The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1888-02-01
For The Mirror.
Early StruGglec.

For The Mirror.
Early Strugglec.
We were both the sons of poor but honest
parents, who, as luck generally runs, were
blessed (?) with a supertluity OF children.
The other fellow was little dog, orrather.
little pup, and of his parents or pedigree
know nothing, but think none the less
of him on that account. His name has es-
capped my memory. but that is of little mo-
mont. for as the poet says, "A dog by any
other name would smell as sweet" so we
will call him Tray as l believe it Is consid-
cred very respectable name among dogs,
though l must admit that he proved un-
worthy of it in his latter days.
OF my own parents l will say but little.
They were of the poor, common everyday
sort of people and had to work very hard in
order to supply their numerous offspring
with the bare necessaries of life.
| was about twelve years old at the time
this story begins and the other fellow was
at about the same stage of life as myself. L
know nothing of any previous arrangement
having been made, but suppose there had
been, for one day healthy looking man
came to our house and l was called in and
presented to him, with my thumb in my
mouth. He locked me over, about as far
mer does calf that he cOntemplates buy
ing. and then remarked that he thought |
would do. He then asked me how ! would
Hike to be a farmer, and in answer / sup
posed | changed thumbs. l was then ill-
formed by my parents that the gentleman
had no little boys of his own and was going
to take me home with him to raise. had
never seen farm. but had heard that the
apples and watermelOns and lots of other
good things all came from there, and that
farmers always had plenty to eat. SO l was
not at all grieved at the idea OF leavidg home;
in fact. l believe showed open delight by
removing my thumb from my mouth.
After g0od-byeS all around l started with
the farmer to my new home. On the way
to the wagon we called at house where he
had previously been and bargained for pup
OH the same terms that he had secured me.
There and then l met, for the first tilme the
pup mentioned above and named Tray. |
little dreamed then how woven together our
fortunes were to be for time. nor how much
alike our journey through life would prove
to be. After getting Tray we went to the
wagon. and while the farmer was hitching
up Tray and improved the time in getting
better acquainted. He was dressed much
better than me, but he did not assume any
superior airs on that account. He indicated
his desire to be sociable. and we soon be-
came fast friends.
Everything being ready the farmer lifted
me into the wagon. where there was plenty
of hay, then with ''cluck. cluck," and
slap of the lines we were off for our new
home. Night soon shut out the strange
scenes along the country road, and we sank
to sleep. When we awOke we found our
selves being lifted out of the wagon at the
door of a little cabin in the woods. 1t was
very dark. and the light shining out through
the little vine clad window and door. dimly
revealing the strange surroundings to my
sleep-bewildered mind caused me to think
was dreaming. But began to realize the
situation when heard voice saying, "Ah.
We have come. haveye? Phwat in the divil
has been kapin' yees till this toim o. the
noight? Oil bet tits drunk We are, We baste!
Phwat is it ye have there? Oh! NE lOif if
We haven't them both Oh, the darlints.
Me darlntsr' Here felt myself being lif-
ted into the air and smothered with caresSes
"Oh. Hannah. Hannah. come here and see
with him." Hannah came, she saw and
conquered-the pup and we made tri-
nmphal entry into the house.
Hannah was their only child and was
about fourteen years of age. She lavshed
the greater portion of her attentions upon
Tray, but suppose that was on account of
his being more elegantly dressed than l
was.