Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-31

When the marines Of the U. 8. S
Boston" were ordered ashore In Jan
uary, 1898, to protect the United
States consulate and the American
residents in Honolulu, they were quar-
tered in the beautiful old house In
which the ex-queen Liliuokalani had
passed her childhood. 1t had belonged
to her cousin, the Princess Bernice
and was still In excellent preservation
There were broad, airy halls, spacious
chambers, fine drawing rooms, and in
the front and rear, above and below
wide galleries shaded by palms and
mango trees.
The soldier-sailors took great pride
In their quarters. They kept the gar
den in exquisite order, and not q twig
nor leaf was injured. The house
stood not far from the business part OF
the city, and because Of this, the men
and officers had many visitors who
were especially fond of coming to the
daily drills, morning and afternoon.
One day a Hawaiian visitor came
and, with him, his little dog-a black
and tan terrier. He was very lame.
One leg was entirely disabled, and two
others were badly hurt. But he was a
plucky little creature and hoped about
as lively as a cricket, evidently giving
his affliction little thought. He stood
beside his master gravely watching the
men go through the evolutions, much
impressed by the music and military
display. The next day he came again.
The third day he once more passed the
sentry, pacing to and fro in front OF
u c%o n 10
time and began to make friends with
the men. Like all sailors, they were
fond Of animals and kind to them.
When the drill was over they patted
and petted him, and fed him with such
tid-bits as they could get from their
rations.
The little dog showed almost human
susceptibility to this attention; he en-
joyed the petting, he seemed to under
stand the compliments that were paid
him, and he certainly appreciated the
nice food. He came one morning, I'm
ally and stayed all day, and after that
he adopted the navy, DESERVING his
master entirely. Never was a dog 80
spoiled and pampered. They christ
ened him "Finnegan," and adopted him
unanimously as the mascot of the "Bos-
ton" to accompany the ship on all her
cruises, wherever she might go, and
when his last voyage was over he was
to be given solemn burial at sea, as
was the Just due to so faithful q FOL
lower of the flag.
They made for him two fine covers.
For you must know that, give q sea
man a Sailors thimble," a piece OF
leather fastened about the palm OF the
hand a stout needlei and thread and
piece of chalk and he can make any
thing. He not only cuts and makes his
shirts and trousers, but he can en-
broider like an artist. Both Of Finne-
CAMS covers were of fine blue broad
cloth. The one for every day had
simply a star embroidered in each cor
ner: the other, which was for dress
parade and high holidays, had two
American flags, their slaves crossed,
on one side and the national coat OF
arms on the other. And how proud was
little lame Finnegan, when his best
coat was fastened on him and ne
limped out to the parade ground TO
take his place beside the officer IN
comm and. He trotted to and fro, back
and forth, never forgetting his place,
and never getting in the way.
Finally, the men were ordered on
board the ship again. OF course, F1nne-
gan went with them. He felt the con-
finement somewhat, but, whenever
the tackles had shore leave, they took
him with them for run-if that term
could be applied to the way In which
he hoped on his three lame legs. He
went many times, always returning
and showing that he was glad to get
back, and that he did not care very
much to go ashore, anyhow; he liked
the ship, and his sailor-friends better
But. alas, Once he went and did not
return. He slipped away for moment
in some of the dark, narrow streets OF
Honolulu and was never seen again.
The sailors we're inconsolable. They
started a subscription and raised one
hundred dollars among the men and
officers. Then bills like this were
struck and posted in various parts OF
the city:
LOST!
~, ~, opd ION forrfor lame in