The Monitor-register., 1896-06-12

side was the cornfield. Que day Gruntle
was found in the corn. Ray went with
his grandfather to mend the fence; they
stopped up two OF three holes, all that
they saw. Again Gruntle got into the
corn. This time the fence was carefully
fixep along its whole length; there was
no opening left through which the pig
could possibly go, and yet there he was
the next day in the coveted field once
more. The corn was thick and tall, and
much running and hunting were needed
to get the pig out. The farmer was tired
and annoyed.
"Ray." be said, "you watch Gruntle
this morning. will you !? and see where he
gets through the fence"
Ray hid behind the fence on the other
side of the lane. After a while the pig
came in sight on an easy trot, with many
gentle grunts, anticipatory of juicy ears
of corn. He made no effort to get
through the fence till he reached a hollow
log which had been built in as a support
under the rails. There he stopped.
looked all around, and entering the log
came into the oornfield. Ray was LOOT
at the house.
"Grardpa, I've found the place. Comel
I'll show you. It's a good joke. He
goes through q hollow log"
On the way back Ray heard his grand.
father laughing.
"What are you laughing at, Grandpa
Gruntle's joke p"
SIT is a good joke, Ray. The pig has
outwitted ID and caused us lots of
trouble. Well now have our Joke on
him. I'll turn the log SO that both ends
will be in the lane."
But first the pig had to be driven out
of the corn; and he gave them an
unusually hard chase that morning, his
unsatisied appetite being almost q match
for his fear of stones and cluts. At last
they drove him through the bars and
into the lane, and away he went scamper.
ing Oft to the yard. 1t was only q
moments work to nov the log 30 that.
both ends will be in the lane."
The man and boy climbed the fence
into the field opposite, and sat down
where they could not be readily seen, the
boy in gleeful expectation and the man
more than curious. They waited a long
time, SO long that they began to fear that
Gruntle would get the joke on them
again by leaving till the next day all
further venture through the log.
HE is coming, Grandpa. I see him.
He is hurrying along just as he did
BEFORE" said Ray, raising on his knees
and rubbing his legs excitedly with both
hands. 3
For a full quarter of a mile they
watched the pigs approach. He would
trot a little distance, and then walk till
a rustic of the cornstalks, suggesting
thoughts of milky kernels, impslled him
to a faster gait. And 30 he came on,
walking and trotting, with an air of
happy assurance that the way was clear
before him. All the while four flashing
eyes, peering through the fence. took in
his every movement.
At the end of the log the marauder
stopped. After looking all around, he
plunged in. In a second, almost he was
out at the other end, but uahi not where
he expected to be. That short, sharp
grunt was the most expressive cry of
establishment that Ray had ever heard
The pig stared about, jerking his head
from side to side and, quickly turning,
walked off toward his yard. There was
a mistake somewhere. He evidently
meant to correct it. Going back a
hundred feet or more be faced about and
came as before, but more cautiously to
his accustomed entrance. Everything
was correct sc far, and after o look to
right and left, in he went and game out q
second time, ugh! into the unexpected.
This was overwhelming. He could not
believe his eyes, and for an instant stood
blinking them. Slowly turning, he went
back much further toward his yard. He
would surely get right this time. He
came on fast, fairly galloping. Giving
n quick glance about, he made his
third entrance into the log, and then his
third exit, with the same astonished
grunt.
How long this might have continued
can only be guessed, for at that third
exit Ray. who had stuffed his handker-
chief into his mouth, choked, and losing
all self.control, rolled on the ground with
merry shouts, all the louder because 80
long held in. Gruntle heard him and
started off, not to prepare for another
charge through the log, but in a humble
trot he went all the way back to his mud
bed in the yard.
"Grandpa, you are right. There Is lots
of fun in Gruntle."
But that was the end OF it. Some
twenty feet from the pig-yard was an
iron dish into which two or three times
a day soured or loppered milk was poured
for the chickens. Many q time had
Gruntle watched that trimming dish.
The day after the turning of the log,
having missed his corn luncheon, he did
not stop with gazing, but, sticking his
head into a place where the ra lis were
somewhat apart, he squirmed and tugged
till his whole body was through the
fence. Gathering himself up, he was
quickly at the dish.
Ray caught sight Of him from the
house, and ran to drive the thief away.
The pig. perceiving that his opportunity
was likely to be brief. gulped down great
mouthfuls of the rich curds, and almost
emptied the dish before the enemy was
on him. Reluctantly he made a dash for
the fence and endeav0red to wigele
through where he came out. His enlarge
ment by several quarts of milk made his
passage a very tight squeeze. He kicked,
and squealed as he had never been heard
to do before, and, finally, fairly lifting
the rails above him, fell, with a groan,
into the yard.
Ray thought he was resting exhausted
by his violent effort; but when the farmer
came, a few moments later, Gruntle did
not hurry to the trough with his usual
noisy greeting. He did not stir at all.
No calls or blows could bring from him
any response.
Kay" said the farmer, sGruntle is
dead and like a pig has died."-Inde.
pendent.
If it required an annual outlay Of $780,.
w to insure a family against any serious
consequences from an attack of bowel