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diff --git a/41615-0.txt b/41615-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d01ab21 --- /dev/null +++ b/41615-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,454 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41615 *** + + Transcriber's Notes: In the original, it is difficult to ascertain + whether a given page break is also a stanza break. Judgment has been + applied. Original italics are marked herein with underscores, before + and after; original small-caps have been raised to uppercase. + + + + + [Illustration: TUFFY TODD.] + + TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. + + _A TRUE STORY_, + + BY SAMUEL DOGGEREL, ESQUIRE, + OF PHILADELPHIA. + + PRINTED FOR + _Private Circulation_. + + COPYRIGHT 1886 BY GEORGE BARRIE. + + + + + TO + + MR. and MRS. ORRIN TODD, + + IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE HAPPY HOURS SPENT + AT HILLSIDE HOME, + + AND TO + + THE HIGHLY VALUED FRIENDS GATHERED FOR A TIME + UNDER THE SAME HOSPITABLE ROOF-TREE, + + _The accompanying Rhymes are affectionately dedicated by_ + THE AUTHOR. + + + + + INTRODUCTORY NOTE. + + "TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE" is the record of + an incident which actually occurred during the + past summer while the writer was spending his + vacation in a retired but charming part of the + Catskill Mountains. + + It was written for the amusement of the guests + at TODD'S "Hillside Home," to whom the facts as + set forth were familiar, and who will recognize in + the following lines the story as it originally appeared + in the so-called _Dry Brook Evening Mail_. + + S. D. + + Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1886. + + + + + TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE. + + + There is a little dog whose name + Is Tuffy Todd, who has the same + Wise look as many a dog you've met; + And is a well-bred house-dog pet, + But quaintly called in rhyme a hound, + To please the poet's ear for sound. + Round as a mole, he's fat and fair, + And robed in coat of whitest hair; + His soft brown eyes are bright and clear, + His little ears are quick to hear. + He has a kind expressive face, + With every feature full of grace; + In disposition meek and mild, + He's gentle as a little child; + But has his own peculiar way, + As all who hear will surely say. + + He is to people so polite, + You'd think he'd never bark or bite, + But strangers climbing up the hill + Will shout in vain: "You hound, be still!" + And traveler late in midnight dark + Is sure to hear Tuff's loudest bark, + While tramps who come about the yard + Must flee or face a valiant guard. + + Although he has a host of friends, + To them he rarely condescends, + And their caresses kindly made + Are with indifference coldly paid. + He lives for Master Orrin Todd + And worships him as household god; + With him Tuff wildly romps and plays, + And from his side but seldom strays. + At times when Orrin goes away + To tarry but a single day, + He bids his Tuffy stay behind + And try to have a peaceful mind. + But Tuff, so sad and desolate, + Lies down alone to meditate; + Or seeks the porch--a sunny place-- + To watch for Todd's returning face, + Or wait until the voice so dear + Shall fall like music on his ear. + Unmoved by other sight or sound + He lies as if in thought profound. + Call him, he seems both deaf and dumb + Unless you say: "Ho! _Orrin's_ come!" + When quick, like one from sleep, he springs, + And flies, as swift as bird on wings, + To meet his master and his friend,-- + Then Tuffy's mourning has an end. + His ways eccentric may appear, + But in the sequel they'll be clear. + + Now little Tuff, it may seem strange, + Had lived at home, nor thought of change; + But one calm morning clear and bright, + As if new visions filled his sight, + To _Griffin's Corners_ begged a ride + In Orrin's wagon by his side. + Good Master Todd could not deny + The pleading of poor Tuffy's eye, + And said: "Jump in and take a seat, + And you shall have a royal treat; + For though we go by mountain road + And do not want a heavy load, + Our sprightly horses strong and true + Will never mind a mite like you." + Then Tuff leaped in and sat erect + As if to show his intellect, + When off they rode with hearts of glee, + And warmer friends you rarely see. + + Now Orrin thought it would be nice + To give his Tuffy some advice: + "Be careful, Tuffy mine," said he, + "We go where many dangers be; + Turn not aside nor leave my track + Till setting sun shall warn us back. + In town you will a stranger be; + Again I say: Go not from me." + To which the simple dog replied: + "Oh, never will I leave thy side, + But follow where thy footsteps lead, + Thou dearest friend in time of need." + (Our Tuff can talk like dogs of old + Of whom in fable Æsop told.) + + Then Todd, to pass away the time, + Thus entertained his guest in rhyme: + "I've always made you stay at home + And never let you widely roam, + Because I feared you might be lost + And by the world be rudely