The Penn's Grove record., 1882-12-30
Sir Peter and the Cow.

story of Sir Peter Mitchell, member OF
Parliament from New Brunswick, OF
whom / spoke in a recent letter. he
was an opposition member during the
lamentable government OF Sir John
Mackenzie in the last decade, and was
a constant and most uncomfortable
thorn in the side of that unhappy
premier. Sir John was a conspicuous
railroad magnate, and just before the
opening Of Parliament one winter sir
Peter called on him to induce him 70
nav $40 for 8 widows COW that q
been run over by the cars. II don't
believe there's anything in hF' ex-
claimed the premier, peremptorly
sit's probably q trumped-up case, bat
I'll inquire and you call tomorrow"
The gentleman from New Bruins
wick was not used to being treated so
csva'ier but he Pocketed 1t and called
in the morning.
There's no justice in 1t. We won't
pay for the cow" broke in Sir John.
you won't won't you ~ rejoined
Sir Peter, with a manner quite as
bouncing rs that OF the leader of the
government. "H&ve you been there
or sent there and Investigated it?"
mo, 1 haven't. but I won't pay for
the COW. It's q mere t%rile, and she
ought to have kept off the Track"
Don't the law say you shall have a
fence?'
81 won't pay for the COW, now and
that's ali the answer you'll get"
"You won't pay for the widows
COW won't you, Sir John Mackenzie?
L will make you pay for it," exclaim-
ed Sir Peter, now thoroughly aroused.
"You will; will you! How will
you ?" growled the premier.
"UH take IL out of you during the
session, as sure as you are a living
nan. The widows $40 isn't any
thing, isn't It? I'll take it out of
you'll"
1t was an Irishman against 9
Seotchman, and both were angry.
The sequel proved that Sir Peter took
it out of him very thoroughly. He Is
a round headed man, a hard worker,
a pugnacious and redoubtable foe, an
giving enemy, bold and elegant
in debate, no dilettants, but q hard
hitter, and some of his o~nslaughts
were furious. II he had not great tact
he had great force, and he eve for
got the COW. In the speeches he made
every day against the measures and
methods of the government, then
under serious suspicion, he told the
story of the COW and trotted her out
with a frequency that must have
seemed like cruelty to animals.
Finally the last day Of the session
dawned. apd the consideration of
-nrsrreuzyEs ex p6nsa hudget Was re-
sumed. 1t provided the appropriations
for the coming year.
Sir Peter Mitchell took the floor
and launched into a eulogy of the de-
ceased COW and the propriety of max
ing aD appropriation for the widow.
He was greeted with laughter and
hooking applause, and then his audi.
tors waited un easily for him to finish.
He continued. He told the story over
again with embellishments and elabo
rations. He contrasted the stinginess
of the wealthy ruler with the quiet
endurance Of the penniless widow.
He began to read from the Bible the
commands to mercy, justice and char
ity, when the honorable members
struggled out one by one to dinner.
Sir Peter bit a biscuit, drank a swal-
low of water, and continued, impress
sing upon the empty chairs about him
the tender duties and graces of hui
manity. Members struggled in again.
He quoted the Song of the Shirt. They
appealed to him to draw his remarks
/, a close. He retold the story OF the
Gov Meantime. Sir John Mackenzie
waserspiring with wrath and anxiety
in 10 premier's apartment hard by.
Au.is Ho~As ere bound up in the
apr u. Wha' II !"
:. vote The hon.
Nou prnnaWtak