diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 16:29:05 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 16:29:05 -0800 |
| commit | a1c26f8a51c16a3cafba0e7c2ef82ae6af95e8c2 (patch) | |
| tree | c1a5370267c3caa3e736d776ece35195af8863ff | |
| parent | e4b1acdc0a7c0d8b88cbd1af8c1137f3a55cf6b5 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-0.txt | 3243 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-0.zip | bin | 73731 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-8.txt | 3244 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-8.zip | bin | 73399 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h.zip | bin | 209987 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/53423-h.htm | 5316 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/images/chapter.jpg | bin | 14746 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 63656 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/images/p0.jpg | bin | 52509 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/images/p1.jpg | bin | 1316 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/images/p2.png | bin | 1062 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/53423-h/images/p3.jpg | bin | 10989 -> 0 bytes |
15 files changed, 17 insertions, 11803 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e743f4 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53423 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53423) diff --git a/old/53423-0.txt b/old/53423-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8cb6308..0000000 --- a/old/53423-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3243 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Than Men, by Rush Hawkins - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Better Than Men - -Author: Rush Hawkins - -Release Date: November 1, 2016 [EBook #53423] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER THAN MEN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, MFR and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: “CHARLIE”] - - - - - BETTER THAN MEN - - - BY - RUSH C. HAWKINS - - J. W. BOUTON - TEN WEST TWENTY-EIGHT STREET - NEW YORK - 1896 - - Copyright, 1896, by - J. W. Bouton - - TO MY BELOVED AND LOVING WIFE, EVER FAITHFUL AND TRUE, WHOSE GOODNESS - PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING - - - - - CONTENTS - - - Explanatory 1 - The Excursion 13 - Tim, the Dissipated 91 - Carlo, the Soldier 113 - Jeff, the Inquisitive 127 - Toby, the Wise 139 - Two Dogs 149 - Two Innocents Abroad 165 - About Columbus, by an old showman 171 - In Relation to Mysteries 187 - Mysteries 195 - - - - - EXPLANATORY - - -The title chosen for the following sketches, written for the purpose of -presenting certain prominent characteristics of the lower animals worthy -of the attention of the human animal, stands for rather a serious -proposition which may be questioned by a majority of those readers whose -kindly interest in our mute friends has not already been seriously -awakened. - -To write so that those who read may infer that a certain selected number -of so-called lower animals are better, by nature and conduct, in certain -elemental virtues, than men, is, to say the least, rather imprudent, and -to the optimistic student of human nature may appear irreverent to an -unpardonable degree. Usually, to the minds of such observers, humanity -is accepted for its traditional value, regardless of established -conditions or inherent actualities. Such investigators investigate only -one side of their subject. They start out handicapped with the old -theory that in every respect the human animal is superior to every -other, without attempting to analyze unseen interior conditions, whether -natural or developed. - -In relation to natural conditions, the large majority of Christian sects -are perfectly logical. They lay down as a clearly established -fundamental fact that all human beings, owing to what they designate as -Adam’s fall, are born into this world morally corrupt and completely -depraved, but that they have within their control for ready application -an appropriate panacea for a certain cure of these natural defects. But -the optimist neither admits the disease nor the necessity for cure; he -says always, at least inferentially, that all human beings come into the -world in a state of innocence and purity, and that their few defects -represent a certain amount of degeneration. - -Both of these theories may be wrong. It is possible that all children -come into the world with a certain number of well-known natural -qualities—good, bad, strong, and weak—in no two alike, and for which -they are in no way responsible; and that what they become in their -mature years depends largely, if not entirely, upon home training and -the care bestowed upon them by the government under whose laws they -exist. Strong, healthy, intellectual, and moral parents, aided by a wise -and honestly administered government, assist each other in forming -characters which make fine men and women. But without the combination of -those parental qualities ever actively engaged in instructing and -controlling, sustained by a wise political organization, there is -usually but little development of the higher and better qualities of our -nature, either moral or intellectual. - -It is at this point that we may be permitted to cite the difference -between the so-called upper and lower animal. In the dog and horse, -notably, their better qualities are inherent, born with them, grow -stronger with time, and their almost perfect and complete development is -natural, and continues without aid, example, or instruction. Not more -than one dog or horse in a thousand, if kindly treated and left to -himself, would turn out vicious, and treat them as we may, no matter how -unjustly or cruelly, we can never deprive them of their perfect -integrity and splendid qualities of loyalty to master and friends. - -These most valuable of all moral qualities are natural to certain -animals, and, no matter what man may do, they can never be extinguished. -Although intangible, they are as much parts of the living organism of -the horse and dog as are their eyes or the other organs needed for -physical purposes. The affection of the dog for those whom he loves is -actually boundless. It has neither taint of selfishness nor has it -limits, and it can only be extinguished with the loss of life. The -ever-willing horse will run himself to death to carry from danger, and -especially from the pursuit of enemies, those who make use of his -friendly aid. Other animals will do as much, but they never volunteer -for a dangerous service. - -In India, where the elephant is used for domestic purposes and is -sometimes treated as a domestic animal, he has been known to protect -children left in his charge, and in the performance of his daily task -will yield willing obedience to orders; but he is a knowing and cautious -constructionist, and seldom goes outside of the strict line of duty. He -will always fight for his own master or friends when told, and sometimes -volunteers to encounter a danger to protect those around him who seek -the aid of his superior powers. He is however, a natural conservative, -and prefers peace to war. - -Many other animals are capable of becoming affectionate pets and -interesting companions, but in no respect can they be compared with the -dog, the horse, or the elephant. In their separate and individual -combination of qualities which render them fit and useful companions for -man, they stand quite by themselves. The question of treating animals -with kindly consideration is usually disposed of by saying they are not -capable of appreciating kind treatment; that their brain capacity is so -limited in respect to quantity as to render them quite incapable of -distinguishing active kindness from passive indifference or even cruel -treatment. - -This is the theory of the thoughtless. - -The Newfoundland dog which, in the summer of 1866, I saw leap from a -bridge into a rapid-running deep creek and rescue a two-year-old child -from death, thought—and quickly at that. In a second he appreciated the -value of a critical moment, and estimated not only the magnitude but the -quality of the danger. No human being could have taken in the whole -situation more completely or caused the physical organization to respond -to the brain command with greater celerity. The whole incident was over -by the time the first on the spot of the would-be human rescuers had -taken off his coat. - -Crowley, the remarkable chimpanzee, who had his home in the Central Park -Menagerie for about four years, proved to be a most convincing item of -testimony in favor of the intellectual development of one of the lower -animals. The gradual and certain unfolding of his intelligence betrayed -the presence of a quantity of natural brainpower almost equal to that of -an intelligent child of his own age. - -Among his numerous accomplishments was a complete outfit of the table -manners of the average well-bred human being. His accurate holding of -knife, fork, and spoon, his perfect knowledge of their use, and the -delicate application to his lips of the napkin, proved the possession of -exceptional knowledge and a well-ordered memory. - -The things he did and the words he tried to speak, for he made thousands -of efforts every day to utter his thoughts, would make a convincing list -of items all going to prove the presence of a capacity for thinking -quite worthy of consideration. - -In elaborating the various powers which he employed in his methods of -expression he showed remarkable ingenuity. He, no doubt, reflected upon -his deficiencies, and thought the whole matter over with reference to -means of communication with those he cared to converse with, and then, -from out the store of his natural capacities, invented an extensive -combination of hand and feet signs with the variety of sounds at his -command, which finally enabled him to make himself perfectly understood -by those about him. - -The intellectual development of Crowley, of which I have given only an -inadequate idea, came from kind treatment and constant contact with his -keeper and the director of the menagerie, both of whom were his devoted -friends and teachers. - -These little character sketches, as they may perhaps be described, were -written for the purpose of awakening the personal interest of those who -may read them, with the hope also of enlisting their active influence in -behalf of spreading abroad a better understanding of the nature of our -four-footed friends and servants, who give so much and receive so little -in return. The better appreciation of their exceptionally fine qualities -will surely lead to closer relations between them and their masters, -and, in the end, insure better treatment for those humble and confiding -creatures which the Creator has placed so completely in the power of -man. - -Fiction plays but a little part in these pages. It has long been a -source of pleasure to me to note the marks of intelligence in the -animals that we admit to our companionship, that we make a part of our -family rule and association. These sketches are nearly all based upon -personal experiences and observations of my own. They are my plea for -their greater civil rights—at least in the way of kindness and -appreciation. Incidentally I have given such local color to the stories -as they require. The first sketch, for example, has for its frame the -pleasant hills and valleys of Vermont. It recalls old days worth the -recording and a people of pure Anglo-Saxon blood worth a lasting memory. - - R. C. H. - - - - - THE EXCURSION - - -A particular summer, back in the fifties, I spent in one of the -beautiful valley villages of the “Green Mountain State.” The -old-fashioned, unpretending country tavern was comfortable and the air -and scenery all that could be desired. The amusements, or rather -occupations, afforded to the sojourners, aside from reading the solid -literature of the period, were neither novel nor exhausting, but they -gave pleasure, were reposeful, and were innocent enough to have -satisfied the code of the most exacting moralist. The daily routine was -limited, not costly, and within easy reach. - -Of course, the first rural recreation was to fish in streams where there -were no fish; to climb the highest hills as often as possible; argue -religious, political, and commercial questions with the numerous oracles -of the village, and diagnose the autumn crop question with the farmers. -These occupations were staple commodities, always in stock and on tap -ready to flow. - -The good people of the town were very much astonished when they found I -had discovered an additional occupation. I had made the acquaintance of -all the town dogs, and found them a most entertaining and sociable lot -of easy-going vagabonds. The majority were much given to loafing, -barking at strangers and the passing vehicles, and not over-anxious to -earn the scant meals grudgingly doled out to them by the thrifty -housewives, who frequently addressed them in terms not of a -complimentary nature. - -Those were not the days of romantic names for dogs. The New England -_répertoire_ for the canine race had been handed down, in an unbroken -line, from a remote Puritan period. If a dog was of a large size he was -sure to respond to the name of Tige, Rover, or Lion, and, if small, he -was usually adorned with the name of Skip, Fido, or Zip. In those days -there were neither kennel clubs nor dog exhibitions, and the high-flown -English names, such as attach to the canine blue-bloods of to-day, were -unknown. - -Within the ranks of this lazy, good-for-nothing, good-natured tribe, -with its headquarters in my particular village, was a characteristic -specimen of a perfect nobody’s dog. He was not unpleasant to the vision, -but, on the contrary, rather attractive. He was of a light brindle -color, with a black nose, and was blessed with a pair of beautiful, -sympathetic, and expressive dark-brown eyes, that had a frank way of -looking clear into the eyes of whoever addressed him. But he was without -pedigree, industry, or hope, cared nothing for worldly possessions, was -always ready to wag a hearty response to every salutation, and was an -ever-flowing fountain of good nature and kindness, but not devoid of -character. Along with all his apparent indifference he had his strong -points, and good ones at that. - -His great weakness was the woodchuck season. No sportsman was ever more -watchful for the return of the shooting period than was Rover for the -opening of the first woodchuck hole. For days before the first opening -he would range the fields very much after the manner of the truly -accomplished shopping woman of a large city in search of opportunities -on a “bargain day.” He had the keenest nose for his favorite game of any -dog in the town, and so devoted was he to his particular sport, that -frequently, while the season lasted, after a hard day’s work, he would -go to bed with an empty stomach, his chance mistress having issued an -edict to the effect that the kitchen door was to be closed at a certain -hour—Rover or no Rover. And so it came to pass that our devoted -sportsman often went to his couch in the shed a very hungry dog, not -happy for the moment, but always full of hope for the coming morning. - -While his sporting season lasted he had but one occupation. As soon as -he had licked his breakfast plate clean, even to the last mite of food, -he would start off for new adventures, and, as soon as he had succeeded -in finding a new subterranean abode of his favorite game, he would give -a joyous bark, and commence a most vigorous digging, and, if the soil -happened to be of a soft nature, he would soon bury his body so as to -leave no part of his belongings in sight but the tip end of a very -quick-moving tail amid the débris of flying soil. If called from his -pursuit he would come out of his hole wagging most joyously and saying -as plainly as possible: “I wish you would turn in and help a fellow.” - -He had never been known to capture a “chuck,” but he had his fun all the -same. - -There is a story of a Frenchman, who, when walking in the woods, heard -the whistle of a woodcock and thereupon became possessed of an ardent -desire _pour la chasse_. He equipped himself by borrowing a gun from one -friend, a dog from another, a game-bag from a third, and the making of a -complete shooting outfit from several others. Early in the morning, -after the delusive whistle, he was up and off to the woods. Filled with -eager expectation he tramped hills and swamps the whole day through -without seeing a bird or getting a shot, and returned to the hotel much -the worse for the wear and tear of the search, but, Frenchman like, was -vivacious and cheerful. An English friend asked to see the inside of his -game-bag. “Ah,” answered the would-be huntsman, “I did not get ze -leetle—ze _bécasse_, I did hear his whistle, _mais j’ai eu ma chasse_ -all ze same, and I am very happie.” And so it was with Rover. He saw -where his would-be victim was located, enjoyed the pleasure of hope, and -had a day’s digging. - -The other dogs of the village were not ambitious, save at meal-time, -when they were vigorously punctual, but very unpunctual when there was -anything useful to do, such as going after the cows at milking-time, -driving enterprising pigs out of the garden, chasing the hens from the -front entrance of the house, and the like. As a rule they were content -to pass the sunny hours of the day beneath protecting shades, resting -their lazy carcasses upon the softest patch of greensward to be found, -and they were usually experts in the art of finding such spots. It was -not so, however, with Rover. He was an active dog, without a lazy bone -in his body, always on the alert for an occupation, no matter if -sometimes useful. Take them, however, for all in all, this worthless -pack of four-footed worthies were not a bad sort of a lot. All save one -were good-natured and sociable. That exception was a maltese-colored -abridgment of a mastiff, short-haired and old. He was the property of -one of the village doctors, who was a pestiferous Whig, with the -reputation of being the “tongueyist man in the county, if not in the -State.” He carried chips upon both shoulders, was the proprietor of a -loud voice—plenty of it—and was always ready for a war between tongues. -He “argered” for the sake of argument, but his ancient “Spot,” with a -thickened throat and wheezy voice, could only keep up a running _pro -forma_ barking accompaniment while his master “downed” his opponent. The -old dog had unconsciously contracted his master’s habit of controversy, -and felt that he must help him out. It is due to the memory of that -ancient canine to record that he attended strictly to his own affairs, -and would brook no interference from frivolous idle dogs with no -particular occupation, nor would he associate with them when off duty. -When not with his master, he kept inside his own fence, and barked and -made disagreeable faces at all would-be intruders. - -As bearing upon the story that will develop, I may add that besides the -dogs there are, in Vermont, other four-footed friends and servants of -man worthy of consideration. The Vermont “Morgan horse” is one of the -acknowledged native “institutions,” and no lover of that animal has ever -made the intimate acquaintance of one of his strain without being -fascinated with his delicate, refined beauty, affectionate disposition, -intelligence, endurance, and willingness to serve. - -I was brought up with them, and used to romp and race with the colts, -ride the mothers without saddle, bridle, or halter, and purloin sugar -and salt to feed them when the “old folks were not looking.” Among my -happiest hours were those of my childhood and boyhood spent in close -association with the great groups of animals that lived upon the hills -of the old farm at the “crotch in the roads.” Calves, among the most -beautiful of all the young animals, with their great soft eyes and -innocent faces, were a source of infinite joy to me, and even the silly -and unintellectual sheep always appealed to my affections and sense of -protection. These I regarded as wards to love and protect, but the dogs -and Morgan horses were my petted friends and companions. From their -habitual display of good faith, perfect integrity and affection I -learned all the lessons applicable to every-day life that have been of -value to me. From man I could have learned the arts of deceit and -cunning, selfishness and want of feeling, and the practise of vanity, -but never a single quality which came to me from the habitual -association with the honest four-footed friends of my youth. - -The people of my native State, among their other fine characteristics, -have always been