The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1899-10-14
aJAcKsON.o
The Story of a Sea Dog.
nY v. chARK RussHhI,.
IoopyrIsaa lsa0. y tAe Autaers. .Anlanes.l

lcODyriGhh 1890, by the Authors AIiance.l
Robert Ridley is a retired mariner.
He never rose to higher grade than
that of second mate, in which capacity
indeed he acted without a certificate,
having for the most part of his life
sailed ina species Of Ship upon whose
commanders andofficers the state makes
few OF no demands in an educational
sense.
Robert Ridley, having on several oe.
easlons served as a second mate, and
once as an only mate, returned to his
earlier condition of able seaman, and
whilst stih acting in that capacity quit
ted the ocean forever and settled down
as a gentleman ashore in comfortable
little cottage by the seaside. This
achievement of independence the popu-
lation Of great maritime country win
not for an instant suppose was the re-
suit of his commercial prosperity as a
foremost hand. After twenty years of
working like dog at sea, all that
Robert Ridley had to show in the shape
OF effects was comprised in a small
sea-chest half full of clothes and a suit
OF oilslSins, with perhaps a matter of
eight pounds lodged in post office saw
ings bank.
No! Ny friend Bob Ridley gained an
independence not through old ocean
that most begRarly of callings-but
through an uncle who had been an
ltqlian warehouseman, and who left
che worthy fellow, to his astonishment
and joy, the handsome sum Ito an able
scaman) of six thousand pounds.
was recently in the town where Bob
Ridley lives, and spent an hour with
him. We smoked our pipes together.
drank to each other in a glass of Hol-
land, and talked Of the sea. He carried
me into his little garden, and with much |
pride pointed to the various flowers and
70 what he called his kitchen garden. a
considerable bed Of soil full Of carrots.
cabbage and the like. At the extrem- |
ity OF his half-acre Of land stood a sum
mer nrbor, the fruits of his own skill
Tor he had been ships carpenter in his
daYr and few men were smarter with
the chisel and the saw than he. On
entering this building Observed little
wooden obeiislk about three feet in
height erected in the center of it. On
the apex rested piece Of carving in
wood, OF which could make neither
head nor tail. Upon the body OF the
ODellsk were carved the words:
I'm Memory Of JACKSON. ~,
sunday morn, MDCCCLXXV.o
Az the hinder base of this queer little
structure was the model of a wreck.
Many queer devices representing mer-
maids, the sun, anchors, hearts, and SO
Lorth' were artfully chiseled ON the
sides.
Pray what have you here, Ridleyq"
aid l.
"A memorial" he answered. @'N
"Ay, that's clear enough. But what
allor friend of yours lies buried here9"
NO sailor at all, he answered laugh
ng' jackson was dog, and he, poor 1
east, doesn't lie here, either. / wish /
e did. 1t would sometimes give INV {
lind sort of satisfaction to feel that {
IS remains lay snug under this here Z
And what" cried l, peering at the I
tile bit Of carving on top of the obeIisly, ]
1T is the portrait Of the half of YES v
rs caboose, sir-of a vessel that was a
st on Sunday morning." v
lty the word ''caboose" he signified e
llley, or the kitchen of o little shin, v
could now make out that it was the !,
presentation of the roof and portion Il
the sides Of a eabeose, as he called H. q,
th hole atop for the reception of a a,
imney. ;,
\ sec there is yarn here" said I. 81
Not much of a yarn, " he answered: "
ast the tale OF poor beast of a dog W
1t In course of time got to love as
by as If he'd been Christian man no
q a brother, That's whore l fell ia sb
IN him." said he, pointing to the "a