The record-union., 1891-04-19
For the SUNDAY UN1oN.1
THAT PIGEON PIE.
A TRUE STORY.

A TRUE STORY.
Were ever boys so little boys
That mischief could not charm them?
would they resign their sports or joys.
For fear that they might harm them?
Was e'er the outcome of ''jokeo
Considered in the least?
Whatever were the victims
BE ne dominic or priest.
IL England far across the sea.
Two small boys chummed together.
me one would with the other be
In every sort of weather.
But oh! the pranks that they would cut
Had they a gTudge to Iay,
Would make the saints and angels weep,
And sadly turn away.
One day clearly call to mind
When Vicar AbraIn Lea
In company with Nathan Hind,
The village dominic,
On Georges mothers invite came
To Friday evening tea.
Beside whom there were none except
Ihe matron'S family.
But George, q lad of twelve. must wait
Till all the rest were done
Indignant at this cruel fate
He hurried after Tom
II say" he gasped, 81 say, YOU know.
Ine dickens is to pay
There's pigeon pie for tea! l VOW
Ihat none will come my way!
Dominic Kinds to come, and this
Above what you can think,
Pied pigeon is his fay'rite dish
Say" tipping Tom a wink
You don't know what would fill the pie
AS well as that stewed pigeon?
II Hind should eat II all he'd die!
'Ialnt good for his religion"
II say, you know" said Tom, "Old Towse
Killed two big rats today
| Ills just the thingr cried George "we'u rouse
Them into lively play"
The rats procured, the change was made:
Then far too quick for words
These wicked authors of the raid
Devoured the luscious birds
OF course, you know the upper crust,
OF an English pigeon pie
Is separate, and always first
is lifted, and laid by.
The birds are carved, we then replace
The crust upon the rest
A dish that any board would grace
And ut for any guest
Behold now this most wholesome fare
By goodwife Arnold set.
The company all gathered there
In CHEEKY mood had met
Pray MIR. Hind to notice this
Especially prepared.
You know it is your favorite dish.n
His kindly hostess said.
The vicar rose "Thy blessing, Lord,
Fain would we now receive
As gathered round this bounteous board
Our thanks to Thee we give
Bless all that we partake to-day
lN.
"Amen," replied the dominic
"Bless also pigeon pie"'
So said he, laying by the crust,
And thereat with q VIM
He stabs his fork with greedy thrust
Into the bird within.
He draws 1t forth with keen delight
But horror! what is that?
Upon his terror-stricken sight,
A gravy dripping rat
From nose and feet and waving tail,
The rich broth trickled down.
Kinds face turned red, and then grew pale
Then blacker than his gown.
With ire flashing from his eye,
he rose without word
And with insulted dignity
Forth from the house he strode
A smothered laugh from roof and porch
Betrayed the guilty pair.
Tom who had seen all from the roof
Soon vanished into air.
But George with eye TO keyhole fixed
Was captured, and-but no
Our mirth and tears are ever mixed,
Have you not found it so?
Then why betray what must befalI
Behind the closed door?
Can you not boyhood's days recall?
Then pity George the more
he long has grown to mans estate
But ever with a sigh
He broods upon the luckIess fate
Of certain pigeon pie.
"A. G. G. DORA BURNs).