noted for their kindness to animals, which fact alone -stands for a very elevated plane of civilization. Ever since nearly a -century ago, when the Morgan horse first came to them, he has been an -object of their affection, and it is undoubtedly, to a great extent, -owing to that creditable fact that he has always been the same charming -animal that he is to-day. - -That the equine hero of this sketch was not of that noble breed will not -detract from his special virtues or impair my passing tribute to the -Vermont horse and his master. The one selected for my riding excursions -was the only saddle-horse of repute in the county; he belonged to a -livery stable, and was of the “calico” red and white sort, tall, long of -body, sound of legs and feet, with large, liquid, expressive eyes, small -ears, and a beautiful open nostril. His pedigree was unknown, and no one -in the village could say where he came from. He had been turned out lame -from a “travelling show” the year before, and had been bought for a -song. Such only was his brief known history. To his physical beauties -were added the higher qualities of head and heart in abundance. He was -the sort of a beautiful creature that could not have done a mean act. -Nature never furnished him tools for that kind of work. - -He was effusively affectionate, and his intelligence was of a high order -for a horse. We took a great fancy to each other, and both of us to -Rover, who once in a while could be coaxed from his pursuit of “chucks” -to take a run with us over the country roads. - -Thus we became chosen friends, and I selected them as companions for a -recreative excursion which I had planned, and which we shall now -retrace. - -An early breakfast for man, dog and horse, and off. The general plan was -to ride early and late, and rest during the hot hours of the middle -portion of the day. A village with a decent “tavern” for the night was -the objective point for each evening, and the usual daily distance, made -at an easy canter, was about twenty miles. Between each stretch of three -or four miles there was a halt for a dismount, a rest for the animals, -and a leg exercise for the rider. Rover was always glad for a loll -beneath the shady trees, but “Charlie,” my calico friend, improved his -opportunities for a nibble of the tender grass and sprouts within his -reach. During the first two or three days I had to retrace my steps to -remount, but I soon succeeded in making my companions understand the -nature and object of a call, and, before the tour was half over, they -would not permit me to walk out of their sight. Rover was on the watch, -and, as soon as he saw me disappearing in the distance, would give the -alarm, and then both would start off on a smart run to overtake me. - -Upon one occasion, after climbing a sharp hill, I had left them at the -beginning of a long level piece of road, and had walked on. After going -about half a mile, I met a large drove of cattle. When I had succeeded -in passing through and beyond it, my attention was attracted by a -confused noise in the rear. Upon looking back I discovered a great cloud -of dust, and amidst it a confusion of moving horns and tails, while soon -there appeared, racing through the excited mass of bovines at the top of -his speed, Charlie, accompanied by his faithful attendant barking at the -top of his voice. The cattle were excited and frightened up to the point -of jumping and running they knew not where. Some went over fences, -others through them, while the main body kept to the road, and, for a -considerable distance, carried everything before them. I realized at -once that my zealous companions had got me into trouble. - -For the information of readers not acquainted with the average -“droveyer” of forty and fifty years ago, it is necessary to record that -he was not the sort of an individual calculated to adorn refined -society, and the language used by those in charge of this particular -“drove” was more characteristic for its strength than for its elegance -or politeness. I tried to appease their wrath, apologized for the -unseemly conduct of dog and horse, alleged sudden fright, marshalled a -fine array of other excuses, and finally succeeded in neutralizing the -flow of their ire—just a little. But the chief spokesman was not -satisfied with excuses and soft words; he was a materialist, and wanted -to know, then and there, who was to put up the fence and pay for the -damage done by the trampling down of growing crops. Under the -circumstances the query did not seem to be an unreasonable one, and I -suggested that the better course to pursue would be for the authors of -the mischief to make terms with the owner of the crops, state facts, and -await his decision. - -The season happened to be between planting and harvest, and “the -men-folks,” we were told, “are up on yender hill mending fence, and -won’t be down till dinner.” The head “droveyer,” impatient to keep with -his “drove,” would not wait, and informed me, in a rather emphatic sort -of way, that I would have to wait and “settle up.” There was no appeal -in sight from his decision. So he went and I waited. - -The hot part of the day had arrived, and it was within about two hours -“till dinner.” After “hitchin’” the horse in the barn, away from the -flies, I suggested the loan of an axe. This excited surprise, and the -question came from the head of the interior of that particular domestic -establishment: “What are _you_ going to do with an axe?” I answered: -“I’m going to mend the fence where those cattle broke through.” This -feather came very near breaking the back of the housewife, and her sense -of the ridiculous was excited up to the point of explosion, but she was -too well bred to give the laugh direct, full in the face, and contented -herself by making an acute mental survey of my physical points. She -measured with her eye the hands and girth of chest, and made a close -calculation as to the amount of biceps assigned to each arm, and after -some reflection, said: “You’ll find an old axe in the woodshed; you can -take it and try and patch up the places, and, when you hear the horn, -you can come in and eat with the rest of the folks.” I started off, -filled with the pride born of knowledge, and confident of a coming -success, but the even flow of my happiness was soon disturbed by a sound -from the upper register of a very loud, shrill voice, saying, “Don’t -split your feet open with that are axe.” This was like a small streak of -ice water down the spinal column, but I was on my mettle and not to be -discouraged. The vacant spaces in the broken fence were encountered and -yielded to superior force, and a fairish amount of success was -accomplished about the time the welcome tones of the sonorous horn -announced the hour for feeding. - -I was introduced to the “men-folks” as the stranger whose dog and horse -had “scart the cattle inter the oats.” At first it was easy to see that -I was not regarded with favor, but, as the dinner proceeded, and as -anecdotes succeeded each other about men, things and far-off countries I -had seen, the Green Mountain ice began to melt, and, by the time the -“Injun puddin’” was emptied out of its bag, cordial relations were -established. The two bright-faced boys had become communicative, and the -older members of the family had forgotten for the time the damage to the -oats. - -The dinner ended, I requested a board of survey and an estimate. The -first relevant observation in relation to the case before the court came -from the grandfather: “Well, I declare, I couldn’t done it better -myself. I didn’t know you city folk could work so. Where did you l’arn -to mend fences?” This first witness for the defence produced a marked -effect upon the jury. The next point of observation was the field of -damaged oats. The eldest son, a Sunday-school-sort of boy, exclaimed: -“By pepper, they are pretty well trampled down, ain’t they? No cradle -can git under ’em; guess’ll have ter go at ’em with the sickle, but we -can save the heft of ’em by bending our backs a little.” - -During the investigation not a word was uttered about compensation, and, -after leaving the field, the conversation ran into generalities; but -before we reached the house the grandfather’s curiosity got the better -of his timidity, and he asked: “Where did you l’arn to mend fences?” -When I told him that my name was ——, that I was a grandson of ——, was -born at the “Old H. Place at the crotch of the roads in the town of -P——,” learned to mend fences there, etc., etc., he had great difficulty -in suppressing the dimensions of the proud satisfaction my information -had produced. In his mind I was a degenerate Vermonter, living in the -great City of New York, but had not forgotten the lessons learned at the -old farm. I knew how to mend a fence, and that, for him, was my -certificate of character. - -From the moment of my disclosures, I was admitted to the inner family -circle, and there was no more farm-work for the rest of the day, while -the afternoon hours were devoted to reminiscences of the olden times: -“Ah,” said the old grandfather, “when I first laid eyes on ye, I thought -I’d seen somebody like ye afore, and I remember it was your grandfather -on yer father’s side. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War in one -of the Rhode Island ridgiments, and my father belonged to one from -Massachusetts; both served till the end of the war, and then emigrated -to Vermont, together. My father settled on this farm, where I was born -in 1790; your grandfather took up some land in P——, and till the end of -his days was the best schoolmaster and surveyor anywhere round these -parts. He was a master-hand at poetry, and used to write sarcastical -varses agin the lop-sided cusses he hated. There’s allus some mean -critters in these country towns, who take advantage of poor folks that -ain’t very smart and cheat ’em outer their property. They used to feel -mighty mean, I tell ye, when they read your grandfather’s varses about -’em. I heerd old Si Simmons, up to town meeting only last year, telling -about a mean old critter down in P—— by the name of Podges and how your -grandfather writ a varse for his gravestun, and I remember it was about -like this: - - “‘Here lies the body of Podges Seth, - The biggest knave that e’er drew breath; - He lived like a hog and died like a brute, - And has gone to the d——l beyond dispute.’” - -I was able to respond in kind, for I happened to remember about another -local poet, who hated a surviving son of this rural vampire, who quite -worthily perpetuated the detestable qualities of his defunct parent, -and, when he died, as he did not many years after his father, the other -local poet, not to be outdone by my grandfather, composed the following -verse as a fitting epitaph: - - “Here lies the body of Podges Ed, - We all rejoice to know he’s dead; - Too bad for Heaven, too mean for Hell, - And where he’s gone no one can tell.” - -In the “Old Times” there were strong, honest, rugged characters among -the Vermont hills. The majority of them were men of plain speech and -unyielding contempt for meanness in any form. A goodly number of the -early settlers in the eastern counties were soldiers of the Revolution -who had emigrated to the new State soon after its close, and they -brought with them the simple, manly habits and ways of thinking which -are characteristic of service in the field. Many were the anecdotes told -of them that day—the day of the accident to the oats—very much to the -edification of the juniors, who were all eyes and ears, at least for -that occasion. - -The old house at the “crotch of the roads,” when I was a boy, was the -Saturday and Sunday halting-place for the old soldiers of my own and -several of the neighboring towns. The larder was always well-supplied, -and the barrels of cider that lined a capacious cellar were ready to -respond to every call. Under the influence of an abundant supply of that -exhilarating beverage, the fighting over of old battles was always -vigorous and sometimes vividly realistic. - -The most famous of the local veterans, of my time, was known among his -neighbors as “Uncle Daniel V——.” He was a Lexington-Bunker Hill man, who -had served till the end of the war. As I remember him, he was a most -interesting character, humorous, with a good memory, a famous drinker of -hard cider, and a notable singer of the patriotic soldier songs of the -“Seventy-six” period. I can recall, in his showing “how the Yankee boys -flaxed the Britishers,” how he would shoulder one of his canes—he was a -rheumatic and walked with two—and march up and down the broad kitchen of -the old house, going through the motions of loading, aiming and firing -at an imaginary enemy, greatly to my childish delight, for those were -the first fierce war’s alarms I had ever witnessed, and I can never -forget how my imagination was fired; nor how ardently I wished I had -been at Lexington and Bunker Hill, where “we gave it to the Red Coats.” -Uncle Daniel was far too good a patriot to say anything about the return -compliments, “How the Red Coats gave it to us,” upon one of those -historic fields. Since his day I have learned that one of his -glorification songs, which professed to give a correct account of one -particular Yankee victory, was not in strict accord with the truths of -history. I could recall for my host but a single verse of all the songs -he used to sing, and it savors so much of the camp that I had some -misgivings about repeating it before Christians, but upon being hard -pressed by the boys and seeing approving glances from other directions, -concluded to go ahead. - -The verse I remember is one from a song supposed to have been sung by -British soldiers who were in the retreat after the defeat at Concord, -April 19, 1775, and runs thus: - - “From behind the hedges and the ditches. - And every tree and stump. - We would see the sons of —— - And infernal Yankees jump.” - -I also remember, vaguely, something of another Revolutionary camp song -which depicted the grief of the soldiers of Burgoyne’s army. The refrain -was like this: - - “We have got too far from Canada, - Run, boys, run.” - -When we had exhausted the Revolution, it was time for an afternoon -start. For more than an hour Rover had manifested his impatience by -numerous waggings and by pawing vigorously at the legs of my trousers -whenever I looked his way, and from the barn there came sounds of -hoof-poundings and impatient whinnerings—loud and plain calls for a -move. So, after many protests against the going, a move to go was made. - -Before the advance upon the barn was fairly under way the youngster, who -had been an attentive listener, decided upon a search for information, -and, commanding a halt, informed me that “Old Jim Noyes, who lived over -in the Snow neighborhood, has two boys in Boston; the oldest was up here -in June and told us there was a steeple down in Boston as high as that -old ‘Jackson Hill’ of ours, but I didn’t b’leve a word of it. Hosea -Doten, the biggest man at figgers and surveying in this part of Vermont, -told mother last year that Old Jack was 1,200 feet above the sea and -more than five hundred above where we are standing; now, there ain’t no -such steeple in Boston nor anywhere else. What do folks want such a high -steeple for, anyway? And if meetin’ houses must have steeples, why won’t -fifty feet do as well as five hundred? Some folks say that bells are -hung up in steeples so God can hear them ring for folks to go to meetin’ -Sunday mornin’. What odds would two or three hundred feet make to God? -He can hear a bell just as well in a fifty-foot steeple as in one five -hundred feet high. Meetin’ folks could save a lot of money by building -low steeples. And besides, they ain’t no use; nobody could live in ’em -five hundred feet up, and it would be too high to hang a thermometer on -unless you had a spy-glass to look at it with. I don’t b’leve in such -high steeples; they cost lots of money and ain’t of no use.” - -I assured the young philosopher of my approval of his ideas about the -uselessness of high steeples, and told him that Boston was not the owner -of one five hundred feet high. This information was a source of immense -satisfaction. “I was right all the time,” he added, “and knew that Jim -Noyes was giving us lies just as fast as his tongue could work ’em out. -Do all Vermont boys that go to Boston learn to talk like him? There’s a -lot gone down there from about here. Some of ’em are up on a visit every -once in a while, and spend the most of their spare time in telling such -silly stories. I guess they think they can stuff us country folks just -like Thanksgiving turkeys. What makes ’em lie so? The boys round here, -if they talked like they do, would get licked a dozen times a week and -no decent folks would have anything to do with ’em. I suppose it’s all -right. Boys, when they git to Boston, have got to lie to keep their -places and git a living. Grandfather don’t take it to heart so much as -the rest of us. He says lying is the biggest part of the show, and the -longer we live the more on’t we’ll see.” - -The day was well along, and the sun showed a decided intention of soon -disappearing behind the top of “Old Jack,” before I insisted on -departing. Then the calico horse was watered, saddled and bridled, and -brought out for inspection and admiration. His appearance elicited -expressions of unbounded admiration, his great, soft, brown, and -beautifully expressive eyes, his amiability and active intelligence -coming in for no end of complimentary remarks. The boys were especially -enthusiastic and proposed a “swap for a four-year-old raised on the -place.” - -The oats question was again brought up for adjudication, and, after -considerable argument, the party owning the injured crop determined to -leave the amount of damage an open question until the individual -responsible for it could “come around agin.” - -The moment had arrived for the reluctant good-by, the grasp of hands, -the mount and the start, amid great excitement and noise on the part of -the animals; and then commenced a most exhilarating run of more than -fifteen miles over a softish dirt road, through a series of lovely -valleys, to the little village of D——, where we called a halt for the -night, which was destined to be prolonged into the orthodox Sunday rest -of the place and period. - -By this time the organization of three had crystallized into exact form, -and without effort had settled into an habitual daily routine, and the -incidents of to-day were quite certain to be repeated to-morrow. There -was always plenty of time, evenings and middle parts of days, for -talking with the “folks”—oracles about the village taverns—who, like the -old-time bar-room Major and Judge of the Slave States, were always on -hand and on tap for a copious outpouring of village gossip and political -information. In justice to the Major and Judge of the old days of the -South, it must be written that they were usually waiting for another -sort of a tap-flow to be turned on, from a tap not of their own. - -It is doubtful if the happy trio ever appreciated the greatness of this -three weeks’ manifestation of themselves, through which they were -unambitious but undoubted involuntary heroes among the country folk. -John Gilpin could not have been more fortunate in the way of attracting -attention from all beholders; and “the more they gazed the more the -wonder grew,” and the puzzle of forty years ago, in the villages through -which we passed, of “What is it, anyway?” remains as profound a mystery -as ever. - -In some places I was regarded as a very considerable personage on a -secret mission of great import; at other times the saddle-valise was -accused of containing a supply of a newly discovered life-saving pill; -but, generally, we were mistaken by the wise know-it-alls of the village -as the advance agents of a coming circus; if not, why the calico horse? -which to the rural mind, from the most remote period, has been -associated with the gorgeous, gilded bandwagon, spangles, and sawdust. -The fortunate suspicion of circus affiliations brought to us a measure -of attention far beyond our merits; both animals were treated with the -greatest respect, as possible performers of high standing, and upon -several occasions I was asked to “make ’em show off.” - -The summer Saturday afternoon and evening in Vermont is always the same. -At the “stores” business flourishes, and profitable activity reigns -supreme until late into the evening hours. On the farm the opposite is -the rule, a general “slicking up for Sunday” and the doing of “odd -chores” around the house and barn is the order of the day, the whole -being a fitting prelude to the coming Sunday, which is always what it -ought to be, not the Lord’s any more than