The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-19

namesake into his arms. You are
the best pet know he said.
Where are mother and daddy"
They're at golf tea or something,
and l am to receive you. It'll be a
good chance for you to get acquainted
with Cleopatra"
Cleopatra! Well. where is her
majesty"
Just wait a second till l get her
milk. You see, I'm raising Cleopatra
on bottle and it's lots of work.
You'll help me every day, won't you,
Uncle Nat?"
Uncle Nat had never yet refused
any request of Natalie's and he
would not begin now, though he did
not feel any great enthusiasm for
nursing a baby lamb, as he supposed
Cleopatra to be.
"Of course, dear" he answered.
When he beheld the broken-tailed
little Berkshire pig that Natalie proud
ly introduced to him as Cleopatra,
Uncle Nat gasped:
Child, what an odd pet!"
She's a darling, Uncle Nat" de-
clared Natalie. Don't you like little
pigs?"
We'll, I've never considered them
exactly bewitching," he confessed.
But this ones so pretty and she's
had lots of trouble. Her mother
wasn't good to her, so Mr.. Hodge up
at the farm said could have her, and
Bill, the hired man, broke her tail
when he was trying to catch her
while I tie on her sash. l tie it
around her when she begins to drink
and she gets so much fatter it stays
on splendidly. Isn't she cunning the
way she swells out while she's drink
ing?"
Very interesting, indeed" MUIR
INJURED Uncle Nat.
AS the last drop of milk disappeared,
he Strengthened his back and asked
humbly: How often do you-do we
feed hero
only four or five times a day.
You'll see how Cleopatra will like you,
specially, Uncle Nat, cause you hold
the bottle for her"
Her uncle smiled weakly in an en-
deavor to look properly gratified at
the idea of gaining the pigs affec-
ton. 1t did not occur to him that
Cleopatra. would begin, as she did the
very next day, to follow him about.
IT'S an honor l could well spare"
he said to his brother-in-law one morn
ing, when they were obliged to give
up set of tennis because Cleopatra
would insist upon endangering her
life by running at his heels on the
court and the fear of stepping back
upon her spoiled his game. Some
men achieve pigs and others have
pigs thrust upon them"
IT'S all your own fault, Nat" said
Natalies father. Natalie wanted my
assistance in the commissary depart
ment, but l declined firmly. You are
too weakminded about Natalie" That
young persons father laughed. 81
prefer a dog. myself but an attendant
pig is very becoming to you"
you think you're funny don't
your" said Nat, wtheringly. 81 wish
you'd tell Natalie to keep her pet
where she can't see me this afternoon.
I'm going to take walk down to the
station"
That's so; Miss Benton is expect
ed to-day. I wonder how she will take
to Cleopatra? Will it be Love me,
love my hog? Do you recall that old
poem: There was a lady loved a
swine?'"
Nat cast a scornful glance upon his
brother-in-law and then strolled away
with faithful Cleopatra at his heels.
A pretty girl was just alighting
from the parlor car that afternoon
when Nat, who was hurrying toward
her, heard a familiar squeal. Then.
Instead of greeting the new arrival.
he made wild dash for Cleopatra. as
she stood bewildered amid the wait.
ing traps and automobiles, her gay
pink sash united and bedraggled and
her voice raised in fear. Then, clasp
ing the rescued one safe in his arms.
he turned, red and perspiring, and
faced an amused group of travellers to
ind Miss Benton's eyes upon him.
How do you do?" she said. 81
didn't know you were so fond of pigs. ="
ITS Natalie's pet. Cleopa "a" Nat
fastened to explain. "She a bad
habit of following me- It 80 rs that
I can't escape her, though bought
had done so this time. La if YOU
Ike, it won't make me feel any more
uncomfortable than I do already"
81 don't feel like laughing" replied
Miss Benton. with a gravity Ma
thought adorable, and | suppose
n'C7 is pigs but I think shall like
Cleopatra"
There was something in the under.
standing look she gave Nat that made
him forget the contented little ANNA!
hat was smuggling against his shout
ier.-Chicago Daily News.