Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-09-11

A PERILOUS RIDE.

The noble beast which forms the subject OF
my story had been bay of the richest and
most glossy color, with lone spot of white
hair on the forehead. His tail had been al
lowed to flow, uncurtailed 10y the mutIlatIng
knife, naturally and gracefully rs those OF the
wild mustangs of the prairie. The mple
chest, small ankle, and proud neck und the
wide-apsrt prominent eyes, and open nostrils
denoted genle blood, but, at the tine 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
Bong teeth he possessed Werefoose. | had no-
ticed the care aud attention bestowed on him
bv every member of that family Not day
passed that bis neck and face were not ca
rrssed by soft feminine tRsndS, sad If had
been surprised at tsat now much mere SO was
| when Mrs Morrison, who Ike myself, was
staying there through the summer, woud fire.
0nentIy throw both arsaS aroond his neck aud
while his seft neSe TeSted against Fer should
er, wonId 'caE him pet Hames, and not unfre-
gently her belGtifuI eyes wosld fill with tears
while thus employed. '.bou joka" received
all these caresses rs if he had been accustomed
TO them, Frequently following one and anoth,
of the inmates like hage hoase-dog.
Ny curiosity at length became so great
that resolved to become acquainted with the
1esscn whv he was thus honored with the re-
spect and attachment Of the household. Not
many days elapsed before became acqualnt-
ed with the reasons and | assure you, gensie
reader, / considered them sufficient to excuse
any amount of affection which it might please
the superior brute to bestOw on bis fellow, the
dumb one He had belonged to DR.. Mosey,
of Whtesboro for many years practicng
physician 10 that place.
The Doctor had been called to Utica, on
business connected with his profession. and
had been absent three days. During that
time of th ose drenching warm, breaking up
rains had set in. Mountains of ice were rush
ing down the Mohawk sweeping everything
before them, overfowing the banks, carrying
away bridges and dwellings, and alarming
many of the inhabitants as we'll it mght-for
one must see freshet to understand its ter
rble Importance. One must hear the crash
'aad roar, behold the mad waters rushing head
long and wild, eager for destruction behold
the floating wrecks of many dwelling, often
bearing " thing of Iife," and sometimes hu-
man life, as was witnessed not long since on
the Lehigh and the SchuylkilI.
J. Ue ulq0L WAS iuhE Uldck, auu DUH JOHu
picked out the way faithfully and steadily, new
er stumbling, but with the bride hanging
slack across his neck, and his nose close to
the earth, his master had little fear for the
consequences They were approaching Oris-
kany, where bridge spsnned the Mohawk.
and Don John whined pitifully 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, moveirg and gmmering light,
and once he fancied he heard shout but he
little needed aught save getting boused as
soon as possible, and sleeping off the fatigues
consequent to his profession.
Now stop, Don, step sure old Orikany
bridge to nay own hand and your knowledge,
has lost many plank" said the Doctor, pat
ting his beasts neck and pushing the wet tan-
gled front. lock from his eyes
They were uow ascending the little euiuence