another day, nor anybody -else’s day, but a day of rest, pure and simple, for all the creatures of -the Creator. Ever since I can remember, Vermonters, without asking leave -of this or that authority have chosen their own way of Sunday resting. - -In no state west of the Rocky Mountains do the beauties of nature make a -stronger appeal for human appreciation than in Vermont, and never are -they seen to better advantage than upon a quiet summer Sunday morning, -when the brilliant blue sky is filled with light, and all the world -seems to be at peace. The clear, limpid streams move silently on as -though controlled by the all-pervading spirit of rest; the leaves of the -trees, yielding to the universal feeling of repose, keep silence with -the rest of nature, and over all there is the fascinating power of -wondrous beauties abounding not made by the hands of man. Such days are -made for rest and reflection, when nature invites us to commune with her -works, that we may know more of them and be able to rise to a higher and -more ennobling appreciation of her beauties. The quiet, suggestive New -England summer Sunday morning’s appeal is nature’s most beneficent call -to her children to come to her and search for knowledge of things which -lead through untrodden paths, where, at every step, new pleasures unfold -to the view for our instruction and enjoyment. - -Upon such occasions we yield to the influence of the silent voice and -the unseen hand, and unconsciously follow the beckonings of a wingless -fairy, Nature’s ever-present handmaid, who, without our knowledge, leads -us to a new Fairyland, where new beauties abound, and where countless -joys are within the reach of the most humble subjects of the Creator. - -Such a typical Sunday as the one I have attempted to describe followed -the Saturday after our arrival at the little village of D——. The first -duties of the day were to our four-footed friends, and then came the -standard breakfast of the place and period for the superior being. Fifty -years ago this was very much more of a living Yankee institution than -now. In those days the French _menu_, much to the satisfaction of those -practitioners in the dental line, had not penetrated within the borders -of the New England rural districts. I remember distinctly the color and -taste of the native bean-coffee, the solidity of the morning pie-crusts, -the crumble after the crash of the cookey, and the greasy substantiality -of the venerated doughnut. All these we had in abundance, with the -incidental “apple sass” thrown in between courses that lovely Sunday -morning, forty-one years ago this writing. - -The town of D——, happened to be the shire-town of the county in which it -was situated. At the time of my brief sojourn there, the Supreme Court -was in session and one of the judges had the head of the table at the -hotel, while I, being a supposed distinguished stranger, with “boughten -clothes” and a fair expanse of starched shirt-front, was given the seat -of honor at his right hand. I found him a regulation specimen of the -real original Yankee judge, quaint of speech, humorous, and intelligent, -and not a profound believer in the oft-alleged superior qualities of the -animal said to have been made in the image of his maker. - -Our conversation started and continued for some time in the usual way; -the weather and condition of crops being used as an excuse for the -opening sentences, but, before the breakfast was over, a shrewd series -of inoffensive direct questions, deftly put, brought to the surface the -fact that I had travelled in strange and far-away countries. - -Punctually at the usual hour and minute, the Sunday bells commenced -their weekly call to the faithful, and the Judge interrupted the easy -flow of his entertaining conversation to ask how I usually spent Sunday. -I told him I had no particular way of doing that day, but usually -permitted original sin to take its course. That idea seemed to strike -him favorably and brought out a proposition that we should take to the -woods and see which could tell the biggest story, he at the same time -remarking: “You have travelled so much that by this time you ought to be -an interesting liar. On such a beautiful day as this there is no excuse -for bothering the parson. Sometimes on a cold chilly day he is a real -comfort; he warms us up with the heat of the brimstone to come.” - -That Sunday made its mark. It was a red-letter day never to be -forgotten. My new acquaintance proved to be a philosopher and thinker of -no ordinary dimensions. He was saturated with the teachings of Socrates, -Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, and Gibbon, and I suspected he had taken a sly -glance or two at Lucretius and Voltaire. He had ready for use, at -command, the essence of the entire teachings of his favorite authors, -and could quote whole pages from their works. - -While we were stretched out upon a bed of dead leaves, looking up -through the living ones to the open sky above, my faithful companions, -feeling the quieting influence of the day, were near us, tranquilly -enjoying the shade, and acting as though taking in a conversation which -they seemed to understand. As with men we often meet, this silence was -passing them off for being wiser than they were. My canine companion was -close to my side with my hand gently resting upon his head, while my -calico equine friend was enjoying the grateful shade of a broad -spreading maple, and busying himself with switching away at speculative -flies in search of opportunities for luxurious dinners. - -The satisfactory contentment of the two animals attracted the attention -of my judicial companion, and he asked me to explain the secret of our -close companionship. He was surprised when I told him there was no -secret about it, that I treated my four-footed friends as I would human -beings; looked after their general welfare, saw that they were -sufficiently fed with the proper food, talked to them in kindly tones of -voice, gave them tid-bits now and then that I knew they were fond of, -patted them approvingly, never scolded or used a whip, and, finally, -spent a great deal of my time in their company. I further explained that -intellectually I regarded them as being on a plane with children—to be -looked after, to be kindly treated, and to have their mental faculties -developed to the full extent of the separate capacity of each, and, that -by pursuing such a course, we could obtain the best service and an -amount of affection and companionship that would amply recompense us for -all of our trouble. - -“Well,” he exclaimed, “this is all news to me! There is logic and good -sound sense in your whole scheme, and it’s strange I never thought of it -before. You have studied the subject of intellectual development in -animals and gotten something out of it I had never dreamed of. Ever -since I have been able to think my head has been filled with common law, -Court decisions, and the Statute in such case made and provided, and I -have had but little time, and, possibly, less disposition, to indulge in -sentiment. I suppose you know the people of your native state well -enough to appreciate their strong and weak points. The Vermonter, as a -rule, does not waste any time upon sentimentality; he is too busy -digging out a living from these old hills and from between the rocks for -those dependent upon him to waste much time cultivating the sentimental -side. He is quite apt to take the utilitarian view of most earthly -matters. His horse he regards as a useful animal, to be well fed and -comfortably housed in order to prolong his usefulness as much as -possible; and his dog he looks upon as a useless companion—not worthy of -respect, comfortable lodging, or good food, unless he earns all three by -bringing up the cows at night and chasing all marauders from grain and -planted fields during the day. Your side of the animal question is a new -one, and I am going to commence operations upon my faithful -burden-carrier as soon as we reach the stable. I’d be mightily pleased -to have him walk along with me and put his velvety nose against my face -as I have seen your calico friend do with you. All men, all real men, -properly put together, are fond of being loved, and are willing to take -it in wholesale doses, and a little dog and horse—when the women are not -around—thrown in to fill between the chinks, helps to make a perfect -whole. We men are a careless, selfish lot, who leave mothers, sisters, -wives, daughters, and dogs and horses to do the most of the loving, and -accept it as a matter of right, without making the returns which are -their due. They trudge along in silence, giving us their affection, and -work on, chiefly for us, when they ought to kick. In giving me this -Sunday lesson you have opened up a new lead in my make-up, and I intend -to explore it until I develop a new deposit of humanity, and I’ll -commence by stealing a lump of sugar for ‘Old Whitey’ the next time I -leave the tavern table, and, instead of having it charged in the bill, -I’ll open a new account, and credit my first theft to the cause of -animal development.” - -The next morning I parted from my judicial acquaintance, he volunteering -the promise to write and let me know the result of his new experiment -among the inhabitants of the barnyard. During the night he had “analyzed -the whole business,” and arrived at the conclusion that there were other -dumb creatures besides dogs and horses worthy of cultivating. The much -neglected and despised pig, he proposed, with apparent humorous -sincerity, to take in hand, and make a special effort to reform his -manners and cultivate his mental faculties. He argued that human society -was responsible for “downing the pig.” It is a question of “mad dog!” -over again, he declared. “Some one in the far-off past had said the hog -was a filthy beast, and without stopping to inquire, everybody else had -joined in the cry. My mission is to do away with this unreasonable -prejudice, and to elevate to his proper social and intellectual position -among the animals of the earth my much abused and unappreciated porcine -friend.” These were his jovial parting words, and, with them ringing in -my ears, the trio made the morning start for the last day of the -outward-bound part of the excursion. - -A thirty miles ride carried us to one of the oldest villages in the -northern part of the State—not far from the Canada line. One long -street, made up of the blacksmith, shoemaker, and tinshop; a dry goods -“Emporium,” a tavern—“The Farmers’ Home”—and the usual number of -churches, with a doctor’s shop, and a few dwellings thrown in, here and -there, to fill up the intervals between the more important -structures—made, with a good supply of shade-trees, an attractive -village. Of course the buildings were all square and white, and the -blinds were all green, and they were placed as near the road as -possible, but notwithstanding these faults of form, color, and position, -constituting crimes against Nature, the whole was fairly attractive. Do -what they will to offend and deface the beauties of New England, and -especially Vermont nature, the Philistines who inhabit its picturesque -valleys cannot destroy the beautiful ever-varying outlines of its hills -or the restful repose of its summer days. They have managed to slaughter -its forests and to dry up its limpid mountain streams, but, with the -consummation of those outrages, Nature calls a halt; and the Vandals -leave off destroying because there is little left to destroy. - -The “Farmer’s Home” proved to be an attractive family affair. The -father, mother, son and daughter composed the entire _ménage_, and all -were equally at home in the duties of their special departments. There -was a tour of duty for each in the kitchen; but the energetic daughter -was supreme in the “Dining-hall,” where she propelled its affairs with -mechanical exactitude. Her unwritten motto was: “On time, or cold -victuals.” She was a strict constructionist, and “cl’ared off the -things” as soon as the last piece of pie had disappeared. But, as the -English would say, she was not at all a bad sort. She was active, -inquisitive, quaint, and direct,—had opinions upon all subjects, and -expressed them freely. I have always believed I was her first serious -anthropological study. At first, she accepted me with an immense -qualification. My manifest bias in favor of animals was something new to -her which she could not comprehend. To her practical mind, the petting -of a dog and looking after his welfare was a perfect waste of time, -while paying particular attention to the wants and care of a horse was -something not to be thought of. I saw she was rapidly filling up to the -bursting point with curiosity, but was too shy to ask the direct -questions which she was anxious to put to me. As soon as occasion -offered, I felt it my duty to give her an opportunity to free her mind, -and, sitting out the rest of the “boarders” at my last “supper,” -presented an opening for the point of the wedge to enter. By way of -introduction, I mentioned my regrets at being compelled to leave the -next morning. - -“All the folks around here,” she frankly said, “will be sorry to hear -it; you ain’t like anybody else we’ve ever had in this town, at least -sence I can remember. Father and Tom, and all the rest of ’em that’s -been watching of you, say you care more for critters than you do for -human folks, and I think so too; ever sence I heard you talk to that dog -of yourn I couldn’t make you out. We never had anything like that up -here before, and one of the store fellers told me yesterday he thought -you were one of them New York City chaps a little off, that had come on -this ride for your health, and yit you talk sense about anything else -except them critters of yourn, and that’s what puzzles the folks—to -think that such a smart feller as you ’pear to be, should be clear gone -off when you get to talking to the critters. And then there ain’t any -sense in it, any way; you can talk to dogs and hosses all your life and -never git an answer. They are dumb beasts, that’s all they be, and you -can’t make ’em folks if you try a thousand years. I’ll bet anything you -ain’t got a wife. If you had, you wouldn’t be talking all this nonsense -to critters all the time; if you had one worth a cent, you’d stay to -home and talk to her, and let the critters take care of themselves, same -as other folks do. Nothing like a good wife to take such wrinkles out of -a man’s head! Why don’t you get married anyway? Right here in this town -there are a lot of first-rate girls, better educated than I be, been to -the high-school, and got as good learning as any of the city women, all -dying to git married, and you can take your choice right here now. If -you had one of our nice girls you wouldn’t need to have that darn fool -of a dog round all the time for company.” - -The latter part of this mind-freeing was earnest and emphatic, and I -discovered between the spoken lines the true cause of the outburst. It -was as clear as the noonday sun that she had a very poor opinion of an -individual who preferred the company of a dog to the fascinations of -fair woman, and she had made up her mind to let me know what she -thought. - -I ignored the nice girl part of the argument, and startled her by asking -if she were a Christian. “’Spose I am, I try to be. I don’t know much -about it anyhow. What makes you ask such an all-fired silly question? -All the folks round here are Christians; we ain’t heathens any mor’n -city folks.” - -“Then it follows as a matter of course, you being a Christian, that you -believe the Creator made Heavens and the earth and all things therein, -and you do not believe he made anything in vain. All of his creations we -see or know anything of were made for a purpose. The domestic animals -were intended for the use of human beings, and upon the list of those -the horse stands first, because he is the most intelligent of the purely -useful animals; but the dog is far ahead of him in every respect save -physical power. His intelligence is of a high order, which entitles him -to our respect, and he is the only animal that will leave his kind to -associate with man; and there are thousands of instances recorded of his -having sacrificed his life for those he loved. No other animal has ever -been known to do that. The elephant, with his admitted capacity for -acute reasoning, never defends his master unless ordered; on the -contrary, he seldom misses an opportunity to kill those who have injured -or offended him. The dog never does this; he bears no malice, and -forgets and forgives injuries inflicted by those he loves, neither does -he know distinction of condition or rank. He knows you are his master or -mistress, and whether you are prince or peasant it matters not. The -palace or the garret are the same to him, provided a kind master is to -be found in either, and he shares with his master the feast or the crust -with equal pleasure. The noble dog possesses the highest qualities. He -gives you his loyal affection without reserve, never deceives you, and -is true even unto death, and I hold we are indebted to him for giving us -all that is good in his nature, for, the better you treat him, the more -his fine qualities come to the surface. Am I not right?” - -“Well, I swan; you’ve taken the breath all out of my body; I never heard -such talk before. I don’t know what to say, and I can’t dispute you. -You’ve got the whole thing by heart and let it out just like one of them -revival exhorters that comes along here every once in a while. You’ve -said a lot about animals I never heard before or thought of; nobody -round here ever talks about ’em like you do. Why, you put the dog way up -head of folks. From what you say, he’s ten times as decent as most men, -and, if he could only talk, he would show us he could spell hard words -and do the meanest sums in the ’rithmetic. At any rate, if dogs and -horses and other sich like are as smart as you say they are, they ain’t -got no feelings like we have—ain’t got sense enough to be sensitive and -take on about pain and suffering like we do. You can’t make me b’leve -any sich stuff as that anyhow.” - -This is the point usually made by those who have never seriously -considered the true nature and physical structure of animals. A cursory -examination would prove to the most careless observer, that the organs -and various parts of the human organization are duplicated in the -animals, especially in those of the domestic sort. The two points of -difference are in form of body and the four legs given to the lower -orders instead of two. The heart, lungs, bones, muscles, nerves, -blood-vessels and brain are in each about the same. In the animal, for -want of speech, the power of the brain is an unknown quantity, and the -absence of that faculty of giving expression to thought constitutes the -greatest difference between the species. Give the higher of the lower -animals the power of speech, and possibly some men would take rank as -the lower animal. - -All this I explained to my audience of one, and, in addition, asserted -that a cruel punishment of a physical nature inflicted upon a human -being, if bestowed upon a dog, a horse or an ox would produce the same -amount of pain and suffering. If whipping is painless, why do all -animals who have once been whipped jump aside and try to dodge the whip -they see flourishing in the hands of those near them? The answer is, -fear of pain. There is no other explanation of their action. Schoolboys -dread the birch and ferule of the schoolmaster no more than a horse or -an ox fears and dreads the whip of a driver. - -“I declare this is all news to me,” my rural friend replied, “and you -really have set me to thinking. I guess we ought to treat all sorts of -animals, including the human, better than we do. I’ve been going to -meeting sence I was old enough to go alone, and I never heard a minister -say anything about loving animals and treating them decently—kinder like -folks—do a lot of good if they did—’spose they think they ain’t paid for -that sort of business and ’ave got all they can do to save the souls of -sinners.” - -This was the last attempt at pure missionary work in behalf of the lower -orders. The pleasure part of the excursion was about to end, and on the -morning of the morrow the business of returning to the starting point -was to commence in earnest. The return was made by a short series of -long days’ work, commencing early in the morning, running well into the -day, with rest in the middle, starting off again late in the afternoon, -and extending well into the evening. In three days the return was -finished, the whole excursion had lasted nearly three weeks—three joyous -weeks, never again to be duplicated. - -The most