Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-11-05
THE DOcTOi,,s eERiL.

OF my story, had been bay OF the richest
and most glossy color, with'a lone snot of
white bair in his forehead His ta,i had
been allowed to flow, uDesnsailcd by the
,nutilating knife, naturally end gracefally
as those Of the whid mustang OF the prai-
rie. The ample chest, small ankles, and
proud neck, and the wide apart, prominent
eyes and open ndntrils, denoted gentle
blood; but at the time ! saw him, old age
had vhilened his beautiful bay coat, long
tufts Of hair were growing behind each
foot, his eyes we're rheuny, aud the few
long teeth he possessed were leose. 8
l had noticed the carr and attention b.
slowed on him by every iaNase of, the
family. Not day passed, that his neck
| and face were not caressed by soft, femin
| inc hand ard If 1 had been surprised a,
| that, how much more 80 was |, when Mrs.
Morrison, who, like myself, was staying
there through the summer, would irequen,-
ly throw her arms around his neck, and
| while his soft nose rested against her
shoulder, would call him pet names, and
not untrequently her beautiful eyes would
6ll with tears while thus employed. Don
john received all these caresses as if he
had been accustomed to them, frequently
following one or the another of the in
mates Of the family like huge dog. NV
curiosity at length became SO great, re.
solved to become acquainted with the rea>
son why he was honored with the respect
and attachment of the household. Not
many days elapsed, before became ac-
quainted with the Reason; and | assure
Ia i tb
cient to excuse any amonnt of affection
which it might please the superior brute to
bestow upon bis fellow the dumb one
He had belonged to Doctor Mosely, OF
WhitesborouGh, for many years practic
ing physician ai that place. Don John
had carried his master to and from many
bed Of death, aud fire had flown from
his boots many times as his short, fleet
steps had dashed across the Mohawk on
the old bridge. +.
The Doctor had been called to Utica on
business connected with his profession,
and had been absent three DAYS Duriag
bis absence, one Of those drenching,
warm, breaking up rains, had set in
Mountains OF ice were rushing down the
Mohawk, sweeping everything before them,
oyertlowing the banks, carrying away
bridges and dwellings,, and alarming many
OF the inhabitants, as we'll it might. for
one must see a freshet to understand its
terrible Importance One must hear the
crash and roar, behold the mad waters
running headong and wild, eager for de-
struction, behold the floating wrecks of
many a dwelling often hearing "a thing
nr nd h,,t
was witnessed few years since On the
Schhyk;ll ''..'.f "t ..- f#s#
The night was inky black, and "Dcn
john picked out the way faithfully and
steadily, never stumbling. but, with the
bride hanging slack across his neck, and
his nose close 10 the cath, his master had
little lear Of the consequences. They
were approaching Oriskany, whence a
bridge spanned the Mohawk, and Don
ohn ~nnered pitifail, ones or twice till
sharp word from his master warned him
not to show the white feather. On the
oth.r side he could just distinguish through
the dense dark@ess, moving aud pllmmcr-
Ing lights, ANA once he i,nc,ed h. ard "A
shout but he little Needed ought save get.
ting housed AS soon as posslbe, and sleep
iAs If tie fatigue consequent to hs pro
fesslon. Now, Don, ay sure; old Oris
kanJ bridge, to my own and your kuowl-
edse, has lost many plahA,' said the
Doctor, patuns bis beast ) neck, aud push.
ing The wet tangled front lock from his
eyes. k@ " EE
They were now ascending the little emf
nence leading to the entrance, when the
"A 4
Doctor, you are nearly home, now! -
Still no attempt at going on, and beneath
them the angry waters roared and beloved
like maddened devils banked OF their
prey. "Do you hear mo, sir2' with
smart buffet on the neck. aud gathering
up of loosened bride into a firm and de-
termined hand, and the animal started
slowly, steadily, surely, firm Though the
broad back slightly shivered from time to
time, and the gait was SO measured and
nlsthodIcsl, that At any other time he
would have observed it. As it was, he
only let him have his own way. though he
may have smoothed his neck, for h. had
kindly heaft, snd his poor beast had Ia.
bored hard through the dreadful weather,
and was sadly in want Of food and shelter.
Towards the end Of the bridge, the steps
became slower, and once he stumbled in
the hind foot A quick grasp Of the bride,
aud CHEEKY g Easy Don--easy, sir q and
again the cautious hoois resounded on the
hard wood. They were across, and xni
NAL neighed, and tossed his head I'LL the
Doctor shook in the saddle. "One more
mile to 90, poor fellow; but first aud
You want some refreshments Bounding
up to the small tavern door, where n genial
ligh. was shining from the windows, be
callei loudly for tho landlord. dozen
or more OF the inmates came rushing 10
the door with lanterns, which they held
a!oit, and " Good Lprdl Doctor, where
did YOU come trom7 broke forth from
their lips simultaneously. -a
"Come from? Why, from over The Mo
hawk! " hat is the ma,,er2 Has the
lreehet carried away any OF your senses
Here, boy as, dismountlng, he threw the
reins to a gaping fellow, give John some-
thing nice, and dry him off. Keep him
well wrapped up While he eats, aud land
! lord, / want, a tumbler Of red hot .Iamaca,
quick ssstz I==...# ..=..
!" Doctor" said the group, shave you
crossed the Mohawk, tonight? aud, il so,
how Z"
why, on the bridge-ar are you all
drunk?' said the exasperatsd physician.
T" Doctor" said the old grey -headed
landlord, "Mat bridge rent donn Me No
hcuk this afternoon! Come with me, and
will show you. II you crossed, God only
knows how you did itl7 g
! A sLiver went to the Doetor's heart
and. lantern in hand, he followed the foot
steps to the swollen and turbid river
Where was the brlaso?
/ lmirhtY " AAiIE The nnrrnr rirnck