THE PINK PIG.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1013, 31 December 1910, Page 12

THE PINK PIG.

■ -■ ■ ; (By Anna .Stokes Cruett.) The sun .was beating down on the lawn with a Juno fierceness, and even under tho awning on the verandah it. was stifiingly hot. In as negligee a costume as was. permissible on a Sunday afternoon, Tom lounged in a comfortable chair, a cigarette between his lips. The peaceful chiming of distant church bells, mingled with the droning of bees in the honeysuckle, caused his head to nod once or twice. He was roused by. his wife's voice. With her pretty face white and drawn from the heat, Polly was preparing- for the weekly Scripture lesson, as evidenced by tho large Bible under her. arm and the leaflet in her hand. Behind her marched the two victims, of her zeal, each bearing a hassock which he carefully deposited at her feet and. on which he solemnly placed himself. '

Dick, the older, .was but .a second edition of his (Sirk-cyed, thoughtful mother, while Billj - , "the imp," was his red-haired jovial father over again. Each was dressed in immaculate white linen,- while the rosy countenances above shone with a recent strenuous application of' soap and water. "Look, here, Polly," Tom began, with, languid indignatiftn, "you're not going w drag thoso poor innocents through this,today! It's too beastly hot, , and with that headache, you're not fit for it!',' . "I would not neglect it for anything," was the dignified, reply, "especially when Dr. Qoodmau says they are the brightest in the infan,t. school.' *;iTost remarkable, children," Tom acquiesced solemnly, "but I- fail to believe: that their souls will be lost if you. omit' this one lesson.' Still"—with heroic 6Qlf- . sacrifico—"if you insist upon the operation, I will teach them myself." . "You!" she laughed. '< "You don't know as much about the Bible as they do." "Don't I!" bouncing indignantly put of his chair. "I'll show you." Drawing her, laughing and protesting, to the hammock, he forced her gently into it. ' 1 ' . "There now, Angel' Wife/' he said, tenderly kissing the aching: forehead as lie tucked tho cushions about her,» "possess your soul in peace while I teach -the youngsters a lesson they'll never forget." "Can you tell,'bout 'those, -things?" questioned Dick dubiously. _ "Certainly, my son," replied his father, with great dignity. ' Though ho made no protest, the older follower 'after knowledge looked unconvinced, while the younger,, producing an : incapacitated fly from some unknown region, began to dissect it with interest. , "Now,- children," Tom commenced, rolling up his sleeves and scanning 1 -rather apprehensively the leaflet in his hand, "this lesson is about forgiveness." "What's that?" inquired Dick., "Well, if Jack Billings hit you on tho cheek what would you do "I'd hit him," was the prompt reply. , ["That would be very wrong," his father rejoined piously. "This lesson teaches us to turn tho other cheek." "Why, daddy"—disappointment evident in his'-voice—"l heard you tell mother that O'Brien knocked Smith out, and that it was a fine fight!" -. ."That's different," Tom answered hastily, not glancing in the direction of . tho hammock.' "Besides, you "ought to have been in bed. Now Billy,"; .turning towards his : youngest, "what would you.do if -.someone, hit you ?" "Gib him the debil," the imp responded serenely, putting the dismembered fly in his pocket. "William!" "Thafs ivhat you told the fox terrier to do whon : tho bulldog bit him/' came from., • the'-inexorable Dick. \ . Tom wiped his. heated - brow-..' The' les-' •son was proving moTe difficult, than ho had expected. Only the sound. of an hysterical giggle from the hammock' mado him pull himself together. '' , '- .."We are told," he began again, but with less coiifidenco' than'at fiT'st,'"that if a man thy. coat:give ihiin thy."cloalfrt!sQ/'-,k-.. 