pleasurable hours of the little tour came from the association -with my four-footed servants and companions. The gradual unfolding of -their intelligence and the rapid development of their affection were -never-failing sources of pleasure. Towards the last my calico horse -would leave his feed, no matter how fascinating to his taste the oats -might be, to be in my society, and the watchful dog was never away from -my side, night or day. At first he shared the stable with his companion, -but soon after, whenever he was ordered out for the night, his anxious, -silent pleadings became so tender and touching that I could not -withstand them, and I consented to his sharing my room with me. At first -he had the natural dog habit of rising at an inconveniently early hour, -but after being admonished of the irregularity of his behavior, he would -remain quiet until ordered out for his morning exercise. - -Never before or since had I been blessed with more sincere and -disinterested friends—always anxious to serve and, seemingly, perfectly -happy only when in my society. - -Within a week after our return came the final parting between us, and I -have never had more stings of conscience than I felt when closing the -door of the little paradise my confiding friends were never to enter -again. I parted with them in sorrow, filled with anxiety for their -future, as well I might have been, for early the ensuing autumn my -calico friend became again a “circus horse” and was heard of no more, -and the other resumed the role of “nobody’s dog” and went down to his -soulless (?) finality wishing, beyond all doubt, for another taste of -his lost paradise. - - -During the whole of the winter of 1862 and 1863, I was in camp with my -command at Falmouth, in front of Fredericksburg. The army was resting -after the colossal and tragic fiasco at Fredericksburg to recover a new -supply of strength and courage for the encounter with unknown blunders -to come; and, aside from doing as many drills as the mud would permit, -consuming rations and drawing pay, there was little to do. The winter -proved to be a period of weary inactivity, with no crowns of victory in -sight. - -Late one stormy afternoon in the month of January, 1863, the orderly -announced a civilian stranger who desired an interview. He told the -orderly that his name was of no consequence and that his business was -personal. Upon his entering my tent, I discovered a complete embodiment -of limp weariness and sorrow, a palpable wreck of something better in -the past. - -Upon being seated, he said: “I ’spose you don’t know me? Well, I don’t -blame you much, I’ve so changed since then; we’ve had a great sorrow -since your dog and horse scart that drove of cattle into the oats. Now I -b’leve you remember, but you’d never guess I’m the same man, would you?” - -I had to answer that the change was very great, and asked the cause. - -“That’s partly what I am here for,” he replied. “You see, when the war -first broke out, George, our oldest, you must remember him, a silent, -good and thoughtful boy, was at the high school. All Vermont was alive -with the right sort of feeling, and all the men and boys—and some of the -women, I guess,—wanted to shoulder arms and go. We were expecting all -the time to hear that George was going, but hoped the other way, and -finally one morning in June he got out of the stage with his whole kit -of books and clothes, and told his mother, whose eyes had already filled -with tears, that he had come home to go; that all the big boys of the -school had held a meeting, and agreed to enlist in the ‘Third,’ and he -was going with them. Well, I thought his mother would sink into the -ground then and there, but she didn’t. George, you know, was her -favorite. He was always a reliable, duty-loving boy. She wiped her eyes, -took him in her arms, and, while her heart was breaking, kissed him, and -said: ‘I ‘spose you ought to go where right and your country calls, but -it will be awful hard for me to part with you. I don’t know how I’m -going to live with you in danger.’ The week he spent with us, I tell -you, it was like a great shadow in that old house. His mother kept -about, but her heart was breaking with terrible forebodings, and her -eyes were always filling with tears. When he had stayed his week out, -the last at the old home, we all drove over with him to the recruiting -station, and saw him sign his name to the roll of Company ——, Third -Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, ‘for three years, or during the war.’ In -three weeks the regiment left for the field; we went over to see him -off, and he was the only happy one of the family. We were filled with -unspeakable sadness; we saw them march away, and, as the old flag -disappeared round the corner of the road, his mother fainted, and fell -into my arms. She never saw a well day after that, but kind of lived on -like a machine, taking no interest in anything but the newspapers -bringing news from the war. - -“George was just as good a boy in the army as he had always been at -home, wrote encouraging letters to his mother, filled with ideas about -duty, patriotism, and all that. But it did no good. She had made up her -mind she would never see him again, and, although alive, he was as good -as dead almost to her. When the Winter ended, the Vermont troops went -with the army to Yorktown, and then came the dreadful 16th of -April—Lees’ Mills. Three days after the fight some one sent a Boston -paper to us, which gave the news of the first advance having been made -by Companies —— and —— of the Third, and the terrible slaughter of the -men, but gave no names. His mother knew her son was killed, and two days -later a letter from his Captain told us how well he had done his duty, -and how bravely he had died. The strain was more than she could bear, -she took to her bed, and at the end of five weeks we buried them side by -side, and my happiness along with them. Now do you see why I’ve -changed?” - -After a slight pause, he resumed: “I forgot to tell you,—the other boy, -the one who talked to you about the meeting-house steeple five hundred -feet high, enlisted in the same company as soon as he got old enough, is -sick in the hospital here now, and I want to take him back home, and -that’s what I’m here about. I want you to help me to get him out of the -Army. He was a new recruit when he saw his brother killed, and hasn’t -been well since. You know he never was a strong boy, but he would go to -war to be with George. He wouldn’t consent to his brother facing danger -all the time, while he was safe at home. He’s all I’ve got left, except -my old father, who can’t last much longer, and they tell me if I can get -you to go with me to General —— he’ll order his discharge.” - -The sad story—one of many I had heard, touched me deeply. But I could -offer no consolation, such wounds as his were too deep to be reached by -words. All I could do was to change the current of sad thoughts and -extend the meagre hospitalities of the camp. Then the ride to the field -hospital, the interview with the once bright, happy boy I had seen seven -years before, now with the seal of death implanted upon his beautiful, -honest and manly face, then to headquarters, the handing over of his -discharge, and then the parting, with heavy heart, from one whose burden -of sorrow I had been able to lighten. - -Opportunities to do these acts of kindness for those kindred of the -fallen, whose hearts were overburdened with mighty sorrows, were about -the only rays of sunshine which ever invaded the tent life of those -whose responsibilities were often more burdensome than the sorrows of -others, which they were so often called upon to assuage. - -In the summer of 1865, during another visit to my native town, a longing -came over me to revisit the scene of the accident to the oats, and I -searched in vain for two companions to take the places of those of -twelve years before. But, so far as I could ascertain, there was not a -known saddle horse in the county, and the race of nobody’s dogs had gone -quite out of fashion; so I was compelled to adopt the “buggy,” and, -along with it, between its “fills,” a lively and “spunky” little -specimen of a Vermont Morgan, that learned after the first hours of -driving that there was a kind friend holding the reins, and with whom, -from that moment, cordial relations were established. A very easy drive -carried me to the “old home,” about noon of the second day, and, as I -drove up to the door, a kindly faced, frank-mannered woman of middle age -came out of the house, and asked me to alight, hitch, and walk in. As I -entered I asked where they all were? “Who do you mean by all?” queried -my hostess. I answered, “The C——s who lived here twelve years ago.” - -She took me to an open window, and, pointing to the top of a “Meeting -House” spire that came just above the point of a rise in the ground, -said: “Just at the bottom of that steeple you’ll find them all, save my -uncle C——, the grandfather of the boys; they are all buried there, and, -if you want to renew your acquaintance with them, you’ll have to go over -there to do it. I’m the old maid of the whole family, and taught school -until I came here right after Cousin George’s death—he was the last of -the four—to take care of uncle, who was awfully broken up, and is to -this day. I guess nothing but death will ever mend his broken heart. He -wanders about with no object in life, always wishing for the end to -come. He’s out in the fields somewhere; he will be here pretty soon and -awful glad to see you. It seems to me he only cares now for those who -knew the four who lie buried over there. He lives in the past -altogether, and takes no interest in the present or future.” - -A walk of five minutes through a meadow to a group of maples brought me -to the spot where I found, reclining beneath the shades, my acquaintance -of other days. At first he did not recognize me, and was a little -offish, but gradually became interested, and at last came to me with -both hands extended and with eyes filled with tears: - -“I didn’t know ye at first, but I oughter have known that voice -anywhere. Your animals scart the drove into the oats, but you were so -good to us afterward. If it hadn’t been for you, ‘Vin’ would have died -in that ere hospital, for he didn’t live long after we got him home. Oh, -he was sich a comfort to us while he did live. I shall never forgit the -last days; and may God spare me from ever goin’ through any more like -’em.” - -While we were walking toward the house, I learned that Vincent, the -youngest boy, lived five weeks after he was brought home; that the -father died the next autumn, and, although nearly three years had passed -since the culmination of the “Great Sorrow,” the atmosphere seemed -impregnated with it. The want of signs of life and movement without, and -the evidence of long continued quiet and order within, told as plainly -as words the story of an all-absorbing grief. - -During the dinner, the incidents of the oats, the conversation with -“Vin” about the steeple, his desire to trade for the “Kaliker” horse, -and all that was said upon the occasion of our first meeting, was -rehearsed, without a single item being omitted. The meal finished, there -came the walk to the “Meeting House Burying Ground,” where I saw the -seven simple headstones standing for four generations. The first to Mary -Gale, wife of G. C.; the second to “George C., a soldier of the -Revolutionary War, born at Old Middlebury, Mass., June 12, 1756, died in -this town, March 7, 1833;” next to him came his daughter-in-law; then a -vacant space for his son—the second George, and then the graves of the -other four of the third and fourth generation. - -I have seen men stand in such a presence without being moved, but I -could never quite understand how they did it. Upon this occasion -something got into my throat, and I could not speak; something else -filled both eyes, and I had to turn away to conceal a weakness which I -could not control. - -As I turned toward my companions, the elder, pointing to the line -exclaimed; “Pretty soon there’ll be four generations of Georges in this -lot, and that’s about all there is to it, I guess. There couldn’t be any -design in takin’ all of ’em from me in so short a time. A merciful God -wouldn’t have done such a cruel thing; if a kind God had had anything to -do with it, he would let some of ’em outlive me to have been a comfort -in my old age and to have kept the old place where we were all born in -the family name. No, I don’t b’leve in sich kindness; all of ’em ought -to have lived; they were jest as good as they could be, not one of ’em -ever told a lie or did a mean thing as long as they lived. Then if they -were so good, as they were, and nobody can dispute it, why were they all -taken away from me so soon, and so many mean critters, good for nothing -to nobody, allowed to live? No, the ministers may talk to me from now to -the end of eternity, that their God, if he really does sich cruelties, -is merciful, and I won’t b’leve ’em. It’s all nonsense to murder a man -alive and break his old heart and call it merciful and all for the best. -There is no mercy or best about it, it’s all wrong from beginnin’ to -end, and I don’t b’leve the heathen’s god or anybody’s God could be so -cruel and unjust. - -“My father battled from Bunker Hill ’till the last Red Coat had left the -land and then came here and began a new battle with the virgin forests -of Vermont. And ever sence I was born and old enough to work, my sweat -has watered this soil so dear to all of us. There’s not a foot of the -cleared part of this old farm I have not worked over, and the whole of -it is as sacred in my eyes as if it were a lordly estate handed down -from scores of generations before me. The boys loved it as I do and -liked to work over it. Now what does it all amount to? In a short time -when I have passed over yender to join the rest on ’em, the old place -will go into the hands of unfeeling strangers who’ll care no more about -it than savages. Most likely they’ll rob the soil and skin it of the -last spear of grass, and all these noble old trees that have been my -friends sence I was a boy, will be cut down to feed the nearest sawmill. -It’s astonishing, how mean most folks act toward natur! They treat her -as though she had no rights and forgit all about the good things she -gives us. But I suppose there is no good in sentiment if God is agin -ye.” - -His niece interrupted him gently: “Come away, uncle, you are nervous and -excited and saying too much.” - -“No, I’m not nervous or excited; I’m saying what I b’leve, and I want -everybody to know it. Look at those graves holding all I had in the -world, and no one had better, and then tell me if I have no cause to -complain?” - - - - - TIM THE DISSIPATED - - -Very late in the year 1848—Christmas day, to be exact—I found myself in -New Orleans, bankrupt in health and looking forward, hopelessly, to a -seemingly not far off culmination of my earthly affairs. But, owing to -the possession of a strong constitution, the good offices of kind -friends, and careful medical treatment, I was enabled to disappoint the -prophets and to evade the undertaker. By the time I had regained my -feet, the balmy days of March had come around, and I improved the -opportunity to make my duty-calls upon the kind-hearted friends who had -taken an active interest in the welfare of a stranger who had been cast -upon their shores. I found them wonderfully to my liking, generous, -cordial, and frank, to a degree I had never dreamed of. - -It was fortunate for me that I happened to become a denizen of that -interesting old city during one of its better periods. Socially it was -at high-water mark; the theatres were good and the French opera the -better of all outside of Paris. In the winter it was the rendezvous for -the well-to-do families of the whole far South. The rich cotton planters -from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, and the sugar planters from -along the “coast” came to this Southern metropolis, and brought with -them their pretty daughters with their velvety voices, unaffected -speech, garnished with its tint of African accent, and their frank, -disingenuous ways; and also came their sons, who were not so -fascinating, but were good fellows at heart—the majority of them—and, as -a rule, save for one weakness, they were all right. But they had the -unpleasant habit of “drawing at sight,” and to the credit of their -alertness, I am compelled to record that they were apt to see very -quick. - -The presence of a large colony of well-to-do planters assisted to make -New Orleans a very attractive winter resort. But they were not more -given to pleasure than the average citizen of the place, who, as a rule, -did not take life very seriously. He was in business, but not its slave, -and each day brought with it its pleasurable recreation. With their -peculiar and novel ways they were, to me, a revelation; the community -made up of them seemed almost ideal, and had it not been for the -presence of the slave and the slave market, the old French city, in its -relation to a certain select few, could have passed for a kind of brick -and mortar Arcadia. - -Among the favorite recreations of that period was a drive down the shell -road to Lake Ponchartrain, where there was a famous afternoon resort -kept by Capt. Dan Hicox, a once famous “Captain on the Lakes,” a teller -of good stories and fabricator of the best fish and game dinners and -suppers to be found in the whole South. To say that his establishment -was popular would give but a faint idea of the real conditions. Of a -pleasant afternoon, in certain seasons of the year, nearly all that was -jolliest and brightest in New Orleans society could be found sitting -upon the captain’s piazzas, enjoying the breezes of the lake, which were -usually tempered with something taken through a straw or drawn from the -upper end of a bottle recently from the ice-chest. - -In addition to the usual attractions of such a resort, there was a -circular pen with a pole planted in the centre of it to which was -attached a certain two-thirds grown specimen of the common American -black bear. When the merest mite of a cub he had been captured in the -wilds of Michigan, and afterwards sent to “Captain Dan” as a present by -one of his old friends of the lakes. - -“Tim” was a great pet and altogether comical. He found a comic side to -every incident which came under his observation, and, seemingly, never -had a serious thought or an unhappy moment. It might be said of him that -he was reared in luxury, for during his infancy he had a pleasant corner -of the bar-room for his abode, where he became the pet of the patrons -and the recipient of all kinds of good things from the larder, with now -and then a taste from the bottle arranged in a way to fit his appetite, -and very much to his liking. - -In the interests of truthful history, it must be recorded that “Tim,” -within a short time after his first julep, became enamored of the -bottle, and, very much after the manner of the old style Southern -bar-room tippler, would watch the patrons of the bar, looking wistfully -into their faces for an invitation to “smile.” At the beginning of his -career as an habitual drinker, it took about six or seven “treats” to -put him in a state of good-natured inebriation. When in that condition, -he was the incarnation of animal happiness; lying upon his back with all -four feet in the air, head to one side, tongue half out of his wide-open -mouth, with eyes half closed, he was the perfect personification of good -nature and indifference to earthly happenings. Kings might rule the -world, but Tim’s happiness was supreme. He envied no other bear, and if -a tree trunk filled with the most delicious honey had been within easy -reach he would not have raised a paw for a barrel of it. The things of -this world troubled him not, and he possessed only one phase of the -great passion of avarice—he always, when sober, wanted enough strong -drink to make him happy. He had the appetite of the habitual human -drunkard, but, when in his cups, differed from his human _confrère_ in -one important particular; he was good natured and kind and never -quarrelsome or cruel like the human brute in a similar condition. - -Sometimes, when he was floored, a friend would try to coax him to -another drink by temptingly placing a well-filled glass near his nose, -an invitation that would generally excite in him an effort to rise and a -very comical and unsteady attempt to follow the lead of the disappearing -glass; usually he would wobble over, but would right himself enough to -sit up and gaze intently after the fascinating beverage beyond his -reach. In respect to demeanor or quantity, he was quite human; he