The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-08-11

J
differ ent individuals gravitated into
small groups and began tho task of
making acquaintances of each other.
And as the train rapidly passed from
inhahitated po. tions of the country
and struck out into the broad
prairies where there was no sign of
life savo in occasional herds of
antclopes or prairie dog villages, tho
sense OF dcsolation brought all the
wayfarers he .rer together aud caused
them to converse with the freedom
Of old acguaintancns.
There it was that l approached
Van Brunt and cndeavored to learn
from him the history that | knew
must be connected with his dog.
After having engaged him for some
! time in general topics l broached the
| subject uppermost in my mind.
"Mr. Van Brunt" said |. "If it
is not impertinent, I wish to inquire
Of you why it is that you have
brought dog along with you on thus
long and tedious journey, and why
you seem to be 80 much attnchcd to
him"
We sir, I will tell you. l do
love him more than any human
being living except my Wits and two
babies, and [ have sworn always 20
have him with mo wherever may be.
He sleeps at my door when at home,
aud in travelling, is kept az near me
as possible the whole tlme. have
travelled probably fifteen thou.
sand miles, in almost a the different
states and territories, and iu all that
journeying he has been my constant
companion. You may thiuk I am
mouomaniac on the subject, but when
you hear my story think you will
c, asc to wonder at my devotion for
him, "Do you smoke"
eyes"
"Well try q cigar, I laid in assup-
ply of fine ones in New York, for the
cigars they sell along this road arc
abominable, as mean as the whiskey"
which is warranted to kill in twenty
scconds.'
The important preliminary Of
lighting having been flushed, Van
Bruut settled himself back and thus
reci!ed his narrative.
81 vas horn in New York about
thirty years ago. At tho ago of
twenty-five years was Engaged to
marry ono Of the pretticst girls in our
village. Her parents and mine ap-
pl oTed of the match, but her father
thought [ had better wait awhile
and accumulate somo moro money
before entering into the responsibill
Ties of a married. life. This p.opu-
sition was So sensible that though it
went against the grain drcadfutiy to
postpone the fuifilment Of my tappi-
ness, could but aoeedt.
About this time, reports Of the
great value of the silver mines of
| Nayada and the adjacent torrit rics
reached our quiet village, and the
emigration fever struck some of our
young men pretty badly. a com.
pany OF cmigrants was organized. |
| caught tho infection. [ knew that
| by remaining at home, a fortune
could be made only after long years
of toll, and although I hated to leave
Katherine, still | determined to try
my fortune in the new dorado. |
shall not waste time to tell you Of
the tears Katherine shed when |
avowcd my intention and the argu
ments she adduccd to induce me to
change my determination. 1t was in
vain. I painted glowing picture of
myself coming homo in few years
laden with treasure and claiming her
as my wife, and living in Il Inc house,
far finer than esquire Browns" until
by dint of arguments. caresses and al
sorts of blandishme nts l obtained
her fearful consent. .
"Bcfore going, Henry" said sho,
"lct me make you present which
may be OF use to you in your wan.
derings. You may be in danger
and have no friend to call upon for
help. I will give you a trusty and
powerful friend who will protect you
from any insidioas attack that may
be made upon you. | ain going to
give you a dog, which you must
promise me to have always with
YOU"
"But, my dear, I cannot be trou-
bled with such present. Think
how [ would be encumbered in NOV
ing about. He would be lost in
| week."
"You must take him. AS you are
going i'll the emigrant train he will
not trouble you. lie can follow your
wagon, and at night protect you and
it from thieves, Indians or wild
beasts. Promise me. 1 cannot lot
you 80 without it,"
Seeing she was g much in earnest,
L consented to acc, 20 her present
the dog | have with me.
On the jourl oy l found him very
useful. He would guard my oxen
when turned out to Craze, and would
drive them up, giving them slight
nip when they eyiDced any ;nsubnr.
dlnation. he was also very iutelli
gcnt in huntIng, and many u ven.son
teak was due to his ass sistance So
hat found him very useful, anu
began to feel an attachment for him
/ Ia Il ,e a.