The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-29
THE MISSIONARY PIG.

talk about million for missions, out
thatidon't make crops any better. He'd
turn farms, COWS, pigs, and all in the
missionary box if he could" Mr.. Simp-
son gave an uneasy laugh as he said
this.
"Well, pa, should have slept better
last night if you had put your name
down for something last night. His
speech was worth good deal, If we did
it, and Roy enjoyed the singing SO. I'm
glad we took him, but feel as if had
China, India and Alaska all on my heart
to-day" and Mrs. Simpson sighed as
she began gathering up the dishes.
"Oh, he's all right. The church needs
to be awakened. We don't pray enough
for the heather; but man must look to
his own first. Just fill my pipe, ma,
while you're at the cupboard. Have a
good dinner; I'm working hard seeding
alone. Good bye, Roy" And, lighting
his pipe, he slammed the door and was
| off.
There was a cloud on Mrs. Simpsons
plump, rosy face that morning. Don't
imagine it was because her husband did
not kiss her goodbye. He had left off
such demonstrations long ago, and If
Mrs. Simpson missed the little attentions
most wives prize, no one was the wiser.
She was looking around the neat kitch-
en-, which also served as dining and sit
ting room, and thinking of women less
fortunate in far-away lands. The new
rag carpet with its strip of painted floor
around the stove, the cheap prints on
the walls, the plants and canaries in the
windows, all made pleasant picture.
The feeling of possession, thinking of
the well-furnished front rooms shut up
for company, and the beautiful, hard
earned acres outside, made her feel a
very rich woman. When she reflected
there were many near, as well as in for
eign lands who did not enjoy such pleas
ant surroundings, her eyes fell on the
glimmer of white marble in the little
hillside cemetery in the distance. Two
little mounds were there which held far
more precious than all money could
buy; but she knew her lost lambs were
folded with the Good Shepherd. st is
because no hope for the future is so
much harder than present poverty, the
case is so much worse than being poor
here. There is not a mother in this
country but has heard of Jesus. Oh,
yes, being where there is no Jesus is the
most terrible thing in the world" and
truth, she could hardly keep back the
tears. Her only child sat in his low
rocker by the window, and his pale face
and the crutches by his side told of
another heart-ache the mother found
necessary to carry to the Burden-b bearer.
MA" Roy said, ''Tve been thinking
over what he said, too. 1t kept me
awake last night. He said it took only
$40 a year to send boy to school in In
dia, and after while that boy might be
preacher, and lead hundreds of people
to Christ. Ever since you read me the
life of DR.. Judson I've ached to be
missionary. think I'd choose India"
Darling, if the Lord wants you to go
to India he will cure you. / wanted to
go when l was young, and | would be
proud to give son to the cause: but my
boy will stay at home and take care of
ma when she gets DID," was the answer.
''Pa did not 60 to the war;" Roy went
on.
mo, he couldn't leave; but he sent a
substitute, so it was just the same"
Don't you suppose Jesus meant if l
did not go l ought to send substitute,
map" Roy asked with eager, shining
eyes. "If his go we into all the world
meant anybody, why doesn't it mean
Roy Simpson,
| never thought everyone must go or
send, though don't see why it should
not be as binding as serving ones coun-
| try. If everyone who couldn't 60
would send a substitute of course the
world would soon be brought to Christ
But it's no use; pa will never give but a
dollar "a year for missions. Don't worry
dear! I'm going to make mlnce pies, and
you can key them for me, after you stem
some raisins."
II ought to send a substitute in
sisted Roy, looking at his lame foot.
n
Here's something for you, Matte,
said Mr.. Simpson, as he came in at noon
"a dog killed its mother and the rest OF
the litter It's no use to raise pigs now
If they don't die one way, they die
another. | thought dinner was ready
This last because the chairs were moi
drawn up. As he spoke he unrolled ar
old grain bag and disclosed very small
specimen of pig.
I've no time to fool with pig, warm
ing its milk and having it around. YOU
men think women can do everything,
replied Mrs. Simpson, who had worried
over the heather until she felt like one
herself. Mr.. Simpson saw he had blum
dered, but not being just clear where
turned to Roy with his burden.
"Opa, give it to me!'' begged Roy.
81 don't care, if mall have it around
Do you want it for playmate?" was tn,
answer.
"Do want to raise it? May l have
every cent it brings?" said Roy eagerly
Eyes, and corn to fatten it for mar
ket," said his father, with a laugh to
see business interest in his bookworn
of alloy.
Mrs. Simpson, relenting her hasty
speech, consented at once, and so thi
particular pig, became member of the
Simpson family.
Never did pig have daintier baby
hood. Roy fixed up box for its bed in
the shed, and fed it on warm milk anC
scraps from the table, for he said thi
pig was too important to be dish-wate
pig. 1t soon became as pretty as a piG
could be from its funny pink nose to it
little curl of tail. 1t became quite
pet and would eat out of his hand OF
follow him around like dog. But i
tried its little red nose on Mrs. Simpson
pansey-bed, so its liberty was at an end
Roy declared it should not associate
with the vulgar herd that wallowed il
the mire behind the barn. Sub" a.
she was called, had corner of the gar
den penned off for her playground, anC
a little shed for her shelter. Mr.. Simp
son tried in vain to guess the meaning o