never -knew he was making a beast of himself, or when he had enough. I do not -pretend to say that Tim’s habits of drink were not reprehensible; for -the purposes of this true story he must have the blame. It was certainly -not the fault of his master; he simply suffered the usual penalty of -having too many thoughtless and convivial friends. - -In course of time, Tim became quite a bear, altogether too large for a -bar-room pet, and was removed to a specially prepared pen and chained to -a pole with a platform rest at the top. The change for Tim was not a -success. He spent his time in running around and climbing up and down -his pole, all the time whining, pleading, and scolding; he grew thin, -and looked and acted as though he regarded life as a failure. -Occasionally, a friend, pitying his unhappy condition, would unchain him -and lead him to his old haunt. In fact, it was nearly impossible to lead -him in any other direction. As soon as released from his pole he would -start for the bar-room, dragging his friend with him, nor would he stop -until he reached his favorite room, when, standing up with his hands on -the counter, he would mumble out in his most intelligible bear-language -a peremptory demand for a drink. Sometimes he was indulged to an extent -which would enable him to catch a glimpse of his lost paradise, but -usually he was returned to his pen after having disposed of only enough -of his favorite beverage to give him an appetite for more. - -It had often been suggested that if Tim could have a congenial -occupation his grief for his lost liberty would not be so acute. -Accidentally, an employment for all his spare time was forced upon him. - -One day, during a great thunderstorm, when the wind was blowing strong -from the east, a small alligator, about six feet long, was carried by a -wave to a part of the piazza near where I was sitting. He undertook to -get back into the lake with the receding water, but, being determined to -detain him, I caught him by the end of the tail. Within half of a second -the problem of extremes meeting was solved. As soon as he felt my hold -he doubled himself around, brought his jaws to-together with a savage -snap, and came within an infinitesimal measure of catching my hand. By -that time my blood was up, and I made up my mind to effect a capture of -my belligerent caller. With the use of a strong chair for a weapon, I -succeeded in preventing his return to the lake. Soon assistance with a -rope arrived, and a tight-drawn noose around the upper jaw did the rest. -“De ’gater swished dat tail a’ his awfully Massa, but we done got him -sure,” was the announcement that conveyed to “Captain Dan” the -information that he was the owner of a “’gater.” Our captive was put in -a safe place for the night, and the next morning what to do with him -became the burning question. - -After considerable discussion a valuable suggestion came from one of the -colored spectators. He said: “I reckon if dat ’gater and Tim had a -chance dey’d make fust-rate frens inside a week.” A unanimous vote -approved of the proposition, and in five minutes “de ’gater was in de -pen” and the gate closed. - -It was Tim’s custom whenever he heard company approaching his place of -abode to meet them at the threshold. Upon this occasion, as usual, he -was ready to bestow the hospitalities of his establishment, but the -manner of his receiving was neither urbane nor graceful. His front door -was suddenly opened and an unwelcome guest unceremoniously thrust upon -the hospitality of the unsuspecting Tim, who was wholly unprepared for -such a visitor. It was his first experience with a Saurian. He had never -seen one before, and it took only a second for him to make up his mind -to pass the act of non-intercourse. He scampered to his pole and climbed -to his platform at the top, where, during the next twenty-four hours, he -remained an anxious and frightened observer. - -The new arrangement was no more satisfactory to the guest than to the -host. He missed his shore promenades and bathing accommodations; could -not imagine why he was shut up in a small enclosure, and spent his first -day and night in searching for an opening large enough for him to crawl -through. By noon of his second day of confinement he gave up his -fruitless search and settled down to a midday repose. - -Tim, weary with anxious watching, seeing his opportunity for an -investigation, cautiously descended to the ground, and noiselessly -approached near enough to his guest to reach him with a front paw; then, -for several minutes, he sat upon his haunches and made a very careful -diagnosis of the case before him and came to the conclusion that it was -not to his liking, and that he would have no more of it than he could -help. Acting upon this deliberately formed conclusion, he made a vicious -grab with both paws at the tail of the unsuspecting Saurian. Great was -his surprise to find that his victim was very wide awake, indeed, for no -sooner had he felt the disturbance at his caudal end than he sent his -open jaws around to ascertain the cause. This sudden flank movement was -a great surprise to Tim, who experienced considerable difficulty in -extracting one of his paws from the ample jaws of a “feller” that at -least one bear could not understand. Tim was not encouraged to another -investigation at the moment, but re-ascended to his throne, where he -spent the remainder of the day in licking the wounded paw, casting, now -and then, malicious glances at his unbidden guest, and concocting plans -for the future. - -The next day was bright and sunny, and brought with it apparent peace to -the domain of Tim. The Saurian was calmly reposing in the sunshine, and -Tim was doing his best thinking. He had not quite decided as to the -manner of proceeding, but upon one point he had made up his mind. There -was to be no middle way. His enemy was to be conquered and the savage -attack upon his paw avenged. With his mind then fully made up he -descended for a second investigation and another possible attack. This -time his approach was doubly guarded, and he was particularly careful in -calculating the distance between his position and the jaws which had -given him such an unpleasant surprise. - -After a deliberate survey of the situation, Tim made a sudden spring to -the side of his enemy, caught him under his chest, and turned him upon -his back. This side attack was unexpected and a perfect success, and the -reptile had an active and prolonged struggle to regain his natural -position. Tim watched the struggle with intense interest, seeming to be -happy in knowing that he held the key to the situation. From that time -on, his guest during the daylight hours had no peace. Whenever Tim had -an opportunity, he turned him over, and, when not engaged in that -diversion, he was chasing him around the enclosure. About one month of -such an existence brought the Saurian very near to his end. From a most -healthy and vigorous “’gater” at the time he was caught he had become -weak, weary and lank; so forlorn was his lamentable condition that he -excited the sympathy of some human friend, who, during the night, opened -the gate to the pen. The following morning the persecuted reptile was -nowhere to be found. From that moment Tim became his former self, -watched anxiously at the gate for the coming of friends, and pleaded -pertinaciously for the intoxicating beverage. - -The summer and greater part of the autumn after the “’gater” incident, I -spent at the Mississippi Springs, and, while there, received a letter -from a friend, who, next to myself, was the most ardent admirer Tim ever -had. It was the last word relating to my comical four-footed intimate, -and I cannot close this truthful narration more appropriately than by -quoting from it: - -“You will sympathize with me in our mutual loss. Probably, we have seen -the last of our old friend Tim; he departed from his well scratched pole -about two weeks ago, and is now on the road as an important item in ‘The -Most Colossal Show Ever Known.’ He had grown so large, and his appetite -for strong drink had increased to such an alarming extent, that the -attending darkies lost confidence in their ability to handle him. During -his later days at the Lake, he appeared to have but one idea, and that -related to opportunities for intoxication. Whenever his pen door opened, -no matter for what purpose, he would make a rush for whoever came in, -and demand to be led to the bar-room, and, if disappointed, would make a -most furious demonstration. - -“‘Captain Dan’ was immensely attached to him, but felt that the time had -arrived when some disposition must be made of him. The menagerie at -Algiers was the opportunity. A bargain was struck, and the time fixed -for his departure. - -“‘Captain Dan’ decided to give him a regular ‘Fourth of July’ send-off, -and, to that end, invited a few of his most intimate friends and -admirers to be present at the performance. The guests were assembled, -and Tim was released from his pole. He made a tremendous rush for the -open bar-room door dragging two stalwart Africans after him at a -break-neck pace. He went direct to his old corner where he found a large -tin pan filled with a milk-punch such as he had never tasted before. He -emptied it in short order and then, taking it between his paws, sat up, -licked the last reminiscence of the punch out of it, and in a few -moments became the most comical object imaginable. In fact he was never -known to be more funny. He was laughed at, poked with sticks, had his -ears pulled, but all to no purpose; he was too happy to be offended. He -made a few efforts to stand erect and to appear sober and dignified, but -ended each attempt by rolling over upon his back a helpless lump of limp -intoxication. - -“In that condition, our old friend was bundled into a box on wheels, and -made ready for his departure to the new life. Before going we all shook -him by the paw, patted his head, and wished him a happy future, and, as -he disappeared in the distance, there was a general expression of regret -that we had seen the last of poor Tim. ‘Captain Dan’s’ lip trembled, and -I feel sure if he had had it to do over again, he wouldn’t have done -it.” - -This parting with Tim proved to be the end of his connection with the -friends of his babyhood and youth: none of them so far as I know, ever -saw him again. - -Possibly a little bit of a lesson may be shown from the simple life -described. Tim, no doubt, came of decent parents of good habits and -morals, and in his downfall, there was no question of heredity involved. -In his infancy he was placed within easy reach of the temptations of the -bowl, and so, in his manhood, became as much of a victim to strong drink -as his surrounding circumstances would permit. Therefore, the inference -is, if he had not been tempted, there would have been no fall, and Tim -would have led a sober life and have been a respectable member of bear -society, provided human beings had left him in the home intended for his -race. - -His degradation, like that of the North American Indian, came from -contact with our superior Western civilization. - - - - - CARLO, THE SOLDIER - - -The Ninth New York Volunteers was organized in April, 1861, in the City -of New York. Two of its companies were extra-territorial. C was composed -of men from Hoboken and Paterson, New Jersey, and G marched into the -regimental headquarters fully organized from the town of Fort Lee in -that State. With this last named company came “Carlo,” the subject of -this sketch. - -When he joined the regiment, he had passed beyond the period of -puppy-hood and was in the full flush of dogly beauty. He was large, not -very large,—would probably have turned the scales at about fifty pounds. -His build was decidedly “stocky,” and, as horsey men would say, his feet -were well under him; his chest was broad and full, back straight, color -a warm dark brindle, nose and lips very black, while he had a broad, -full forehead and a wonderful pair of large, round, soft, dark-brown -eyes. Add to this description an air of supreme, well-bred dignity, and -you have an idea of one of the noblest animals that ever lived. His -origin was obscure; one camp rumor asserted that he was born on board of -a merchant ship while his mother was making a passage from Calcutta to -New York; and another told of a beautiful mastiff living somewhere in -the State of New Jersey that had the honor of bringing him into the -world. It would be very interesting to know something of the parentage -of our hero, but, since the facts surrounding his birth are -unattainable, we must content ourselves with telling a portion of a -simple story of a good and noble life. It may be safe to assert that he -was not a native American; if he had been, he would have provided -himself with the regulation genealogical tree and family coat-of-arms. - -During the first part of his term of service, Carlo was very loyal to -his Company, marched, messed, and slept with it, but he was not above -picking up, here and there, from the mess tents of the other Companies a -tid-bit, now and then, which proved acceptable to a well-appointed -digestion. - -His first tour on guard was performed as a member of the detail from Co. -G, and always afterward, in the performance of that duty, he was most -faithful. No matter who else might be late, he was ever on time when the -call for guard mount was sounded, ready to go out with his own -particular squad. At first, he would march back to Company quarters with -the old detail, but, as soon as he came to realize the value and -importance of guard duty, he made up his mind that his place was at the -guard tent and on the patrol beat, where he could be of the greatest -service in watching the movements of the enemy. In the performance of -his duties as a member of the guard, he was very conscientious and ever -on the alert. No stray pig, wandering sheep, or silly calf could pass in -front of his part of the line without being investigated by him. It is -possible that his vigilance in investigating intruding meats, was -sharpened by the hope of substantial recognition in the way of a stray -rib extracted from the marauding offender whose ignorance of army -customs in time of war had brought their tender “corpuses” too near our -lines. - -As a rule, Carlo, what with his guard duties and other purely routine -items, managed to dispose of the day until dress parade. At that time he -appeared at his best, and became the regimental dog. No officer or -soldier connected with the command more fully appreciated “The pomp and -circumstance of great and glorious war” than he. As the band marched out -to take position previous to playing for the Companies to assemble, he -would place himself alongside the drum-major, and, when the signal for -marching was given, would move off with stately and solemn tread, with -head well up, looking straight to the front. Upon those great occasions, -he fully realized the dignity of his position, and woe betide any -unhappy other dog that happened to get in front of the marching band. -When upon the parade field, he became, next to the Colonel, the -commanding officer, and ever regarded himself as the regulator of the -conduct of those careless and frivolous dogs, that go about the world -like the street _gamin_—having no character for respectability or -position in society to sustain. - -Of those careless ne’er-do-wells the regiment had accumulated a very -large following. As a rule, they were harmless and companionable, and, -like the inevitable “befo’ de wah” Judge and Major, they were always on -hand ready for a free lunch and drink. It was only at dress parade that -they made themselves over-officious. Each Company was attended to the -parade ground by its particular family of canine companions, and, when -all of them had assembled, the second battalion of the regiment would -make itself known by a great variety of jumpings, caperings, barks of -joy, and cries of delight. To this unseasonable hilarity Carlo seriously -objected, and his demeanor plainly told the story of his disgust at the -conduct of the silly pates of his race. He usually remained a passive -observer until the exercise in the manual of arms, at which particular -period in the ceremonies, the caperings and the barkings would become -quite unendurable. Our hero would then assume the character of a -preserver of the peace. He would make for the nearest group of -revellers, and, in as many seconds, give a half a dozen or more of them -vigorous shakes, which would set them to howling, and warn the others of -the thoughtless tribe of an impending danger. Immediately the offenders -would all scamper to another part of the field, and remain quiet until -the dress parade was over. This duty was self-imposed and faithfully -performed upon many occasions. After the parade was dismissed Carlo -would march back to quarters with his own Company, where he would remain -until the last daily distribution of rations, whereupon, after having -disposed of his share, he would start out upon a tour of regimental -inspection, making friendly calls at various Company quarters and by -taps turning up at the headquarters of the guard. His duties ended for -the day, he would enjoy his well-earned rest until reveille, unless some -event of an unusual nature, occurring during the night, disturbed his -repose and demanded his attention. - -During the first year of his service in the field, Carlo was very -fortunate. He had shared in all of the transportations by water, in all -the marchings, skirmishes, and battles, without receiving a scratch or -having a day’s illness. But his good fortune was soon to end, for it was -ordained that, like other brave defenders, he was to suffer in the great -cause for which all were risking their lives. - -The morning of April 18, 1862, my brigade then stationed at Roanoke -Island, embarked upon the Steamer Ocean Wave for an expedition up the -Elizabeth River, the object of which was to destroy the locks of the -dismal swamp canal in order to prevent several imaginary iron-clads from -getting into Albemarle Sound, where we had assembled at that time what -was known as a “Pasteboard Fleet,” which the supposed iron-clads were to -destroy. - -Among the first to embark was the ever ready and faithful Carlo, and the -next morning, when his companions disembarked near Elizabeth City, he -was one of the first to land, and, during the whole of the long and -dreary march of thirty miles to Camden Court House, lasting from three -o’clock in the morning until one in the afternoon, he was ever on the -alert, but keeping close to his regiment. The field of battle was -reached: the engagement, in which his command met with a great loss, -commenced and ended, and, when the particulars of the disaster were -inventoried, it was ascertained that a cruel Confederate bullet had -taken the rudimentary claw from Carlo’s left fore-leg. This was his -first wound, and he bore it like a hero without a whine or even a limp. -A private of Co. G, who first noticed the wound, exclaimed: “Ah, Carlo, -what a pity you are not an officer! If you were, the loss of that claw -would give you sixty days leave and a Brigadier-General’s Commission at -the end of it.” That was about the time that General’s Commissions had -become very plentiful in the Department of North Carolina. - -The Command re-embarked, and reached Roanoke Island the morning after -the engagement, in time for the regulation “Hospital or Sick Call,” -which that day brought together an unusual number of patients, and among -them Carlo, who was asked to join the waiting line by one of the wounded -men. When his turn came to be inspected by the attending surgeon, he was -told to hold up the wounded leg, which he readily did, and then followed -the washing, the application of simple cerate, and the bandaging, with a -considerable show of interest and probable satisfaction. Thereafter, -there was no occasion to extend to him an invitation to attend the -Surgeon’s inspection. Each morning, as soon as the bugle call was -sounded, he would take his place in line with the other patients, -advance to his turn, and receive the usual treatment. This habit -continued until the wound was healed. Always, after this, to every -friendly greeting, he would respond by holding up the wounded leg for -inspection, and he acted as though he thought that everybody was -interested in the honorable scar that told the story of patriotic duty -faithfully performed. - -Later on, for some reason known to himself, Carlo transferred his -special allegiance to Co. K, and maintained close connection with that -Company until the end of his term of service. He was regarded by its -members as a member of the Company mess, and was treated as one of them. -But, notwithstanding his special