Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-03
A sAGACIOUs ANIMAL.
Capt. COdman's Interesting Story of
Ships Canine Pet.

Capt. Codman's Interesting Story of
a Ships Canine Pet.
From the New York Times.
Sixty-two years ago l was the second
mate on the ship Carolina of Boston. COM
manded by Captain Stephen Lemist. He
had on board a fine black shaggy New
foundland dog called Neptune. "Nep" was
the pet of all hands as well as of his mas
ter. He had the full liberty of the quarter
deck, and sometimes awaited himself of it
by carelessly walking about on the taffrail.
We were bound to New Orleans and were
being towed up the Mississippi in company
with four other vessels. "Nep' walk
ing on the rail, as was his occasional GUS
tom. when he unfortunately lost his bal
ance and fell overheard 1t was impossible
to stop without disarranging the tow which
the captain of the tug would not consent to
do. So Captain Lemist and the grief
stricken crew were constrained TO leave the
dog to his fate. For while he swan after
the fleet, but, finding that he could not keep
up with us, he struck out for the western
shore of the river, seeing that he was near
est to that side. The only satisfaction that
We had was that his life in no danger,
for We We're sure that he would reach the
land. AS for ourselves, We mOurned that
we had forever parted company with
dear shipmate, and the captain as | can
see him now, laid his head upon the bin
nacle and sobbed like child. We were
about fifty miles below New Orleans at the
time of the accident, and in few hours
were berthed at the leyee, where we
manned for three days discharging our car
go. A freight of cotton and tobacco for
London was engaged and we Were towed
up to Lafayette, some three or four miles
above, to take 1t in, and were berthed the
third outside in a tier of vessels, the cargo
being carried on planks over the decks of
the others One morning after We had
been there two days, as we We're Dusty en-
gagged at our work, to our utter astonisA-
ment "Nep' walked on board!
1t is almost needless to say that or joy
equaled his own. Wagging his organ of
recognition, as dogs tail has SO aptly
been termed. and crying in a dogs Ian
guage Of delight, he jumped upon every
one of his old friends, entirely ignoring the
stevedoreS, whom he did not know and
search of the captain. who did not happen
to be on board Then he came on deck de-
Jected and wuebegone, taking further
interest in any of beyond casting about
his inquring looks. I expect to be believed
for | am telling the truth, when | say that
the big tears stood in his eyes. The cap
tain had gone ashore TO his consignee's
office in the city, the chief mate knew.
Come Nep,' said he, come along" Nep
understood him readily enough as he jump
ed on the stage over the other vessels
decks. and followed him down to the office. |
where he was clasped in his fond masters |
arms. There is not a particle Of fiction in |
this pathetic story. How Neptune found |
his ship was beyond our ken: We merely |
8 ueSSeu lliit ne Hdu tIdNeleu MY miles up |
the river till he came to the ferry. crossed |
over to New Orleans. and then found his |
way up to Lafayette walked over two tiers |
of ships, and reached his old home again.
How did he find 1t? He yearned to tell |
US, for he knew that 1t was in our minds
to ask him. But, alas, he could not speak |
He was denied the gift that God has given |
to SO many human brutes, who have i'm
mortal souls while he, when 'lifes fitful
fever ended. went back to the dust
whence all of us came. But who knows If |
this Is true? Why should dog not be i'm
mortal because. although with two legs
more than man, he happens to have no
voice, and why should all men be immortal |
because they can stand up on two legs and |
make more noise than dogs from their
mouths?