Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1859-06-01

ner, awaiting his masters pleasure-no
knowing that it was the wall for the advent
If a human soul doomed 10 suffer IFS mum.
Der of years, then-die! If his master
had acquired fame-as all knew he
had-"Don John" had also his laurels tc
be proud of.
The Doctor had been called 10 Utica,
on business connected with his profession
and had been absent three days. During
his absence one ofihose drenching, warm,
breaking-up rains had set in. Noun.
iains of ice were rushing down the Mo-
hawk, sweeping everything before them,
overi1owing the banks, carrying away
bridges, dwellings, and alarming many
of the inhabitants, as well it might, for
one must see freshet to understand its
terrible importance. One must here the
crash and roar, behold the mad wa.
ters rushing headlong and wild, ca
ger for destruction, behold the floating
wrecks of many dwelling, ofen bearing
"a thing of life, and sometimes human
life, as was witnessed few years since,
on the Schuylkill.
The night was inky black, and Don
John picked cut the way faithfully and
steadily, never stumbling, but with the
bride hanging slack across his neck. and
his nose close to the earth, his master had
little fear for consequences. They were
approaching Oriskany, where bridge
spanned the Mohawk, and "Don John"
whinnied pitifully once or twice till a
sharp word from his master warned him
not 10 show the white feather. On the
other side, he could just distinguish ihro'
the dense darkness, moving and gIimmer-
! ing lights, and once he fancied he heard
a shout; but he little needed aught save
getting housed as soon as possible, and
sleeping off the faiigues consequent tc his
profession. ''Now Den, step sure; old
Oriskany bridge, to my own and your
knowledge, has lost many plank" said
the Doctor, paiting his beasts neck, and
pushing the wet tangled front lock from
his eyes.
They were now ascending the little
eminence leading TO the entrance, when
the horse stopped. go on sir!" said the
Doctor, ''you are nearly home nowr'-
Sill no attempt at going on, and beneath
them the angrJ waters roared and below
ed, like madened devils baked of their
prey. "Do you hear me, sir" with
smart buffet on the neck, and gathering
up of the loosened bride into the firm de-
termined hand, and the animal started
slowly, steadily, surely, frmly-though
the broad back slightly shivered from
time 10 time, and The gait was so measur-
ed and methodical, that at any other time
he would have observed it. As was,
he only let him have his own way, though
he may have smoihed his neck, for he
had kindly heart, and his poor beast
had labored hard through dreadful wealth.
er, and was sadly in need of feed and
shelter.
Towards the end of the bridge the
steps became slower, and once stumbled
in the hind foot. A quick grasp at the
bride "Easy John-easy sir!" and again
the cautious hoofs resounded on The hard
wood. They were across, for The animal
neighed, and tossed his head til the Doc.
tor shook in the saddle. "One more
mile 10 60, poor fellow; but first and
you want some refreshments. So rid
ing up 10 the small tavern door, where
genial light was shining from the win
dows, he called loudly for the landlord.
A dozen or more of the inmates came
rushing to the door with lanterns, which
they held aloft, and GOOD God; Doc
tor, where did you come from?" broke
from their lips almost simultaneously.
"Come froma Why from over the
Mohawk What is the matter2 Has
the freshet carried away any of your
fenses? Here boy" as dismounling, he
threw The reigns to a gsping fellow,
Give John something nice, and dry him
off. Keep him well wrapped up while
he eats, and-landlord-I want tumbIer
of red hot Jamaica, quickr'
Doctor" said the group, have you
crossed the Mohawk tonight, and, If so,
how :"
why, on the bridge; are You all
drunk ?"asked the exasperaied physician.
"Doctor,' said the old gray-headed
landlord, "that bridge went down the
Mohawk this afernooni Come with me
and | will show you! If you crossed,
God only knows how you did hl"
A shiver went to the Doctors heart
and. lantern in hand, he followed the
footsteps of the men 10 the margin Of the
swollen and turbid river. Where was
the bridget
Almighty God, "saidthe horror struck
Doctor, "where is my gratitude? Ny
noble beast came over here this night,
backed by me, on this solitary string
piece; and with this right hand gave
him a blow as he faltered !'' and
the Doctor sank upon his knees in the
soft, we! snow and wept like a child
the men moved from his presence re.
sPectfully, and left him TO himself ;