attachments, there can be no reasonable -doubt about his having considered himself a member of the regiment, -clothed with certain powers and responsibilities. At the end of his -term, he was fitted with a uniform—trousers, jacket, and fez, and, thus -apparalled, marched up Broadway, immediately behind the band. He was -soon after mustered out of the service, and received an honorable -discharge, not signed with written characters, but attested by the -good-will of every member of the regiment. - -If alive to-day, he must be very old and decrepit; and I am sure that if -he is, in his honorable old age his honest traits of character have not -forsaken him. No doubt, he takes a just pride in the good service he -rendered to his country in the years of its great trials, and it is -fortunate that his having four legs has placed him beyond the temptation -to join the ranks of the Grand Army of treasury looters, who have traded -off the honorable name of soldier for that of the pensioned mercenary. - - - - - JEFF, THE INQUISITIVE - - -Among the gunboats doing duty on the inland waters of North Carolina, in -the early Spring of 1862, which composed what Commodore Goldsborough -designated his “Pasteboard Fleet,” was the Louisiana, commanded by -Commander Alexander Murray, who was noted for his efficiency and good -nature. His treatment of his crew made him one of the most popular -officers in the whole fleet. He entered into all of their sports, and -sympathized with the discomforts of forecastle life. He was fond of -animal pets, and always welcomed the arrival of a new one. At the time -of which I am writing, his ship carried quite a collection of tame birds -and four-footed favorites. - -Among them was a singular little character known as “Jeff.” He was a -perfectly black pig of the “Racer Razor Back” order, which, at that -time, were plentiful in the coast sections of the more southern of the -slave-holding States. They were called “racers” because of their long -legs, slender bodies, and great capacity for running; and “Razor Backs” -on account of the prominence of the spinal column. The origin of this -particular species of the porcine tribe is unknown, but there is a -tradition to the effect that their progenitors were a part of the drove -that came to the coast of Florida with De Soto when he started on the -march which ended with the discovery of the Mississippi River. History -records the fact that a large number of animals were brought from Spain -for food, and that a considerable number of them succeeded in getting -away from the expedition soon after the landing was effected. - -Our particular specimen of this wandering tribe of natural marauders was -captured by a boat’s crew of the Louisiana in one of the swamps adjacent -to Currituck Sound, when he was a wee bit of an orphaned waif not much -larger than an ostrich-egg. He was an ill-conditioned little mite that -had probably been abandoned by a heartless mother, possibly while -escaping from the prospective mess-kettle of a Confederate picket. In -those days Confederate pickets were not very particular as to quality or -kind of food, and I have a suspicion that even a “Razor Back” would have -been a welcome addition to their _menu_. - -When “Jeff” was brought on board, his pitiful condition excited the -active sympathy of all, from the commander down to the smallest powder -monkey, and numerous were the suggestions made as to the course of -treatment for the new patient. The doctor was consulted, and, after a -careful diagnosis, decided there was no organic disease: want of -parental care, want of nourishment, and exposure, were held responsible -for “Jeff’s” unfavorable condition. It was decided to put him on a light -diet of milk, which proved an immediate success, for, within forty-eight -hours after his first meal, the patient became as lively as possible. As -days and weeks went on, there appeared an improvement of appetite that -was quite phenomenal, but no accumulation of flesh. His legs and body -grew longer; and, with this lengthening of parts, there came a -development of intellectual acuteness that was particularly surprising. -He attached himself to each individual of the ship. He had no favorites, -but was hail-fellow-well-met with all. He developed all the playful -qualities of a puppy, and reasoned out a considerable number of problems -in his own way, without the aid of books or schoolmaster. His particular -admirers declared that he learned the meaning of the different whistles -of the boatswain: that he knew when the meal pennant was hoisted to the -peak, could tell when the crew was beat to quarters for drill, and often -proved the correctness of this knowledge by scampering off to take his -place by one particular gun division which seemed to have taken his -fancy. - -I can testify personally to only one item in the schedule of his -intellectual achievements. It is a custom in the navy for the commander -of a ship to receive any officer of rank of either branch of the service -at the gangway of the ship. In this act of courtesy he is always -accompanied by the officer of the deck, and often by others that may -happen to be at hand. After the advent of “Jeff,” whenever I went on -board the Louisiana he was always at the gangway, and seemingly was -deeply interested in the event. It may be said of him, generally, that -he was overflowing with spirits, and took an active interest in all the -daily routine work of his ship. He had a most pertinacious way of poking -his nose into all sorts of affairs, not at all after the manner of the -usual pig, but more like a village gossip who wants to know about -everything that is going on in the neighborhood. - -In the gradual development of “Jeff’s” character, it was discovered that -he had none of the usual well-known traits of the pig. He was more like -a petted and pampered dog, was playful, good-natured, and expressed -pleasure, pain, anger, and desire, with various squeals and grunts, -delivered with a variety of intonations that were very easily -interpreted. He was never so happy as when in the lap of one of the -sailors, having his back stroked. His pleasure upon those occasions was -evinced by the emission of frequent good-natured grunts and looking up -into the face of the friendly stroker. When on shore, he followed like a -dog, and was never known to root. Except in speech and appearance, he -was the counterpart of a happy, good-natured, and well-cared-for -household dog—possibly, however, rather more intelligent than the -average canine pet. - -The Fourth of July, 1862, was a gala day at Roanoke Island. The camps of -the island and the vessels in the harbor were _en grande fête_. Colors -were flying, bands playing, drums beating, patriotic steam was up to -high pressure, and a goodly number of glasses of “commissary” were -consumed in wishing success to the cause. The good old day, so dear to -the hearts of Americans, was made more glorious by the exchange of camp -hospitalities and an indulgence in such simple hilarity as the occasion -seemed to require; but “Jeff” was not forgotten. Early in the morning, -he was bathed and scrubbed, more than to his heart’s content, and then -patriotically decorated. In his right ear was a red ribbon, in his left -a white one; around his neck another of blue, and at his mizzen, or, in -other words, his tail, he carried a small Confederate flag. Thus adorned -he was brought on shore to pay me a visit, and, as he came through my -door, he appeared to be filled with the pride of patriotism and a -realization of the greatness of the occasion. His reward for this -unusual demonstration was instantaneous, and consisted of some apples -and a toothsome dessert of sugar. Afterward he made the round of the -camps with a special escort of warrant officers and devoted Jack Tars. -From after accounts it appeared that he had been so well received that -his escort experienced much difficulty in finding their way back to the -ship. - -During this triumphant march over the island an incident occurred which -developed the slumbering instinct of the swamp “racer.” In a second, as -it were, and seemingly without cause, “Jeff” was seen to move off at a -tremendous pace at right angles with the line of march. He was seen, -after he had run a few yards, to make a great jump, and then remain in -his tracks. The pursuing party found him actively engaged in demolishing -a moccasin, which he had crushed by jumping and landing with his feet -upon its head and back. Hogs of this particular kind are famous -snake-killers. A big rattler or a garter snake is all the same to them. -They advance to the attack with the greatest impetuosity, and a feast -upon snake is the usual reward of exceptional bravery. - -In his habits of eating, “Jeff” was a confirmed and persistent -_gourmand_, and in time paid the usual penalty for over-indulgence of a -very piggish sort of appetite. While the meal pennant was up, it was his -habit to go from one forecastle mess to another, and to insist upon -having rather more than his share of the choice morsels from each. In a -short time he came to the repair shop very much the worse for wear, with -an impaired digestion and a cuticle that showed unmistakable evidence of -scurvy. For the first, he was put upon short rations; for the second, -sand baths on shore were prescribed. Under this treatment poor “Jeff” -lost all his buoyancy of spirits and his habitual friskiness, and became -sad and dejected, but bore his troubles with becoming patience. He took -to the cool sand baths at once, and gave forth many disgruntled grunts -when lifted out of them. - -The last time I saw “Jeff,” July 10, 1862, he was buried up to his ears -in the cool sands of the Roanoke Island shore, with eyes upturned and -looking like a very sad pig, but I fear none the wiser for his offences -against the rights of a well-regulated digestion. - -This account has not been written for the only purpose of glorifying the -one particular pig, or pigs in general, but rather to call attention to -the fact that this universally despised animal, by associating with -human beings and receiving gentle treatment, may develop interesting -traits of character, which would otherwise remain unknown; and also to -prove that kindness bestowed upon lower animals may be appreciated and -reciprocated in a manner which the upper animal, man, who boasts of his -superiority, would do well to imitate. - - - - - TOBY, THE WISE - - -The chief subject of this truthful history is a jet-black, middle-aged -bird, commonly known in England as a rook, but nevertheless a notable -specimen of the crow family. - -In his babyhood he was, in the language of the ancient chroniclers, -grievously hurt and wounded full sore, and particularly so in the left -wing. He was so badly disabled that he had to forego the pleasure of -flying through the air, and was obliged to content himself as best he -could with trudging about on the rough surface of our common mother -earth. - -In his sad plight, with the maimed wing dragging painfully along, he -chanced to pass the window of a _sanctum_ belonging to and occupied by a -charming old English gentleman, a perfect example of the old school, -learned, benevolent, and very fond of animals and feathered pets. No one -can tell what chance it was that brought the unhappy and wounded young -rook to the window of this good man. But possibly it was a real -inspiration on the part of the young bird. Toby was wet, weary, wounded, -and hungry, and as he looked in upon the cheerful wood fire and the -kindly face of the master of the house, his longing expression was met -with a raising of the window and an invitation to walk in to a breakfast -of corn and meal that had been hastily prepared for him. He gazed and -thought, and thought and gazed, upon the joys within and still he -doubted; but, finally, appetite and curiosity got the better of his -discretion, and, as he walked cautiously in, the window was closed -behind him. So the wounded waif entered upon a new life. - -At first he was a little shy and cautious, and it took considerable time -for him to convince himself that his protector was his friend. After a -few weeks, however, he realized the value of his new position, and -consented to the establishment of intimate relations. In fact, Toby -became so attached to his master, and so affectionate, that he was not -happy out of his presence. - -During the first month of his captivity, his wounded wing was bound -close to his body for the purpose of giving the fractured bone an -opportunity to unite, and during most of that time he would walk by his -master’s side, cawing and looking up into his face as if asking for -recognition. When the wing got well, and his ability to fly was -re-established, he would anticipate the direction of the promenades by -flying in advance from shrub to bush, alighting and awaiting the arrival -of his master. - -The most singular part of Toby’s domestication was his exclusive loyalty -to a single person. He had but one intimate friend, and to him his -loyalty was intense. He would tolerate the presence of other members of -the household, but when strangers appeared he was decidedly offish, and -scolded until they disappeared. - -Three times a day Toby is decidedly funny, and goes through a comical -performance. In his master’s _sanctum_ there is a contrivance which, on -a small scale, resembles the old New England well-pole. At one end, -which rests upon the floor, Toby commences his ascent with a great -flapping of wings and uproarious cawing. When he arrives at the upper -end of the pole, some eight or nine feet from the floor, it falls and -lands him upon a platform, beside a plate containing his food. This -climbing up the pole precedes each meal, and takes place punctually at -the same hour and minute of each day. - -In the spring of 1890 Toby was tempted from his loyalty, and flew off -with a marauding flock of his kind. He remained away all summer. He was -missed but not mourned, for his master felt certain he would return; -and, sure enough, one bleak, cold morning in November, Toby was found -looking longingly into the room where he had first seen his good master. -The window was opened, he walked in and mounted his pole, and after him -came a companion, a meek, modest, and timid young rook, more confiding -than Toby, and differing from him in many other respects. He, too, was -duly adopted, and was christened Jocko. He was easily domesticated, and -soon became a part of the _entourage_ of one of the finest old -Bedfordshire manorial homes. - -With age Toby has taken on quite an amount of dignity. He is neither so -noisy nor so companionable as formerly, but is more staid and useful. -One of his favorite resting places, where he enjoys his after breakfast -contemplations and his afternoon siestas, is among the branches of a -fine old English oak, whose protecting shades, in the far-off past, were -the scene of the stolen love-meetings of Amy Wentworth and the -profligate Duke of Monmouth. - -Neither of these knowing birds has been able to understand the mystery -of a looking-glass. They spend many hours of patient investigation -before a mirror in their master’s room, but all to no purpose, for the -puzzle seems to remain as great as ever. They usually walk directly up -to it, and betray great surprise when they find two other rooks -advancing to meet them. For a while they remain silent and motionless, -looking at the strangers, and waiting, apparently, for some sign of -recognition. Then they go through a considerable flapping of wings and -indulge in numerous caws, but after long waiting for an audible response -they give up the useless effort, only to return next day as eager as -ever to solve the mystery. - -The older bird and his admiring junior are perfectly contented with -their home, and never leave it. They often look out from their perches -upon various wandering flocks of vagrant rooks, but are never tempted to -new adventures. The old fellow is very wise. Like a fat old -office-holder, he knows enough to appreciate a sinecure in which the -emoluments are liberal and the service nominal. His devoted follower -never falters in his dutiful imitation of his benefactor. - -Toby proves by his actions that he appreciates the advantages of the -situation, and in his simple way makes some return for the pleasures he -enjoys. During a considerable portion of the pleasant days of the year -he is in reality the watchman upon the tower, ever on the outlook to -give notice of the approach of visitors to his castle, and no one can -intrude upon the premises under his self-appointed watchmanship without -exciting vigorous caws, which are enthusiastically reinforced by those -of his faithful subordinate. Aside from his affectionate devotion to his -master, displayed as often as occasion permits, this duty of “chief -watchman of the castle” is Toby’s most substantial return for favors -received! - -In a letter of last May, the master wrote: “My two crows are sitting on -chairs close to me, and cawing to me that it is time for me to let them -out of the window, so I must obey.” This quotation gives but a faint -intimation of the exceptionally friendly relations existing between -these devoted friends. Blessed are the birds that can inspire such -affection in the heart of a noble old man, and doubly blessed is he who -is the object of such loving appreciation. Long may they all live to -enjoy the fulness of their mutual attachments! - -This brief sketch is not intended for an amusing story. It is only a -narration of facts in support of an often repeated theory, viz: that the -humblest creatures are worthy of our tender consideration, and, when -properly treated, will make pleasing returns for the affection we may -bestow upon them. - - - - - TWO DOGS - - -In 1877, at his English home, I first made the acquaintance of “Max,” a -fine specimen of a Dandy Dinmont dog. He was of the usual size, with -brown, velvety eyes—very expressive—a long body, tail, and ears, coarse -hair of a blackish brown and light-tan color, and with short legs, not -particularly straight. The ancient Greeks, with their severe ideas -regarding lines of beauty, would not have called him beautiful to the -sight. But, notwithstanding his looks, he was, to all who knew him well, -very beautiful; for he was a dog of marked intelligence and superior -moral character. So fine was his sense of integrity that a most -delicious and canine-tempting bone might remain within his reach for -days without his touching it, no matter if he were ever so hungry. - -His usual daily occupation commenced with a very early walk with his -master. Then, in regular order, after the family and guests had -breakfasted, the butler would give him his napkin, folded in his own -private ring, which he would carry from the dining-room to the kitchen, -where it would be spread upon a table, slightly raised from the floor, -arranged for serving his food. After the morning meal had been eaten, -his napkin would be refolded, and he would return it to the butler. The -same routine was always repeated for dinner. His time until evening, if -possible, was devoted to his master, of whom he was exceedingly fond, -but he would sometimes walk with the guests when told to do so by his -master, to whom he always appealed when invited for a promenade by a -stranger. - -Every day, after dinner, when the family and guests had assembled in the -drawing-room, “Max” would insist upon giving his regular daily -exhibition, and there was no peace from his importunities until he had -completed the usual performance. His master always carried with him from -the dinner table a biscuit which, in the drawing-room, he would hold up -and say: “Max, I have a biscuit for you. Can’t you give us a little -dance and a song?” Whereupon he would commence to turn around upon his -hind feet, at the same time doing his best in the direction of singing a -very doleful sort of a song, all the while looking exceedingly grave, -the result of his abnormal effort. This part of the daily programme was -so exceedingly comical that it always excited unbounded applause from -the audience. The dance would go on until the master called out -“enough,” when the performer would stop and look imploringly into his -master’s face, as if asking him if he might continue the performance, -which consisted of his master going through the motion of firing, -accompanied with a noise which passed, in the doggish mind, for the -explosion of a gun, and was a signal for the actor to fall down -apparently dead, with eyes firmly closed, and keeping perfectly quiet. -In this position he would remain until his master told him to come to -life. The biscuit would then be given him, and that would end each day’s -work, by which he, we may infer, believed he earned his daily bread. - -With passing