Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-02-28
MISCELLANY.
AN EXCURSION.
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

az
One day last summer / took my place on
a Grayesend steamer, and found eonsidera-
BE amusement in watching the various cha
racters, which any fly of ordinary observing
powers may on ssuch occasions view with half
his eyes Two persons in particular attract.
ed my notice; one was middle-aged gen.
tleman, stout, rather surly, taciturn, who
paid no attention to any living being on
board, except huge Newfoundland dog,
that sat painting and lolling out his tongue,
or roamed among the passengers, showing
them out Of his way, frightening children by
suddenly covering their faces with one lick
of his great tongue, and convincing nervous
ladies that he was going mad BY the yigor
with which he struck out his legs while roll
ling on his back upon the deck. His master
eyed these pranks with a sly smile, and
seemed quietly to enjoy the terror occasion
ed by the antics of his burly friend
The other person whom l especially no
!. mamma rnre asAttsFudiqtaa Tels 6 aEeSssd q
neraes. Indeed, she seemed to be possessed
6y them, and their name was legion. End.
less were the petty annoyances to which they
subjected her infinite the dilemmas in
which they involved her But her keenest
F.. s,utferings in this small way, were caused by
the unwieldy gambols of Lion, the Newfound-
land dog and her incessant and puerile ex-
carnations of terror, indignation, and spite;
against the good naturcd brute, kept up the
sly malicious smile upon the lips Of his APP
parentiy unnotieing master. The little girl
on the contrary, had to the increased alarm
OF the weak mother, made friends with the
monster and for a long time amused her,
self with throwing bits of biscuit for him to
catch, which feat, Notwithstanding the in
correctness of her aim, he managed to ac-
complish, by making boisterous plunge to
one side or the other; and when at last she
tImidly offered him piece out of her hand
and he acknowledged the compliment by
licking her face and rubbing his side against
her TILL be almost pushed her down, the lit
tie creature fairly screamed with delight
Her mother screamed too, but it was one
OF the small hysterical screams in which she
was fond of indnlging and was followed by
an outburst of anger,at Lions familiarity.
"Good gracious |" she exclaimed, !. if that
horrid creature should be mad, he'll have
killed my child And how. dirty he is too
Look at your pelissc, Adeline; see what
fix it is in How dave you play with that
dirty animal2"
This transition from hydrophobia to a
soiled dress was too much for Lions master,
and be burst into long loud laugh.
wish, sir" said the lady snappishly.
: that you would call away that nasty dog,
instead of setting him on toannoy everybody
who is not accustomed 10 have such dirty
animals about them.
The gentleman said nothing. but bowed
and walked forward, and / soon after saw
him enjoying cigar, while Lion played the
agreeable in his own rough fashion to people
who knew how to read the expression Of his
honest and intelligent physiogomy.
Little Adeline, deprived of the attraction
which had fixed her attention to the interior /
Of the boat, began to seek amusement in
the foaming water as it rushed from
the paddle wheels, and danced in long lines
behind them She knelt upon shawl which
1 fellow passenger had kindly lent as cush- /
ion for her little knees, and leaned quietly
over the side, watching the roaring water
80 her mother was for . time relieved from I
The thousand mosquitowiDged yexations
which had hitherto besct he1.
We were now within a few miles Of Graves I
end The tide was Just at the full. and the +
broad expanse Of the river lay around us in /
III its majesty; and to those who have never /
Deheld the Hudson or the Mississibpi. old /
Father Thames is majestic; ay, and If Nc /
place in the balance the historic. Political. /
ind commercial Importance of the trapsae. 1
lions Of which his broad breast is and has I
ocen the highway, our !. me-honoredp river
will not lose in dignity even when comnared /
= ~ r. Al. i