, 1861-05-16
The Doctors Peril.


and gracefully as that Of the wild mustang o.
the prairie. The ample chest, small ankles, and
proud neck, and the wide apart prominent eyes
and open nostrils, denoted gentle blood but al
the time saw him, old age had whitened his
beautiful bay coat, long tufts Of hair were grow
ing behind each foot, his eyes were rheuny, and
the few long teeth he possessed were loose.
had noticed the care and attention bestowed
on him by every member Of the family. Not q
day passed but his neck and face were caressed
by soft feminine hands; and if had been sur
prised at that, how much more SO was !, when
Mrs Morrison, who, like myself had been stop
ping 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 unfrequently her beau
tiful eyes would fill with tears while thus en-
plyed.
q Don John" received these caresses as II he
had been accustomed to them, frequently follow
ing one or other Of the inmates like . huge
house dog. My curiosity at length became so
great that resolved 10 become acquainted with
the reason why he was hOnOred with the respect
and attachment Of the household Not many
days elapsed before became acquainted with
the reasons, and ! assure you, gentle reader, |
considered them sufficient to excuse any amount
Of affection which it might please the superior
animal to bestow upon his fellow, the dumb one.
lie had belonged to DR.. MOsely, Of Whites
bOrO', for many years q practiciRg physician Of
that place, and Don John" had carried his
master to and from many bed Of death, and
fire had flown from bis hoots as many times as
his short, feet steps had dashed across the Mo-
hawk on the old bridge, not needing the new
born infants wall that greeted his ear in his
quiet corner awaiting his masters pleasure-nor
that It was the wall for tue advent Of q human
soul, doomed to suffer q number Of years, then
diel "DOn John" had also won laurels 10 be
proud Of
Tho Doctor bad been called to Utica on bust
ness connected with his profession, and been ab-
sent three days. During his absence, drench-
ing, warm and breaking.up rain had set in.
Mountains Of ice were rushing down the No
hawk, sweeping everything before them, over
flowing the banks, carrying away bridges ard
dwellings, and alarming many Of the Inhabitants,
~ well Il might-ior person must see freshet
there to Understand Its terrible import. One
must hear the crash and roar, and behold the
mad waters rushing wild and headlong, bearing
the floating wrecks Of dwellings, sometimes
lfsghted with affnglitel human beings.
The night was inky black, but Don john
picked out the way faithfully aud steadily, never
stumbling; but with the bride hanging slack
across his neck, and his nose close to the earth,
his master had little to far. They were ap
preaching 0riskany, where q bridge spanned
the Mohawk, and Don John" whinnied pite-
ously once or twice, till sharp word from bis
master warned him not TO show the white feather.
On the other side he could just distinguish,
through the dense darkness, moving and glim-
mering lights, and once he fancied he heard Q
shout but he little needed aught save getting
housed as soon as possible.
"Now, Don, step sure; old Oriskany bridge,
TO my own and your knowledge, has lost many
q plank" said the Doctor, patting 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" id the Doctor, "you are nearly
home now" Still no attempt at going on, and
beneath him the angry waters roared and bel
lowed, ike maddened devils baked Of their prey.
Dou you hear me, sir?" with smart buffet
on the neck, and a gathering up Of the lOosened
bride into firm ard determined hand, and the
animal started-slowly, steadily, surcly-thOugh
the broad back slightly shivered from time to
time, land the gait was so measured and meth
odical, that at any other tune bis rider would
have observed it. As It was, he only let him
have his own way, for he had . kindly heart,
and he had laboFcd hard and was sadly in want
Of food aud shelter. l4..e5i
Toward the. end Of the. bridge the steps be-
came slower, and once he stumbled IN the hind
foot A quick grasp at the bride, and cheery
Easy, J0hn-easy, sirl" and again the eau.
tiOus hoOf resounded on the hard wood. They
were across, and the animal neighed, and tossed
bis dripping name till the doctor shook in the
saddle. "One more mile to 20, poor fellow
but first you and want some refreshments "
Bounding up to the small tavern door, where a
,ont.I liobt al,in;nU f.orn tha tpindnvvo ha
called loudly for the landlord. A dozen or more
Of the inmates came rushing to the door with
lanterns, which they held alOft, and q GOOD
Lordl doctor, where did you come ilomin broke
forth from their lips simultaneously.
"Come fromf Why, from over the Mohawk.
What Is the matterl Has the freshet carried
away your sensesP Here, boy" as dismounting
he threw the reins TO a gaping fellow; give
John something nice, and dry him of. Keep
him well wrapped up while be eats, and, land
lord, want q tumbler Of red hot jamaica
quick ~
Doctor" said the group, shave you erosset
the Mohawk to-niehtP--and Il so, how Z" 3
"Why, on the bridge; are you all drunk z
said the sxasperated physician. sla-s 3.
"Doctor," said the old grey-headed landlord
that bridge went down the Mohawk this after
noon. Come with me, and | will show you
u yoa crossed, God Himself only knows how
you did it" "'"
A shixer went TO the doctor heaFt-and, Ian
tern in hand, he followed the landlords footsteps
70 the much swollen and tuFbid river Whert
was the bridgep
"GoOd hsaSensr said the horror.struck doc
tor, "where Is my gratitudeP Ny noble beas
came over here tonight, backed BY me, on
solitary string piece and with this right haht
gave him blow as be IaltePedi" and the dOcto
| sank on his knees In the soh, wet snow, ant
wept like child |; the men moved from his pre-
| senee respectfully, and len him 10 himself
| When, after some Ettle time, he again mad
bis appearance, his eyes were greeted by tn
1 sight of his horse, surrounded BY The entirl
household-oach contributing 10 render him SOM
assistance. A quart Of warn ale Was give
him BY one another rubbed his breast anl