time my little friend took on the garb of age, and, a few -years before his end, became totally blind, and among the most pathetic -sights I ever witnessed were his attempts to see his friends. I had been -so many times at his home that he had come to know me almost as one of -the family, and at each visit, after his loss of sight, as the carriage -drove up to the front door, when recognizing my voice, as I spoke to his -master, he would put his paws upon the steps of the carriage and wag me -a hearty welcome, at the same time trying his best to see me. - -His career ended in November, 1883, when his master buried him near a -garden gate, put a neat wire fence around his grave, and planted flowers -over his remains. And now those who may chance to go to Toddington will -find embedded into the garden wall a handsome marble slab, with a -mortuary inscription and a verse composed by his kind master engraved -upon it, which runs as follows: - - “MAX - Died, November, 1883. - - If ever dog deserved a tear - For fondness and fidelity, - That darling one lies buried here - Bemourned in all sincerity.” - - -One bright morning in the month of November, 1879, the front door of my -house was opened, and there came bounding through it and up the flight -of stairs, the most vivacious, clean, and inquiring little dog -imaginable. As soon as he arrived upon the second floor, calls came to -him from several directions at the same time, and he did his best to -answer them all at the same moment; all the while barking and dancing -around in the most frantic and delighted manner. Within five minutes -after his _début_, he was perfectly at home and upon the best of terms -with the entire household. - -The name of this new member of the family was “Phiz,” and his alleged -place of nativity Yorkshire, England. In other words, he was a pure -Yorkshire terrier in descent, a mixture of blue, light gray, and silver -in color; in size a little larger than the average dog of that breed, -and, as one of his dog-expert friends often remarked: “He is one of the -doggiest dogs of his size I have ever known.” This was literally true, -for there never was a more manly and courageous little animal. In his -prime, his bravery was far beyond the point of reckless indiscretion, -and any dog whose appearance did not happen to please him, he would -attack, no matter how large, or under what disadvantageous -circumstances. The severe shakings and rough tumbles of to-day were -forgotten by the morrow, which found him ever ready for a new encounter. - -The red-letter events in his active life occurred in Madison Square, -which he would enter as though shot from a catapult; and woe of woes to -the unfortunate plethoric pug which might happen to pass his way! It was -his habit when he saw one of these stupid and helpless unfortunates to -“ring on full steam and board him head-on mid-ships.” For a few seconds -after the coming together, there would be visible a comical mixture of -quick moving legs, tails, and ears, and a frantic attempt on the part of -the astonished pug to emit a wheezy sound of alarm, followed by a -condition of most abject submission. “Phiz,” standing over the prostrate -body of his victim, head erect, tail and ears stiffened with pride of -victory, made a picture of doggish vanity, once seen, never to be -forgotten. These scenes, in the warm season, were almost of daily -occurrence, much to the chagrin of many pug-loving dames. - -“Phiz” only amused himself with the innocent pug (for he never was known -to offer to bite one), but he was always savagely in earnest in his -demonstrations of detestation of the face-making, ever-yelling average -street small boy. And he had no special love for the undersized -butcher’s and grocer’s assistant, whom he delighted to attack whenever -he could waylay them in a dark passage between the kitchen and front -basement hall. Some of these attacks were so sudden, fierce, and -unexpected, and were attended with such a volume of snarls and barks, -that the grocer’s boy had been known to drop his basket of eggs, and run -as if pursued by a terrible beast of huge dimensions. - -As the subject of this sketch took on additional years, he accumulated -much knowledge, and, by the time he had accomplished the mature age of -six, he was far more wise than any serpent the writer had ever known. He -had never been taught to perform tricks, nor had been in any manner -trained, but by his own observation he had managed to pick up a world of -useful information, which proved of great value to him. Among his -acquirements he had learned how to make known, in an original and -intelligent manner, all the wants of a well-bred dog. He could tell -those around him when he desired to go up or down stairs, call for water -or food, ask to go out, and give a note of warning when a stranger was -coming up the street steps, but he was never known to bark at the like -approach of one of the family or a friend. - -One of his undeviating customs was the morning call at the chambers of -his master and his mistress, when he would first make himself known by a -very delicate scratch upon the door. If not answered, then another and -more vigorous scratch; still no response, then a gentle bark of -interrogation, and then, if the door was not opened, would come a most -commanding full-voiced bark, saying as plainly as possible: “Why don’t -you let me in?” These gradations from the lesser to the greater in -effort and tones, all in the direction of asking for a certain thing, -proves conclusively the presence of powers to reason developed to a -considerable degree. - -“Phiz” was selfishly interested in three things: a walk, cats generally, -and dogs particularly; and no conversation relating to these could take -place in his presence without exciting his active attention. When these -subjects were being discussed he would leave his couch and go from one -conversationalist to another, looking up into their faces in the most -inquisitive manner, all the while making a great mental effort to -understand exactly what they were saying. - -His most remarkable manifestations of intelligence would occur at the -time when his master and mistress were about to leave their home for -their usual summer absence of about six months. On the first two or -three occasions of this kind he came to the carriage to wag a good-bye. -Later he must have arrived at the conclusion that certain preparations -meant a long period of loneliness for him, and then, from the -commencement of “putting things away” and packing boxes, he would appear -very much dejected—no more cheery barks and frisky wags, but, on the -contrary, he would show great depression of spirits, and, finally, when -the time arrived for the carriage and for carrying out the baggage, -“Phiz” would hide in some out-of-the-way place, there to nurse his -grief, undisturbed and unseen. - -The subject of this sketch reached the ripe old age of eleven with all -functions and faculties unimpaired, save sight, which, we are compelled -to record, was totally obscured. I happened to be with him when he came -to the painful realization of his great misfortune. It was during his -accustomed late-in-the-afternoon walk. Failing to find his way along the -sidewalk he had stopped, while I, without seeing him, had passed on, but -only for a short distance, when I was attracted by a most pitiful and -grief-stricken cry. I looked around, and there was my poor little friend -and companion, sitting close to the lower stone of a flight of steps, -with his nose pointed straight up to the heavens, and crying as though -his heart would break. I hurried to him, took him gently in my arms, and -carried him to his box, which he hardly left for many days. His grief -was so intense that he refused to eat or be cheerful, and made very -faint responses to the most affectionate advances. Within a week or -more, however, he began to resume his interest in affairs, having, no -doubt, like human beings similarly afflicted, through process of -reasoning, become reconciled to his misfortune. - -If he had been a man instead of a dog, he would have had an easy chair, -a pipe, and, in his moods of vainglory, fought his many battles over and -over again. But, as he was only a dog, he found his way about the house -as best he could, varying occasionally his dull routine by a short -promenade over the paths which were once the race-track of his wild and -gleeful prancings. And thus he passed on to that everlasting night, from -whence no dog whether good or bad has ever returned to wag a solution of -the mysteries which must have puzzled the minds of many generations of -wise and philosophical dogs. - - - - - TWO INNOCENTS ABROAD - - -I passed a portion of the summer of 1890 at Banff, a fascinating resort -in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, established and controlled by the -Canadian Pacific Railway Company. - -It would be very difficult to find a more charming and picturesque -location for a summer resting-place. The hotel is situated about four -thousand five hundred feet above the sea-level, and is nearly surrounded -by lofty peaks and mountain-ranges which present a great variety of -rugged outline. - -To the venturesome mountaineer, the inducements to climb seem almost -endless. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel, there is a choice of -ascents of from six to eleven thousand feet. Most of them may be made by -any one who has a cool head, a sure foot, and sufficient endurance; but -there are two or three which ought to be undertaken only by experienced -mountaineers. I made several of the lesser ascents alone, and, in each -instance, against the advice of inexperienced and timid persons, who -declared that I would either be dashed to pieces, by falling down a -precipice, or devoured by bears, which are supposed to be rather -plentiful. - -My last climb was to the top of the middle peak of the “Sulphur Range.” -It was neither difficult nor dangerous; but the view from the little -table at the top was simply wonderful. As far as the eye could see, in -any direction, were mountain peaks, none covered with snow, but all -presenting magnificent rock-formations of a character which is quite -peculiar, I believe, to that part of the great American range. - -The little table at the top of the peak is about thirty feet in diameter -and is covered with broken rock. While sitting there, musing upon the -natural wonders by which I was surrounded, I noticed the approach of two -chipmunks, coming up from the side of the mountain. They halted when -they saw a strange animal; but, finally, after sitting upright for a -short time and giving me a deliberate and careful stare, they concluded -to come on, and presently they discovered a little clump of stunted -grass growing from a crevice between the rocks, which they proceeded to -despoil of its dwarfed seeds. When they had finished their scanty meal -they looked about for something else to eat. Feeling sure of their -desires, I crushed a soft biscuit into small pieces, and dropped them at -my feet; and soon my little friends were busy eating the crumbs, -apparently quite unconscious of the fact that they were within easy -range of an animal supposed to have been created in the image of his -Maker, but the only one which kills for the sake of killing, and boasts -of the pleasure he derives from the destruction of innocent animal life. - -Within a very few minutes this pair of little innocents became quite -familiar, and the crumbs continued to fall until they had filled their -stomachs and then the ample pouches on each side of their jaws. Thus -loaded they presented a most comical appearance. When I rose to my feet -their surprise made them appear still more comical. They were inclined -at first to scamper off, but, upon reflection, concluded they would see -the whole show; and, as I moved over to the edge of the table, to go -down the mountain, they followed a short distance, and gave me a most -quizzical parting glance, which said as plainly as their little faces -could express their thoughts: “Good-bye. Be sure to come again, and -don’t forget the biscuits.” - -This is not a story; it is only an incident which proves what confiding -little fools the chipmunks were to trust themselves within reach of a -specimen of that tribe of superior animals which delights in the -destruction of life, kills for pleasure, and enjoys the infliction of -pain upon innocent and helpless creatures. - -The excuse for their confiding folly consisted in the fact that they had -never seen a man before. - - - - - ABOUT COLUMBUS - BY AN OLD SHOWMAN - - -For fully a third of a century the large elephant bearing the name of -the great discoverer was well known to all the “Show” loving inhabitants -of our country. He was remarkable for his great size and bad temper, -and, if he had been left in his native wilds, might have established a -notable reputation as a rogue elephant. His keepers were of the opinion -that he made the mistake of his life when he became a mere show animal, -engaging in an occupation that required a certain amount of decent -behavior. - -It was said of him that he was a very reasonable sort of an animal when -permitted to have his own way, but never submitted to confinement with -any sort of grace. He was always enraged at being chained to the ring or -stake, and sometimes decreed capital punishment, which he executed -himself, for the unfortunate keeper who was guilty of the offence of -chaining him. He was very much given to breaking and bolting, and when -once in the open, and fairly on the go, he became a very dangerous -customer, and his keeper, if wise, would give him a wide field until his -rampage was finished. - -One among the many of them, who died in the seventies, was his friend, -and never had any trouble with him, and he always insisted that the -lively escapades of his ponderous charge were the result of an all -absorbing longing for liberty. He used to describe the magnificent old -pachyderm as the living embodiment of a justifiable revolt. He had not -much sympathy for the keepers who had been executed, nor did he have -much respect for their knowledge or discretion. According to his theory, -they were mere machines for so much per month; they never studied the -character or feelings of the splendid animal in their charge; they were -inconsiderate, unnecessarily harsh and cruel, and, from the -unnaturally-confined elephant’s standpoint, in most instances got what -they deserved. - -The Columbus incident, of which an account is to follow, was not a -particularly exceptional one, and the description of it was written by -the friendly old keeper who had charge of the hero of it during two -consecutive years back in the thirties. The narration is a modest one, -and its phraseology proves it to have been written by a man of rare -courage. It was printed in a Cincinnati newspaper in the month of -February, 1870, and is now given, with the editorial head note just as -it appeared. - - “THE ELEPHANT COLUMBUS.” - - “Letter from another witness of his rampage near New Orleans.” - - “The account of the rampage of the elephant Columbus near New Orleans, - in 1839, which we published some time since, has refreshed the - memories of many old showmen, and as we are always glad to publish - anything of interest to them, we give the following letter, which we - think will prove entertaining to our readers generally: - - South Pomfret, Vt., - January 30, 1870. - - To the Editor of the _Chronicle_: - - I have just received a copy of your paper, of December 31, 1869. I do - not think the statement headed ‘A Curious Circus Reminiscence’ is - quite correct. At that time I was the advertiser of one branch of the - Combined Circus and Menagerie. We were to exhibit in Algiers until the - 7th of January, and in New Orleans on the 8th, that being the most - popular day with the people of that city. William Crum was driving - Hannibal, and George Potter Columbus. It was Crum’s horse that was - knocked down, and Crum was killed. Samuel Ward and myself were - standing within ten feet of Crum when he was killed. We had a bet on - the height of the two elephants, and that was the reason why they were - brought alongside of each other. Columbus was shot under the eye - before he killed the drayman. We did not exhibit in Algiers. The - people were too much frightened to attend. So we went to New Orleans - on the 1st of January, instead of waiting until the 8th. - - On the same evening the difficulty occurred, James Raymond and James - Humphrey, proprietors, came to me and wanted I should go and look - after Columbus. I told them I would if John Carley would go with me. I - knew him to be an old elephant man. They asked him: he said he would - like to go, but was sick and would rather be excused. The next morning - George Growe, a young green hand, who came with Foster’s company, - volunteered to go with me. I must confess that when he came forward it - cooled my courage, but two horses were saddled and brought to the - door. I mounted mine in rather a confused state of mind, wishing - myself anywhere except where I was. When we started out it was dark - and foggy. I told Growe to go ahead, and, after going about half a - mile, we put up for the night on a flatboat. At daylight the next - morning we started again, and proceeded down the river about nine - miles, where we found Columbus in a canefield, with his head against a - pecan tree, asleep. I may now remark that Growe’s courage had somewhat - cooled off, and he had fallen some half mile to my rear. I rode toward - the elephant until I got within hailing distance, and then spoke to - him to come to me. He raised up and began shaking his head. Presently - he started for me the best he could, and my horse did a good business - getting out of his way. He followed me for about six miles, and then - came to a halt in front of a large pile of lumber on the levee, which - he proceeded to throw into the river as fast as possible, and then - started after me at a more moderate gait. When we got in front of a - church at Algiers he made a second halt. I then told him to lie down, - and, to my astonishment, he obeyed. I got off from my horse, took my - knife, stuck it in his ear and held him down until assistance came - from the canvas, which was about half a mile off; then Growe took him - by the ear and led him to the canvas, and, the same day, we crossed - over to New Orleans. Growe took care of him all that winter and left - with him in the spring, but was killed by him the next summer, as I - learned afterward. - - Poor Crum met with a terrible death. Columbus’ tusk entered his groin - and came out at his shoulder, going through the entire length of his - body. - - These are some of the exact facts as they occurred for I was on the - spot, and saw the whole affair. I could say much more, but do not - think it necessary.” - -The writer of this letter was for two years the constant and interested -companion and friend of, possibly, the most unruly and bad-tempered -elephant ever exhibited in the United States, and the reason he got -along with him without accident was that he devoted his undivided -attention to his charge, studied his character, gave him frequent -opportunities for bathing, and as much liberty as circumstances would -permit. - -The old keeper used to say that Columbus “was full of odd whims and more -given to mischief than malice.” When there was any hard work to be done, -like lifting cage wagons out of the mud, or clearing roads of fallen -trees, he was always ready to do his full share, and was never so happy -as when actively engaged in some laborious occupation. Once in a while -he would take it into his head that he would like a good run and an -opportunity to indulge in mischief, such as uprooting trees, scattering -fence rails, pulling off barn doors that happened to be standing open, -etc. etc. It was his habit to signify his desire, after the “show was -over,” by trumpeting nervously, dancing in his elephantine way, and -tugging at his chain. These notifications did not come very often, but -when they did, if not too inconvenient, his request was complied with. -These calls never came just before the performance or while it was in -progress. The mischief-loving old sinner was far too wise for that, for -he had a most lively appreciation of the usual inflow of goodies from -the boys and girls who were courageous enough to encounter the danger of -“feeding the elephant.” - -The last conversation I had with the successful old keeper, only a year -before his death, was about his singular charge, and he insisted upon -the truthfulness of his old theory—that the elephant was not naturally -bad, but hated confinement, demanded kindness and consideration from -those who were the visible instruments used in depriving