The Washington herald., 1913-02-09


cot out OF the navy? asks the New Or
leans Pickayune.
1t Is a little hard to answer that Ques-
ton Just now, as the authorities are still
wrestling with the weighty problem OF
eliminating all mascots from the navy,
or, by allowing them to remain where
they have been so long, expose other
admlrals to the indignities sustained by
Admiral Doyle.
Everybody sympathizes with Ad-
miral Doyle, and will agree that no pun
ishment whouId be too severe to indict
on ''Whiskers,' the obstreperous goat
that assaulted him, but nobody who
knows what an important part the mas
cots play In the life OF the American
sailor will admit that they ought to be
banished from our warships because OF
"Whiskers" " misbehavior.
The sailorman leads a lonely life. any,
how. IL it were not for the pets which
he cherishes while at sea his days would
be even lonelier than now. The train
ing of the mascot .entertains many Of
the crew on days that would otherwise
be very dreary, and puts a human in
terest'' into their lives when the horizon
is gray. Books may pail. games cease
to amuse. and deadly monotony stare In
the face. but the loving fellowship OF a
fsithful-hearted dog or other pet which
has been taught the language of affec-
ton will never fail to keep alive the ten
derness OF the human heart and to AFFORD
entertainment OF the kindliest sort. Al
ready every pet within the Jurisdiction
OF Admiral Doyle is doing "shore duty"
and the boys Of the navy know by ex-
perience what II will mean IL the OFF,
cials up there in Washington confirm
that distinguished sailors mandate and
apply it generally TO our warships.
AniamIs Arc Mascots.
1t is a long list, that Of the mascots
of the navy. On II figure many varie-
ties of animals. II is not surprising to
find that dogs are in the majority. Some
OF them are dogs OF high degree, and
some OF them have made a name for
themselves. Among the latter is Rags"
whose devotion to his master is one of
the traditions OF the present-day navy.
Rags is Boston brindle. He belonged
to a Brooklyn lad. who brought him
aboard when he enlisted, the only thing
of value probably which he could carry
with him into the new life. Just the
proper number OF kinks in the tiny tail
marked the small Boston terrier as gen.
uine, while his dignity and good behavior
won him respect and good fellowship on
his own account regardless Of pedi-
gree. Rags" and his master were
boon companions, together perpetualIy,
on sea and land. joint shore leave being
granted them. and a JeweIed collar adorn-
ing the little neck on gala occasions.
His sristocratic bearing needed no such
mark of distinction. but the decoration
was none the less becoming. Both OIL
GERS and men surrendered to his charm
a charm at once the result and the
cause of his aristocracy. His intelligence
was remarkable. or course. Even In
financial matters he displayed unusual
ability, differentiating between coins in
an astonishing manner. A barrel full to
the brim with water had no fears for
him, II a bright quarter OF a dollar shone
happily from its depths. Nickels, dimes,
sordid copper cents had no attraction
for him when coins Of larger denomina-
ton were around. Diving and swimming
were marked accomplishments with him
In fact, It was pretty to see his alacri-
tous response to the first piping notes OF
the swimming call. His favorites among
the crew were recognized by the way he
divided out the honors OF sleeping with
first one and then another whom he espe-
cially loved next to his master. The mat
tresses of his friends were further honor
ed as hiding places for his bones-not his
own. or course-Dut the choice bits from
his plate he was unable to get away with
at one time
Master Is Transferred.
The trick, however, was winked at by
the men. but his partially for the bum
boat" brought concern to his admirers.
for on more than one occasion when ex-
ploring it as a sort Of larger canteen
than his own cubby-hole, he barely
escaped serious consequences. Just at
the moment of gravest danger. however,
- aNW.
the deck in the most casual manner, as
though hairbreadth escapes were tho
most usual things in the world.
Finally, the four years Of his master s
enlistment expired. Just what the
Brooklyn lad would choose now as
career became the topic Of deck discus
sions, for was not the destiny OF Rags
inevitably involved? The lads decision
to continue to follow the sea brought no
less joy to his mates on his own account
than because their gay little mascot was
also to remain with them. The Navy
Department. however. unconscious of
such issues as the fate OF a little mascot,
decreed the transfer of Rags master
to a sister gunboat. In the generosity of
his heart the Brooklyn boy left his pet
with the crew. remembering their great
affection for his little friend, and feeling
that many mates for him would be better
than one.
Soon after the masters departure,
Rags disappeared. Orders had Just been
issued that shore leave be granted to no
one. It was not possible. therefore. that
Rags had left the ship with any Of the
men and been lost in that way. The only
method of escape was in all probab bility
through the "bumboat," his weakness for
which has already been described. The
plain was informed OF the delinquency
of Master Rags.
No Sign of Terrier.
send a detail ashore Immediately and
round him up" that dignitary command
ed. "And when aboardship, It will be
one week in the brig on bread and
water" he continued.
The familiar haunts ashore gave no sign
of the little terrier. Finally a search
along the quay was instituted, when q
the search party. Following the sound,
Rags was discovered in the act of playing
sentinel for his PROSTATE master. The
lad was wrapped, indeed, In a slumber
more akin to a stupor-overcome with the
fruit Of the vine, alasi The party de-
tailed to bring Rags aboard ship returned
him to the captain as a hero rather than
as a prisoner due to be consigned to the
brig on bread and water. He could not
be content to remain away from his mas
ter. however, even with the love and at
tention of $50 others for solace, so at last
with regret, the men resigned him to his
owner.
Another mascot who proved a really for
tunate acquisition to its cruiser was the
little spaniel picked up in the streets Of