The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-10
PIGGY OF THE NAVY.
Disastrous Mistake or n Ship surgeon In Treat.
Ing Some Cherished Live stock.

Ing some Cherished 1.-Two stock.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 0.-"That man who just
passed Is n friend of mino," said n popular
naval officer, and he meant no offence in call
ing me Piggy 1t is only n little pct narho
they have for mo in the navy and don't mind
1t in tho least from those l know well.
You see, it caino TO be given to mo In this
way: Wo had been ordered from Japan away
around to tho cast coast Of South America.
The ship wasn't the fastest in tho service oven
in those %slow.going days, ind to make matters
worse VI had bcen instructed to proceed under
sail. 1 was caterer Of my mess, n very impor-
tant person, you may be sure, on account OF the
long voyage in prospect and the probability of
n pretty miserable table before 1t was over IL
my resourceful qualities were not sufficient for
the occasion. When We reached Honolulu 1
hurried ashore to lay In supplies. 1 had col
lccted $1,000 from the member Of the mess
and was happy in the belief that l would out.
cater any other caterer that the navy had ever
known. While l was ashore l heard of n man
who had some pigs for sale and the idea struck
mo that i could provide fresh pork for the long
trip wo were about to make. The thought Of
sitting down to fresh pork chops u month out
from Honolulu was delicious. / was not selfish
from an epicurean standpoint in tho contem.
plation. 1t was of the compliments that would
be hceped upon me by the other members of tho
mess that l was thinking. How my
would praise my longheadcdness and how the
members of other messes would envy us!
well. l purchased tho p%igs-tcn Of them.
They. were niceloOking little fellows, not very
faatt, but capable Of being Put IN FIRST; class con.
in tho mess congratulated me on my thought
fulness, but there was just enough Of sly sug.
voyage to make me nervous aud put me on
my mettle. realized that my reputation as
Everybody on board ship took an interest
IN the success OF my experiment.
- put the pigs in charge of an old sailor;
to give them careful attention and TO watch
for any signs Of sickness. l knew that l
concern for their weItarc. that j went to look
ct g them every day, We killed and ate ono nnd
each tasted better than the others, for We were
beginning to long for the good things of land.
One day when | was just of, watch and so tired
THAT | wanted to turn in right away. the jacky
who had charge Of the porkers came and said:
A." If you please. sir, them pigs is a.lookin'
SOFT o peaked: L wish you'd come an have n
NATURALLY, i was worried. and, tired as I
We're not Se Wells 10 III TSe sen Showed W Sf Il P Pn the tRe u piss
not know what 10 do at trst. Then / thought
or tho doctor. 1 went to him and said:
long time, and ! think 1 know you wen enough
TO ask-a professional favor
se af fGS ahead he nd old man. he answered. Don't
His words and manner encouraged me. You
matters, and 1 was afraid of offending him,
It's. just this! said boldly, those pigs
of mine are sick. I'm afraid they're in a bad
way. and l wouldn't have anything happen to
them for tho world. Please don't take It amiss
H answered cordially. Certainly, I'll look
at the pigs 1 understand exactly how YOU feel
God bless you, old man I exclaimed fer
yently. grasping his hands in both Of mine, and
After making q careful examination, the doc
tor relieved me very much by saying that there
was nothing serious the matter. and that the
pigs would be all right after he had given them
prepared the prescription. we Went back to the
pigs and poured the medicine down their throats
and then. with an easy mind, l turned in,
morning when the, old jacky who cared for
the pigs awakened me with the startling an
strangely. Ny yHf arst thought thhafe was t Gete the s'd dos:
tor had played a trick on me. My Indignation
was strong as I shook him awake and told him
doctor, you and 1 have been good friends,
but II you have given anything to those pigs
That y wsl should an% y not tn have given them our friend
after we will not know each other
He protested, with tears in his eyes, that he
Conc with me- I said. the truth will soon be
" reached the pigs just in time to see the
surviving one Of the six poor little fellows
breathe BIS last 1 turned to the doctor for an
explanation;
Do you know what this means to me, siri You
have caused the loss of six valuable pigs; you
have forced my moss to be deprived OF fresh
me the butt of the ship. | suppose that every
one on board will be calling me Piggy" before
the going down of another SUM-
He looked at me In an appealing way.
" Old man. he said. and his voice broke.
did not play any trick on you, but / admit
1t was all my fault gave them adult doses. 81