Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1888-08-01


~ = M ! morning rouplslay, rs
hdlly became risky and bumped his
baok Then hs INDUCED in little
practice bncking. While engaged in
this harmless amusement the billy be-
came suddenly aware that he was Tree
goat. no longer bound by the CALLING
clothesline. The billy, having satisfied
himself that he was no longer captive,
ambled over 10 Darby's pen The pig
was asleep. He, however, was soon
awakened. There was 4 battering.ram
at his gate. Once, twice, thrice did
that implacable catapult hurl itself
against the frail pen. Then the hem
lock groaned in splintering pain; ii
cracked, it broke. Darby sprang to his
feet and squealed in fright. The hoofed
demon with blazing eyes and ragged
bangs full Of hemlock splinters was in
the pen.
Now, what aysils thy sleek and rounded bulk,
oh, pcrcine sybarfte7
Better, far II thou but hsdst the gaunt and hol.
Tho wsshboa1d ribs, thy senness as Of yore,
Then began an awful struggle.
Urged by the billy Darby was forced ont
into the field and bowled over and over
down the hill. The billy attended
strictly to business. No sooner did
Darby get ON his feet than he was called
on in q most forcible manner to lie
down. When Darby had once more
got his trembling legs under him he
made one supreme effort and ran up the
hillside. His ascent was materially as
sisted by the goat. But Darby was go
ing toward the lime quarry! In head
long, laundering fight Darby rushed
madly on. The brushes fringing the
brink of the precipice were parted by the
maddened rush OF thirty -fye pounds of
animated pork. A faint squeal rent the
air Of the beautiful May morning, there
was dull and sickening thud on the
rocks below, and
Iifeless but beautiful Darby lay.
".
Before Mickey missed Darby his uncle
drove up to the door and invited him to
make short visit to Honckhockle.
After her son had gone and the break
fast dishes were cleared away Mrs. Finn
went to the sly to have look at the
pig. There the awful reality dawned
upon herthe wrecked sty, the freed
goat, and the missing pig. But when
she found Darby in the quarry she made
no moan. In fact, she smiled and bore
the body home in her strong arms.
The next morning Darby was tried by
the fire and was not found wanting, for
his jacket assumed rich brown color,
and the sayory smell that rose from the
oven was sufficiently appetizing TO make
the tongue of gourmet palpitate in his
mouth. Then Darby was put on big
plate and placed in the oven. There
were number of guests at dinner that
day, among whom were Mrs. Murphy,
Mrs Cronin, Mike Welsh's wife, Patsey
Corrigan's lass Nancy, and the one
legged accordion player "as tends tn
railroad switch an waves tn rid flag
when there's COW on the track"
just as the guests sat down at the ia
BILE Mickey returned, but his mother
gave him plate in the kitchen for GER
tain prudential reasons.
Darby was indeed beautiful sight,
ornamented with sprigs Of celery and
with brand new corncob in his mouth.
If he was lovely in life, he certainly pre-
scented a very toothsome appearance in
death. Mickey drummed impatiently
upon the kitchen table with his knife
handle, because, being the younger, he
had to wait until the rest were served.
But at last big piece of tenderloin was
placed before him. To his shame, be it
said, he actually neglected the potatoes
on his plate, and asked for a second
piece of Darby before he touched the
potatoes.
It was with deep regret that the oc-
currence is recorded, but Mickeys plate
was filed third time and in this in
stance it was a choice cut from the
plump ham Of his little protege. After
he had been filed to repletion, after the
buttons Of his vest had been relieved of
dangerous pressure, he leaned back in
his chair with grease on his face and
Observation-Disclosures look in his
or,. Tho,, ~, ,,,n@l<r x,,r,, IL - ~,