New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-04-15
THE PEDDLER AND HIS DOG.


My monument sublime!
THE PEDDLER AND HIS DOG.
Some years ago, Travelled through Michigan
went on foot, or rode, as best suited my pur-
pose carried rich silks and jewery, to sell
to those disposed to buy My only companion
foundland breed. Lion was fit to be the king of
his species. He was good -natured and quiet,
and there was something more than human in
his eyes. He attended to his own business and
never quarreled like ours of low degree. He
would bear an insult, from worthless puppies
with philosophy worthy of emulation And
never knew him, save on a few occasions, to re-
sent the undue liberties of puppies of larger
growth When his bile, however, was thorough
ly aroused, he made such offenders terrible
warning to '' evil doers >
When | Travelled, he trotted along by my side
and when stopped to trade, he seated himself
near by me, and watched all my movements
with a husiness-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 lie expressed with
low growl, while he folowed very piece with
his eyes, to see that they were At appropriated
without proper compensation, ar1 with my full
consent.
IL
were disposed to find fault with ever ng and
my prices in particular. l believe knew
every article carried, and the value tacned
to it. Be this as it may, he seemed satisfied
when | was, and wagged his tail when I made
good trade. He was excellent watch dog
and there was no danger of any thing confiled
to his care being taken away. l found him very
useful and companonable in my travels.
Convcyances were so scarce and uncertain,
A. II. =
ment to another. Sometimes these journeys
were any thing but pleasant: and as the coun-
try was new, and the state Of society any thing
but good, robberies were frequently perpetrated
upon these lonely roads, and there were many
no doubt, to whom the rich stuffs l carried
would be a sufficient inducement to commit q
murder.
The idea frequently occurred to me in tray
cling 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 barreled, and loaded with ball
were never from my pocket, save long enough to
see that they were in order, and at night they
lay beneath my pillow. l felt quite safe with
these and Lion, who was the companion of nv
nights as well as my days He always lay down
between my bed and the door, with his face to-
wards the latter. No one could enter without
attracting the attention OF Lion.
One day in the summer of 1888, found my
self in small settlement, on the borders of a
small lake, anxious to get forward to the next
which was about eight miles distant. No con-
veyance could be obtained without waiting until
the next day, which | was not inclined to do, so
| set out on foot. 1t was near night and
walked forward briskly. l was not long in dis
covering 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 of 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 on before was aware of it
1t seemed to me that had already walked eight
miles, but could no signs of a settlement
This surprised me little, for was used to trav.
cling, and knew well my ability to calculate
distances But | kept up a good heart. and
went on, until | was quite certain had mis-
taken my way, or been misinformed i'll regard
to the distance, l concluded it would be best tc
keep the road that was in, until reached
some habitation.
In short time | was glad had made this
resolution, for | saw light glimmering from n
cabin, approached it as soon rs possible 1t
was rather above the medium size l thought
might be accommodated there very we'll It
had the appearance of being very comfortab Bile
within. ! knocked for admission The door
was opened by man.
Now, am not person to believe in PRESENT.
ments, misgivings and all that sort of thing
but | certainly saw something in that man s
countenance that did not like the moment
set my eyes on him. In n gruff voice he asked
my business. l told him believed had lost
my way, and was under the necessity of ask
ing accommodation After hesitating mo-
ment he asked me to enter. A tall female was
seated in corner, near Il large stone fire place
She seemed busy in Watching a piece of meat
kissing over the fire. Il struck me that had
never seen a more apathetic looking counte
nance than hers. She hardly noticed my
| entry. She might, from her appearance, be
forty years old Her face was remarkably long
and wrinkled to degree to excite curiosity
Her nose was sharp and skinny. as was indeed
her whole face. The head gear was wholly in.
describabe, and from beneath it gray hairs
were visible. Her entire dress was quaint. anc
unlike any thing had seen. 1 could hardl,
keep my eyes off her. She, as well as the man
glanced eagerly at my pack as laid it down
The latter was coarse looking person. who's,
| countenanee appeared more indicative Of opacity
than vllainy.
ohy Iueeo'oie ie Feplleu very clVilly, 1Itel
| had entered and he had got view of nv per.
SON l learned from him. what had SUSPECTED
for the last half hour, that had taken tho
wrong road
A KIND of telegraphing took place between
the two, after which l was informed could
stay. This did not appear to me very great
favor since had had chance to observe my
host and hostess
AT length the meat, which had been cooking
upon the Goals, was placed upon the table.
was invited to partake of it, which did with
my host, who had been absent, and had re-
turned few moments before my arrival Du-
rlng my repast Lion took his seat by my side
receiving portion, as he always did
when finished, drew away from the board
and taking paper from my pocket, pretended
to be busy reading.
glanced up occasionally from under my
brows, and was startled to see the apathy of the
woman tas we'll as the man) wearing off rapid
ly. Her eyes grew animated, and, in unisor
with his, sought my pack oftener and oftener
they glanaAA oh the dog with evident dissatis