The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-12

arrived at tnelr journey enc, Where
Nero was regaled with three her
rings, being one extra, and which he
dispatched voraciously in double
quick time, looking for more, but in
vain.
He was then, with much coaxino
and kicking, persuaded to resume the
return trip homeward, which was
safely accompanied by vigorous
squealing and determined gruntine
on the part of Nero.
On the fourth day, punctuallY at
IL o'clock, when his master .presen
ted himself, Nero seemed to under
stand somewhat the object Of his
calling; he walked off not only with
out compulsion, but at a good round
pace, to get to bis journeys end,
where his master RECALLED him not
alone with his coveted dinner of
three red behring's, but, as a reward
for his tractability and conduct,
with one herring extra, which Nero
dcvoured with incredible velocity as
soon as they came within reach OF
his grinders.
On the fifth day, Nero was fully
up to the game, and his master ex-
perienced considerable difficulty to
keep up with him. At Schevening
the usual allowance, now four her
rings, was given him, and disposed
Of in short metre.
On the day following, and up to
the time of his race, his master had
no further difficulty with Nero but
to keep up with him, Nero invaria-
bly, taking the lead, although on the
return trips the same difficulties al
ways REQUIRED. A vigorous applica-
ton Of boots was, in such case, the
only convincing argument with Nero
who never could see the point nor
comprehend the necessity of this
bank-track movement, and sqnealed
and grunted his objections.
On the ninth day Nero had be-
come perfectly trained, and having
grown extremely thin upon his scan
ty meals, he now ran like race.
horse, veritable Eclipse, invariably
distancing his master, who followed
with a fast trotting horse in harness.
Both exercise and spare diet were,
however, strictly adhered to up to
the day preceding the one on which
the race was to come off. On that
the thirteenth day, as on the frs
day, poor Nero was again starved.
At the usual hour of IL his master
appeared, but Nero was doomed to
disappointment-no trot, no herring
on that day.
With eager eye and impatient
grunt he signified his desire to be
released from his pen, but alas 4!
it was not so to be; he had to submit
to a day of fasting Ito prepare
for the race.
On the fourteenth day both horse
and hog appeared at the starting
post, eager for the race. 1t was a
beautiful day, and the road was
lined the entire distance on both
sides with spectators eager to see
the sport. Punctually at IL o'clock,
at tap Of drum, off they started,
amid shouts Of the multitude. The
first two miles were closely contest
ed; it was emphatically neck-and-
neck race; but Nero, light as a
feather, and having in his minds
eye his delectable meal, now fairly
flew over the ground, gradually leav
ing the horse behind, keeping the
lead the entire distance. A m d
shouts, the waving of handkerchiefs
and the widest excitement, he
reached the ending post, beating the
horse by half mile and winning the
race triumphantly.
For this extraordinary perform
ance, Nero was rewarded with q
pailful of behring's, which, having
feasted upon to his hearts content,
he waddled back to Hague.
OGERS' ENGLISH TABLE AND
Ia POCKET CUTLERY. LADIES'
SCISSORS and OTHER FINE GOODS
KEPT BY HENRY ST. JOHN.