Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1882-04-05
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CALIFORNIA; Career.
A DRONE.

California was the name of pig
with history. He wasn't given
the name because Of being gold col
or, nor because of coming from that
noted state, but for reason that
boys generally have when naming
their pets, simply because they like
the name, and if piggie's owner had
fancied any other name more he
would have given that name to his
pet.
The way California came to be the
subject Of this story instead of being
dished up into spare-ribs, hams, or
in some other eatable way, is very
much the same that some little
folks become famous. 1t is because
a kind hearted gentleman was at
tracted to him by his forlorn condi-
ton, and it happened this wise.
This gentleman accompanied by his
little niece was driving over the
prairie in Illinois one blustery day
when the cold winds and storms
were beating furiously, and espied
little piggy shivering and squealing
by the roadside far away from any
house and he took him into his We
hicle. At the first farmhouse he
inquired if they had lost a pig but
they hadn't and the little pig was so
small and poor that they didut
want it, SO after giving it a good
dinner, which, from the way the lit
tie peaked nosed fellow ate, they
thought was the first it had swallow
ed for long time, the gentleman
wrapped it in a blanket and took it
to his home, where piggy was given
to man on his farm. This man
had spent good many years in
California, and when there had seen
good many forlorn sort of adven-
lures which piggy reminded him of
and that's where piggy got its big
name.
There was no more shivering i'm
the Storm for California, but a COM
Portable place to stay and some one
to teach it all sorts Of tricks. 1t
wasn't long before piggy knew its
name and would come whenever it
was called. that is if some one it
knew called the second time.
California wouldn't come at the first
call. 1t was, in that respect, much
like some little boys. 1t wished te
be sure that it was wanted.
You would be astonished to know
how much that pig learned and the
queer tricks it could perform. II
would march around like a soldier
holding stick for gun; play tn.
possum, that is make believe it wa.
dead; jump through hoops, set W
in chair with pipe in its mouth
and act like an old man, and d.
many other things that were yer,
funny.
Once the old gentleman had SOM
distinguished company. anon!
them several clergymcn, and he cal
led his man to bring California in +
! amuse them. So in he came follow
ed by the pig. Its antics made
good deal of sport and entertain
mont and you may be sure that
f hearty laugh followed, when tn
man asking California, how the PAL
sons did, piggy stood up OH its hin
J legs, and began to paw the air wit
] its fore legs, and to howl at the yer
top Of its voice.
II But California was a pig an
: would wallow. One day, when al
j other distinguished company was {
t the house, California was called ft
1 another exhibition and came bount
4 ing I'M all covered with mud whic
ii proceeded to rub off ON the pan
9 aloons Of Gen. Key, Major Krous
i and others. seeming to select II
: most eminent ones to rub agains
! and California was somewhat mi
g chicvous too "a the marks of i
: nose among the flower beds of Il
neighboring gardens often exhibi
3 ed.
|. One d6y California went 10
/ neighboring grocery store where
I offen went. This time it found,
III : pail, some cider that had begun
!. sour and had been set aside 70 NAL
8 vinegar. The pig always stuck
ncss into Whatever il came nero
!, md hiking thu, drank consitlerab