The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-08-20

10 the Paciic," but 'Tlc shortest aud cheap
est route to San Francisco, tho greatest
commercial city Oh our Western coasts"
The agreement Of fact, is far clearer rs TO
Tic wisdom OF the selection Of the route for
the overland mail, and it is still stronger for
the wisdom Of carrying the railroad along
The same route, that which is designated,
and will be improved and built upon 10y tho
Southern Pacific Company in this CITY,
-Ncw Orleans |icoyunc.
THE MAD DOG.
Dreadful as hydrolhoLia may be TO the
human being, rabies is worse to the dog.
1t makes its approach more gradually. 1t
lasts longer and is more intense while it
endures. The dog that is going mad, feels
'nwc!l for long time prior to the full de-
velolment of the disease. lie is very ILL.,,
but lie does not know what ails him. IIe
feels nasty; dissatisfied with everything {;
veSed without reason very snappisl,.-
Feeling thus, he longs to avoid all annoy
ancc by being alone This makes him
seem strange 10 those who are most accus-
toned to linn.
Tho sensation induces linn TO seek soil
tude. But there is another reason which
d. cides his choice Of resting place. The
light inflicts upon him The most intense
agony. The sun is 10 him IN instrument
Of torture, which he therefore studies to
avoid, for his brain aches and feels us if it
were IL trembling jelly. This induces the
poor brute to find out the holes and cor
ncrs where lie is least likely to bc noticed,
and into which the light is unable to enter.
If his retreat is discovered and the masters
voice bids him to come forth, the affection
ate creatures countcnancc brightcns, his
tail beats the ground, and he leaves his
hiding place, anxious to O cy the lovc.l au-
ttoriiy; but before he has gone half the
distance, kind of sensation comes over
linn, which produces an instantaneous
change in his whole appearance. lie seems
to say TO himself, Why can't you let nc
alone: Go away. DO go away. You
trouble, you pain me-" And thereon he
suddenly turns and darts back into his dark
corner. If let alone, there he will remain !;
perhaps frotling Il little ut the mouth, and
drinking great deal Of water, but not is
suing from his hiding place TO seek after
food. Ills appclitcs are altered; hair,
straw, dirt, filth, excrcmcnt, rags, tin shay
ing, stones, the most noisomc and unnatural
substances are then the delicacics fvr which
the poor dog, changed by disease, longs
Tor and swallows, in hope to case burn
ing stomach. Lie is now altogether
, changed.
Still lie does not desire to bite mankind !;
he rather endeavors to avoid society lie
takes long journeys of thirty or forty miles
in extent, and heightened 10y all kinds of
accidents, to vent his restless desire for mo-
ton. When on these journeys he does
not walk. This would Lc too formal and
measured pace for an animal whose whole
frame quive' with excitement. lie does
not run. That would be too great an exer-
ton for a animal whose body is the abode of
a deadly sickness. lie proceeds in slou cir,
ing manner, in kind Of trot move
mont neither run or walk, and his aspect
is detected. His eyes do not glare, and
stare, but they are dull and retracted. Ills
l:ppearance is very characteristic, and, if
once seen, can never afterwards he mistaken.
In this state lie will travel the most dusty
roads, his tongue hanging dry from his
open mouth, from which, however, there
drops no foam. His course is not straight.
low could it be, since it is doubtful whether
at this period he sees ct all? His desire is
to journey unnoticed. If no one notices
him, he gladly passes by them. lie is very
Ill. lie cannot stay 10 bite. If, neverthe-
ilesss, anything opposes his progress, lie
will, as if by impulse, snap-as a man in a
similar state might strike, and tell the per-
son to get out Of his way, He may take
his road across a field in which there is a
flock of sheep. Could these creatures only
make room tor hIm, and stand motionless
tho dog. would pass on and leave them be.
hind uninjued. But they. begin to run,
and,at the sound, the dog pricks up. His
entire aspect changes. Rage takes posses
sion of him. What made that noises lie
pursYyes it with all the energy of madness.
lie flies at one, then at another. lie does
not rhangle, nor is his bite, simply consid-
cred, terrible. lie cannot pause to tear
the Creature he has caught. lie snaps and
then rushes onward, till fairly exhausted and
unable longer to follow, he sinks down, and
the sheep pass forward to be no more mo.
Tested. He. may have bitten twenty OF
thirty in his mad onslaught; and would