The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-17
LITTLE PHEBE's QUEER PET.

When little Phebe was about seven
years old. Boiling. favorite playmate.
asked her one day to come over home
with him, as he had something for her.
Her mother said she might go. So he
took her through the side gate and out
into the stable lot, where she saw tiny
baby pig penned up in the corner. AS
soon as they came in sight. it began to
squeal Justify.
Il have whole lot of Them" Boiling
said; "and l am going to give you this
little yellow fellow, because there is an
other just like it that can keep my
self. l am going to name mine 'Phebe.'"
he added shyly.
Then l shall name mine Boiling"
said Phebe. But what makes him
squeal so?"
II suppose he wants to get out of the
pen," replied Boiling, taking him up in
his arms. and putting him into Phebes
arms. And they started for her home
again.
What makes him squeal now?" asked
Phebe anxiously. maybe l had better
not take him."
"Oh. | don't think it's because he
does not want to CO." said Boiling, COM
fortingly. somewhat puzzled himself,
however, for a reason. Il reckon pigs
just have to squeal about everything
of 20
pig was very funny kind of pet, and
at first her mother said she did not think
she could allow her to keep it. But
Phebe looked so disappointed that she
said, "WelI." And Phebe ran out with
it quickly before she could change her
MIND. and got her big brother Hal to
make pen for it to sleep in.
II am not going to make it stay in the
pen all daytime" she said, because he
does not like it, and he squeals So"
1t was indeed a queer pet. But, like
all babies it had very cunning little
ways. Phebe always fed it herself; and,
| as it ate out of her own sweet little
I hand, and had found no mud in the
pretty grassy yard to root in, it's little
pink snout was almost clean enough to
kiss. Phebe had her own way OF kissing
it. She would put her soft little Ii and
on Piggie's nose and kiss that, making
believe it was Piggie's mouth. When
ever Phebe went out into the yard, Boil
ling always seemed to be on the watch,
and would come running to meet her.
his little pink snout in the air, squeal-
ing with all his might.
ut must be because he is glad to see
me-" thought Phebe. And she patted
his head, and gave him the rest of the
apple she was eating.
One day, as they were starting out to
walk, Mr.. Piggie crept from under the
front steps, and insisted on going, too, il
his little mistress did. At first Phebe's
mother said that could not be, and shut
the gate on him. But Boiling squealed
and squealed, louder and louder, as he
saw them go off; and Phebe knew he
was begging to go, just as she had
begged her mother to let her go.
Finally. her mother said it would be
better to let him follow them quietly
than to have him squealing this way at
the gate until they came back. So Phebe
joyfully opened the gate; and the pig
trotted along at her heels, with funny
little grunts of satisfaction. Every now
and then he would stop to investigate
something on the roadside; but when he
looked up and found they had left him
behind, he would set up such equeal
that they had to stop and wait for him.
Phebs's mother. and especially her older
sisters, did not like this very much, and
told her the next time she wanted to go
to walk with she them would have to put
the pig inhis pen and fasten him up.
Thus far nobody had found any fault
with Phebe's pet. except about his
squealing.
"And l don't mind that Bit" Phete
confided to Boiling in one of their play
time talks. because he cannot talk any
other way. Don't you think he means
IL Tor taking!
"Of course he Does" said Boiling,
wisely.
II can always understand exactly
what he's saying, too" added Phebe.
Not long after this big rain came.
Phebe was greatly distressed because
the pig was out in it; and, as soon as it
held up little. she ran out to see il he
had found shelter for himself. She
found her sympathy all wasted. Fer
Master Piggie was getting old enough,
alas! to appreciate muddy bath. and.
instead of seeking shelter, he was wal
lowing to his hearts content in mud.
puddle which had been formed by the
pouring rain. Poor Phebe was disgusted.
She ran up the front steps into the
house, never turning to look back,
though she heard Boiling squealing his
pleasure at seeing her. She went
straight into her mothers room, in her
haste leaving the doors open behind her
and said, with very sorrowful little
face:
Mamma, | suppose you will have to
send Boiling to the country. 1t will be
better for him