Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-01-19
TEsi. STORY OF a LITTLE PIG.
4 plcn.aut EittIe SIX ctch by the AuthC
Of s'gOi,u Halifax Gcntlcnan."

He was the sweetest lamb-no, pig
that over persisted i'll infant bloom. As
he lay ON my 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 pettitoCs.- out rs If in
helpless submission to destiny, my heart
melted. SO did the hearts of all my wo-
men servants, who gathered round him,
contemplating HIM with an air OF mild
melancholy
"He does look so like a baby !"
said one. so ho did--the Duchesss
baby in ''Alice's Adventures" which is
by turns IN infant and a little pig,)
II don't think L couid cook him, re-
marked the cook, matronly and tender
hearted person who had good deal to do
with babies.
"Aud I'm sure couldn't cat him"
added, with dignity, the parlor maid.
1--WE none Of us could eat him" was
the general chorus. And they all looked
mt me ms il | were Il sort of female Herod.
Evidently they had never read Charles
Lamb, and we're umappreciative of their
blessings.
As for me, ! slowly took in the difficult
ties Of the position, and MS L gazed down
on the mnriyrcd innocent lying on the
tnblo-to quote IL line from an old drama
| "kncw how murderers feel.
Yet / was only an accessory after the
fact. Thus it happened. A much-valued
old iriend who is always ready to do a
kindness to anybody one day offered my
husband Il sucking-plg, which was re-
fused aud given to somebody else. I'm
mcdiulciy afterwards, | happened to say
was sorry ior this, us | liked pig.
"Them,' answered my friend, ''you
shall have one-the very next that arrives
1 shall not forget. 1t is n promise.
Which. after I'M interval of severa
months, during which l myself had ell
tircly forgotten it, was thus faithful,
kept.
j special messenger brought the pres
cnt to my door, with the injunction thai
he was to he cooked that day for dinner
the pig, not the messenger). And-ther,
he lay with the sympathetic domestic
circle at once admiring and lamentint
aim.
| went out and gathered the collectiy,
opinion OF the drawingroom. 1t wa
much the same as that OF the kitchen
Several other members of the family pro
tested that they didn't care for pig,
and one even went so far as to say that i
she should be obliged 70 dine out.
Wa ever luckless house-mother il
such quaudary What was l to do
Even though-(in common with Ella
must own to the soft impeachment D.
even though | like pig-how could
have one cooked exclusively for my ow
eating? and further, how could eat hi
up all myself? Aud he required, like a
sucking-pigs, TO be cooked and eaten i'll
mediately.
Between the dread of annoying m
whole family, OF the kindly friend VIII
had wished to give me pleasure, | was
despair, till bright idea struck mt
Near at hand was household of mutu,
friends-a large household, who coul
easily consume even two pigs, and
whom my flend would, | knew, Ina,
been La CHAD to give pleasure as to IN.
self.
"Puck up the pig again very carefully
said /, land let him be taken at once
Eden Cottage, They are sure to enic
him.
con yes, ma am" And smile of r.
lief oycrspread the countenances of II
domcs,ics, especially the cook, as pige
disappeared in great dignity, for, to sa'
time, sent him i'll the carriage. So !
departed, followed by much admiratic
but no regrcts-save mine.
But / had rcckoned without my hos
Halls m hour afterwards, my parlor-ma
presented herself with long face.
"He has come back, ma'nm."
"Who?'
"Tho little pig. They say they a
very much obliged, but none Of the far
lily like pork.
'"He is not pork" cried indignant
A sweet, tender, loving, sucking pig, Ell
balmod in NIL classic memories, to ca
him common ''pork!' 1t was profanit
Still, nothing could be done, and IL
moments were flying. turned to be
evident lady visitor, and told her n
grief. She laughed, but sympathized
'Will You take him ?" | said, hopeful
"Indecd he is great beauty, and l a
sorry to part with him, but if you won
take him -"
81 don't think my brother cares for pi
but some OF the rest might like it. a
swcrcd the benign woman. $50, if y,
are quite sure you don't want him"
at wanted him ever SO, much could
keep him Do take him, And ! no
that at least your visitors will enj
him."
Not until they had departcd-little p
and all--did ! recollect and felt hot
the ends Of fingers, that to remote anc'
tors Of these my dear and excelle
friends, the ancestors of my little I
must have been the most obnoxious
food But when one has "put ones fC
into it, the best thing is to let il st
there, without any attempt to draw
out. So rested, content. My pig "
aor,l,. .l;.,nanI &C