Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-25
ghe aaha Daily gaole: Saturday qornine august 25

but the doctor was not in sight. The boy
was lifting the gate latch when Mrs. Nc
Geary laid eyes on him.
"And it's there We are Fonny," she
called out cordially, "and it's meself that S
glad to see we. Come into the house and
sit down In the big rockin' chair 1t used
to be Jamies, and it's fond enough of set
tin in it he was, too, the poor man; and
it's dead and gone he's been these four
years, and me two childer after him.
Where's Dr. Dorritt, Mrs. McGeary:7
.sked Fonny
cover in the grove has he went this
mornin'. and in the shade has he kept all
day. Niver hoof of him home to his
dinner, though I've kept his trough full
since 12 o'clock. There's picnic there.
The Republicans from West Branch are
havin' it. and they have politicians and
candydates and all other kinds Of mates
and good things, and plenty to drink, I'll
be bound. And spaches, illigant spaches,
with many foine, long word into them,
and loud enough for me to hear at me tub
in the back yard. It's what they cali
barbecue. Tables loaded with Everything,
and that's the sacret of the dochtor's stay
in SO long. Trust him for gettin' the
best that's goin'. Thereu not be Re-
pooblican there fuller than himself, if
you PLACE"
''Il go over into the grove and find
him." said Fonny, whose curiosity in re-
gard to the ''polyticians and candydates"
had been whetted by the exuberance of
Mrs. McGeary's rhetoric
Away he went, calling to DR.. Dorritt
cheerily; but no affectionate grunt re-
sponded. AS he entered the grove the
odor of savory cooking saluted his nos
trils. The speeches were over and dinner
was near at hand.
Moving along slowly, feeling that he
was entering important circles, Fonny's
foot struck something metallic. On look
ing down he discovered DR.. Dorritt's col
lar, light brass chain with three or four
jinghng pendants. He picked it up,
wondering how his friend had managed
to lose it. He looked everywhere, but saw
nothing Of the pig. Politicians-at least
men whom he took to be politicians on
account of the loudness Of their Voices
were numerous. Matrons and maidens
in ribbons and fine rigging were there
also; but his beloved four footed friend
was nowhere to be SEEN
The savory odors came from some dis
lance west of the long tables, and thither
Fonny went. The people were standing
about some object of interest so numer-
orsly that he could scarcely edge his way
through Being boy, however, he was
not to be dismayed by anything in the
nature of a crowd, and at last stood in the
inner circle. A deep trench in the earth
was half full of bright Goals, over which,
reduced to the condition of dressed meat,
hung the forms of cow, a calf, two
sheep and two pigs, all roasted to tins
most appetizing brown. They were hung
on poles, and had been turned until every
part of them was thoroughly cooked.
This was the barbecue" which Fonny
bad been so anxious to see.
The delicious odor of the steaming
Fonny looked ct them with eyes like
would be an unusual spectacle to any one.
the row of crisp bodies, his eyes rested @
denly protruded in horror. There-there
form of his pet-his friend. Scorched
and bistered as 1t was the poor boy
recognized it. The head was still at
tsiiO lilC iClI Seil lOSU
ly shaped piece in the doctors early
the nose was another mark of Identified
ton.
Fonny looked at the terrible sight for
minute or more in agonizing silence.
Then, pointing to the hot and smoking
form of his pig, he sent forth shrek aftef
shrek of anguish.
sGTharaf thorof Tbot &c v>so
the only pet l have in the world. Who
killed him? Nobody had right to kill
him. Oh, shall diel l shall diel My
poor DR.. Dorritti'
This thrilling interruption to the fes-
Invites created immediate CONSERVATION.
The unmistakable anguish in the boys
voice, the unspeakable woe depicted on
his face, had an effect on even the hard
ened consciences of the politicians.
Fonny still held the poor slaughtered
doctors collar in his hand. Between sobs
end groans he told that the pig had lived
at Mrs. McGeary's, pointing out the house
rs ne spoke, and had wandered into the
grove merely to look around; that he and
he alone owned him; that he would have
died himself rather than had the pig sac
rificed. The laundering butchers who
questioned. They admitted that they had
taken a collar off the neck of one Of tho
pigs they had prepared for the roast
They identified the collar and the pig; but
although they shared in the general re-
gret, they could not restore the life they
had taken.
Some of the younger guests of the pic
nic flew to Mrs. McGeary's and told of
he tragedy. Over came that lady, boil
ng with wrath, and threatening ''to put
.he law on them" She was gifted with
great force and fiuency of speech, and on
his occasion she did not bride her tongue
n the least. The piece of her mind" to
which she treated the politicians was par
strong, definite and well laid on.
The feminine portion of the picnic !
gathered about Fonny and tried to con-
sole him. Some of them offered to send /
lin small pig of promising mental ca
oacity, which he could lead to greater in /
heights than those attained by /
he late lamented DR.. Dorritt; but he |
would not be comforted. The men as /
umed that money heals all wounds, and /
quickly made him up purse; at sight of |
{ be only walled the louder. This was
ase Of bereavement and heart break, not
property.
Mrs. McGeary swept the money into
Ter apron, saying she would keep it in
rust for him until his sorrow abated
hen together they sought her cottage.
afe within its humble walls both sat
own to tho luxury of copious tears. The
widow had an affection for the pig, too,
nd the sight of the boys sorrow touched