The morning call., 1891-06-22
A MUSICAL PRODIGY.
Evidence of Intelligence in The
Lower Animals.
Wonderful Accomplishments of Pet Porker
Neilie's Apt Pupil-Playing a Dirge on
His Funeral Pyre.

4 party of men waiting at the ferry depot
the other night for the last boat were pass
ing the time storytelling, and among the
things discussed u ere incidents of rare in
telligeuce observed among the lower order
of animals. 4 lanky specimen of humanity
mailing from Humboldt County, was an in-
terested but silent listener for quite a
while, till at length one of the party told a
still more marvellous story than the Others
concerning pig which followed its owner
through tie streets ofthis city ike dog.
When the tale was ended the stranger could
keep still no longer, and he blurted out the
query: Did you ever hear Of Joe, the
musical pig Of Humboldt COunty?" The
party acknowledged their ignorance Of the
prodigy, whereupon the countryman poured
into their willing ears the following story:
STRANGE But TRUE.
Joe was raised by Nellie Hawkins. II
year-oldi girl. VINO took cOmEaSSon upon
him when his sow-mother, in a III Of tenn
porary insanity, made meal Of the balance
Of the family. She raised the little mite on a
bottle, and as no one else paid him any at
tention be quickly became attached to his
mistress and followed her eyery@ here.
AS he gained size and strength Mel lie
taught him 10 be useful, aud he soon
lEdIUeu 10 Idth III LIe htiul4AlE anu olUfb
wood and even 10 60 errands to the butcher
and grocer. OF course, II was necessary to
write out his instructions and enclose them
in the basket, with which he would trOt oil
to the store and in due time return with the
needed articles.
But il was his musical abilities that eX-
cited the most wonder and made him IA
nous. Nellie had piano, at which she
spent several hours every day, v lille Joe sat
near, watching every movement
4 GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
One DAY NeIIie's mother called her 10 the
kitchen. This WAS the chance Joe had been
looking for, and no sooner had The girl lett
the room than the pig mounted the piano
stool and began TO try his skill Nellie and
her mother ran back to the paTloT and, OF
course, were greatly surprised 10 see what
the animal was doing. Mr.. Hawkins also
saw the pig at the piano, and observing that
he could not sit on tie stool with comfort
made a seat especially for him.
After that Joe spent several hours every
day at the instrument, and was never happy
away from it. IN a month he could play
Home. Sweet Home" in fine style, and
followed this up by learning Annie
Rooney" aud the "Star-spangled Banner"
In six months from the day Joe'S musical
education began he could play any piece In
Neilie's books, and many night be sat al
the piano and played hour after hour while
tue boys were dancing.
THE LAST OF POOR JOE.
But that is all over now, and poor Joe
has gone where the wicked cease from
troubling and the weary are at rest
Hawkins house caught FIRE one day, and
was burned 70 the ground, as we had no
means OF fighting lie fire. Hawkins, his
wife and Nellie escaped; but poor } oe, who
was at the piano at the time, was 50 rapt
I'D in his music that he did not discover the
danger until escape was cut oil. The boys
triad hard tn save him Dut IL was no u. and
tue last we heard OF Joe was just before
the roof fell in. when. through the roar of
the flames and the shouts OF the men, could
be heard the sorrOwful strains Of the
Dead March In saul"
The long stranger from HUMBOLDT brushed
tear from his cheek as he ended his story,
and, gathering up his grip, slowly wended
his way in the direction Of the ferry boat,
followed by the rest of the party i'll dead
silence.