do he
will find some means of accomplishing. The
story of the pig is worth relating, since ii shows
that his uncle had gaod reasons for putting
faith in his fidelity and resources.
May he dismissed p says Salmon, about
the middle of the afternoon.
For whatP' asys young Mr.. Chase, the
teacher
I've got to go home and kill pig says
honest Salmon.
.Yes, you can CO. says Philander, smiling /;
while the other boys hugh.
Home. therefore, goes the future statesman,
profoundly contemplating by the way the diff
cult nature Of the work To he done.
Let me see first III catch the pig. No that
won't do. I'll put some water over the fire
first and while that is heating, III sharpen the
knives.
This was done accordingly. The knives were
sharpened, the water was hot. Then how to
manage the pigP Iff only had somebody to
hold him for me while | stick HIM = But there
was no one TO perform that little service, Tomp-
kins being of in the fields at work.
80 begin with, I'll coax him.
The Young porker comes TO the trough at the
sight Of swill. AS soon as he begins 10 eat,
Salmon falls upon his back and attempts to SC.
cure him in his arms but piggy, after fierce
struggle--during which his rider is roughly
treated-darts away, and Salmon is left sprawl
ing in inglorious dirt.
THAT wont do = getting up and brushing
himself Il never can hold him till can get a
knife into his throat that is certain. Suppose
/ shoot him But Hirams rife is out Of re-
pair, and | wouldn't touch Ned's gun for any
thing. I'll try once more
He procures a rope, and makes slip.noose
in one end Of it. Once more, piggy is enticel
10 the trough. The snare is laid under his feet;
sudden pull-he moose is tight about his leg!
Now, if i, won't slip Off says Salmon, Ia
king rapid turn with the other end of the rope
about the bar-post. The moose holds; piggy
kicks and squeals in vain.
Then CLEANED aloft the dagger brightw
that is to say. the bucher-knife, which quickly
puts stop to the squealing.
The sorrowtul deed done, the hot water be-
came useful.
You mustn't leave the pig in il too long the
housekeeper warned him, if you do, you'll set
the bristles.'
Salmon knew what that meant for he had
before assisted at the slaughter of swine, and
could remember how careful the men were to
try the bristes, and have the animal out of
water the moment they were sufficiently scall-
ed to come of easily in the hand.
lie makes Il stagi Z for his operations by
placing plank across two logs the pig is
hauled upon the plank, and the tub of water is
set under it! then softly the pig is rolled over
and slid down head foremost into his bath. Sal
mon almost scads his hands trying the bris-
ties. AT length, he thinks the pig has been in
long enough for he can pull them off, and he
starts to haul him out.
i forgot 10 turn him end for end in the wa
ter he suddenly belhinks him, as piggy lies
still and wet on the plank.
Fatal oversight the result of which was.
that the hind legs, which had been frequently
out OF the water during the operation of irving
the bristles, had been scalded Just enough,
while not brislle on the body could be start
ed
Whats the matter p said the cook, as he an.
peared in the kitchen, looking extremely
thoughtful.
I,suppose,' replied Salmon, gravey scratch
iHS Hlo HSHui nave set Inc DrlStleS y
Dear me, now what a scrape! How could
you. after what | said%
di int turn the pig and left him lust n
thought too long. | want to know what is to
be done in such case
Dome Nothing can be done. You never
en- gel them brisiles off, if they're set, massy
knowsr
But must get them off, said Salmon.
lie goes back TO his work, and ponders.
suppose SINCE them? That won't do
though pretty looking pig it would be after
II was singej There is only one way TO do as
seei must shave him .
lie tres The butcher knives, but they are not
sharp enough His cousin Philander, how ever,
mas par OF very line rasors, of which he takes
especial care, keeping them always in the verv
best condition. " Wv wy
'ili borrow EN- says Salmon. He makes
such skIli1l butcher, he thinks he NAV have
equally good success now il he turns barber
me razors are brought and he sits down reso.
iu'eIy TO his new trade, shaving the Young nor.
ker clean from tail to snout.
"hen the bishop came home at night. the
pl5 was found neatly dressed and hung up in
Very well done said he, observing how
clean and handsome the meat looked.
ne ana not often think TO encourage his
nephew by Wholesome words Observation-Disclosures
ana II was usually when Salmon was not con.
sclouS OF having done very well that he had
Bot 'ne most praise. The bishop was hard to
suit ana on an occasion not long before, the
ooy mad become weary and discouraged in his
shdeavors to please him. Il won't try any morei
ne sad 10 himself, and for week he didnrtry
Al The end of that time, what was his suaprise
TO be told by the bishop, smilingly, Salmon
you've been good boy lately!' So now, when
inc lob he had done was really not open tc
criticism, the bishop saw fit TO praise it.
Very well done indeed Did you have any
diffcultyP
"A little but got through dryly answered
the young butcher barber.
No more was said, But, the next morning
rhlander, although young man of very amia
ole temper, was heard uttering EXCAVATIONS o
unusual yehemence.
who has had my razors? p
None of The boys answered. Two or tire,
OF the older ones, having arrived at the dignit,
OF little brown fuzz on their cheeks, wer,
known to shave Occasionally. AT them, Phil
ander, with spoiled razor in each hand. lathe
on his face, and indignation in his eyes, LOOKED
accusingly. 'N''
who has been using my razorsp' Was /
you, Gwynn p that young Virginian's pbysiog
nomy appearing TO have been recently scraped
Il used them sir p said Salmon, stepping for
ward.
He had done his best 10 restore the instru