Evening star., 1898-09-10
LONG RIDE WITH DOGS.
mover Team Used by Mr.. and Mrs
Blandy of Minnesota.
From tie Chicago Inter Ocean.

From tie Chicago lnter-ocean.
Mr.. and Mrs. Blandy are a Minnesota
couple who have Just made a most remark
able journey. Leaving their home at
Bralnerd, Mimi, one year ago, with their
baby boy. then four years old. they have
travelled by dog team clear to California.
| and are now in camp at Sweetbriar. in that
far-of state.
The Blandys wanted TO make trip to the
| Pacific coast. They wanted to go leisurely,
so as TO see The country. Economy was an
object, as was also an opportunity To earn
something en- route So Mr.. Blandy and
his wife decided TO traveI by dog team
Dogs are used in the arctic regions ar
gued Mr.. BIandy, why not in the temper
ate zone
No one advanced conclusive reasons
against his novel project. and Mr. BIandy
proceeded TO 1T uP his conveyance. Tins
consists OF a small sprl.S : lgun with one
seat ana covered with canvas. The Mhcle
outht weighing 2lU pounds with the bag
gage OF the travellers. Mrs. Riandy and lIer
baby occupy the seat, while Mir. islandy
sits In mont on ron of blankets aud 4
tent, rom v hich perch he drives his dogs.
These are siN in number haze cross-Liri
81 Bernard and NeNfoundtands powerful
OF muscle and kinu Of disposition. In the
rear OF the wagon is a rack OF shelves, con-
tanning 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
Dg suck, serN es as a dining table.
When seen by a representative OF the San
flaIcisco Gan IN the camp at Sweet briar,
Mar. Bandy had TIN can and a pam brush
IN hand, and was going the rounds
among his dogs, painting their feet with
lahhate OF glycerine to prevent sensitive
ness. Il learned this at college" Mr.
I5iandy will tell you, when | engaged in
athletic sports and my feet became sensi-
tive" W hen travelling over rough roads he
of
every evening TO insure his animals against
suffering, and the faithful creatures seem
to like the operation, for they look az their
master WITH gratitude and affection.
Those dogs are far ahead of any
horses Mrs Blandy said, emphatically
when some one suggested that Shetland
ponies would be preferable. why, dogs
VIII carry you through the snow to a safe
warm place and horses would give out on
you And didn't We travel 2iJ miles On the
railroad? Horses couldn't walk ties and
carry you over long trestles mile and
thlee-qGdrters IN length our GoEs did. /
wouldn't take fifty horses for one OF our
dogs. Would l, Bruce?" and she patel a
great shaggy yellow dog on the head.
hen the Blandys set out from Brainerd,
Mimi, with their queer rig and SO IA cash
70 attempt this unusual undertaking many
people declared il impossIble. No
Magers were made. no time limits were
given. Mr.. and Mrs. Blandy simnty started
out to do what they were confident they
could accompiish-namely, to be drawn
across the continent by dogs for the pur-
pose of seeing the country, earning their
living rs they progressed. Aud 50 they
pushed along, following the Northern Pa
ciiic railroad, and, not being pressed 1Or
time, they Travelled at a speed that was
convenient to the character of the country
they crosSeG-neVcr travelling less than ten
miles day, reaching a daily maximum of
nfty-two miles (at one time covering
eighty-six miles in two days., and stopping
IN towns to sell pictures or pick up a few
dollars by painting advertisements on the
canvas OF their wagon.
The Blandys always leave towns amid a
roar of cheers and laughter. When they
are about to start Mr.. Blandy walks among
his dogs, and, STOPPING down, adjusts all
their feet 50 as to prVnt the entangle-
ment Of limbs iE harness, quickly steps into
the low wagon, seats himself on the bed
ding and tent and, with lines in hand, he
calls to the dogs, and they are off.
There is nothing slow about these dogs
they trot off at a good gait, raising a big
DUST and never walking except when
climbing hills. When asked if he ever
walks, Mr.. Blandy replied: 1T would take
a professional runner TO keep up with my
dogs, but, perhaps, he finus the speed up
hill sometimes convenient for his own
walking and his dogs pulling. At any
rate, all the wonder-stricken villagers give
the Blandys a screaming send-off when
they are favored with a visit. You may
hear some one in the crowd remark that
"Blandy ought TO be arrested for cruelty TO
animals, but a look at the weli-fed and
Well-groOmed dogs bellies these words.