Year: 1862

On ana Oeneatn them the angry waters roar
ed and beloved like maddened devils banked
of their prey. Do you hear me, sir 2" with
q smart buffet on the neck, and a gathering
up of the Ioosened bride into the firm deter.
mined hand, and the animal started-sowly,
steadily, surely, firmly through the broad
back slightly shivered from time to time and
the gait was so measured and methodical that
at any other time he would have observed it,
AS it was be only let him have his own way,
though he might have smoothed his neck, for
he had a kindly heart, and his poor beast bad
labored hard through dreadful weather, and
was sadly in need OF food and shelter


Towards the end of the bridge the steps be-
came slower, and once stumbled in the hind
foot. A quick grasp at the bride, and
CHEEKY Easy John'-easy, sir !" and again
the cautious hoofs resoundad on the hard
road. They were across, for the animal neigh
ed, and tossed his head till the Docter shook
in his saddle. Que more mile to 60, poor
fellow, but first and you want some refresh
ments. So riding up to the small tavern door
where genial light was shining from the win
dows, he called loudly for the landlord. A
dozen or more of the inmates came rushing to
the door with lanterns which they carried aloft
and Good Con Doctor, where did you
come from ?" brok from their lips simultane-
easily


Come from ? Why from over the Mo
hawk What is the matter Has the fresh
ct carried away any of you senses Here
boy" as dismounteI, he threw the rein to
gaping fellow. g" give John something uice,
sud dry him off Keep him well wrapped up
while he eats, and, landlord | want a tumbler
of red hot Jamaica, quick p


Docter," said the group have you
crossed the Mohawk, TO night? and if so
how ?"


Why on the bridge; are you al drunk p
said the exasperated physician.


" Doctor said the old gray headed landlord,
" that bridge went down the Mohawk this af-
ternoon Come with me ard | will show
you Ii you crossed, GoD only knows how
ycu did it.


A shiver went to the Doctors heart-lant
ern in hand, he followed the footsteps of the
men to the margin of the swollen and turbd
river. Where was the bridge Z"


" Almighty GoD !" said the horror struck
Doctor where is my gratitude my noble
beast came over here this night, backed by me
on this solitary sting piece and l, with this
right hand gave him a blow when he faltered,'
and the Doctor sank upon his knees in the
soft, wet snow, and wept like child-the
men moved from his presence respectfully, aud
left him to himself.


When, after some little time, he made his
appearance, bis eyes were greeted by the sight
of his horse, surrounded by the entire house
hold, each contributing TO render him some as
sistance. A quart of warm ale was given by
one another rubbed his neck and chest with
spirits, third dried his glossy hide with warm
flannel and others patted his neck or caressed
his nose and fa.e The Doctor came and
took the head of his beast against his breast,
and great warm tears rushed up from his
heart, as the long, graceful tongue Tapped lis
masters face. 20 John, my boy and | gave
you blow ~ and the words ended III low,
waling groan Men uncovered their heads
and turned their faces from him. and at length
led him inside, where lie spent the night
The morning revealed unto him the dreadful
danger he had escaped, from the sagacity of
his beast aud again did he greve for the blow
be had dealt him, when, so molly, he was put
ting forth more than human power.


Don John never did days work after
that. Sometimes his master rode him forth





light vehicle, few miles, with some member
of his family, but bis professional laborS were
over. Nothing could axceed the care and
attention that were ever given him afterward.
He fed from mangor made of mahogany
his room was more like parlor than astable;
and company to the Doctors always paid
visit to Don John before they left


Thus they lived many years, the Doctor and
his horse growing old together.


Don John survived his master some years
and when the good mans will was opened,
there was found clause appended, which re,
lated to Don John, to this effect that he
should be given to his youngest daughter, Mrs.
Morrison, while she lived, to be cared for as
he had always done and that he should, at
his death, be buried with his shoes on, wrap
ped in his own rich blanket and inclosed in
be6tting box, in the corner of bis own bury
ing GROUND His wishes were reigously re-
spected, and two years after learned his his
tory, Don Johns bones were buried in cor
ner of the old burying ground at Whites
boro.