San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1881-11-03
Gov. Roberts, Encounter with q Sow.

| Gov. Rsbsris Encounter with Sow.
A good joke is told Of Governor
Roberts, by one OF his law students
OF the law department Of the Gilmer
high school, Upshur county, just after
the close OF the war. All eminent men,
like the renowned Horace Greedy, at
some period of their lives, conceived
the idea that they are practical farmers
and on large or small scale, try their
hands at the business. SO it is with
Governor Roberts. Attached to his
residence, near the public square in the
town OF Gilmcr, was large garden
upon which the Governor was wont to
bestow quite deal Of his time and
labor in the way of planting fruit trees,
cultivating vegetables, etc. Among
other things the Governor had very
fine sweet potato patch which he seemed
to pride in. There was, however, u
certain sow which ranged the town
commons, that had taken fancy, to
the same potato patch, and had habit
of eaking through the pickets and
helping herself to the potatoes
The Governor stood it very pstient.
ly but seeing that the sow was likely to get
more than her share of the potatoes, he
set to work putting stop to her depreda-
tions. Upon arriving at home one
evening after the adjournment of his
law class, he found the SOW in the patch
at her favorite business. For one time,
during residence Of over two years in
that'town, he seemed to get thoroughly
mad. He summoned his venerable
father-in-law, Mr.. Edwards, who lived
with him, to his assistance, to make
war upon the mischevous hog He
first carefully examined the enclosure
until he found the Aperture, through
which the animal entered. He tEen
armed himself with rail with which to
deal the hog deadly blow, and instead
of taking position little to one side,
and in convenient reach of the hole, he
planted himself Immediately in front
of the same so us to have as he thought
fair chance at the SOW as she ran. out.
He then told his father-in-law to turn
his dog loose upon the hog and
"let her come" The dog chased the
animal around the garden time or two
when she rushed for the hole. So fran
tic was the frightened animal that she
did not even recognize the distinguish
ed obsticle in her way, but with the
speed of lightning she dashed through
the hole, but in so doing she was COM
PEELED to pass between the legs of the
Governor, which threw him five OF six
feet in mid air, with his rail yet elevat-
ed in his hands. He was dressed in a
fine suit of black cloth, as was then his
custom, which was literally torn offhim.
The SOW in making her escape, besides
the damage done the Governors per-
son, demolished three PANELS Of the
garden fence and went on her way
rejoicing unhurt. Gathering himself
up as best he could, the Governor
declared that many time in the capa-
city of Judge he had had occasion to
punish men for malicious mischief in
wounding and killing hogs, but if he
always felt as he did then he never
would do so again. This incident, it is
said, so amused Mr.. Edwards, the
Governors father-in law, who was
ordinarily very sedate men, that
as long as he lived at Gilmer, he de-
lighted to get a crowd of boys together
and tell them about the Governors
rencontre with the SOW, and most heart
lily would he laugh over it.-Dallas
Herald.