North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1862-10-22
QUEER STORY OF 4 pIc.,9 > "

The Rev. j. G. Wood, in his Animal
Traits and characteristics" thus glorifes
one: " curious animal is pig, gentleman.
Very cunning, too--a great deal more, sensi.
BILE than people give him credit for. had
pig board my ship that was too knowing BY
half All hands wee fond of him. and there
was not one On board that would have seen
him injured. There was dog on board, too,
and the pig and he were capital friends; they
ate out of the same plate, walked about the
decks together, and would lie down side By
side under the bulwarks in the sun. The
only thing they ever quarrelled about was
lodging. The dog, you see sir, had "a kennel
for himself; the pig had nothing of the scrt.
We did not think he needed one but he had j.,
his own notions upon that matter. Why
should Toby be better housed of night than
he? Well, sir, he had somehow got into his
head that possession is nine parts of the law;
and though Toby tried TO show him the
rights of the question, he was SO pig-headed
that he either would not or could not under.
stand. So every night it came to be catch
as catch can" If the dog got in first, he
would show his teeth, and the other had to
lie under the boat, or to find the softest plank
Where he could; if the pig was in possession
the dog could not turn him out, but looked
out for revenge next time. One evening. gem
tlemen, it had been blowing hard all day, and
l had just ordered close reefed top-sails, for,
the gale was increasing, and there was a good
deal OF sea running, and it was coming on to
be wet F; in short, said to myself. as called
down the companion-ladder for the boy to
bring up my pea-jacket, " We are going to
have dirty night" The pig was slipping
and tumbling about the decks, for the shic
lay over so much with the breeze. being close
hauled, that he could not keep his hoofs. At
last, he thought he would 60 and secure bis
birth for the night, though it wanted good
bit OF dusk. But, 10 and behold Toby had
been of the same mind, and there he was
safely housed. "Umph, umph," says the pig
gy, as he turned and looked up at the black
sky to windward; but Toby did not offerIto
move. At last, the pig seemed to give il up,
and took turn or two, as if he was making
up his mind which was the war aest corner.
Presently, he trudges off to the lee scuppers -
where the tin plate was lying that they ate
their cold 'tatoes off Pig takes I'D the pl,te
IN his mouth, and carries it to part of the
deck where the dog could see it, out sons
way from the kennel then, turning his tail
toward the dog, he begins to act as if he was,
eating out of the plate making it rattle, and,
munching with his mouth pretty loud.
" What y thinks Toby, has piggy got vlcs.f
uals there % and he pricked up his ears and,
looked out toward the place, making little !,
whining. "Champ, champ" goes the pig
taking not the least notice of the dog. and
down goes his mouth to the plate again. To-
by couldn't stand that any longer, and he not
there. Out he comes: and runs up in front of
the pig, with his mouth watering, aud pushes ,.
his cold nose into the plate. Like shot.
gentlemen, the pig turned tail, and was snug
in the kennel before Toby well know whether
there was any meat or not in the plate"