The Prescott daily news., 1909-09-22

| V arad h,s niece and caresake into his arms. You are the best pet l know. he said. "Wlere are mother and daddy?'
 They're at a 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 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 baby lamb, as be 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:
 tHliu, WUat all Ouu pet! She's darling. Uncle Nat" de- clared Natalie. Don't you like little pigs?'
 Well, 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 Mir Hodge up at the farm said I 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 l 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 shes drink ing?"
 Very interesting, indeed" mur- mured Uncle Nat
 As the last drop of milk disappeared, he strengthened his back and asked humbly: How often do you-do we feed her?"
 Only four or five times 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 gratifled at the idea of gaining the pigs affec- ton. It did not occur to him that Cleopatra would begin, as she did the very next day, to follow him about.
 Its an honor I could we'll 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"
 Its all your own fault. Nat" said Natalie's father. Natalie wanted my assistance in the commissary depart ment, but declined firmly You are too weak-minded about Natalie" That young persons father laughed. T prefer dog. myself. but an attendant pig Is very becoming to you
 You think you're funny, don't you?" said Nat. witheringly. T 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 today. I wonder how she will take to Cleopatra? Will 1t be Love me, love my hog? Do you recall that old poem There was lady loved a swine?'"
 Nat cast 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 a 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 'I didn't know you were so fond of rigs"