The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1909-08-20
namesake into his

the best pet | know, he said.
where are mother and daddy
They're at a golf tea or something,
ard | 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 ! get her
milk You see, I'm raising Cleopatra
on a 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
Now, you hold the bottle for her
while | tie on her sash. ! 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
hum5ly: How often do you-do we
feed herr"
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. Il did not occur 10 him that
Cleopatra would begin, as she did the
very next day, to follow him about
It's an honor ! could we'll spare"
he said to his brother-in-law one morn
ing. when they were obliged TO give
up a 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 haye
pigs thrust upon them"
It's all your own fault, Nat" said
Natalies father Natalie wanted my
assistance in the commissary depart
ment, but I declined firmly You are
too weak-minded about Natalie" That
young persons father laughed. Il
prefer a dog, myself, but an attendant
pig is very becoming to you"
You think you're funny, don't
your" said Nat, witheringly. 81 wish
you'd tell Natalie to keep her pet
where she can't see me this afternoon.
I'm going to take a walk down to the
station"
That's So Miss Benton is expect
ed to-day. wonder how she will take
TO Cleopatra? VIII it be Love me.
love my hog?' Do you recall that old
poem: There was a lady loved a
swine?'
Nat cast a scoruful 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
find Miss Benton's eyes upon him.
How do you do?" she said. IT
didn't know you were so fond of pigs"
It's Natalie's pet Cleopatra" Nat
fastened to explain. "She has a bad
habit of following me. 1t seems that
| can't escape her, though | thought
] had done so this time. Laugh if you
like, it won't make me feel any more
uncomfortable than do already"
Il don't feel like laughing" replied
Miss Benton, with a gravity Nat
thought adorable, "and l suppose
pigs 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 animal
that was smuggling against his shout
der.-Chicago Daily News