Young Widow Mahan had an iligant pig, In the garden it loved for to wallow and dig; On potatoes it lived, and on fresh b.u.t.termilk, And its back was as smooth as fine satin or silk.

Now Peter McCarthy, a graceless young scamp, Who niver would work, such a lazy young tramp, He laid eye on the pig, as he pa.s.sed by one day, And the thafe of the world, he stole it away!

_Chorus_

An iligant pig in every way, Young Widow Mahan used often to say: "Faith, when it's full grown, I'll go to the fair, A mighty foine price I'll get for it there."

As Mr. Sweeney started to repeat the four lines of the chorus, a soprano voice rose above his own, and, as the last note died away, Maude came in for her share of the applause. Mrs. Crowley was delighted, and showed her appreciation by laughing until she cried.

II

He drove the poor piggy to Ballyporeen, And the price of it soon he did spend in poteen, He got into a fight and was cracked on the head, Then to jail he was carried and taken for dead.

The constable then for the Father did send, For he thought that McCarthy was quite near his end; He confessed to the priest, did this penitent youth, About the pig stealing he told the whole truth.

Maude improvised a short symphony before the third and last stanza.

III

Then to young McCarthy, the Father did say: "Now what will you do at the great Judgment Day?

For you will be there, at the bar you will stan'

The pig as a witness, and Widow Mahan."

"Faith, what will I do?" young McCarthy did say.

"An' the pig will be there at the great Judgment Day?

Begorre! I'll say to the Widow, 'Asth.o.r.e, Take back your old pig, for I want it no more'

"'An iligant pig in ivery way, Schwate Widow Mahan, plaze take it away.

Faith, now it's full grown, just go to the fair, A mighty foine price you'll git for it there.'"

"Yes," said Uncle Ike, "that's what the rich man will say. After cheating the poor, buncoing the credulous, and 'cornering' his fellows, he will say he is willing to give it back, for he has no further use for it. There's a good moral in that song, Mr. Sweeney, and some of our sordid millionaires ought to hear it."

Quincy looked at his watch. "The hour is late--for the country, but, fortunately, our hotel keeps open all night."

Quincy carried Uncle Ike up stairs to his room and told him he would come some day and have a good old-fashioned talk with him.

They walked home slowly, Maude admiring the moonlight night and the cool, scented air. When they reached their own room, after seeing Maude to hers, Alice repeated to her husband her conversation with Uncle Ike.

"You must do something to cheer him up, Quincy. Promise me, won't you?"

"Yes, I promise. I hope I won't forget to perform it as I have in one instance."

"Why--what?"

"Do you remember that young man at the Town Hall--Arthur Scates? He's in consumption. I told him to come to the State House and I would see that he had proper treatment. He hasn't been--or perhaps he has since I've been away, but I will see him to-morrow."

Alice looked up at him approvingly. "Quincy, I agree with you that the real value of money is found in the good that can be done with it."

CHAPTER VII

STROUT AND MAXWELL'S GROCERY

The next morning, after breakfast, Quincy asked his wife and Maude to accompany him to Mrs. Hawkins' barn.

"I wish I had my saddle horse here," said Alice.

"So do I," added Maude. "I did think of bringing him."

Alice laughed, "Do you know, Maude, sometimes you say the most ridiculous things? How could you bring a horse with you?"

"Easy enough--on a cattle car. Besides, I could have ridden down here if Quincy hadn't been in such a hurry."

"Alone?"

"No, with Bobby. What better protector can a woman have than a good horse? I shall never remain in danger long if my heels or my horse's will get me away from it."

"Maude, you're a strange girl," said Alice. Then she put her arm about her and added--"but one of the best girls in the world."

By this time they had reached the barn. Two stalls were occupied. Quincy pointed to two side-saddles hanging on the wall.

"As I knew you were both good horse-women, I had these sent up with your riding habits from Eastborough Centre yesterday. I am going to be busy at the store this morning, and I thought you might enjoy a ride."

Maude threw her arms about his neck and kissed him.

"You are the bestest brother in the world."

"And the most thoughtful husband," said Alice as he drew her close to him.

"Well, I'll saddle them and see you mounted."

A quarter of an hour later Quincy led the horses to the street.

"Don't go down Obed's Hill--it is very steep. Ride along Pettingill Street to the Centre Road, which will bring you to Mason Street, and when you've walked your horses up hill you'll be near the grocery store, where you'll find me."

They waved a good-bye as they rode off, and Quincy made his way to the grocery store. Mr. Strout came from behind the counter to meet him.

Hiram was busy putting order baskets in the gaudily painted wagon.

"I heard as how you were in town, and Hiram said you were at his house last night, but I ain't one of the kind that gits mad if I'm waited on last at table. In music you know we usually begin down low and finish off up high, and visitin' is considerable like music, especially when there's three children and one of 'em a baby."

His closing words were intended to refer to Hiram's family, but Quincy made no reply.

Mr. Strout was never at a loss for words: "How do you like being Governor?"

"So well that one term is enough. I'm going to Europe later."

"I mean to go some day. I've heard so many foreigners blow about what they've got over there, I'm kinder anxious to see for myself. If they've got a better grocery store than this, I'll introduce improvements as soon as I get back."