Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1851-05-01
FAITAFUL LION;
OR THE PEDLAR'S DOG


:. Some years ago I travelled through a
portion of Michigan. Invent on foot, or
rode, as best suited my purpose. | car.
ried rich silks and jcwelry, to sell to those
disposed to buy. My only companion,
during my journeying, was Il large dog OF
the Newfoundland breed. Lion was good
natured and quiet, and there was some.
thing almost human in his eyes. He at.
tended to his own business, and never
quarreled like ours of low degree. He
would bear an insult from worthless pup.
pies with a philosophy worthy of emnla-
ton. And 1 never knew him, save on a
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 "evil doers."
When l travelled he trotted along by
my side, and when stopped to trade he
seated himself near me, and watched all
my movements with very grave and bu-
sincss.like expression. 1t annoyed him q
little, sometimes, to see my customers
drag my goods from my pack, and ham
die them with such freedom, which he ex-
pressed by low growl, while he followed
every piece with his eyes, to see that they
were not appropriated without proper
compensation, and with my full consent.
He really took a strong dislike to those
who were disposed to find fault with eve.
rything, at my prices in particular, | be.
lieve he knew every article carried, and
the value | attached to them. Be this as
it may, he seemed satisfied when was,
and wagged his tail when | made good
trade. He was an excellent watchdog,
and there was no danger of anything con.
fded to his care b ing taken away. |
found him very useful and companionable
in my travels.
Conveyances were so scarce and un-
certain, that was often obliged to go on
foot from one settlement to another.
Sometimes these journeys were anything
but pleasant, and the country was new,
and the state of society anything but
good.
Robberies were frequently perpetrated
upon those lonely roads, and there were
many, no doubt, to whom the rich stuffs
I carried would be sufficient temptation
to 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 de.
fence, and proud to share my wanderings.
always went armed. An excellent brace
of pistols-steel-ba -barrelled, and loaded
with ball-were never from my pocket,
save long enough to see if they were in
order, and at night, when laid beneath my
pillow. I 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 feet. No con-
veyance could be obtained without wal
ting till the next day-which was moi
inclined to do, so l set out OH foot. II
was near night, and I walked forward
briskly. | was not long in 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 part OF the
country. 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 ground fast, so
didn't mind it much.
The darkness was upon me before
was aware of it. II seemed to me tina
had already walked eight miles, but
could see no signs of q settlement. Thi
surprised me little, for was used t'