Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1884-07-10
a REGIAIENTAL TABBY.

yer honor, but oi'll take the pledge"
a REGIMENIAL TdBBY.
A Cat which HAS Followed the FOl-
tunes of q RegtmeRt Fourteen
Ysara-In Wilmington ON n Fur
Tough.
Wilmington ia Just now entertaining a
most distinguished military visitor-not
OF the genus homo, however, but a feline,
q magnificent male tabby, with sleek,
shiny coat and weighing between seven
other notorieties Of the day has history.
"Chubby" is the regimentsl property
Of the Fourteenth United States Infantry.
BE was born In oant0nments at Fort
Russell, Wyoming Territory, In February,
1870. Throu'hout his Ia years OF exist-
enoe he has bsen continually with his
regiment during its various changes OF
station, with the exception of an ocoa-
sional furlough, when he has accom-
panied some one OF the officers on
leave Of absence for trip eaet,
as on the present occasion. His first
journey from Fort Russell was TO Fort
Laramie in an ambulance wagon, thence
he took a few days march to Cheyenne,
camping out each night with his oom.
pany. He next took the cars for Salt
Lake City, Utah, orc sing the Rockies
and descending the western slope with
the detachment, which went into laTri
son. at Camp Douglas, a military post
situated en- some hills about three mllas
from the city. He stayed In tns
land of the~A Mormons two years,
coming east in the centennial YER TO
Wilmington. After short visit here OF
few weeks, he left for Columbus, Ohio,
where his regiment had been ordrred.
After two years Of life in ba'rAck at
Columbus, ,Chubby's regiment was ordered
west again to Camp Douglas. In 1880,
he accompanied the Fourteenth to Fort
Lyon, Colorado, stopping on the way for
short time at Las Animas. His next
station was Gu onison, right up in the
mountains, TO reach which post
the snowy range Of the Rockies
had to be traversed. Thence he
went into his company, via Denver by
wagon to the Uncon.pahgre valley, going
into camp life at the military oantonmeat
there. 1t ia expected that Chubby will
leave for the west again in the
month of August. He travels In a
covered wicker basket on mule back or
ambulance wagon or whatever the ext
genoies Of the occasion will permit. It
Is found necessary TO strap him down
while on the march, as the vsgaries
OF Chubby's temperament would
possibly lead him miles away
from quarters. A leathern strap or band
passed around the body and aoross the
chest, then secured to the carriage is
iouud quite suficisnt,a treatment az inst
which the tsbby does not in the iesst de-
mur. The lady whom Chubby ia visiting
happened the other day to take up the
basket which is dignifisd by the name OF
travelling carriage, when in jumped
Chubby and ourlsd himself cozily up as
il for long jaunt. H, has travelled
many Thousand miles in this
conveyance, not in the least
inoommoded by the varied Inconvenience
Of louomotion, taking everything in the
quietest manner and vblinking philosoph-
ically at the vioissitudes OF mundane
affairs, as, ,shiveripg with cold on the high
attitudes OF Shasta Pass, sweltering with
heat In the dusty osntonments of Fort
Lyon, or ogling suspiciously the swift
rushing mountain torrents as he forded
them OH mule back. Chubby passes his
holidays here in the back yard Of the
lady's residence where he is q guest
and may bs usually seen reclining
in aristocratic and solitary secluaion
upon soft q iassy plot, shaded from the
hot rays Of the sun by Overhanging rose
bushes, solemnly blinking his eyes with
that air OF dignified superiority seen
among the Emersonian philosophers OF the
Concord school, which might be not un-
expected Of cat Of his great Importance
and extended experience. He is treated
with the utmost consideration and had
he the epaulettes of captain there would
not be more attention or loving care ex-
tended him. Chubby has had the distin-
guished honor Of dining in company with
the highest army officials Of this country
on the occasion Of their visiting the ont
lying posts on inspection duty. He has
gazed with the utmost nononalanoe at
Red Cloud and other noted Sioux chiefs
and Ia as equally undisoonoerted at a
pow-wow, as in drawing room. He ia
thoroughly versed in reveille and tattoo,
and the strains Of q brass band upon the
streets will always fssten his attention,
when he will rise and with head erect
march majestioslly in the direction of the
music. Should he, however, hear mill
tary bugle notes he will spring to his feet,
ears pricked, aud black eyes dancing with
intelligence. He disdsins the vulgar call
Of "kitty," or "puss, puss;" but, more
like dog, responds to whistle.
10 matters Of eating Chubby is an cpl
cure. He looks upon mouse or rat with
the utmost disgust, and would not CON
elder touching them with his sristooratic
mouth. Nothing but the finest cuts of
beef tickle his palate, except when ice
cream and oonfeotions are offered, for
which he has an inordiuste fondness. he
has been in one Indian fight and
plunged into the thiokest part OF
the fray, following the regiment
herever 1t went. When the
fight grew exceptionally hot he mounted
tree and, perohed amid its branches,
surveyed the work Of carnage with the
greatest degree of satisfaction and pride
| At the success OF his mesa mates. Chubby
is a great iavorite among the boys in con
tonments, and is the recipient OF many
dainties which they procure for him He
seems tired Of his civio life and appears
to yearn for the drum aud bayonets OF
his fellow soldiers.