The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-09-24
A EDE1RFEGUS EeEpE.

A EREIE2EEGUS EeEDE.
The noble beast which forms the sub.
ject of my story had been bay OF the
richest and most glossy color, with q lone
spot Of white hair on the forehead. His
tail had been allowed to flow. uncurtailed
by the mutiatng knife, naturally and
gracefully as these Of the wild mustangs
OF the prairie. The ample chest, small
ankle, aad proud neck and the wide-apart
prominent eyes, and open rostrIls deuoted
gent.e blood but, at the time | saw him,
old age had whitened his beautiful bay
coat, long tufts Of hair were growing be
hind each foot, his eyes were rheumy
and the few loug teeth he possessed were
loose. had noticed the care and atten-
tion bestowed On him by every member
of that family. 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
| when Mrs. Morrison, WHO like myself,
was staying there through the summer,
would frequently throw both arms around
his neck, and while his soft nose rested
against her shoulder, would call linn pet
names, and not unfyequently her beau
tiful eyes would Gil with tears while thus
employed. "Don John" received all these
caresses as if he had been accustomed to
them, frequently following Que aud
another Of the inmates like a huge
house-dog.
My curiosity at length became SO great
that I resolgod to become acquainted
with the reasoa why lie was thus honored
with the respect and attachment of the
household. Not many days elapsed before
| became acquainted with the reasons,
and | assure you, gentle reader, [ coucid
cred them sufficient to excuse any amount
Of affection which it might please the
superior brute to bestow on his fellow,
the dumb one. He had belonged to Dir.
Mosely, of NVhitesboro, for many years a
practicing physician in that place.
The Doctor had been called to Utica,
on business connected with his profession,
and had been absent three days During
that time one of those drenchiug warm,
breaking up rains lad set in. Mountains
of ice were rushing down the Mohawk,
sweeping everything before them, over
flowing the banks, carrying away bridges
and dwellings, and alarming many Of the
inhabitants, as well it might-for one
must see freshet to understand its ter
rible Importance. One must hear the
crash and roar, behold the mad waters
rushing hcadlong and wild, eager for
destruction behold the floating wrecks
of many dwelling, often bearing ching
of life" and sometimes a human life, as
was witnessed not long since on the Le-
high and 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 lis neck, and
his nose close to the earth, his master
had little fear for the consequences. They
were approaching the Oriskany, where a
bridge spanned the Mohawk, and Don
j ohm whlned pitifully once or twice, til
a sharp word from his master warned him
not to show the white feSther On the
other side he could just distinguish, thro'
the dense darkness, a moving and glim-
mering light, and once he fancied he
heard shout but he little needed aught
save getting housed as soon as possible,
and sleeping off the fatigues consequent
to his profession.
"Ncw step, Don, step sure; old Oris-
kany bridge to my own hand and your
knowledge, has lost many plank" said
the Doctor, patting his beasts neck, and
pushing the wet tangled frOnt-lock from
bis eyes. .5t