tossed; + Or lest in some unlucky way + You might be hurt as on that day-- + That doleful, direful day,--when life + And death seemed balanced in the strife. + You then were but a little pup, + And with a snail could scarce keep up, + But seeing Flora's gentle pace, + You thought with her you'd run a race! + And as she moved along the road + And pulled with care her heavy load, + You chanced to fall beneath the wheel + Which crushed your leg and made you reel. + O dreadful sight! O fearful cry! + A mangled limb! no surgeon nigh! + I stanched the blood which freely flowed, + And in my arms--a tiny load-- + I bore you safely to our door; + Then said: 'You shall go out no more + Until your leg is fully healed, + Or death shall take you from the field!' + I set and bandaged well your limb, + (Should surgeon doubt, I'd challenge him,) + And laid you on an easy bed + And saw that you were kindly fed. + I closely watched you night and day + And did not fail for you to pray! + When you had reached the third long week, + Thank God! (with reverence do I speak) + 'Twas plain you needed nothing more + Than just to walk about the floor. + At length, when people thought you dead, + You left your room and little bed; + "He's _tough_," they said, "as hickory rod," + And called you "_Tough_," then Tuffy Todd; + And thus you see it strangely came + You have a soft and pretty name. + Now since to perfect health restored, + To thank me well you can afford." + + Tuff answered: "Do you doubt, dear friend, + That I shall thank you to the end? + Since I was struck by wheel so rude, + Have I not shown you gratitude? + Have I not always been to you + Obedient, faithful, good and true? + Through evil and through good report + I've never failed in my support! + Forsaking friends, let none deny + For you I've lived, for you I'll die; + What care I for the world around + When all my joy in you is found? + Please pardon if too bold I seem + And hold me firm in your esteem." + + "I did not mean to grieve your heart, + Good Tuff, nor cause a single smart, + But just to have a little play, + I thought I'd see what you would say + In answer to my sober talk, + While slow the horses onward walk." + + Conversing thus as friend with friend, + At last they reach their journey's end. + Todd's heart with anxious fears beset, + Foreboding peril to his pet, + He turns to Tuffy: "You've been warned + In language clear and unadorned, + To stay by me and to beware + Of dangers lurking everywhere. + Although no prophet born or bred, + Though on my mind no light is shed, + I fear from knowledge of your race, + _The day will end in your disgrace_." + + Out jumped brave Tuff and Farmer Todd, + But scarce had gone a single rod + Before they heard: "Bow-wow! Friend Tuff! + For that's your name I'm sure enough; + How glad I am to see your face + And give to you a friend's embrace; + Now while in town, stay thou with me, + And boon companions we will be." + Then Tuff, (poor "Innocent abroad," + Who never dreamed of any fraud,) + Replied: "Perhaps we've met before, + I'll take your word and ask no more: + It would not seem polite, I know, + Should I refuse with you to go." + Away they marched, as large as life, + Their hearts with hope and pleasure rife, + And wandered in their heedless play, + Through many a dark and devious way. + Unchecked they raced and chased around, + A lawless cur and recreant hound; + They took no note of time, nor cared + How far they strayed nor how they fared; + For Tuff could not foresee his woes + Till darkness did around him close. + + Oh, Tuffy, born and reared in ease, + With bread enough to eat and cheese, + Where now thy master's tender care? + Where now the bed thou erst didst share? + Thy new-made friend all false will be + In time of thy adversity! + Upon the cold, cold ground to-night + No sleep shall come ere morning light, + Nor morsel sweet for hungry maw, + Nor peace for nature's broken law! + + The westering sun had low declined, + When homeward with an easy mind + Good Orrin turned his horses' feet, + Expecting there his dog to meet; + But drawing near, no Tuff was found + To greet him with accustomed sound. + Poor Orrin could not sleep a wink, + But lay awake all night to think + How sad the fate of Tuff might be, + Who late was in prosperity. + + Back, in the early morning bright, + To Griffin's Orrin took his flight, + But thoughts of Tuff so filled his mind + No other thought a place could find, + And as he passed each neighbor's door + 'Twas little known the load he bore. + The dogs ran out and barked so bold + They wakened echoes in the wold, + While ducks and geese joined in the strife + And quacked and screamed for their dear life. + Then proudly crowed vain chanticleer: + "I am, you see, without a peer, + Let none within my realm intrude + To scare my hens and little brood." + But patient kine in farmyard pent + Were mute with meek-eyed wonderment, + While grazing sheep on hillside near, + Heard all and said: "We need not fear;" + Each mother called her own dear lamb, + Who answered back: "Oh, here I am!" + The squirrel with his nimble feet + Now quickly found a safe retreat, + And from the wall, or limb on high, + Peeped slyly out as Todd went by. + The birds from out the leafy trees, + So gently swayed by morning breeze, + Poured forth their notes in merry lay + And sang: "Good speed and happy day!" + And insect world, on joyous wing, + In sunlight clear did sweetly sing, + Or hum in myriad tones so gay: + "We cheer the traveler on his way." + But ferns and flowers in wayside beds + With meek surprise did lift their heads + And whisper low: "Our friend's in haste + And has no time on us to waste. + In days gone by he'd stop awhile + To praise our charms and make us smile, + Or take us in his gentle hands + As if rare gifts from foreign lands." + + And thus each loving, living thing + Had kindly thought or word to bring, + Which proved a balm to soothe Todd's soul + As he moved onward to his goal. + + The livelong day through street and lane + He sought his dog, but sought in vain; + From house to house he asked each man, + "Where's Tuff? Pray tell me if you can." + "Why, Tuff has gone with Bruno Brown, + A dog," they said, "of poor renown." + It was enough to turn one's brain + To always hear this sad refrain. + + Retracing now in twilight drear + His weary steps, Todd dropped a tear + And took with heavy heart the way + His feet had pressed at opening day, + And walked in doubt and gloom along + Where late he sang his cheerful song,-- + Where frisked his faithful dog with glee + And kept him joyful company. + + Poor Tuff, a wanderer forlorn, + Now loud bewailed that he was born! + + For though in darkness and in grief, + There came no friend to his relief. + But being born he did not care + Just then to die. With reason rare, + He searched along the dusty ground + To see where footprints could be found, + When he with keen instinctive nose + Discerned the course of Orrin's toes! + + Then light and hope began to rise + And cheer the darkness of his skies, + While slow he kept the lonely road + Which led him safe to his abode. + Scarce twelve had struck the kitchen clock + When lo! was heard a scratch or knock. + "Oh!" said his wife: "Oh, Orrin dear! + _The lost is found; our Tuff is here!_" + Then up sprang Orrin with a bound, + And welcomed home his truant hound, + Whose downcast eye and trembling frame + Betrayed a sense of guilt and shame. + + But Todd in sweet forgiving mood + Spread Tuff a couch and gave him food, + And bade him now find rest in sleep, + And thus forget his sorrows deep. + Then Tuff in silence ate his meal, + But made by looks this sad appeal: + "Oh friend, in sorrow and in cheer, + There's none on earth as you so dear; + For all the trouble I have brought + I am not worthy of your thought, + And would receive a just return + Should you my presence coldly spurn, + Or from me turn with angry frown + And let me in despair sink down. + I will not plead in self-defence + Nor try to prove my innocence, + But truth requires that I should say + How I was duped and led astray + By cunning dog, who boldly claimed + He'd seen my home ere I was named-- + Had heard of Tuffy Todd before + When passing by our cottage door! + He led me captive at his will + And made me suffer direst ill, + Which was no more than I deserved, + Who from the path of duty swerved. + I have my sins and woes confessed, + And ask forgiveness, peace and rest. + Oh grant the mercy which I crave + Or I shall find an early grave!" + + To such petition all unused, + With faltering words and eyes suffused, + Kind Orrin made this brief reply: + "The same true friends are you and I; + As we have ever been before + We will be now and evermore. + And since you mourn this first offence + With deep and humble penitence, + I grant forgiveness full and free, + And trust no lapse again to see." + + To banish care and doubt and fear + And waken hope and faith and cheer, + Good Orrin, with a tact supreme, + From great to small then changed his theme. + "My dog," quoth he, "with morning sun + I'll see what can for you be done. + There comes just now this happy thought-- + For you a collar shall be bought, + That if perchance you go astray + You will be known, though far away. + On it must be inscribed your name + And Latin words to give you fame! + _Nil desperandum_, they shall be, + And from despair may you be free!" + + What more did pass between these friends, + The curtain now around descends; + Their mutual joys, their mutual woes, + The poet's pen may not disclose. + To dog and master, both so true, + Long life and peace, and our adieu. + + Now turning from the gay or sad, + This moral we will simply add: + Ye maidens fair and comely youth, + Accept the words of love and truth: + _Not all is gold with golden gleam,_ + _Not all are friends who friendly seem;_ + _The_ TRIED, _the_ TRUSTED _and the_ TRUE, + _These are the friends we name for you._ + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Tuffy Todd's Adventure, by Samuel Doggerel + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41615 *** |