Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1891 — AFFECTION OF THE SEAL. [ARTICLE]

AFFECTION OF THE SEAL.

One that Refused to Be Returned to Its Native Element. I once heard of a boy who had a pet seal given to hi :i when it was quite young, says a writer in the Illustrated American. It became very tame, and used to cuddle up beside the dogs to sleep in front of the fire and learned to perform very many tricks. One winter the storms wero very severe, and tho fishermen were at times ouite unable lo \enture to sea t > sot. their nets As a matter of course, fish were scarce, and the cal s food having been of fish alone, milk had to be sub oituted: but it consumed such va t quantitle ; of the latter that, for purposes of economy, after a family council, it was decided to dispose of the beloved pet as soon as p siblo The boy and a clergyman friend who had always taken a lively interest in the pet started off in a boat with tho precious vi tim, and when far enough out for safety threw tho seal into the water Little did they expect the result, for the creature, feeling itself very much abused, rushed after tho boat, with all its might, uttering such fearful and heartrending cries of grief that it was at last taken back into the boat, where it lay exhausted, sobbing and wailing like a child When the familiar home was reached it soon regained its former gayety and health, and lived to a good old age, little the worse for its adventure.