The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-05-15
HOGS ON A DRUNK.
| Some Notable Instances OF Animals
Appetites for Alcohol.

Some Notable Instances OF Animals
Appetites for Alcohol.
Not long ago one of the greatest ac-
knowledged students of humanity de-
clared that the craving for alcohol
showed the possession of an animal ma
ture. Without going SO far as to boldly
assert so much, many instances can be
shown where animals of all kinds have
manifested desire for intoxicating
drink and have been dissatisfied unless
the desire was gratitied. In Soto, Penn
sylvania, the breweries are daily send
ing out Niagaras of lager liquid. and
the refuse malt is thrown out fl ON the
brewery in the shape of wide-spreading
miniature mountains. Now watch
your Pennsylvania hog. Here they come
-porkers by the dozen-day after day
leaving the simple, honest mash their
owners provide to revel in the smoking
grain. Watch one who for the first
time tackles it. He sees his fellows
hardened sinners gorging themselves,
and example being stronger than pre-
cept in every grade of creation. he
grunts and roots and finally swallows
something. That settles it! Once hog
has half burrowed himself in that smok-
ing beer refuse he will 60 there day af-
ter day. and any passer-by may see
hundreds of hogs gradually swaying to
and fro until they roll over alongside
their fellow-decoyer and have . pro-
longed granting sleep.
But to more noble animal. Hun
dreds of stories could be told of dogs
who have been addicted to liquor, from
the poor cur who would creep like a
timid loafer into the wayside saloon at
6 o'clock in the morning while the land
lord was fixing the ''real rye blend, !"
and who, when some of the fixings were
thrown over the bar on the floor, would
hesitate and eye cautiously for a mo-
ment, then rush to lick the boards and
trot away to rest in the sun all day,
calm and eontented. One morning the
landlord "got on to him. and threw out
water. He shifted it, then with a mourn
full look curled his tail between his legs
and sought, not the sun, but the
shadow. He was never seen again. If
dogs can commit suicide that dog sure
ly did. Then there was the little pet
poodle, who was allowed occasionally
to visit the cook. But one day the
menu called for brandy sauce. Alas!
when dishing-up time arrived both
sauce and poodle were among the "dear
departed" But there is a magnificent
specimen of dog here in the city,
whose.master has for years habitually
visited a certain well-known beerhouse
at certain hours of the day, and, since
having the dog, the massive animal has
become so accustomed to entering the
saloon that even should the master pass
it the dog will 60 halfway down the
steps and wag his tongue, as much as
to say, you've forgotten something"
One day the master gave him some
beer from his own mug, then set the
mug on the counter; the dog smacked
his lips, jealousy eyed the mug and
followed his boss. But every day after
that-and even to this day--directly the
mug is set back on the bar with little
residue of beer in it, this massive canine
beauty will put up his fore-paws on the
counter, stick his nose into the glass
and tip the contents over into his
mouth. It has become such a gen eral
practice that usually they give him a
chance afterward to tip some liquid into
his mouth.
Man is an initiative being, or there
would be no emulation-no mas tiers
and servants, no capital or labor, but
we hardly look for such unwieldy
creatures as elephants to walk into
saloons and indulge in the flowing
bowl. Still in this city has occurred
the fact. During season of the
Kiralfys at the California Theatre two
elephants were used and were kept in
the theatre all the time. One morning
the keeper was away and one elephant
got out, strolled quietly across the
street, entered the saloon opposite,
terrified every one there by his pre-
sence, and, with his trunk, reached be-
hind the bar and seized every decanter
of spirits and poured the contents
down his throat. He had about half
demolished the bar-as far as drinks
were concerned -before the alarm was
raised and the timely arrival of his
keeper saved him from showing the
effects of his genial spree. He was
very sick that night, but that taught
him a lesson which many humans
might learn; he never wanted to 90
there again.
The late Frank Bucklin, who devoted
his life to the study of animals, and who
was director of the Royal Geological
Society's Gardens, London, for so MANY