Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-01-18
HERE'S < GOOD DOG STORY.
How Neptune Regained His ship After
Failing Overheard.

iiilHS oNtIpOdIN,
Many years ago | was the second
mate on the ship Carolina of Boston,
commanded by Capt. Stephen Lemist.
He had ON board a fine. black, shaggy
Newfoundland dog called Neptune.
~Nep" was the pet of all hands as
well as of his master He had the full
liberty of the quarterback and some-
times ayailed himself of it by care
lessly walking about on the taffrail.
We were pound to New Orleans, and
We're being towed up the Mississippi in
company with four other vessels,
"Nep' was walking on the rail, as was
his occasional custom, when he unfor-
tunately fell overheard. 1t was impos-
sible to stop without disarranging the
tow, which the captain of the tug
would not consent to do. So Capt.
Lemist and the grief-stricken crew
We're constrained TO leave the dog to
his fate For a 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 nearest to that side. The only
satisfaction that we had was that his
life was in no danger, for we were sure
that he would reach the land. AS for
ourselves, we mourned that we had for
ever parted company with our dear
shipmate and the captain, as | can see
him now laid his head upon the bin
nacle and sobbed like a child We
were about so miles below New Or
leans at the time OF the accident, and
In few hours were berthed at the
leyee, where we remained Tor three
days dischargng our cargo. 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 it in and were berthed
the third outside in 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 were busily engaged at our work,
to our utter astonishment "Nep"
walked on board!
1t Is needless to say that our JOY
equaled his own. Wagging hls organ
of recognition as dogs tail has SO
aptly been termed, and crying in
dogs language Of delight, he jumped
upon every one Of his old friends, en-
tirely ignoring the stovedores. whom
he did not know, and then rushed
down the eompanionway in search of
the captain, who did not happen to be
on board Then he came on deck de-
jected and woebegone, taking no fur
Their interest in any OF us beyond cast
ing about his nquiring looks, | ex-
pecl to be believed, for | am telling the
truth, when | say that the big tears
stood in his eyes. The captain had
gone ashore to his consgnee's Office In
the city, as the chief mate knew.
Come, Nep," said he, come along
Nep understood him readily enough as
he jumped on the stage over the other
vessels decks and followed him down
to the office. whore he was ciasped In
his fond masters arms There is not
a particle of fetion in this pathetic
story. How Neptune found his ship
was beyond our ken; we merely
guessed that he had Travelled SO miles
up the river TN he came to the ferry,
crossed over to New Orleans and then
found his way up 20 Lafayette, walked
over two tiers OF ships AMI reached
his old home again.
How did he find It? He yearned to
tell us, for he knew that it was in our
minds to ask him But. alas he could
nos speak He was denied the gift that
God has given to 50 many human
brutes who nave immortal souls, while
hc. when "lifes Gtful fever was end
ed, went back to dust whence all Of MS
came. But who knows II this Is true?
why should a dog not be immortal
because, although with two legs more
than man, he happens TO nave no
voice and why should all men be i'm
mortal because they can stand up on
two legs and make more noise than
dogs from their mouths?-John Cod
man In New York Times