Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-01-27

Europe, some extending many miles in length
with considerable regularity in their streets,
aud the houses of a uniform style ofarchiect
ture. Although their form OF government
may be styled republican, yet great respect
is paid TO their chief magistrate, who, gene
rally a dog Of large dimensions aud imposing
appearance, resides in house conspicuous for
size in the centre Of the town, where he may
always be seen on his house-top, regarding
with dignifed complaisancy the various occu-
pltions of the busy population-some indus.
triously bearing to the granaries the winter
supply of roots, others building or repairing
their houses ; while many, their work being
over, sit chatting on their housc-,ops, watch
ing the gambols Of the Juveniles as they play
around them, Their hospitality to strangers
is unbounded The owl, who on the bare
u, :, ire is unable 10 find a tree or rock in
which 10 buii,,,,, her pest, is provided with
comfortable lodging, wne.e saa may in Sc.
CURLY rear her round-eyed progeny and the
raitlesnake, in spite of his bad character, Is
likewise entertained with similar hospitality,
although it is very doubtful if it is not some
times grossly abused and many chlless
dog may perhaps Justly attribute his calamity
10 the Partially ofthe epicurean snake for
the tender meat OF the delicate pfairie-pup.
However, it is certain that the snake is a
constant guest; and, whether admitted into
the domestic circle Of the dog family, or liv.
ing in separate apartments, or in copar,ner-
ship with the owl, is an acknowledged mem
Der of the community at large.
The prairie-dog Ia species of marmot) is
somewhat longer than the guinea-pig, of Il
of light brown or sandy color, and with I
head resembling that young terrier pup. 1t
is also furnished with little siumpy tail,
which, when its owner is excited, is in a per-
petual jerk and nutler. Frequently, when
hunting, | have amused myself for hours in
watching their fIoicksome motions. lying
concealed behind one of their conca houses
These are raised in the form of a cone, two
or three feet above the ground and then des-
cending obIiquely into the interior. Ofcourse
on The first approach of such a monster as
man. all the dogs which have been scattered
over the town scamper to their holes as fast
as their little legs will admit, and conccaling
all hu, their heads and tails, bark Justify their
disp!easure at the instruson. When they
have sufficiently exhibited their daring, every
dogs dives into his barrow, but two or three
who remain as senlnels, chattering in high
I,,.i al r., =.
PAGES of them, when they take the usual
sumnerset, and the town is silent and desert
ed. Lying perfectly still for several minutes
I could observe an old fellow raise his head
and if satisfied that the coast was clear, he
would commence a short bark. This bark,
by the way, from its resemblance TO that of
dog, has given that name to this little. ami
NAL, but it is more like that of a wooden toy
dog, which is made TO bark by raising and
depressing the bellows under the figure.
When this warning has been given, Diners
are soon seen TO emerge from their houses,
and assured Of their security play and frisk
about. After longer delay, rat,lesnakes is
sue from the holes, and coil themselves in
| the sunny side Of the hillock, erecting their
trcacherous heads, and rattling an angry note
of warning it, in the play, though,less pup
approaches too near; and, lastly, sober owl
appears, and, if the sun be low, hops through
The town, picking up the lizards and came
| Icons, which every where abound At the
first inlma,ion of danger given by the senti-
ne.s, al the siragglers hasten to their holes,
tumblng over owls and rattlesnakes who hiss
and rattle angrily at being disturbed Every
one scrambies TO mis- own domicil, and il, in
rush for safety into any other than his own,
he is soon made sensible of his error, and,
without ceremony, elected Then, every
house occupied, commences such volley of
of barking, and such twinkling Of little heads
and tails, which alone appear above the holes
to defy description. The lazy snakes, re-
gardless of danger, remain coiled up, and only
evinced their consciousness by an occasional
rattle; while The owls, in the hurry and con-
fusion, betake themselves with sluggish wing
TO wherever bhsh Of sage or grease-wood
affords them temporary concealment.
The prairie-dog leads a life Of constant a
larm, and numerous enemies are ever on the
watch TO surprise him. The hawk and The
eagle, lowering high in air, watch their towns
and pounce suddenly upon them, never fail.
ing to carry Oh in their cruel talons some
unhappy member Of the community. The
coyote, too, an HEREDITARY foe, Turks behind a
hillock, watching patiently for hours until an
unlucky straggler approaches within reach OF
his murderous spring. In the winters when
the prairie-dog, snug in his subterrean abode,
and with granaries well-iiled, never care to
expose his little nose to the icy blasts which
sweep across the plains but, between eating
and sleeping, passes merrIis the frozen win.
ter, he is often reused from his warm bed
and almost congealed with terror by hearing
the snorting yelp of the half-famished wolf
who, mad with hunger, assaults with tooth