New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-27
A LECTURE on THE GRUNT.
DELIVERED BY MAN WHO THOUGHT THE
WORLD WAS AGAINST HIM.

DELIVERED BY MAN WHO THOUGHT THE
WORLD WAS AGAINST HIM
During the Farm Show recently in the Madison
Square Garden many curious things could be seen
TO excite the establishment of city people and It was
strange that in the weeks exhibition the place
was not visited by larger crowds The smell of the
country was about the big inclosure. and the APP
pearance Of those who went there made it look
more like the country stillto the same extent, in
fact that water is said to add to the appearance
Of river. Ducks quacked, and many deaf and
dumb boys and girls from one of the public insti-
buttons, who filed the boxes upon either side. made
signs to another A huge pig grunted. People
stopped TO look at him. and provoked by his sloven-
ly silence would prod him with sticks or umbrellas
until he emitted his peculiar sound After this they
Invariably passed When the writer leaned on
the railing which guarded his pen ray OF sunshine
fell upon the pigs eye He moved his head uneaslly
and began roofing with his snout in the straw. 4
man. poorly dressed, but evidently OF inquiring
turn OF mind. who had been loohng down at his
porcine majesty for some time without saying a
word. walked around the Enclosure and began to
talk
"a grunt Is a curious thing" he said, edging up
to the reporter and speaking with air Of diff
dence.
There is nothing like it in the world" was the
answer.
1T is the very antithesis OF what may be called
the poetry of music isn't itY'
Possibly"
And when you speak of anybody having
'grunted out something you know there is other
word-not the word growled itself-that 50
ftly expresses the surliness Of temper and the vu
gariy of sound that characterizes this action"
II feel like agreeing with you"
VERY well. then. l acknowledge the courtesy.
but am sorry at the same time to say that dis
agree with you"
"How-whyT'
the world AS 1 nave found IT, everything else in
wherever went, and from whomever l have spoken
body seemed afraid that I was going 10 ask some
thing from him. and seemed disappointed when |
drew the line at inquiring the time of day. A man
may always inquire the time Of day and hope 10
he get since Grover Cleveland returned to Wash
ingtOn. 1t seemed as II people began 10 grunt as
soon as he came back TO power, people. mean, who
have money. They began to grunt at people who
hadn't money. All see you don't believe me: you
think that 1t was the other way. but allow me to
say you are mistaken. l never was before without
work; but here am now on the verge Of starya-
ton"
And did you vote for HARRISON"
mo"
The reporter started to go.
NOW look here" said the man. "your re not going
TO turn your back and grunt. too. | hope?
That may drive 10 despair and what then should
] have to live for? Big things often occasioned
by small things. You heSrd Of the Englishman who
committed suicide because the servant forgot to put
sugar In his tea. DO You want 10 drive me TO eX-
tremesP ] answer again no; did not vote for Har
restore the eternal harmony of things. and silence
for all this chorus Of grun;ng which Jars upon
me and which am forced to hear on all sides.
am prepared henceforth 10 cast my ballot for Re
puDlicanS