The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-04-25
DENNIS.


~~111~1HeHD1o1
Dennis was a small white pig. the
pet of United States man-of-war He
was smuggied on board at a Chilean
port, and saved from the butcher TO
become member OF the family. His
beauty and intelligence 50 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 O'Queriquna, which name was
soon shortened into Dennis O'Kerry.
Never was pig better cared for. Ev-
cry morning he had his bath, and was
secured and brushed into state OF
snowy whiteness- He Toasted with dig
nified 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
low.
On Saint Patrick's day Dennis was
gay with green ribbons, and bore
mealy potato spliced to his tall
Such a pampered pig could not POSI-
bly, stay small. Dennis began to &C
quire undue fat, became touchy and
captlous, 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, II you wish,
you may have him Tor dinner on the
holiday"
Barbe glared In horror.
why, sir, I'd as soon eat my broth
er as Dennis" he replied. Hes !
weathered o all we have, and I'd as
course II it's go ashore, sir, 90 it is;
but I'd Ike to make terms with the /
man who's to have him. so Dennis'll 4
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 a farewell from aft. AS his pig
ship pulled under the bows there rose a
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 a plantation During the few
lays which elapsed before the pigs re-
noval from the shore Dennis was sui
en- and respondent. He spent his time
ying in the shade, his nose buried in
he ground, paying attention to no one.
One day the ships men came ashore
IN leave. Dennis. moping with his
yes closed, heard their landing Up
lie sprang. and bounded to the shore
o meet his old friends. While the
aiIors remained he was radiantly hap
v, but when they went on board again
e fell into his gloomy ways.
When the time came for Dennis jour
ey TO his inland home, he refused TO 5
o. He was too heavy to be carried, il
e would not be led, and his present :
wner had promised never to use coer-
ion. Finally the guardian appealed to t
be sailors. !,
The boatswain came on shore with a i
1uple of tars. They hired a cart and \:
lie boatswain whistled. Dennis sprang Z
t once TO the familiar call. The cart 5,
rove on and the pig trottei contented- =.
behind II. When Dennis was fairly
arted, outside the limits of the town.
lie boatswain and the sailors slipped
way. and Dennis proceeded with his S
Nv master. to end his days in rural
eace and plenty.