The Press., 1884-02-28
Prom Ben. Perley Poore's Reminiscences.l
 GEN. CASES POSITION.

Gen. Cass's position on the slave ques- ton. while he was candidate for the presidency, was subject of much discus sion and no little ridicule Among othe-. stories told was one by Kentuckiaa, who would preface his remarks by drawing from one pocket copy of the Cleveland Plaindealer, and from the other 8 copy of the Nashville Union. He would then read from the Plaindealer the most strenuous assurance to the democracy of the north that Gen. Cass was Wilmot proviso man, and from the Union assurances just as pos itive that Gen. Cass was pro-slavery mar.
 "Now, am not good at speaking, con- tinued the Kentuckian, 'sbut the Mlchl- gan mans position puts me in mind of a little circumstance, which happened in my neighborhood in Kentucky some tlmo ago, which I must tell you. You all remember what perfe ct mania prevailed some years ago on the subject of Durham calves, Berk- shire pigs, South Down sheep, etc. Well, I had neighbor by the name of Martin, who was an uncommon clever physician and an importer of fine stock. One day the doctor stopped to get his horse shod at neiqhbor Birds, the blacksmith's, who lived about two miles from the doctors house. The doctor commenced taking about his beautiful Berkshire pigs, and told the blacksmith, in fit of hberality, that he would give him pig out of the next litter sSu' had.
 ssIn the urse of two months or such q Fl astter, the doctor called at the shop and told neighbor Bird that 'Su' had had tine litter, and to send and get his pig. So Bird posts his man Bob off with his wife's large willow basket to get the pig. De tween Birds and Martins, Sam Smith, who was a great quiz, kept little grocery, and seeing Bob coming post haste on his masters horse, old Tom, with the basket ca his arm, he sang out, 'Halloo, Bob: where are you going in such hurry thls morning 2 T is gwiue to Massa Doctor Martins to get Massa Toms Buckshur pic, what. massa doctor promise Massa Tom de las time he shod his hos, said the negro, as he refined in his animal. Well, Bob, you must stop as you come back, and let me see the pig Dat will, Massa Sam, dat will and away he went at the top o1 Old Tom's' speed In less than an hour Bob returned with genuine swine, and alighting at the grocery, he lifted the cover of the basket, and to the astonlshed gaze of the grocery man, who imagined Berk- shire to be something more than mer' hog, exhibited very beautiful speclmei' of jet black pig. An idea struck Sam Smith to play joke on Bob, and knowing bis propensity to imbibe, told him to go in the grocery and get dram. Whll' Bob was gone, Sam Smith run round the back of the house and got little black pup about the same heft, and took the pig out of the basket and put the pup in. When Bob came out and mounted his nag, Sam Smith handed him the basket and of he went. On arriving at home the black smith asked him if he had got the pig. Yes, massa, and very fine pig he be, too, said Bob, lifting the cover, black as as a coal when to the utter astonishment of Bob and Bird, there lay little black curly puppy, sIs that Berkshire pig ? asked the blacksmith, in amazement; 'why it is pup, not pig! Bless de Lord, said Bob; he be pig when I put h1m in de basket, but he change to pup! Take him back, sir,' said Bird, highly indig nant, and tell Dr. Martin that don't want to be fooled with his puppies, and if he don't want to give me Berkshire pig to say so: se>s, stopped at the grocer's to relate his mi-- haps to Sam Smith, who heard him out with a countenance expressive of wonder, at the same time doing his best to control his increasing desire to burst into fits. Well, get down, Bob, said the grocer, 'and take another dram' Bod didn't re- quire Q second invite, and while he was getting his bold face, the grocer took the pup from the basket, and put back the pig. 'Massa Sam, said Bob, coming out to mount his horse, T am mighty obfusti- cated bout diu pig. First I think him pig, I know he is pig first, and den know he is pup, too. Ain't you sartin, Massa Sam, he was pig first ? asked Bob, as he mounted his crittur. I'll swear to it, re- piled Smith, and away Bob rode for the doctors.
 "On arriving at the house, Bob delivered his message, but the doctor seeming some what: incredulous as to the truth of the story, Bob with flourish of insulted ve- racity opened the lid of the basket, when To, there was the identical pig that he had started with. Bob stood transfxed and with eyes protruding and mouth open, re- marked, For God, taint no use, massa j; he be pup or pig, just as he pleases. ," The crowd became convulsed with laugh ter, and gave the Kentuckian three cheers.