Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-12-13
Toby.

Chambers Journal of recent date
has the following entertaining sketch
Toby was sheep of middliDg size,
light built. finely limbed, as agile as a
deer, with dark, intelligent, gazelle
like eyes. and small pair of neatly
curled horns, with the points protrud-
ing about an inch from bis forehead.
His color was white, except on the face,
which was slightly darker.
AS an old sailor, | wish to say some
thing of Toby's history. I was on
board the good brig Reliance. Of Arbro-
ath, bound from Cork to Galatz, on the
left bank of the Danube. All went
well with the little ship until we reach
ed the Grecian Archipelago, and here
she was detained by adverse winds AID
contrary currents, making the passage
through the islands both a dangerous
and difficult one. When the mari
ners at length reached Tenedos, it was
found that the current from the Darda-
nelles was running out like mill
steam, which made it impossible to pro-
ceed; accordingly the anchor was cast,
the jolly boat was lowered, and the cap
tain took the opportunity of going on
shore for fresh water, of which they
were scarce. Having filled his casks,
it was only natural for sailor to long
to treat himself to mess of fresh meat
as we'll as water. He accordingly
strolled away through the little town
but soon found that butchers were as
yet unknown in Tenedos. Presently,
however, man came up with sheep.
which the captain at once purchased for
five shillings. This was Toby, with
whom, his casks of water and a large
basket of ripe fruit, the skipper return
ed to the vessel. There happened to be
on board this ship large and rather
useless half-bred Newfoundland dog.
This dog was the first to receive the at
tentions of Master Toby. for no sooner
had he placed foot on the deck, then
he ran full tilt at the poor Newfound-
land, hitting him square on the ribs
and banishing almost every bit of breath
from his body. 'Only sheep"
thought the dog, and few at Toby at
once. Toby was too nimble to be
caught, and he planted his blows with
such force and precision, that at last
the poor dog was fain to take to his
heels, bowling with pain. and closely
pursued by Toby. The dog only es-
capped by getting out on the bowsprit,
where of course Toby could not follow,
but quietly lay down in safe place tc
wait and watch for him.
The first adventure showed that Toby
was no ordinary sheep. How he had
been trained to act an Independent part
no one could tell. His education, Ger
tainly. had not been neglected. That
same evening the captain was strollins
on the quarterback eating bunch o.
grapes, when Toby came up to him
and, standing on one end, planted hi
forefeet on his shoulders, and looked
into his face, as much as to say, al
have some of those, please"
j And he was not disappointed, for tn
captain amicably went shares witt
'f Toby. Toby appeared SO attached t
his new master, that Captain Brown ha
not the heart to kill him. He woul
1t rather. he thought, 60 without fres
meat all his life. So Toby was install
~ ed as chips pet. Ill Jared it then wit
the poor Newfoundland he was SO bal
tered and cowed, that for dear life
sake he dared not leave his kennel eve
to take his food. 1t was determined
therefore. to put an end to the poor fe
lows misery, and he. was accordingl
80 shot. This may seen cruel, but it W.
kind in the main.
"a. Now there was on board the Reliane
DIS an old Irish cook. One morning 500
- after the arrival of Toby, Paddy, wi
had round bald pate, be it remembe
ed, was bending down over woode
platter cleaning the vegetables for di
ner, when Toby took the liberty of i
m ar sinuating his woolly nose to help hiI
Mt self. The cook naturally enough stru'
ee Toby on the snout with his fork. Tol
gs backed astern at once blow he nev
: could and never did receive without ia
on ing vengeance. Besides, he imagine
i'd no doubt, that holding down his ba
be head as he did, the cook was desire
ly of trying the strength of their resp'
tive skulls. When he had backed +;
re ~ tern sufficiently for his purpose, To
in gave spring; the two heads came
he to violent collision, and down roll
nd poor Paddy on the deck. Then To
ln coolly finished all the vegetables, a
w. walked off as if nothing had happen
he out of the usual course.
he Toby's hatred of the whole cal
'ep race was invincible. One day VIII
the captain and his pet were TAX
re their usual walk on the promena