The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-10-04
LONG RIDE WITH DOGS.
Novel Team Used by a Couple on Their
Journey to California.

Mr.. and Mrs. Blsndy are a Minneso-
Ia couple who have just made a most
remarkable journey Leaving theil
home at Brainerd. Mimi, one year ago
with their baby boy. then 4 years old
they have Travelled by dog team clear
To California. and arc now i'm camp at
| Sweetbriar, in that far-off State.
The Blandys wanted to make trip
to the Pacific coast. They wanted To GO
leisurely. so as to see the country. Econ
omy was an object. as was also an on
portunity 10 earn something EN- route.
So Mr.. Blandy and his wife decided to
travel by dog team.
Dogs are used I'm the arctic regions"
argued Mr.. Blandy, why not in the
temperate zone?"
Their outfit consists of a small snring
wagon with one seat, and covered with
canvas, the whole weighing 2IO pounds
with the baggage OF the travellers Mrs.
Blandy and her baby occupy the seat.
while Mr.. Blandy sits In front on a roll
or blankets and tent, from which
perch he drives his dogs. These are six
In number, huge cross-bred St Ber-
nard and Newfoundlands, powerful of
muscle and kind of disposition. In the,
rear OF the wagon is a rack OF shelves.
containing dishes and provisions. while
pots, Kettles and an oil stove are hung
from hooks above the rack. The back
end OF the wagon is made to let down
and. supported by a stick, serves as a
dining table.
when seen by a representative of the
III h.l nelt
Blandy had tin can and a paint brush
In hand. and was going the rounds"
among his dogs, painting their feet
Win tannate OF glycerine to prevent
sensitiveness When travelling over
rough roads he makes applications of
thls preparation every evening, to In
sure his animals against suffering. and
the faithful creatures seem 70 like the
operation, for they look at their master
with gratitude and affection.
lhose dogs are far ahead of any
norses, Mrs. Blandy said, emphaticaI-
~. when some one suggested that Shet- |
land ponies would be preferable "Why. |
uogs VIII carry you through the snow |
90 q safe warm place. and horses would |
give out on you And didn't we travel |
zlO miles on the railroad? Horses |
couldn't walk ties and carry you over
long trestles nile and three-o,larters
IN length as our dogs did. Wouldn't |
.ahe nity horses Tor one of our dogs
would i Bruce? and she patted
great shaggy yellow dog on the head.
They Travelled at a speed that was
convenient TO the character Of the
country they crossed-never travelling
ess than ten miles a day. reaching
iaiiy maximum of fifty-twS miles cat
me time covering eighty-six miles i'm
wo days., and stopping in towns to sell
pictures or pick up few dollars by
'ainting advertisements on the canvas
II their wagon.
The Blandys always leave towns
.mld roar of cheers and laughter
" hen they are about 10 start Mr.. Fsian-
" walks among his oogs. and. stooping
Town. adjusts all their feet so as to
'revent the ENHANCEMENT Of limbs in
larhess' quickly steos into the low
wagon, seats himself on the bedding
M tent and. with lines i'm hand. he !
ans 10 the dogs and they are of. There
nothing SLOW about these dogs-thev
rot on st good gait raising a big
ust. ana never walk eycent when |
limbing hills.-San Francisco Call