'V .'V. ' ' "Why must I?" Dick-interrupted, "Because tho Bible tells youito." J "Then I wouldn't have ntiifin' to keep' me warm," protested'the young man to whom the idea of martyrdom did not appeal. . "But think how nice and warm the. other fellow would be." . Dick turned the /matter over in his mind. The question presented 1 several difficulties. He decided to give it a-final test. "Would you do it, daddy?" he demanded,' regarding ' his father with ' serious round eyes. , "Most certainly; my son," was the virtuous reply. - . Dick heaved a reluctant sigh. 'Then I will.", . Kather alarmed, Tom-decided that his duty hiyl been performed, so patting his older son on the" head and giving the younger, a playful punch in the ribs, ho dismissed tho class. Tilting back his chair with a sigh of Telief, he. gave himself up, to his cigarette and his Sunday paper. With rather, longing looks in the direction of their mother, who had dropped asleep,-Dick and Billyobediently descended the steps. It was hard to feel they were not wanted, but bowing to the inevitable they cast about in their miuds ; for means of. entertainment. • ■ '

From here.they wandered down through the orchard to the back gate. Here they could swing unheeded, the soothing squeak of the old. hinges a balm to their wounded feelings. Dick mounted the faithful steed, followed more laboriously by Billy,' who almost impaled himself on,the big latch, tearing a huge rent in his little dress. To and fro .they swung in glorious freedom, laughing with delight, each : time the gate shut with a dull clang. ' ' "See that man comin??" observed Dick, pointing up- the lonely road. " 'Praps he'll play with us." "Man j>lay gee-up horsey," . suggested Billy, in delighted anticipation. , They watched him with interest as . the tramp trudged wearily along in the dust, the perspiration streaming troni his'face. He was a dilapidated specimen, with a soiled newspaper bundle and a beery personality. "How-de-do," remarked Dick, tentatively, as the man aporoached. "How-de-do," echoed Billy in the same tone. The tramp stared' in amazement. He saw two small faces, surmounted by largo straw hats, gazing at him over the'white picket fence, to which two little figures cluug with dirty, chubby fists. The round eyes were full of friendly, curio'sity. • "How-de-do," he returned awkwardly. "It's awful hot,", ventured Dick wishing to be polite., ' ■ - "Ifs blanked hot," was l the reply, "What's blanked mean?". The man only grunted. "Gee.-u'p-horseyi gee-up-horsey," broke in Billy. Man, be Billy's gee-up-horsey." The' man stared at him in bewilderment. . . . "He wants you to play horsey with him," Dick explained. "He's only three, you know," ho added patronisingly. _ . . "Play, horsey! Gosh! A day like this!" and the man drew his dirty shirt sleeve across his brow. ■ "tfs nice and cool on the back porch," tho little boy suggested;. "Ain't got no dogs?- Then, I guess I'llconie in and sit down a bit." The tramp cautiously opened the gate, and, looking, about him as he went, followed the children-up under tho apple trees to the big .back porch. On the others side of the house, their parents peacefully slumbered.- - "Lord! This is something like!" the weary one declared, dropping into oue of Polly's favourite .cretonne-covered chairs. Dick and . Billy drew up' another. Placing it directly in front of the man, they clambered in and regarded him with faces full of wondering admiration. "What's your name?" Dick inquired politely. "Jl'Ginness." "Jl'Ginness what?" •".Pat Jl'Ginness." "Poor 'Ginness awful dirty [" -.'interpolated Billy, who had been carefully scrutinising him. "Where do you live?"- Dick was thirsting . for information. .- "Anywhere." "Where's that?" . "Guess you don't know much about that there place, young man," rejoined Jl'Ginuess, with a gleam of humour. "Ain't you got anything to drink around, here?" With an eager affirmative, the children scampered into tho house and soon returned, each bearing; in his hot - little hands a beautiful silver • .cup brimming

