Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-01-31
THE STORY OF A LITTLE Pig,

He was the sweetest lamb-no, pig
that ever persisted IN infant bloom. As
he lay on the kitchen table, white as
milk from head to tail, his poor little
pink eyes half open, and his tiny feet
let us say at once his pettitoes-
stretched out as If in helpless submits
sion to destiny, my heart melted. So
did the hearts of all my women servants,
who gathered round him contemplating
him with an air of mild melancholy.
!" He does look SO like babyr' said
spe, $50 ne did-the Duchess baby in
= Aiice's Adventures, which Is by turns
an infant AID little Pig
9 [ don't think | could cook him, " re-
marked the cook, matronly and tender
hearted person, who had had good
deal to do with babies.
I" Aud I'm sure l couldn't eat him, y
added, with dignity, the parlor maid.
" Ne ucpe Of us could eat him" was
the general chorus. And they all looked
at me as If L were sort Of female Herod.
EvIds utiy, they had never read CHARLES
Lamb, and were unappreclative of their
blessings.
As for me, Slowly took in the dlffi-
culties Oh the position, and as [ gazed
down on the martyred innocent lying on
the taGte-to quote a line from an OIL
DRAMA "knew how murderers feel. 5"
VI / was only an accessory after the
fact Thus 1t happened. A much-val-
ued old friend, who IS always ready to do
a Siudness to anybody, one day offered
my husband a sucking pig, which was
refused, and given to somebody else.
Immediately afterwards, l happened to
say | was sorry for this, as / liked pig.
Then" answered my friend, "you
shall have one-the very next that ar
rives. | shall not forget. It is prom
Use" Which, after an interval of sew
months, during which myself had
entirely forgotten 1t, was thus faithfully
Kept.
A special messenger brought the pres.
ent 30 my door, with the Injunction that
he was to be cooked that day for dinner
(the pig, not the messenger). And
there n,. layi with the sympathetic do
mest1c circle at once admiring and la.
naeuting him.
| went out and gathered the collective
opinion of the drawing room. It was
much the same as that of the kitchen.
Several other members of the family
protested they "didn't care for pig, y
and even one went so far as TO say that
If poor piggie-wiggie appeared on the
table, she should be obliged to dine
ont.
Was ever luckless house-mother in
such a quandary What was ] to do :?
Even though-(in common with Ella
must own to the soft impeachment D.
even though [ like pig-how could ]
have cooked one exclusively for my own
eating? and, further, how could I eat
him all up myself? And he required,
like all sucking pigs, to be cooked and
eaten Immediately.
Between the dread of annoying my
whole family, Or the kindly friend who
had wished to give me pleasure, was
In despair, TIL bright idea struck me.
Near at hand was household of mutual
friends-a large household, who could
easily consume even two pigs, and tc
whom my friend would, l knew, have
been as glad to give pleasure as to my
self.
"Pack the pig up again very careful
"" said I, sand let him be taken eli
once to Eden Cottage. They are sure to
enjoy him."
"Oh, yes, ma'am." And smile Of
relief overspread the countenance OF my
domestics, especially the cook, as piggy
disappeared in great dignity, for, tosave
time, sent him IN the carriage. So he
departed, followed by much admiration
but no regrets-save mine.