Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1899-09-15
AN EDUCATED PIG.
ny FLORENCE u. HALLOWEEN.

over the little garden-gate in front Of
their mothers cottage one June day,
in an ecstasy Of delight, as, one after
the other, Hoop & Co.'S gayly painted
circus wagons rolled slowly by on their
way to the market town of Scottsboro,
three miles distant, where an exhibit
tion was to be given.
Neither of the children had ever
before seen circus wagons, and every
thing wore the wonderful charm of
novelty.
'What lovely picturesI' cried Fan
ny. They're nicer than any in that
book mother gave me last Christmas"
cit must be grand to belong 10 a
circus" said Oscar, who was three
years older than Fanny. 'How I'd
like to drive that wagon with the lion
on itp'
''But perhaps there is lion a
real, live one-inside, too, and he
might get out" suggested Fanny.
I'D risk it." replied Oscar, with a
boys carelessness of danger ooh,
Fanny, look, look!" as half a dozen lit
tie Shetland ponies came in sight, fol-
lowed by several elephants. ''This
makes me wish more than ever to 60
to the exhibition"
"Well, we can't go, and so there's
no use wishing" said Fanny, philoso-
phically. ''Let's pick the peas, and
then go down to the brook and wade.
That'll be fun"
''Not as much fun as going to the
circus" reioined Oscar, and he sighed
as he watched the last wagon disap-
i pear around bend in the road.
1t seemed hard that he should be
denied so great pleasure for the
want of only so cents.
He hoped that when he grew to be
a man, he would have money enough
to go to a circus every day in the week,
if he so desired.
The peas were soon picked, some
potatoes dug, and a bucket Of water
drawn from the well, and then the
children were at liberty to go to the
brook, which was in a neighbours pas
ture, half mile away.
Fanny had thrown off her sunbon-
net, and Oscar his hat, and they we're
having a fine time splashing in the
clear, limpid water, when suddenly
they were startled by the sound of a
loud Frunt, and looking up, saw fine
spotted pig standing only few feet
| from them.
Gracious, how he scared me-" said
Fanny. "Where did he come from,
wonder? I never saw him before"
I'll drive him away" and Oscar
| jumped from the brook and seized a
stout stick. ''Next thing we know,
he'll be splashing in the water with
u.s."
But the pig did not seem at all
afraid of the stick. Instead of taking
to his heels when threatened with it,
he raised himself slowly on his hind
legs, and sitting down, bowed to Os-
car with an air Of profound respect.
"Well, l never saw anything like
that before" exclaimed the aston
ished boy, while Fanny was too sur
prised to speak atall
The pig remained in an upright pc,
sition for few minutes, and then de-
scending slowly to all-fours again,
looked up at Oscar, as if in expecta-
ton Of some order.
Oscar raised the stick again, and
the pig Immediately stood on his head
"This beats anything ever saw
said the boy. "Hhis pig must certain
ly be crazy"
"Let's run home and tell MOTHER
suggested Fanny. She'll know what
to do; and Pm so afraidv
"Afraid of what" asked voice
and Tony Grim, the son Of a neighbor
came spIashing across the brook
"Afraid Of strange pig! Well, yot
are credit to the country"
''But this is such queer pig. HI
acts SO funny" explained Fanny
'You'll be afraid of him yourself
Tony, when you see how he can bow
and stand on his head"