The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-28
Dodge.

UPPER BARTLETT, WHITE Mrs, Aug %.
To the Editor of the Press:
Has it ever occurred to you that there may be
vanderbilts, SCOTS, and Ogdens at this mo-
ment lying obscured by the hay-mows of the
White Mountains
The idea never came into my head till 1 saw
Dodge. He broke upon me on a bright morn
ing just as l emerged from the breakfast table
of the Crawford House. 1 wasn't dazzled at
first, indeed there is nothing about Dodge's ap-
pearance to correspond with his loftiness of de-
pertinent; but when he began to tread the pi-
azza with martial step and the general bearing
of man. who felt his power and was resolved
to assert it, my eyes were rooted to that imperi
GUS object.
Dodge occasionally cast o condescendine
glance at the mountains, then smiled blandy
or sternly as beftted his humor ON some awe
struck by-stander. When the stage appeared
which was to take away the departing guests OF
the day, Dodge came out strong He assumed
all the characters which could possibly come
within the scope of human conjecture. He
might be owner or lessee of the hotel, heaG
waiter, bar tender or steward, or he might be
might have gone in regular graduation through
all these employments. But there he was!
There was authority in his look, patronage il
his tone. He seemed to swell visibly as the
hour of departure drew near.
Presently the dozen outgoing passengers
emerged from the inn. -Four of them are lade;
and the weather being fine and the route
through the Wiley Notch, they propose riding
outside. No objection being made they take
their places. Two of the gentlemen join them
and these with the driver, fill up the outside
seats.
Dodge watches this arrangement with gloat
ing eyes. 1t is the chance he has been waiting
for. When they are all comfortably bestowed,
their shawls and parcels adjusted for journey
and everything fixed snugly and nicely, the
voice of Dodge rings like an echo from the
mountains, all over the house, inside and out
side, as he exclaims. "No one can ride outside
until there are nine inside! The stage shan't
start till there are nine inside! You must all
come DOWN.
Ordinarily there might have been remon-
strances and expostulation provoked by an
edict so imperiously pronounced; but one glance
at Dodge sufficed to show the most casual OBJ
server that this was the sort Of thing be enjoy
ed. There was nothing for it but re-adjust.
ment conformably to Dodge's mandate. The
ladies accordingly descended, and Dodge stalk
ed ajestically out of hearing, though still in
sight. But, alas! for the mutability of human
greatness. Dodge had scarcely tnrned his back
upon the scene of his power, when the driver, q
goodnatured and obliging young fellow, laugh.
ingly told the ladies they could ride where they
pleased. His quiet manner indicated plainly
enough that he regarded Dodge with rather con-
temptuous indifference, and that he was highly
amused at the alacrity with which his orders
had been obeyed.
Everybody now took the seat he or she pleas
ed, and as the party rode gaily off they mingled
with their parting gaze at the receding noun
tain, look of curious pity at the humble, crest
fallen, but still visible Dodge. P.S