with'rich country . milt. The cups were tho prido of their hearts; : "Say, that's foine!" ejaculated M'Ginness, tossing down' the ..cool, sweet 'drink, with a 6igh of satisfaction. But he did not return the. cups. • . . "In our house," Dick confided, leaning - against the man's ragged knee, "we have lots an'd lots of things." "Have you,; though!" M'Ginness was perfectly willing to encourage communications of this kind. "Now, you don't happeu to, have no silver and money, lyin',round, do you, young feller?", "Oh, yes!" Dick swelled with : pride at the flattering familiarity. , "We have lots of silver spoons and forks and things.,-. And I've got"—the child's eyes sparkled—'Tve got a dollar and', seven - . " "My! Ain't that.grand, now!"' "Yes! It's in a holy pig." "A holy pig!" ... v , "Yes; a pink pig with a hole, in it& back where you put the pennies in;" -.J For a,minute M'Ginnesss dilapidated? countenance relaxed. "Gosh', you're a queer uh! Wish I had all that there wealth," he added, grimly: "Say, kid, where do you keep it?" f ■

"Up in the nursery." Then, as an idea '-.. occurred to him, "Don't you want to come, up, Mr.—Mr. M'Ginness, and 111 show it to you. We've got toys, too,; £ track and a choo-choo—and— "An' a wocking-horse," cut ii Billy. .. a' trolley—" . ■: "An' a moo-cow!" shouted tlie imp; "And, .everything," concluded Dick: comprehensively. / "Where's yer pa and ma?" tho trampinquired 'cautiously. , • " . "Asleep ton the front porch. Don't* .. you hear'that loud noise?" cocking hiai head on one side. "That's Father." N .'M'Ginness ~ listened., 'He . heard "Fa> ther." Assured that all was . safe- for/some." time' to come, ,he followed the children.. into the-cool, "dark-hall, passed a-door l ' through, which-he caught a'glimpse of a • mahogany serving table covered with cut ' glass and silver, jand up tho wide stair* , way to the nursery. Here all their treasures were spread ■ before his eyes. "First,' the precious pint Pig-' . "Be very careful," Dick admonished as he handed it to the man. "He's lame. His lsg. got broke'once, 60 the;,, painter mended it ; with putty. It'g: i 'most as good !" .. . In spite of its. crippled condition, I ping pig gave forth a delightfully afflu* ent sound, and as the. tramp took it hi* ■: '■- watery,'red eyes glistened • greedily. .: . Next was displayed the "choo-choo** and-the track. . M'Ginness almost forgot his woes, as he knelt on the floor, . ■ in imminent danger of: being ridden ■ down by Billy and tho "wocking-horse."i He watched.'in. fascinated • astonishment • as the little toy raced round and round, past its tiny i switches- and under its miniatmre bridges. "Gosh!" was all he said. : A striking clock aroused him.. "Guess, . I must be going along, kids/' he' sighed, ; "Ain't you got no more ' pigs round?" .V •. As tho man rose,: Dick, for the..first time, saw .the precious pink nose of his treasure sticking out of his hip pocket, i A sudden : feeling of rage ana grief rose in the-little'-boy's heart,' and two , big tears welled into his eyes.. . How 1 many hours of dandelion: weeding w.era represented by : its "jingling contents!.' But-' .with the terns was born in tho ■ child's mind a thought—a very big • thought—which', had been' eown there i that afternoon.' ... "No," 'he said slowly, with a -.little' quiver in; his voice, "no, I only have .' one. If I had another, I'd" give it- to, you, but"—his face cleared suddenly at his inspiration,' "we've got ,coats and—i and cloaks!"' v. . • ''Well/'-r-H'Giiiness'scratched Ills neatf i —"I can't 6ay I'm perishin' for-want o£. ■ one this- afternoon, but if any of yor ■' pa's was ' handy I might make use of them."- ' - - • i Ten minutes later, H'Ginnes3 and the ! two children were retracing their steps down through, the orchard to tho white. . gate. A little .trip into the.dining room ': had proved profitable, 1 and in the tramp s I .pocket, the pink pig .clinked' merrily,. : against, half a dozen 6pdons* '' if Atfross-Miis arm wafi thrownoTom's new coat, and as the best substitute he could. , find for. tho cloak of - Scripture fame,, . Dick, had added his father's..rubber motor- . ,- iug coat. . ;/ "Well, good-by, young.'uns" M Grnnesa :said cheerfully, as the gate clicked behind him. ■ . .', "Good-bye, Mr. M'Gmhess." The two". .