The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-04-12
DENNIS.
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Dennis was small white pig, the
pet of United States man-of-war. He
was smuggled on board at Chilean
port, and saved from the butcher to
become member of the family. His
beauty and intelligence so appealed to
all hearts that he soon had the run of
the ship. ]. d. Jerrold Kelley tells
Dennis story in The Ships Com
pany."
The pig was entered on the roster as
Dennis 0Queriquna, which name was
soon shortened into Dennis O'Kerry.
Never was a pig better cared for. Ev-
cry morning he had his bath, and was
secured and brushed into a state Of
snowy whiteness. He feasted with dig
niied ease In the exclusive precincts
Of the galley, and during the day lolled
about the deck or attended drills. At
night he shared some sailors hammock
and the favored tar gave part Of his
blanket or eajacket to his bedfel-
low.
On Saint Patrick's day Dennis was
gay with green ribbons, and bore a
mealy potato spliced to his tail.
Such pampered pig could not posi-
bly, stay small. Dennis began to ac-
quire undue fat, became touchy and
captious, and the happy time ended.
One day his fate was sealed.
you'll have to send that pig ashore.
The executive officer reports him unfit
for duty" said the captain, and the
man who took especial charge Of Dennis
was summoned.
"Barbe, my man, It's Fourth Of July
next week. Dennis must be put ashore
or eaten by that time. If you wish,
you may have him FOR dinner on the
holiday"
Barbe glared in horror.
why, sir, I'd as soon eat my broth
er as Dennis" he replied. "He's
weathered O. all we have, and I'd as
lief stick a knife into a babby. OF
course If it's go ashore, sir, 60 it is;
but I'd like to make terms with the
man who's to have him, so Dennis'll
get the kindness he's learned with us,
SIR"
The ship was lying off Papeete and
Dennis went ashore the next day, bag,
hammock ribbons, potato and all. The
men were clustered about the gang
ways to salute him, and the officers
waved farewell from aft. AS his pig
ship pulled under the bows there rose
hearty cheer; it was the last ships
greeting Dennis was to know.
The countryman to whose charge
Dennis was consigned was to take him
inland to plantation. During the few
days which elapsed before the pigs re-
moval from the shore Dennis was sui
len and Respondent. He spent his time
lying in the shade, his nose buried in
the ground, paying attention to no one.
One day the ships men came ashore
on leave. Dennis, moping with his
eyes closed, heard their landing. Upl
he sprang, and bounded to the shore
to meet his old friends. While the
sailors remained he was radiantly hap
py, but when they went on board again
he fell into his gloomy ways.
When the time came for Dennis Jour-
ney to his inland home, he refused to
60 He was too heavy to be carried,
he would not be led, and his present
owner had promised never to use coer-
cion. Finally the guardian appealed to
the sailors.
The boatswain came on shore with
couple of tars. They hired a cart and
the boatswain whistled. Dennis sprang
at once to the familiar call. The cart
drove on and the pig trotted contented- /
" behind 1t. When Dennis was fairly
started, outside the limits of the town, |
the boatswain and the sailors slipped |
away, and Dennis proceeded with his '
new master, to end his days in rural /
peace and plenty.