The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-05-28
IN THE
HOG PASTURE.
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The domestic hog, grunting lazily
about his pen, is as harmless a crea-
ture In appearance as can well be
imagined. In their wild state. &C
cording to travellers, hogs are fierce
and cruel, unrelenting IN their fury.
and will attack men when reused
circumstances occasionally arise
which show that this wild strain has
not been wholly lost, even in the
most obese porker.
Mark and Carl Perkins, two Chi
cago boys, aged eleven and fourteen,
whiie spending their vacation last
summer on their Grandfather Triggs'
farm in Central Wisconsin, had an
experience with hogs which they will
not soon forget.
Among the many delights which
the farm Afforded, the one which
gave the boys the most pleasure. dur
ing the early part of the summer, was
picking wild strawberries in a pasture
halt-mile from the house. Tie
most convenient route to this field
was across the hog pasture, a ten
acre lot which lay between the
strawberry pasture" and the house.
On these berrying trips they were
OFTEN accompanied by Mack, a farm
dog or uncertain breeding, with the
color and intelligence Of & shepherd
dog and the heavy jaw and persist
ency OF a bulldog. The boys had
taken strong fancy to the dog, and
he In his turn appeared to like the
society of youth, after long associa-
ton with Grandfather Triggs.
One forenoon, the week after their
arrival, they started for strawber-
ries, carrying with them two tin pals
and lunch which their grandmother
had put up for them.
Boys" their grandfather called
after them, see If there are any
gophers in those traps 1 set on the
nil! The little pests are going to
Kill all the grass IL / don't manage
TO get rid of them somehow"
The boys went to the place indi-
Gated and found the traps, nicely
hidden. but no gophers.
guess it's too early They
haven't come out yet," said Carl.
The boys went on to the strawberry
pasture. After their pals were filled.
they sat down to rest, and suddenly
remembered that they were hungry.
They brought out their bread and
Jam and cold chicken.
Let's go back by the traps" said
Carl, after they had finished their
lunch. There might be a gopher in
one now"
The traps were near the centre of
the field. When they were near them
they heard a pig squeal. The squeal-
Ing grew louder. "Weu. that's
queer" said Carl; ut must be hurt ."
e. Maybe it's lost" suggested Mark.
They could hear hogs all over the
pasture grunting in response to the
squeals of the pig.
Come on, Mark" cried Carl. 81
see 1t. It's in a trap" He began to
run, holding the pals carefully so
as not to spill the berries. Take
them" he said, handing these to
Mark, while l get it out. It's leg
may get broken"
He stopped to bend the spring, but
the pig made such franctic efforts to
escape that It ierked up the stake
which held the chain and hobbled
away with the trap clinging to its
foot
Carl. I'm afraid Of the hogs!"
cried Mark.
They were indeed acting strangely.
They were running toward them from
All quarters OF the pasture, uttering
q noise that was more like a roar
than a grunt.
"Hogs?" said Carl, scornfulIy.
Hogs won't hurt You. See. 4 can
drive them away with this stick. !"
lie picked up a stick and raped a
hog smartly over the back. The ami
mai squealed and ran~tO one side.
Mark was treasured His conf
dence I'm HIS older brother was nm
limited. Together they set out after
the crippled pig, chasing lt hither
and thither, i'm and out OF tho drove
OF excited hogs. Finally Carl caught
the end of the chain and stopped it's
progress. at which the pig souealed
more wildly than ever. The old hogs
we're making a deagening nroar
round them. Even Carl began to yet
nervous.
You'd better get out" .he shouted
TO Mark. Run and climb over the
fence"
Shall I take the berries7a asked
Mark
While Carl hesitated snout
struck the back Of his leg, and he
heard his trousors rip.
Run quickl" ne cried land the
next instant was knocked down.
4 babel OF hoarse aruntai and. the
swapping Of tuaks surrounded him,