- little faces were again' peering over tho . white pickets. "Come again! - Come again!" : They had been taught to bo hospitable.. - . . • , " ' 'Guess I'd better not. . The tramp ' grinned. "But I tell yon what/little tellows—you . two are all right . and I 'won't forgetjije." . . . ' . . As lie camo to a turn m the lane, lia. -dropped, his .bundle ' and back. 'The 'mellow afternoon light' filtering through the-green-leaves of a gnarled apple tree fell on the two; little figures, each clingiiig with one chubby hand to , tlie bars, while the other was .waved m a cheery farewell. . As M'Ginness watched them Dick' threw. Mm a kiss. . ■ A lump suddenly rose in the man's • throat. ' '. ' ' . . ' "Sorter, wish I hadn t taken his holy pig!" he muttered huskily: After a moment of_ indecision;_he gave a grim laugh,-and without looking back picked up his bundle and trudged'wear- . . are' the. children,. Tom ?" Polly inquired drowsily, rousing herielf from .a; long nap. "Into some mischief, I don't doubt!": . was the sleepy response, as Tom dropped his chair onto its four . legs/ with a, ~ thump.: ; . V At this : moment. the two subjects of. their remarks appeared around the corner of the porch. . Their faces and . clothes. ' were dirty, and smelled .of kerosene, . while the rent, in Billys dress had attained alarming. dimensions. v "What in the world-" began Polly, m - astonishment, but Dick interrupted her. '■ "We did it, Daddy," .he announced pioiislv, his eyes raised to . his father's. ' "I'll bet you did,.my son! AVhat was;: it?" inquire'd Tom, who was enjoying the scene immensely. "We gave him thy coat and thy cloak' . also." ' " . ''. ■v- • ' "Wh-what!" It was Toms turn to gasp. ' ' ■ "The poor , man was ■ so tired and ;so thirsty, and he didn't have any coat—". .. • "Poor man no., tollar. 'Awful dirty ■ ■ man!" broke in Billy, on whom.the fact had made a deep impression. "And he didn't havo any cloak either," continued Dick, ."so 'I'gava him—l gave' him—" The child-stopped in bewilderment, for' his father,was glaring at him, his fact scarlet with anger and; astonish- /. ruent. .. ' . , "You little rascal! - You little—! /; You don't mean that you gave'him my, :' new coat!" v . . . . "You told me that's what , you would do." Dick's lips quivered, but he added' bravely, "so, I. gave him the cloak, too, aiid—and my pink pig—" , . *.. • But his father was- too angry to. listen. Grasping the little bov by tho shoulder ; he shook him violently. ■ ■ . . "I'll teach you to give away things that don't belong to you,", he; burst forth'. "Come into', the house this minutes, and I'll show you—" . "Stop Tom!" Pollys strong : little ' hand was on his arm and her dark eves blazed. "If you touch. that child I'll never, never forgive you" she added,, her . face white-with indignation. "He-gave my new.coat to tramp" Tom stormed. . ' . "And you- :have only yourself ,to thank!"' she" flashed back. ."You . under- . took in a spirit of fun to teach him one of the hardest lessons we have to learn, and set yourself up as an example for him to-follow. Now you fly into a_ pas-.' siou, and would punish him'for doing it. I .think, Tom, ho has proved himselfthe better man." The anger died out of Tom's eyes and a quick flush of mortification rose to \ his face. , "You'ro right, Polly, he admitted is a low shamed tone, and there was a ] catch in his voice as he added: "I guess \ the kid had better teach me." : \ ] Turning to her little son who was sob' i bing-now with nervous excitement Polly , put her arms about him and. drew him \ close. With all the divine comprehen- ( teion of mother lovo . she. whispere'li. ■.* "Father wasn't really angry darling; he \ didn't understand; He wants you to sit on-his lap and tell him all about it." , Tho stars were twinkling through nursery window as several hours later a tall man bent' over a little boy's cr}b and j with, clumsy repentant fingers drew the i covers more smoothly about the childish figure. As he did 60. Dick stirred, : "Father told me to,"- he whispered •' drowsily,' -"but I had only. one . pinlj J pig '