The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-26

however. was soon awakened. There was
battcring ram ut his gate. Once. twice,
thrice did that implacable catapult hurl
itself against the frail pen. Then the
hemlock groaned in splinteripg pain; 1t
cracked, it broke. Darby sprang to his
feet and squealeG in fright. The hoofed
demon with blazing eyes and ragged
bangs full Of hemlock spinters was in the
pen. D
Now, what avails thy sleek aud rounded bulk oh,
porcinc sybarites
Better. far il thou but hadst the sant and hollow
flank,
The washboard ribs, thy leaDness 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 a 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 ma
terially assisted by the goat. BIT Darby
was going toward the lime quarry In
headlong, laundering fight Darby rushed
madly on. The bushes frnging The brink
of the precipice were parted by the mad.
dened rush of thlty-iive pounds Of ami
mated pork. faint squcal rent the air
of the beautiful. May morning, there was
dull and sickening tLud ON he rocks be
low and
I.iisleSs but beautiful Darby lay.
~.
Before Mickey missed Darby his uncle
drove up 10 the door and invited him to
make n short visit to ponckhockle After
her son lad gone and the breakfast dishes
were cleared away, Mrs Finn went TO The
sly to have look at the pig. There the
awful reality dawned upon her - the
wrecked sty, the freed goat and the miss
ing pig. Bnt 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
fire and was not found wanting. for his
Jacket assumed rich brown color and the
savOry 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
Welshs wife. Patsey Coi1igan'S lass
Nancy, and the one legged accordion
player las tinds tn railroad switch ali
waves I'll rid flag whin thare's a COW on
the track.
Just as the guests sat down at the table
Mickey returned. but his mother gave
him plate in the kitchen for certain pr,i-
Dental reasons
Darby was indeed beautiful sight, or
namentcd with sprigs of celery and with
a brand new corn cob in his mouth If he
was lovely in life, lie certainly presented
very toothsome appearance in death.
Mickey dlummed impatently upon the
kitchen table with his knife handle, be-
cause, being the younger, he had to wait
until all the rest were served. But at last
a big piece of tendeYlOin was placed before
him. To his shame be it said, he actu-
ally neglected the potatoes on his plate,
and asked for a second piece OF Darby be-
fore he touched the potatoes.
1t is with deep regret that the occur
renee is recorded, but Mickey's plate was
filed a third time, and in this instance 1t
was choice cut from the plump ham OF
his little protege. After lie had been filled
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 a peace with all the world
look in his eyes Then his mother turned
to him and said
Mickey. did We like tn dinner
"lis. mother.
Wont We hav another little bit aft III
neck-iist a trife. dear
No. mother dear | couldn't ate it I'm
full
Well. dallnt, ye wont Be iieckenea if
tell ye somethinE'
No. mother will not
We'll. that piece o nib, an that bit ali
tn ham an that piece O. tn neck yer'e
afther attn KEN off your Darby
If bomhsLell had fallen at Mickey's
feet lie could not have been more startled.
lie leaned forward in his chair, and big
tears ran down his cheeks and mingled
with the gravy in his plate Then lie laid
his head down upon the table and wept as
# his heart would break But lis father
went to the closet and brought out new
bow and arrow which he laid before his
son.
Half an hour later there was shout Of
laughter in tho backyard When Mr..
FINN won't 20 the back door he saw little
Mike trying to penetrate the hide Of the
billy goat with an arrow New York
Evening sun.