Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-04-15
THE PEDLAR AND HIS DOG.

AAbA1AIC A1N ~ 1lD DO(Js
some years ago, I travelled through a
po1.'oh OF Michigan. went on foot, or
."Ie' .;" as best suited my purpose. carried
Llch s'lks and jewelry, to those disposed TO
ouy my only companion during nv Jour
ney, was large dog, of the Newfoundland
meee. Lion was fit to be the king of his
species de was good-natured and quiet,
anu 'here was something more than human
III Ills eyes, lie attended to his own busi.
ness ana never quarrelled like ours of low
ueg'ee' lie would bear insult, from worth.
less puppies, with philosophy worthy of EN-.
ola'lon' And | never knew him, save on
'e" occasions. TO resent the undue liberties
%! puppies OF larger growth. When his
oie, however, was thoroughly aroused, be
made such offenders terrible warning to
evil dcers"
: When travelled, he trottea along by nv
side, and when | stopped to trade, he sea.
ted himself near by me, and watched all my
movements with business like expression.
1t annoyed him a little, sometimes, to see
my customers drag The goods from my pack
and handle them with such freedom, which
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 my full consent.
He really took strong dislike to those
who were disposed to find fault with every
thing, and my prices in particular. | be-
lleve 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 watch dog, and there
was no danger of anything confded to his
care, being taken away. | found him very
useful and companionable in my travels.
Conveyances we're so scarce and uncer.
tain, that was obliged TO 60 on foot from
one settlement to another. Sometimes
these journeys were anything but pleasant :
and as the country was new, and the state
of society anything but good, robberies
were frequently perpetrated upon these lone
Iy roads, and there we're many, no doubt, to
whom the rich stuffs carried, would be a
sufficient nduCemert to commit murder
This idea frequeutly 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 pstols-stcel barrelled,
and loaded with bill-were never from my
pocket, save long enough to see that they
were in order, and at night they lay beneath
my pillow. | felt quite safe with these and
Lion, who were the companions of my
nights as we'll as my days He always lay
down between my head aud the door, with
his face towards the latter. No one could
enter without attracting Lions attention.
One day in the summer of 1888, founc
nvselr in small settlement, OH the borde.
~ small lake. anxious TO get forward /.
the next, which was about eight miles dis
tant. No conveyance could be obtaine,
without waiting until the next day, which
was not inclined to do, so i set out on foot
1t was near night, and | walked forwar
briskIy. was not long in discovering tina
my expedition would be by no means all ag
reeable one.
The road-if road it could be called
was very bad, aud passed through the mos
gloomy forest of that part of the country
The night, too, crept on apace, and prom
ised to be darker than common But LIoI
trotted along by my side; was a smar
walker, and was confident l was gettIn!
over the ground fast, so didn't mind it much
The darkness was on before was awar'
of it. 1t seemed to me that | had walked eigh
miles, but could not see any sign OF set
tement. This surprised me little, for
was used to travelling, and knew we'll M
ability to calculate distances. But | KEEP
I'D a good heart, and went on, until wa
quite certain had mistaken the way. o
been mlsinformcd in regard to the distance
| concluded it would be best to keep III
road that | was in, until | reached som
habitatlon.
In a short time was glad had mad
this resolution, for saw light gIlmmerln
from a cabin. approached it as soon
possible. 1t was rather above the medllr
size. | thought might be accommodate
there very well. 1t had the appearance
being very comfortable within, knocke
for admission. The door was opened by
man
Now am not person to believe in pr
sentiments, msgivlngs, and all that sort I
thing but certainly saw something
that mans countenance that did not lik
the moment set my eyes on him. In
gruff voice, he asked my business. | to
him believed had lost my way, and WI
under the necessity of asking for accomod
tions. After hestating moment, he aske
me to enter A tall female was seated in
corner, near large stone fireplace. ST
seemed busy in watching piece of me;
Kissing over the fire. 1t struck me th
had never seen a more apatheuc-IooklL
conntenance than hers. She hardly notice
my entry. She might from appearance,
forty years old Her face was remarkab
long, and wrinkled to degree to excl
curiosity. Her nose was sharp and skim
T as was indeed her whole face, The he
gear was wholly indescribable, and from b
meath it gray hairs were visible, The entl
dress was qnaint and unlike anything h
? seen. | could hardly keep my eyes off HI
n She, as well as the man, glanced eagerly
my pack as laid it down. The latter "
o a coarse looking person, whose countenan
t appeared more Indicative Of opacity tn
e viIainy
To my questions he replied very civi
= after had en.ered, and he had got vi
' of my person. learned from him, wha
had suspected for the last half hour, that
N had taken the wrong road.
5. A kind of teIegraphng took place
e tween the two, after which was informe
!. could stay. This did not appear to me
!, very crest favor, since had chance
: observe my host and hostess.
= = At length. the meat which had be
a cooking upon the Goals, was placed up
d ,,,os ;nvitnd In naFtaka Of