The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-11-08

,H2f ELL / neverp exclaim
" wv ed Aunt Amanda, stand
,HeYi, ing in tie doorway with
SSSS both hands uplifted
Feeding a pig at the table -anG
with silver spoon!''
''Come in, auntie," laughed Mrs
} Moore. "Piggie does not come till
we are through"
"But why DO you have him here
at all, Mary asked the visitor
evidently regarding the proceedings
at the table with great disfavor.
''He is a poor little orphan" ex-
planned Mr.. Moore. 81 bought his
mother, a fine chester white, for
fifty dollars. She died, and this
youngster is all 1 have to show for
my bargain. Mary is too kind.
hearted to see the little thing
starve.''
"Well, acknowledged Aunt Aman-
da, stiffiy, ''she's right enough to
try to save it, It's a like pig
enough. But won't it eat from a
dish?'
Taking the little animal from his
mothers lap, Frank stood him be-
side his basin of warm milk and
meal on the hearth. Piggie had
eaten just enough to want more;
and his efforts to feed himself
were very comical. After stepping
into his supper twice, and squeal-
ing impatiently several times, he fl
nally learned to trust his nose into
the basin and he made no more diff
ficulties, but ate his mixture with
great relish, and then sat down in
the dish, perking his head saucily
Cd one side and swapping his bright
little black eyes, while he uttered
a coaxing ''Uff! uff! uffr' Mid the
laughter caused by his antics Frank
picked him up and carried him off
to the barn.
As he returned to his room there
flashed through his mind the mem
ory ola desire long repressed.
'Papa," said he, 81 do wish
had a pony! Won't you buy me
one?'
81 should like very much to buy
you a pony, my son, but cannot do
so at present. However, If you
choose to earn one. l may be will
ing to help YOU
Earn one?' cried Frank. "Of|
course 1 will if can; but howY"
Every WELL" returned his father,
-as he rose to go to his office. ''as
means towards that end, will give
you the baby pig"
Franks eyes dropped and filled
with tears. He thought his father
was making fun of him.
"What good is the baby pig,
anyhow he muttered. Turning
to his mother he was surprised to
find her laughing.
"Take the pig, Frankie" said she
pleasantly. "Don't you see? Pa
pa means you must make the pig
pay for the pony"
"Oh, mamma" cried Katie, ''that
little pig isn't worth two cents, and
pony costs lots and lots of mon
ey."
eyes," replied Mrs. Moore, "but
the pig will not always be little. He
will grow very fast and by and by,
if frankie takes good care of him,
he will be worth a great deal of
money"
"Why, Frank exclaimed Aunt
Amanda, she is a very likely little
pig, he will be worth thirty dollars,
perhaps more. People are willing
to give good price for meal-fed
pork"
Immediately the pig assumed
new interest and rose high in the
children's estimation.
One morning the children burst
eagerly into the house; 80 papa,
mamma, where do you suppose the
baby pig sleptT'
'In the basket?"
"No."
'In the hay?"
"No."
"Where then?'
"Come and see."
Frank led the way to Bruno's
kennel.
Mr.. Moore stopped and look in it,
at sign from his son.
"Well 1 declarep' he exclaimed,
laughing, and made way for his
wife.
"Did you everP' cried Mrs.
Moore.
'Isn't it funny, mammal" cried
Katie, laughing and dancing about
like little jumping jack.
1t certainly was a novel sight
mere lay dear, kind, shaggy old
Bruno, solemnly regarding them all,
slowly wagging his tail.
"The little cratur was squealing
with the cold all the night" said
Patrick. 81 came out twice to see
afther him, it's meself saw the
dog march up to his little basket,
rhoust him out, pick him up like a
puppy and bring him into the ken
nell"
Night after night did Bruno re-
peat his kindness to the little or
phan, till King James learned to
seek the kennel of his own accord.
Morning, noon and night Frank
fed him faithfully, and the three
children gave him many an extra
lunch, until the fat little gormand
became the wonder OF the neighbor-
hood. AS he grew larger he learned
to demand as his right the atten-
tions so freely lavished upon him,
and an authoritative gr unit would
often signify that he desired a meal
of apples, or wished his back
sratched with Ia pointed stick
The summer glided away, the
fall slipped by, and the frosty
weather came. 81 suppose King
must be killed soon, papa" said
Frank. "How much do you think
he is worth?''
; "More than a common pig, a good
DEAL" answered Mr.. Moore. "He
has been cleanly kept and fed with