The Cairo bulletin., 1910-05-06
NATALIE'S BOTHER
SOME PET.

my pet"
Natalie's young uncle set his suit
case down on the porch and gathered
| his niece and 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 | am to receive you. TIN be q
good chance for You to get acquainted
with Cleopatra"
Cleopatra! Well. where is Hel
Majesty"
Just wait second till l get hel
milk You see, I'm raising Cleopatra
on bottle and it's lots OF work
You'll help me every Gay. 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 fee
great enthusiasm for nursing baby
lamb, as he supposed Cleopatra to be
OF course, dear" he answered
When he beheld the broken.tailed
Httle Berkshire pig that Natalie
proudly introduced to him as Cleo
patra, Uncle Nat gaspeds
Child, what an odd pet!"
She's darling. Uncle Nat" de-
clared Natalie. Don't you like little
pigsT
We'll, I've never considered them
exactly bewitching." he confessed.
But this ones too 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 her sash, tie 1t around her
when she begins to drink, and she
gets so much fatter 1t stays on splen-
didly. isn't she cunning the way she
swells out while she's drinking?'
Very interesting, indeed. murmur-
ed Uncle Nat
As the last drop of milk disappear
ed he Strengthened his back and asked
humbly How often do you--do we
feed here
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 all en-.
deavor to look properly gratified al
the idea Of gaining the pigs affection.
IT'S an honor | could we'll spare,
he said to his brother-in-law one morn.
ing when they were obliged to give
mp 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 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 Il
prefer dog, myself. but an attend,
ant 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 have walk down to
the station
That's SO; Miss Benton is expect.
ed today. wonder how she will take
TO Cleopatra? VIII 1t be Love me,
love my hog? DO you recall that old
poem: There was a lady loved a
swine'?'
Nat cast scornful glance upon his
brother-n-law and then strolled away
with faithful Cleopatra at his heels.
pretty girl was just alighting from
parlor car that afternoon when
Nat, who was hurrying toward her,
heard a familiar squeal. Then, IN
stead 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 II
didn't know you we're so fond Of pigs
ITS 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, 1t wont make me feel any more
uncomfortable that do already
II don't feel like laughing, replied
Miss Benton, with gravity Nat
thought adorable, and | suppose pigs
is pigs but think shall like Cleo
patra."
There was something In the under
standing look she gave Nat that made
him forget the contented little animal
that was smuggling against his shoul.
der.