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"Pigs?" I exclais, Peter," nodded Old As; 'is sow

farrowed last week--at three in themore and more

"Well, Peter, they was a fine 'earty lot, an' all a-doin' well

--till last Monday"

"Indeed!" said I

"Last Monday night, four on 'em sickened an' died!"

"Most unfortunate!" said I

"An' the rest 'as never been the sareed with theain Old Amos ssty, don't ye, Peter?"

"I really can't say that I do"

"Yet you pass it every day on your way to the 'Oller--it lays

just be'ind Simon's oast-'ouse, as James 'isself will tell 'ee"

"So it du," interpolated Dutton, with an apologetic nod, "which,

leastways, if it don't, can't be no'ow!" having delivered himself

of which, he buried his face in the belcher handkerchief

"Now, one evenin', Peter," continued Old Amos, "one evenin' you

leaned over the fence o' that theer pigsty an' stood a-lookin' at

they pigs for, p'r'aps, ten minutes"