The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-08-09
sr,rror KEEPERS AND rHEfR rErs.

SIA1ION - -
The stations were ever places Of interest
20 me. They are isolated located, in q hol-
low by some stream, and the occupants have
no companionship but their horses and such
animals as they gather about them. The
asying-stations, where the teams are chang
ed and no meals furnished passengers con-
sist of simply a rude stable, built OF logs or
mud, and invariably covered with earth. In
a little corner is small room partitioned OF
in which the station men cook, sat, deep.
tell their stories, read yellow-covered liter
ture and caress their pets. La every IN
stance was first greeted BY one or more
cats, They are the inseparable companions
of the stable-men, and usually answer TO the
tenderest names. They always come step
ping out as soon as the stage stops, and ap-
proach the passengers, giving the most cor
| dial welcome and rubbing themselves
against you to get kind stroklng IN return.
Sometimes one large Tom has the monopoly
of the establishment, but generally Tabby
follows with her litter, and directs your at
tention with maternal pride to her jewels.
The little ones will spring into your Lap,
climb on your shoulders, and Purr IN your
very ears to win your attention. The New
foundlaud or st. Bernard dog is also the in
variable companion OF the stable man, and
thew too, greet the passengers with every
evidence of hospitality. Frequently The
Creole chickens are part of the family, and
thew are tame as the rest Of the pets. The
rooster steps out in front of the stable when
the MESSENGERS get out, and gives them a
tonchiuo reminder of home as he rises in
his conscious dignity and makes the bluffs
ring with his shrill, defiant crow. With
him come the biddies, sometimes with their
broods, meekly presenting their claims to a
kind word or a crumb from the passeHs- by.
All their men, animals and birds c5nsituts
yone family. When meals are ready, puss
FOWLER and the chickens all are present, and
are trained to gaina liberal dinner by prac-
ticipg cunning tricks which they have been
iaue6t. At the home-stations," where
meals are furnished TO passengers, there is
always a log or mud shanty7 in ssddition to
1.-The stable, and usually the landlord has q
family. | did not find one of the home
statioas without land LADY,. frequently
there were other house hold pets, such as
obtained in most well regulated families, but
babies did not appear in the usual assort-
ment of pets. l cannot recall station IN
the trip of 900 miles from Denver here,
where the cats and dogs did not come out IN
the most, friendly manner 70 welcome US,
and always persisted their acquain-
lance until they were recognised kindly.
At Sulphur Spring the station keeper OF
Bridger's Pass was one Of our party, and his
keenest grief was because Of the brutal
murder Of his favorite cat. Had she been
hunt or shot he would have been salts
fed but L gave him the profoundest sorrow
by telling him that the Indians had skinned
his cat, cut the head of, and set the carcass
out in the road on tin plate. The Indians
well knew that next TO scalping the station
keeper himself they could not have inflicted
upon him deeper wound. They've skim
ned her alive, the devils of hell" was his
exclamation, and with gritting teeth he
vowed his vengence. For horses, ranche,
clothing, traps, &c he cared not, but that
the Indians should reek their atrocities upon
the pet of his little family, was more than
his nature could endure with equanimity.