The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-04-18
MICKEY FINN'S DARBY"


MICKEY FINN'S DARBY"
Tom Connor was the blacksmith over
the Hill. Mickey Finn was in the habit
ofrnning on errands for Tom, and so,
Wien Providence sent a litter of pigs
into Tons sty, he picked out the small
est most measly looking pig in the lit
ter, and gave it TO Mickey.
OF course the boy was delighted, and
ran home with the squealing little porller
under his arm.
Now, if thore was anything of which
Mrs Finn was fond it was fresh pork,
especially when it was young and ten.
der But she had had considerable ex-
perience With animated pork in her day,
and after looking at M,ckey's acquisition
with the eye of connoisseur she de-
c'ded chat the chances Of the pig'sripen-
ing into plump hams and juicy chops
were very slim.
"Now, Mickey, you take that rack O
bones wild no mate on it back Z Tom
Connor, an tell him he might better be
up better business nor shown of his
bones an bristles on ye Faix, he might
as well be givin' ye u shtove CRATE LUX
at III tail iv tn boneenl Musha, thare's
no more twist TO it tlIan to hoe
handel'
"But, mother, ! don't want tn pig Y
ate. ] want e play wild himl'
"Play wild pig, is i'll God save usl
Mkt yen want to be playiu wild Fee
nan's calf, SO ye will Oh, but you're a
looney by; yc're out iv yer sivin small
sinses Play wild pigl Och, did /
iver hear tie likesl Play wild pigi
MebIe yc'd he putin pauts on him an
feedL' him wild spoon, agra. It's a
quare lad We are. a. o by, wild yer ould
divil goats an that black crow as has
shiny heads in his head Well, well, an
l wantin' Z make ly'yor iv ye stead iv
dirty snake charmer or mautherin'
vagabones as ye will be av ye don't
shtop foolm' wild animilsl So, thare.
Now, Mickey, take that pig back Z Tom
Connor an tell him t give ye wan wild
pork on his ribs an fate worth picklin'
on him. Now run, run AVA.
Mickey picked up the pig tenderly in
his arms and went away over the hill.
His heart was heavy; but Tom Connor
cheered him mp.
Mickey, said he, you am I'll make a
pen fer the porller foreninst til forge,
an you can gather a little grass and
stuff fer him. Mobile he'll get fat. Thin
yer mother'l lie glad t hav' him. Wen
call the porker Darby.
The pen was built and Darby was duly
installed therein. Under the fostering
care Of the blacksmith and little Mike
the porker grew in size and plumpness,
aud endeared himself to Mickey by his
many winning ways The pig became
broad Of back and strong of limb.
Darby's cars began to drop upon his
neck and he was very fond of being
scratched between them with piece OF
old iron. And so the days fled quickly
by, fl led with the JOY of content.
But while the My days were slipping
away into tho eternities Mrs. Finn had
not been idle. Her boys exHavagant
praises # Darby had awakened hei
cupidity anev. Often while Mickey
was at school Airs, Finn took sly trips
over the meadows to the sty. On eacl
of these occasions she always took Will
her some choice morsels which. were
calculated to increase Dlrby's girth, anc
to make his jnwls drop with fatness
Alasl however, Mrs Finn entertained
none Of those fine sentiments of mselflsl
| love for Darby which animated her SON
She could see no poetry in the corkscreW
/ curl of Darby's tail as he grunted
with pleasure while gnawing las
years cabbage stump. Her flnei
sensibilities had been roughened by
the sandpaper Of misfortune. Eacl
pound Darby gained meant not added
grace and proportion to her, but rather
suggested the salty pork barrel and The
sizzling frying pan.
During all this time AIiclley's old gray
bearded billy goat was suffering the
| torments Of unrequited affection. Day
by day the billy saw Mickey go by hin
on his way to the pig pen But once il
three long weeks did little Mike stol
and gambol with the goat as he haC
BEEN won't to do in the sweet old day
before the coming OF the hated Darby
The goat seemed to be aware that thu
affections of his master were waning
away from him, "lile the twilight OF al
autumn day
Only little sunlit hollow in Stump
Field separated Darby and tho goat
One morning, while yet the grass wa
bending beneath diamonds Of dew th
goat came out of his barrel and stretched
his logs He looked of over the vale,
at the misls fleeing up the rugged side
Of Snake Hill He saw the faint husl
in the east gradually deepen into
vivid blush Of rose color. Then he in
dulged in a little practice buitng.
While engaged in this harmless amuse
mcut Che billy became aware suddeul,
that be was free goat, no longer houu,
hy ae gnllmg clothes line Tile billy
| tatilg satisfied himself that he was no
mrtve, 81 bed over to Darby's pen. TIL
| ps oua asleep He, however was s)oi
"Hkgncl There was a baterig ran
at his safe OIcs, twice, thrice di,
that implacable oatapult hml itsel
against tle irail pen. Then the hem
lock gronued in pain it cracked !
lrose Darby sprong 20 his feet wi'
queoled in fright. The hooIei demon
With blazing eyes and ragged bangs ful
oi heri ck splinters, WAS in the pen.
Now. what avails thy sleek and rounded bulk