Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-09-08

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Toby did not like, or rather that he liked
TO annoy whenever he got the chance,
namely, the cook and the cat He used TO
cheat the former and chase the latter on
every possible occasion. If his master
took pussy and sat down with her on his
kEee. Toby would at once com nence to
strike her off with his head. Finding that
she was SO soft and yielding that this did
not hurt her, he would then lift his fore
foot and attempt to strike her down with
that; failing in that, he would bite vicious
ly at her; and if the captain laughed at
him then all Toby's vengeance would be
wreaked on his master. But after little
scene like this, the sheep would always
come and coax for forgiveness. Our hero
was taught great many tricks, among
others to leap backward and forward
through life buoy. When his hay and
fresh provisions were DONE Toby would
eat pea soup. invariably soldering all his
face in so doing, and oven pick bone like
n dog. He was likewise very fond of
boiled rice, and his drink was water, al
though he preferred porter and ale; but
while allowing him Il reasonable quantity
of beer, the captain never encouraged him
in the bad habit the sailors had taught
| him of chewing tobacco.
1t is supposed that some animals have
prescience of coming storms. Toby used
to go regularly to the bulwarks every
night, and placing his feet against them
sniff all around him. If content, he would
90 and lie down and fall fast asleep; but
ii was sure sign of bad weather coming
before morning when Toby kept wander
ing by his masters side, and would not 60
to rest.
One day Captain Brown was going up
the steps of the custom house, when he
found that not only Toby, but Toby's two
pigs were following closely at his heels.
He turned round to drive them all back !;
but Toby never thought for moment
that his master meant that he should re-
turn.
at is these two awkward creatures of
pigs" thought Toby, that master can't
bear the sight off,
So Toby went to work at once, and first
rolled one piggiy down stairs, then went
up and rolled the other piggie down stairs !;
but the one piggie always got to the top
of the stairs again by the time his brother
piggie was rolled down to the bottom.
Thinking that, as far as appearance went,
Toby had his work cut out for the next
half hour, his master entered the custom
house. But Toby and his friends soon
found some more congenial employment; !;
ann when Captain Brown returned he
found them all together in an outer room,
dancing about with the remains of a new
mat about their necks, which they mad just
succeeded in tearing to pieces.
Their practical jokes cost the captain
some money one way or another.
One day the three friends made com
bined attack on woman who was carry
ing young pig in Sack this little pig
happened to squeak, when Toby and his
pigs went to the rescue. The tore the
woman's dress to atoms and delivered the
little pig. Toby was very much addicted
to describing the arc of circle; that was
all very good when it was merely a fence
he was flying over, but when it happened
that window was in the centre of the
arc, then 1t came rather hard on the cap
tain's pocket.
In order to enable him to pick up little
after his long voyage, Toby was sent to
country lodgings at a farmers But barely
week had elapsed when the farmer sent
him back again with his compliments, say
ing that he would not keep him for his
weight in gold. He led the farmers
sheep into all sorts of mischief that they
had never dreamed of before, and had de-
fed the dogs, and half killed one or two Of
them.
Toby returned like himself, for when he
L. IL, L., III I'll
aloud for Joy, and flew towards him like Il
wild thing, dragging the poor boy in the
mud behind him.
Toby was taken on board vessel which
was carrying out emigrants to New York,
and was constantly employed all day in
driving the steerage passengers off the
quarter deck. He never hurt the children,
however. but contented himself by tumbl-
ing them along the deck and stealing their
bread and butter.
From New York Toby went to st.
Stephens. There dog flew out and bit
Captain Brown in the leg 1t was dear
bite, however, for the dog; for Toby
caught it in the act and hardly left lite
enough in it to crawl away. At st
Stephens Toby was shorn, the weather
being oppressively hot No greater insult
could have been offered him. His anger
and chagrin were quite ludicrous to wit
ness. He examined himself dozen times,
and every time he looked round and saw
his naked back he tried to run away from
himself; but when his master, highly
amused at his antics, attempted to add
insult to injury, by pointing his finger at
him and laughing him to scorn, Toby'S
wrath knew no bounds, and he attacked
the captain on the spot. He managed,
however 10 elude the blow, and Toby
walked on shore in pet. Whether it was
that he was ashamed of his ridiculous ap
pearance, or of attempting to strike his
kind master in anger, cannot be known.
but for three days and nights Toby never
appeared. and the captain was very
wretched indeed. But when he did return
he was so exceedingly penitent and so
loving and coaxing that he was forgiven
on the spot.
When Toby arrived with his vessel in
Queens Dock, Liverpool on a rainy morn
ing, some nice fresh hay was brought on
board. This was great treat for our pet,
and after he had eaten his fill he thought
he could not do better than sleep among it,
which thought he Immediately transmitted
to action. covering himself all up but the
head. BY and by the owner of the ship
came on board, and taking survey OF
things in general he spied Toby's head.
"Hollo!' he said; whats thatp" strik-
ing Toby's nose with his umbrella.
''Stuffed. isn't it?'
Stuffed OF not stuffed, there was a body
behind it-as the owner soon knew to his
cost-and spirit that never brooked a
blow; for the next moment he found him
self lying on his back with his legs wag-
gling in the air in a most expressive man
ner. while Toby stood trumphantly over
him, waiting to repeat the dose if required.
The following anecdote shows Tobys
reasoning powers. He was standing one
day near the dockyard foremans house
when the dinner bell rang, and just at the
same time servant came out with piece
of bread for Toby. Every day after this,
as soon as the same bell rang, That calls
me-" said Toby to himself, aud off he
II .,ot 20 tho foranan door IF tho