Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1859-10-21
The Doctors Peril.

The noble beast that i0riuS the su', J-c'
Of my story, had been bay OF the richest
aud most glossy color, with loLe spot ct
white hair in his forehead. His tail had
been allowed to t0w, uncurtalled by the
mutilating knife, naturally and gracefully
as those Of the wild mustang Of tbe.pral-
rie. The ample chest, small ankles, ana
proud neck, and the vide apart, pfoml-
neut eyes and open hostEil5, deooied gen-
tie blood; but at the time saw him, old
age had whitened his beautiful bay coat,
long tufts of hair wore growing behind
each foot, his eyes were rAeumy, aud the
few long teeth he possessed were loose.
| had noticed the care and attention be-
slowed on him, by every inmate Of The
family. Not a day passed, that his neck
and face were not eare.ssd BY s1ft, iemi-
uiue hands and if bad been surprised
ut that, how much more 80 was l, winch
Mrs Morrison, who, Ike myself, was stay
ing there through the summer, would iie-
quently throw her arms around his neck,
and while his soft nose rested egaiust her
shoulder, would call him pes names, aud
not unfrequeu,ly her beautiful eyes would
fli with tears while thus employed. "DOn
John" received all these caresses as If be
had been accustomed to them, fr'qqenily
following one or another Of the inmates Vi
The flmily like huge dog. Ny curiosity
at length became SO great, l resolved to
become acquainted with the reason Why
he was honoIed with the respect ana at
tachment Of the household. Not many
days elnpsed, before became acquainted
with the reasons; and | assure you, gem
tie reader, | consider them sufficient to
excuse any amount of affection which II
nj sht please the superior brute to bestow
upon his fellow the dumb Que.
lie had belonged to DR.. Aosely, Of
Whitesborougb, for many years practi-
cling physician of hatplace. "Don John
had carried his master to and from many
a bed Of death, and fire had flown from
his hoofs many times as his short, feet
steps had dashed across the Mehawk Cd
the old Bridge.
The Doctor had been called to Utica,
on business connected with his profess
sioD, and bad been absent three days
During his absence, one Of those dreIeL-
ing, warm, breakiDg-up rains, had set in.
Mountains Of ice were rushing down the
Mohawk, sweeping everything before them,
overfowing the banks, carrying away
bridges and dwellings, and alarming ma
by of the inhabitants, as well it might,
FIR ore mus, see a freshet TO understand
its terrible Importance. Que must hear
the crash and roar, behold the mad wa
ters rushing headlopg and wild, eager for
destruction, behold the floating wrecks of
many a dwelling often bearing "a thing
Of Hfe," and sometimes human lie, as
was witnessed a few years s.uce ca the
Schuylkill.
The night was iuky black, and Don
John" picked cut the way faithfully and
steadily, never stumbling, but, with the
bride hanging slack across lis neck, and
his nose close to the earth, his master had
little fear Of the consequences. They
were approaching Orishany, whence Il
bridge spauned the Mohawk, and d" Don
Johu' winnered pitlfuily once or twice
till sharp word from his master warned
him not to show toe white feather. On
the other side he could just distinguish,
through the dense darkness, moving and
glim merIpg lights, and Once lie faucled he
heard shout but be little needed ought
save getting housed as soon as possible,
aud sleeping off the fatigues consequent
to bis profession. snow, Don, step sure ;
old Oriskany bridge, to my own and your
knowledge, has lost many q plank . said
the Doctor, pattipg his beasts neck, aud
pushing the wet tangled front lock from
his eyes.
They we're now ascending The little en-
ineuce leading to the entrance, when the
horse stopped. "Go on, sir" said the
Doctor, "you ore nearly home, now "
Still, no attempt at going on, aud beneath
them the angry waters roared aud below
ed, Ike maddened devils banked Of their
prey. "Do you hear me, sir! p with a
smart buffet on the neck, and gathering
up of loosered bride into firm and
determined hand, and the apimal started
slowly, steadily, surely, frmly-though
the broad back slightly shivered from time
to time, aud the gait was 50 measured and
methodical, tha. any other time be would
have observed it, As it was, he only let
him have bis own way, though he may
have smoothed his neck, fer be had a
kindly heart, and bis poor beast bad la
bored hard through the dreadful weather,
and was sadly in want Of food and shelter.
Towards the end of the bridge, I'll z steps