The semi-weekly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1879-1882, 1882-01-19


E. w. Crane, N r French. Cores
ponding County Secretaries, Atlantic,
w. T. Abbott, Mays Landing; Bur-
liugton, Theodore Budd, Pemberton;
Camden, Russell Austin, Camden;
Cumberland, Isaac Hamilton, Vine
land; Gloucester, NJ. NJ. Chew, Viii
Jamestown; Monmouth, Hop. s. b.
Oviatt, Farmiugdale; Middlesex, T..
L Buckalcw, Jamesbura; Ocean,
Hon. G. L. Holman. Toms River.
TO Tie Editor of The NeUs,.:
SIR One of the last facts which
man in his intellectual pride, is vii
ling to admit, is that Hthere are macy
things in Heaven aud earth which are
not dreampt Of, in his philosophy"
that there are things which are hid
den from the wise and revealed to
babes; and that it is the will of God
that even to the brute creation, a
subtitle kind of Information should
come to whisper of impending evil
aud to warn of dauger-and this too
10 way which man never experiences
aud cannot even picture to himself.
o. Monday last and ia the event,
for the recital of which | ask a place
in your columns, | saw a striking ex-
ample of the workings of this animal
instinct or rather, let me say, a touch
ing proof of the shelteriog clre which
the Diviuy extends over tue most
humble Of created beiogs-a care
which mans hesdstrong purpose, il.
this instance nearly frustrated The
occurrence took place on Garden
street A travelling rag man was
approaching the town, walking by his
cart which was drawn by a donkey.
This beast was more than usually
small. Long cared aud of shaggy
coat, he walked patiently along until
be got below the Children's Home.
| happened to be passing at the time
aud took no special notice until my
attention was attracted BY seeing him
suddenly stop; plant his fore feet
firmly before him; advance bis huge
ears, like bayonets, to the front, and
fix his eyes, wide open and startled
upon some seeming object in the pud-
die which extended across the street
just below-an object evidently of
great terror to him but which was
visible to him alone.
The rag man waded out to him and
taking hold Of his bit, sought to drag
him forward-but all to no purpose.
He cut stout stick aud tried to drive
him on. 1t was 10 vain. The poor
fellow stood, amidst the showering
blows, immovsd as Tenerife in
thunder storm Immovable, be stood
as if that awful angel which barred
the way to Balaam's ass of old, had
come with flaming brand, to forbid
his passage. | looked upon the
thing as mere exhibition Of mulish
0bstinacy aud was inclined to be
much amused, | soon, however, took
more serious view of the situation.
For the rag man finding blows of no
avail, tried once more the policy Of
persuasion. He spoke to the beast in
low and soothing tones. Ae rubbed
his back and breast; patted him on
the forehead and nczzle, and then,
going back to the sidewalk babe, him
"git up" 10 tone of rough encourage
ment and conmaud. And wonder
full to say, the plan seemed to work.
The donkey walked slowly aud trem-
blingly farward until be came to the
edge of the puddle aud then sudden
" turning to the leff, tried to draw
his load to the sidewalk on that side
of the street. But the rag man
shouted to him hearty sud vocifer-
Gus ''gee, there"
Aud thsn, sir, I'swear that with
my wondering eyes, | saw hin cast
upon his master look SO soft, so sad
and SO reproachful, that few men, |
feel sure, could have been unmoyed
by its silent eoquence. He turned
away, took one step forward--and
sank TO his fetlock, another-and
sank to his knee. He struggled on,
plunging and screaming, aad soon the
black and oily slime closed about his
limbs and gurgled at his girth.
The rag man sees the danger. he
hastens to reverse his iIl-advised COM
mand. Regardless of the treacherous
filth of the street he rushes to the
succor Of his faithful servant and
freud. Tugging at the lines he
seeks tor extricate him from his pre-
carious situation. Bot the fatal
weight Of rags in the wagon prscludes
a re,urni while 10 attempt to force a
passage through the oozy ocean of
mud which spreads before him as far
as Main street would be madness,
tWlc demented.
The rag man was in a quaudary.
The poor beast turned his head on
one side and looked at his master with
look which seemed to say: eff thou
hadst but trusted me, we would still be
happy" Sir, | am not soft hearted
man / am q member Of the National
Guard / have looked upon calamity
10 its direst forms and look unmoved;
but sir, when I saw this sight own
it, my heart was touched. Regardless
of my Q so safety | stood upon the curb
and holding by post, suggested to
the rag mao that he had better IN
harness his donkey; unload his cart;
get 1t out Of the way; aud then make
it possible to rescue the imperilled
animal.