Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-12-04
WHOLE NUMBER 101.
AN AFFECTING STORY OF A sRAE.


-
The seal is endowed with remarka-
bly, powerful brain development, and is
gifted with an amount Of sagaciiy whicE
entities him to take high rank even among
domestic animals, He is easily tanned,
and eyinces degree Of attachment in
domeslicalion second only TO mans most
faithful friend, the dog. This is noticed,
by Phny; and Cuvier describes one dis
playing much intelligence, and perform
ing many tricks. Thus, when desired to
raise himself on his extremity, and to
take \ staii between his lippers like
sentinel, he obeyed the word OF command;
he would also lie down on his right side.
or on his left, as directed, or tumble head
over heels. Tie gave a fiipper as q dog
gives paw, and prctruded his lips for
kiss. The attachment TO their masters.
aud particularly to those who feed them,
may have been observed by the pleasing
instance Of the late seal in the Regents
Park Geological Gardens, which as many
Of our readers may have remarked, evin.
eed remarkable degree of activity and
sense when the keeper was in sight. Blu,
probably the mos, convincing, rs it cetain-
ly Is the most affecting story of the DO.
mestic nature and attachment of the
Pboeo ritatiHa, or common seal, is the
following story, which is well authentica-
ted A young seal was domesiicated in
the house Of n farmer near the sea shore
in Ireland. 1t grew apaee its habits
were innocent and gentle; it played with
the children, was familiar with servants
and attached to the house and family
In summer its delight was TO bask in the
SUM- in winter to lie before the fire; or.
if permitted, TO creep into large oven
I-the common appendage TO an Irish
kitchen. a particular disease attacked
the black cattle, many of which died.
An old hag pursuaded the credulous own.
er that the mortality among his cattle,
was owing to his retaining about his house
an unclcan beast-ihe harmless and anu
sing seal--and that it should be got rid
OF. The superstitious man caused the
, poor creature to be carried in a boat be-
- ---l Tl...., i-.,j -,A thrat.-. :.-4> ~
= sea. The next morning the seal was
} found quietly sleeping in the oven. He
I had crept through nm open window and
: taken possession of his 'avolite retreat
f The cattle continued to die the seal was
. again committed to the deep at a greater
r distance. On the second evening tho
q servant was raking the kitchen fire she
a heard a scratching at the door; she open
+ ed it, and in came the seal. 1t uttered a
r peculiar cry, expressive Of delight, at
d finding itself once more at home and,
Il stretching itself on the hearth, fell into a
sound sleep. The old hag was again
st consulted. She said it would be unlucky
to kill the animal, but advised that its
e eyes should be put out, and then thrown
n into the sea. The deluded wretch listen
] ed TO the barbarons suggestion, and the
Is innocent creature was deprived Of its
- sight; and a third time, writhing in ago.
- ny; was carried beyond Clare Island
e, and thrown into the sea. On the eight
in night after the harmless seal had becI
] devoted TO the Allantic,sit ble@7 tire
] mendous gale. In pauses of the storm
ID a wailing noise was Mt times family heart
Il. at the door, which the servant concluded
r to be the Jansiee (the Irarbinjer of dealt
r in n family) The next morning, whei
be the door was opened, the seal was foun
n. lying dead upon the threshold. - Weld
a Vacation IN Ireland