Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-03-21


at the mists fleeing up the rugged sides
of Snake Hill. He saw the faint flush
in the east gradually deepen into a
vivid blush of rose color. Then he in
dulged in little practice butting.
While engaged in this harmless amuse-
ment the billy became aware suddenly
that he was free goat, no longer b II Il
by the calling clothes line. The lilly,
having satisfied himself that he Was u' t
captive, ambled over to Darby's pen. The
pig was asleep. He, however, was 'on
awakened. There was batterig ram
at his gate. Olce, twice, thrice did
that inplacable catapult hurl itsel
against the frail pen. Then the hem
lock groaned in pain it cracked, it
broke. Darby sprang to his feet and
squealed in fright. The hoofed demo l.
with blazing eyes and ragged bangs full
of heml ok splinters, was in the pen.
Now, what avails thy sleek ana rounded bulk,
porcine Sybarite?
Better, far, if thou but hadst the gaunt an
hollow flank.
The washbOard ribs, thy leanness as Of yore!
Then began an awful struggle. Urged
the field and bow led 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 most
forcible manner to lie down. When
Darby had once more got his trembling
legs under him he made one supreme eff
fort and ran up the hillside His ascent
was materially assisted by the goat. BI
Darby was going toward the lime quarry! !
In headlong, laundering flight Darby
rushed madly on. The bushes fringing
the brink of the precipice were parted
by the mnddening rush of 35 pounds of
ami atel pork. A faint squeal rent the
air of the beautiful May morning, there
was a dull and sickening thud on the
rocks below, and
Lifeless but beautiful Darby Law.
Before Mickey missed Darby his unc'e
drove up to the door and invited him to
make short visit to Ponckhockie. After
her son had gone and the breallfas!
dishes were cleared away, Mrs. Finn
went to the sty to have a look at the pig.
There the awful reality dawned upon
her-the wrecked sty, the freed goat
and the missing pig. But when she
found Darby i'll the quarry she made no
moan. In fact. she smiled and bore th"
Lody home in her strong arms
The next morning Darby was tried by
fire and was not found wanting, for hi,
jacket assumed rich brown color and
the savory smell that rose from the oven
was sutfi GENTLY appetizing to make tn
tongue of gourmet palpitate in his
mouth. Then Darby was put on a big
plate and placed in the oven. There
We're 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 tinds tn
railroad switch an waves th' rid flag
Min tharc's a COW on the thrack.
Just as the guests sat down at the
table Mickey returned, but his mother
gave him a plate in the kitchen for GER
tain prudential reasons.
Darby was indeed beautiful sight,
ornamcnted with sprigs of celery and
with a brand new corn cob in his
mouth. If he was lovely in life, he
certainly presented very toothsome
appearance in death. Mickey drummed
impatientIy upon tie kitchen table with
his knife handle, because, being the
younger, he had to wait until all the
rest were served. But at last a big
piece of tenderloin was placed before
him. To his shame, be it said, he actu-
ally neglected the potatoes on his plate,
and asked for second piece of Darby
before he touched the potato,s
1t is with deep regret that the occur
renee is recorded, but Mickey's plate
was filled third time, and in this in
stance it was choice cut from the plum p
ham of his little protege. After he had
been filled to repletion, after the but
tons 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 theworld look in his eyes.
Then his mother turned to him and said:
Mickey, did ye like TIL dinner?'
"Yis, mother.
wont ye hav' another little bit aft
tn neck-jist trifie, dear?"
mo, mother, dear; couldn't ate it,;
Pm full "
"Well. darlint, we won't be freckened
if tell ye somethin?"
"No, mother, will not "
"Well, that piece o rib, an that bit
aft tn ham, ye're afther ATTN KEN Off
your Darby!"
If bombshell had fallen at Mickey's
feet he could not have been more
startled. He leaned forward and big
tears ran down his cheeks and mingled
with the gravy in his plate. Then he
laid his head down upon the tai'lr, and
wept as if his heart would break.-
TFrnest JarroIl