Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-05-17
W tsreIIaoreo eota O
THE PEDLAR AND HIS DOG
BY J. II. ROBINSON.

Some years ago, | travelled through a
portion of Michigan. | went on foot, or
rode as best suited my purpose. carried
rich silks and jewelry, to sell, to those dis
posed to buy. Ny only companion dur
ing my journeying, was large dog of the
Newfoundland breed. Lion was fit to be
king of all his species. He was good
natured and quiet, and there was some
thing almost human i'll his eyes. He at
tended to his own business, and never
quarrelled like ours of low degree He
would bear an insult from worthless pup
pies, with philosophy worthy of emula-
ton. And | never knew him, save on a
few occasions, resent the undue liberties
Of puppies of large growth. When his
bile, however, was thoroughly aroused, he
made such offenders terrible warning to
evil dOers.'
When | travelled, he trotted along bv
my side, and, when stopped to trade, he
seated himself near me, and watched all
my movements with very grave and bus
mess like expression. 1t annoyed him a
little, sometimes, to see my customers drag
the goods from my pack, and handle them
with so much freedom, which feeling he
expressed by low growl, while he fol-
lowed every piece with his eyes to see
that they were not appropriated without
proper compensation, and with my fnll
consent.
lie really took strong dislike to those
who were disposed to find fault with every
thing, and my prices in particular. | be-
heve he knew every article carried, and
the value attached to them. Be this as
1t may, he seemed satisfied when | was,
and wagged his tail when made a good
trade. lie was an excellent watch dog,
and there was no danger of anything CON
fded to his care, being taken away.
found him very useful and companionable
in my travels.
Conveyanccs were SO scarce and unccr-
tain, that was often obliged to go on foot
from one settlement TO another. Some
times these journeys were anything but
pleasant, as the country was new and the
state of society anything but good.
Robberies were frequently perpetrated
upon these lonely roads, and there were
many, no doubt, to whom the rich stufs !
carried, would be sufficient temptation TO
commit a 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 de-
fence, and proud to share my wandcrings.
always went armed An excellent brace
of pistols, steel barrelled, and loaded with
ball-were never from my pocket, save
long enough to see that they were in or
der, and at night when laid beneath my
pillow. | felt quite safe with these and
Lion, who was the companion of my
nights as well as days. He always laid
down between my bed and the
door, with his face towards the latter.
No one could enter without attracting the
of Lion.
One day, in the summer of 1910,
found myself in a small German settle
ment on the border of a small lake, anX-
lous TO get forward to the next, which was
about eight miles distant. No convey
ance could be obtained without waiting till
the next day, which was not inclined to
do, so set out on foot. 1t was near night,
and walked forward briskly / was not
long III discovering that my expedition
would be by no means an agreeable one.
The road, if road it could be called, was
very bad, and passed through the most
gloomy forest in that portion of the coun-
try. The night, too, crept on apace, and
promised to be darker than common. But
Lion trotted along by my side was
smart walker, and was confident | was
getting over the s.ound fast; so | didn't
mind it much.
The darkness was upon me before | !
was aware of it. 1t seemed to me that | |
had already walked eight miles, but could |
zee no signs Of a settlement. This sur
1rlsed me little, for | was used TO travel.