The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-10-08
THE Doctor,s Peril.


my story had been bay Of the richest and
most glossy color, with lone spot OF white
hair in his forehead His tail had been ali
lowed tn flow. uucurtailed by the mutilating
knife. naturally and gracefully as those Of
tha wild mustangs of the prairie. The am
ME chest. small ankles, and proud neck, and
the wide apart, prominent eyes, and open
nostrils, denoted gentle blood; but at the
time saw him, old age had whitened his
beautiful bay coat, long tufts of hair were
growing behind each foot, his eyes were
rheumy, and the few long teeth he possess
ed were loose.
had noticed the care and attention be-
slowed on him by every inmate of the fam
lily. Not day passed that his neck and
face were not caressed by soft feminine
hands; and if had been surprised at that,
how much more so was I, when Mrs. Nor
rison, who, like myself, was staying there
through the summer, would frequently
throw her arms around his neck, and while
his soft nose rested against her shoulder,
would call him pet names, and not unfre-
quentIy her beautiful eyes would fill with
tears while thus employed. don John"
received all these caresses as if he had been
accustomed to them, frequently following
one and another of the inmates like huge
dog. My curiosity at length became SO.
great resolved to become acquainted with
the reason why he was honored with the
respect and attachment of4-he household
Not many days elapsed before l became &C
Uuainted with the reason, and assure you,
gentle reader, considered them sufficient
to excuse any amount of affection which it
might please the superior brute to bestow
upon his fellow the dumb one. I'D
He had belonged to DR.. Moseley, of
Whitesborough, for many years practi-
cling physician of that place, and "Don
john had carried his master to and from
many bed of death, and God help him,
fire had flown from his hoofs as many times
as his short, feet steps had dashed across the
Mohawk on the old bridge. not needing the
new-born infants wall that greeted his ear
in his quiet corner awaiting his masters
pleasure-not that it was the wall for the
advent of human soul, doomed to suffer
its number Of years, then die If his
master had acquired fame-as all knew he
had-'.Don John" has also his laurels to be
proud OF. -E..-.
> The Doctor had been called to Utica, on
business connected with his profession, and
had been absent three days. During his
absence one of those drenching, warm,
of ice were rushing down the Mohawk,
ing banks. carrying away bridges and dwell
ings, and alarming many inhabitants, as
well it might, for one must see freshet to
understand its terrible importance. One
must hear the crash and roar, behold the
mad waters rushing headlong and wild, ca
ger for destruction, behold the floating
wrecks of man; dwelling often bearing a
'sthing as of life," and sometimes a human
life, as was witnessed few years since on
the Schuylkill
The night was inky black, and "Don
john picked out the way faithfully and
steadily, never stumbling, but with the bril-
die hanging slack across his. neck, and his
nose close to the earth, his master had lit
tie fear of the consequences. They were
approaching Oriskany, where bridge span
ned the Mohawk, and "Don john whin
nered pitifully once or twice, till sharp
word from his master warned him not to
show the white feather. On the other side
he could just distinguish through the dense
darkness moving and glimmering lights,
and once he fancied he heard a shout; but
he little needed ought save getting housed
as soon as possible, and sleeping off the ia
tigues consequent to his profession. CHOW,
Don, step sure; old Oriskany bridge to my
own and your knowledge, has lost many a
plank" said the Doctor, patting his beasts
neck, and pushing his wet, tangled front
locks from his eyes.
q They were now ascending the little emf
nence leading to the entrance, when the
horse stopped. EGO on, SIR" said the
Doctor, t'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 me, sir ?'' with smart buff
fet on the neck, and gathering up of loos- |
ened bride into firm and determined hand, |
and the animal started-slowly, steadily, |
surely, firmly though the broad back |
slightly shivered from time to time and the |
gait was so measured aud methodical, that
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 he had kindly heart, and his
poor beast had labored hard through dread
full 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
his hind foot. A quick grasp at the bride,
and CHEEKY easy. John-Easy, sir !" and
again the cautious hoofs resounded on the
hard wood. They were across, and the an
imal neighed, and tossed his head till the
Doctor shook in the saddle. s'One more |
mile to go, poor fellow, but first I and you
want some refreshment.'' Bounding up to
the small tavern door, where genial light |
was shining from the windows, 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 Lord. Doctor. where did you come
from 90 broke forth from their lips simulta-