Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-28
\ 5kr { tt j.
From the Boston Olive Branch.
THE PEDLAR AND HIS DOG.
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

Some years ago | travelled through a
portion of Michigan. l went on foot or
rode as best suited my purpose. carried
rich silks and jewelry, for those disposed to
buy. My only companion during my jour
ney, was large dog of the Newfoundland
breed. Lion was fit to be the king of all
his species. He was good natured, quiet,
and there was something almost human in
his eyes. He attended to his own basl-
ness, and never quarreled like ours of slow
degree" He would bear an insult from
worthless puppies, with philosophy worthy
of emulation. And l never knew him,
save on few occasions, resent the undue
liberties of puppies of larger growth
When his bile, however was thoroughly
aroused, he made such offenders terrible
warning to ''evl doerS."
When travelled, he trotted along by my
side and when l stopped to trade, he seated
himself near me, and watched all my move.
ments with business-like expression. 1t
annoyed him little, sometimes, to see my
customers drag the goods from my pack,
and handle them with such freedom, which
annoyance he expressed by low growl,
while he followed every piece with his
eyes, TO see that they were not appropria-
ted without proper compensation, and with
my full consent.
He really took strong dislike to those
who were disposed to find fault with every
thing, and my price in particular. believe
he knew every article | carried, and the
IL n,
may, he seemed satisfied, when was, and
wagged his tail when | made a good trade.
He was an excellent watch dog, and there
was no danger OF anything confded to his
care, being taken away. found him very
useful and companioaable in my travels.
Conveyances were so scarce and uncer-
tain that I was often obliged TO 90 on foot
from one settlement to another. Some
times these journeys We're anything but
pleasant, and as the country was new and
the state Of society anything bat good, rob
berries were frequently perpetrated upon
these lonely roads, and there were many,
no doubt, to whom the rich stuff / carried
would be sufficient temptation 10 commit
murder. THIS idea frequently occurred
to me in travelling through the wild woods
of the West. But old Lion was by my
side ready to die in my defence, and proud
to share my wanderings. always went
armed. An excellent brace of pistols, steel
barrelled, and loaded with ball, were never
firm my pocket, save long enough TO see
that they were in order, and at night ley
beneath my pillow. felt quite safe with
these and Lion, who was the companion OF
my nights as well as days. He always
laid himself down between my bed aud the
door with his face towards the latter. No
one could enter without attracting the al
tention of Lion.
One day, in the summer of 1910, Hound
myself in small German settlement on the
boarder of a small lake, anxious TO get lors
ward to the next one, which was about
eight miles Distant No conveyance could
be obtained till the next day, so | set Out
on foot. It was near night, and | walked
forward briskly. l was not long in disco
vering that my expedition would be by nc
mans an agreeable one.
| The road--if road 1t could be called
was very bad, and passed through the mos
gloomy forest in that part of the country
The night, too, crept on apace, and prom
sed to be darker than common. But Lior
trotted along by my side. ! was smar
walker, and was confident / was getting
over the ground fast, SO l didn't mind j
much. .......
The darkness was upon me before | wa
aware of it.. 1t seemed to me that | hat
already walked eight miles, but could SCI
no signs of settlement. This surprises
me little, for | was used to travelling, ant
knew my ability to calculate distances
But I kept up good heart and went Of
until / was quite certain ] had mistaken
my way, or been misinformed 10 regard +
the distance. ] concluded 1t would be bes
to keep the road that was in until reach
| ed some babitation. yNa-u Ha.l
| Tn a short time was glad / had mad
this resolutions for saw a light glimmer
ing from a cabin. approached il as 500
as possible. II was rather above the medi
um size. ! thought ! might be accomrno
dated there very we'll. It had the appear