him of his -liberty, and, when he received neither, revenged himself by killing the -tyrants who were depriving him of the freedom to which he was naturally -entitled. - -My old friend used to say: “It’s awfully hard lines for such a -magnificent old beast as Columbus was to be tied up and deprived of -liberty, and, if I had been in his place, I would have killed more fools -of keepers than he did. Why, the old elephant was just as smart as any -of us. He had thought the whole thing out for himself and put the boot -on the right leg every time. He knew we’d no right to confine him the -way we did, and made up his mind to be judge, jury, and executioner, and -in his time he did a lot of killing. I don’t quite remember how many he -made away with; some put it as high as ten, but I guess seven or eight -would be about correct. - -“When I was first asked to take charge of Columbus, I was in the -business part of the ‘Show,’ and had never thought of becoming an -elephant-driver. But somehow, without effort or knowing why, I got well -acquainted with the old fellow, and, although often warned of his -dangerous amusements, was never afraid of him. - -“During the winter of 183- and 183- we were in quarters at C——. The -confinement had been long and close, and during the whole winter -Columbus had been restive and cross. When it came time to start out for -the summer’s business no one could be found to drive him. So, as a last -resort, the owners offered me a large salary for the job. I had no fear -concerning the success of the undertaking, but hesitated about becoming -a professional ‘elephant-man,’ but the big pay was a great temptation, -and I yielded. - -“The first few days after we started out upon the road, my charge was -cross and cranky, and I had to watch him all the time as a cat would a -mouse. Upon one occasion, when against my orders, just for the mere -deviltry of the thing, he went out of his way to turn over a plantation -cart that was standing by the roadside, I went for him savagely, with -hook and spear, and gave him a big dose of something he didn’t want; he -soon had enough, threw up his trunk, and yelled like a schoolboy being -flogged. - -“This submission proved to be his complete surrender to my will, and -from that time we got on like a pair of loving brothers. We became -strong friends, and I used to talk to the old rascal as I would to a -human being. I have always believed he understood more than half I said -to him. - -“He became very fond of our morning race. It was the custom to start -early in the morning—never later than four o’clock. When we would get -fairly out of a village where we had exhibited the day before, I would -ride up alongside and ask him if he would like a run, he would answer by -throwing up his trunk, giving a trumpet sound of joy, and starting off -at a stiff gait, keeping it up until I called a halt, and, if we -happened to be near a stream deep enough to hold him, he would take to -it, and stay until the rest of the show came up. - -“No, I never had much difficulty in getting along with Columbus. From -the start he found out I was not afraid of him, and that I would give it -to him if he cut up any of his wicked capers; and he also came to -understand that I was his indulgent friend who humored many of his -harmless whims and treated him kindly. - -“At the end of two years I was both glad and sorry to leave him. The -watchful confinement had become irksome, and I was sure that as soon as -I would leave him he would get into trouble,—which he did, and had a bad -time of it to the end of his days. I have always felt kind of sorry for -having put the knife through his ear, and never would have done it if I -had not been excited and scart half out of my wits. If I had given my -common sense half a chance, it would have told me that his lying down -was a sign of recognition of authority, and that he was willing to throw -up the sponge and behave himself. But I guess he forgave me, for, -whenever afterwards I went near him, he would give me the old time -friendly greeting. - -“It’s many years now since I left the show business, and I’ve thought -the whole thing over, and concluded it’s all wrong. The confinement is -unnatural and cruel. Even the little animals in cages, while they seem -to be happy, are as miserable as they can be. Take a careful look at -them when they are not tired out or asleep, and you will find an anxious -expression on all their faces—a sort of looking out of their cages for -some one to come along and open the door. - -“The great cat tribe, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Panthers, and the rest of -them, are always pushing their noses against the bars for liberty, and -are usually pretty cross because they can’t get it. - -“At any rate, it’s pleasant for me to look back upon my many years of -intercourse with the poor creatures, and to feel that I never, save in -the single instance, treated one of them unkindly.” - -Assisting in the two years of successful management of Columbus was the -inevitable “elephant dog,” who was his constant companion and friend. -They slept together nights and tramped side by side during the days, and -often, when the elephant would not obey his keeper, the faithful -companion would, in some mysterious way, induce his huge friend to do -the reasonable and behave himself like a respectable and order loving -beast. - -I have forgotten the manner of the taking off of the old slave of the -“Show,” but he, with his friendly keeper, who to the end of his days was -his champion, have long since passed on to that mysterious resting place -from which neither man nor elephant have sent any message back, and let -us hope that after their many trampings, and as a reward for the many -miseries endured while upon earth, that they are now enjoying the -rewards bestowed upon the forgiven and blest. - - - - - IN RELATION TO MYSTERIES - - -The relation of the three unusual incidents following these introductory -words are only simple statements of facts for each reader to solve in -his own way. Concerning them I have no theory whatever, and avow -emphatically an entire disbelief in their sometimes alleged supernatural -origin. That, for the present at least, they are inexplicable must be -admitted, but that they will always remain within the realm of mysteries -beyond the power of solution is very doubtful. - -Up to the present time many accepted, or rather seeming, mysteries, -which, with the assistance of ages, have crystallized into form, have -been permitted to pass unchallenged, but the time has arrived when the -old fields, now almost sacred groves, where superstition has taken root -and blossomed, are about to be explored. The almost omnipotent -search-light of science is turning its rays into the dark nooks and -corners of complacent ignorance, greatly to the discomfiture of many old -theories and beliefs, whose foundations are as unsubstantial as dreams. - -Until the possibly far-off culmination of the great scientific epoch, -new mysteries known only to the laboratories of Nature will continue to -be born. But those who have watched the progress of scientific -achievement, through the last half of the Nineteenth Century, must -believe that, within the next like period, the visible manifestations of -secrets coming from the bosom of Nature (of which the outer shell now -only is seen) will have been ascertained to belong to a previously -undiscovered series of natural phenomena. - -We know as a certain fact of the existence of a natural element of power -called electricity, but what is it, and whence does it come? To the -ignorant it performs miracles in an apparently supernatural way, while -to the intelligent it is regarded as a subtle natural force coming from -the universal laboratory of boundless nature and as unending as time -itself. In electricity, as in many other manifestations of the forces of -nature, we see only results, and know little or nothing of the first -cause. The time, however, let us hope, is not far off when origins will -be as easily demonstrable as is now the seeing of effects we cannot -understand. - -Present indications point to the early solution of all superstitions, -many of which for centuries have construed some of the simplest -happenings, which could not upon any known principles be explained, into -demonstrations flowing from supernatural sources. Superstition must -certainly fall before the great and impartial sweep of modern research. -In at least one direction, the battle will be of long duration, but at -the end of the conflict, the vicious old fabric coined out of ages of -falsehood as old as our civilization, sustained by centuries of -superstitious ignorance and countless unspeakable cruelties and crimes, -will totter from its foundation in the limitless sphere of human -credulity, and fall, let us hope, to its final decay. - -The destruction of that inveterate enemy of intellectual progress and -the human race, will be the culminating triumph of scientific -achievement and the crowning glory of human effort in the interest of a -more exalted conception of the Deity, better morals, and a higher plane -of civilization. - -From my birth to and including a part of the year 1846, I lived with my -grandparents in the town of Pomfret, Vermont. The inhabitants of that -old rural community during my time were, I believe without exception, -descendants from the early English colonists of Massachusetts, -Connecticut, and Rhode Island. They were an orderly, law-abiding, -industrious, and honest people, intensely patriotic, believing in the -fruits of the Revolution, in many of the battles of which they and their -immediate ancestors had taken part. - -Up to the period of my early days they were still engaged in the -continuous difficult task of creating homes for their families and in -building a new state, and had but little time to bestow upon books or -mental culture of any sort. Their lives were laborious and beset with -many hardships. Indeed, it may be truly said of them that, from an -academic or bookish standpoint, they were educated and enlightened only -to a limited extent. Each household had its cupboard of books brought -from “below,” and they retained in their memories an interesting stock -of historic traditions and patriotic anecdotes, many of which were -connected with the early history of a majority of the families of this -community. The frequent recital of these served to keep alive the -patriotic spirit, and to impress upon the minds of the rising generation -the importance and value of the heroic services performed by their -ancestors. - -As a rule, this little New England town unit, composed of strong, hardy -unlettered men and women, was exceptionally free from natural stupidity -and the usual _répertoire_ of rural superstitions, but they had a few -which were dear to many of the good old New England housewives of my -particular period. Among them was a belief in the misfortunes likely to -attend new undertakings begun on Friday; they had a perfect reliance in -the ill ending of any enterprise connected with the number thirteen; and -it was rank heresy for any one not to believe in the ill-omened, -grief-stricken howls of the family dog. That this latter belief was not -without a certain reasonable shadow of foundation, I am about to show in -the relation of a series of remarkable incidents, which are of a sort -that up to this time have not been explained. - - - - - MYSTERIES - - - AUGUST 27, 1840 - -In the month of August, 1840, the twenty-seventh day, to be exact, I was -still at the “old H——n Place” with my grandparents. “Just before -bedtime” of the night of that day my grandmother called the attention of -the household to the mournful and unusual howls of the little house dog -that was sitting in the front yard with his nose pointed straight up, -crying most piteously. - -The incident connected with that sad sound was destined to affect me so -nearly that I have never lost it, and can hear it to-day as clearly as I -heard it fifty-four years ago. In about three weeks after the -demonstration by the little dog, the news arrived that my father, -Lorenzo Dow Hawkins, to whom I was passionately attached, had died at -St. Louis, Mo., late in the afternoon of August 27th. My kind-hearted -old grandmother looked down tenderly upon me, and said, “I knew -something dreadful had happened. Poor child, you will never see your -father again!” - -In 1854 I visited St. Louis and saw Dr. Simmons, who had attended my -father during his last illness, and he remembered his death having -occurred in the afternoon, probably, between five and six o’clock. The -difference in time between Vermont and Missouri, would make the moment -of his death late in the afternoon at one place and between eight and -nine at the other. - - Since writing this account, a doubt has arisen in my mind in relation - to the time when the two important incidents occurred. I am not quite - certain that the death of my father and the howling of the dog took - place at the same moment. I do remember, however, that both incidents - occurred _about_ the same time, and I have a vague recollection of - having heard my grandmother say, that the unusual and peculiar howl - meant a death in the family. And when the news of my father’s decease - arrived she expressed her belief in the certain connection between the - two incidents. - - - AUGUST 12, 1864 - -In the month of August, 1864, I was visiting at the country residence of -my wife’s mother, in the State of Rhode Island. Her oldest son, Alfred -Nicholas Brown, was at that time staying at the New York Hotel in the -City of New York. His younger sister was the owner of, and had with her -at her mother’s residence, an intelligent little French poodle of a most -affectionate and sensitive nature. He suffered from the effects of the -summer heat and was very much annoyed by the attacks of house flies, and -in order, as far as possible, to avoid both annoyances, spent the -greater part of his time in a dark closet adjoining the sleeping room -occupied by my wife and myself. - -“Tommy” was an unusually quiet dog, seldom barking, and had never been -known to howl save when certain notes of the piano were touched. About -three o’clock in the morning of the 12th of August we heard a most -plaintive and sorrowful howl from “Tommy” in his closet, which continued -until he was stopped by being spoken to. At half past seven o’clock, the -same morning, while the family were at breakfast a telegram was handed -to the mother, announcing the death of her son at the New York Hotel at -ten minutes past three o’clock that morning. - -The fact of “Tommy’s” howl had been mentioned previously, and I am not -quite certain if it was discussed, but have been informed that at least -one member of the family had insisted that it was the forerunner of bad -news. The bad news undoubtedly followed, but did “Tommy” obtain it in -advance, and if he did, how? Or was his unusual howl an accidental -coincidence? - - - MARCH 8, 1871 - -On the afternoon of March 8th, 1871, I was called to the bed-side of an -old and intimate friend who resided at Newport, Rhode Island. He had -spent six weeks of the winter at the Everett House in New York, the -latter part of the time confined to his room, and when I saw him he was -very near his end. - -Our friendship was very close and of many years standing, and we had had -an understanding between us to the effect that the one who survived the -other should inspect, and, at his discretion, destroy, letters and other -private papers left by the one deceased. - -In pursuance of that understanding my friend handed me a package of -keys, and requested me to take the boat that afternoon for Newport, to -go to his house, to open his safe, to look over his letters and other -papers, and to destroy such as I might think ought not to be preserved. - -I arrived at Newport at one o’clock the next morning, and drove directly -to his house. As I opened the front gate, a hundred feet or more from -the front door of the house, his Irish setter dog “Charlie” came -bounding down through the lawn to greet me. When he discovered I was not -his master, he showed signs of great disappointment, but, when he came -to realize that I was an old friend, he was better satisfied. The -servants let me in, and I went to rest in the bed usually occupied by my -absent friend, “Charlie” taking his usual place upon and at the foot of -the bed. - -In a seemingly short time,—about four o’clock, I was startled from a -sound sleep by the most unearthly and weird moan I had ever heard. In a -moment I discovered “Charlie” sitting up upon the bed with his nose -pointed to the ceiling, in great agony of mind, pouring forth with all -his strength the uncanny wails of a broken heart. I spoke to him, but -did not succeed in quieting him until all the servants in the house came -to the room to ascertain the cause of such an unusual disturbance. - -At seven o’clock I received a message telling me my friend had passed -away at ten minutes past four o’clock that morning. - -During every moment of my entire stay at Newport, “Charlie” was always -at my side, and could not be coaxed away from me, and, when I departed -the next evening, he went with me to the wharf, and resisted our -separation almost to the point of biting the servant who was to take him -back to the house. - -During the six weeks of his master’s absence, “Charlie” slept outside -the front door, ready and hoping to greet his master whenever he might -return, as was his custom, by one of the Sound steamboats. - -I need not write that this unusual incident left a lasting impression -upon my mind. I have never attempted to solve it and never shall, as I -am quite satisfied that it was an example of natural phenomena entirely -beyond my comprehension. - -The chief character in this narrative, was a most quiet, dignified, and -gentlemanly dog. During my six or seven years of intermittent -intercourse with him, I never knew him to do an ungentlemanly act. He -was a veritable Chesterfield among dogs, and his noble and gentle -bearing was a model even for men. He was also the most beautiful of his -race, perfect in his combination of colors, for he had many all -perfectly blending into an artistic and harmonious whole. His -intellectual qualities were quite in keeping with his physical beauties. -His forehead was large, indicating a well rounded and well developed -brain, which was deposited between a pair of the most beautiful large, -soft, brown, and expressive eyes imaginable. - -He had never been taught tricks of any kind, but, by the application of -his natural understanding and constant reflective observation, had -gradually developed a rare amount of exact intelligence in relation to -many things. This rare intellectual development was largely due to his -constant companionship with his master. In the field, the road, the -stable, the bedroom, the dining-room, and at the table, he was usually -addressed and treated like a human being. At the three daily meals he -had his napkin adjusted to his neck, and sat at the right of his master, -and I think it may be written of him that, although his table manners -were of the dog sort, wherein the tongue played the most important part, -they were unexceptional, and that he was never known to commit a breach -of good table manners. - -Next to his master, I was his oldest and most intimate friend. Often, -when the former was away, I was left in charge as the head of the house; -on such occasions “Charlie” would adopt me as a substitute for his -master, but upon his master’s return he would leave me and resume his -accustomed intercourse with the friend who, to him, was superior to all -others. He walked with me whenever ordered to do so by his master, but -not otherwise; I could not coax him even to a short promenade. - -Not having been in Newport at the time, I cannot write of his conduct -there while his master was ill in New York, but was informed by the -servants that he was always, night and day, on the lookout for his -return, and that they often experienced considerable difficulty in -coaxing him into the kitchen for his meals. They arranged for him a -comfortable bed near the front door, where he passed his nights, while -his days were spent in anxiously watching at the lawn gate, in the vain -hope of seeing the loved form of his kind master, whom he was never to -behold again. - -This was a rare instance (though probably not among dogs similarly -situated) of affection and devotion. But then the chief actor in the -pathetic little drama was ONLY A DOG. - -This loving dog, however, in his simple and direct way, silently, but -not the less effectually for all that, taught human beings a lesson, -showing an extent of unselfish fidelity and affection which they would -do well to imitate. - -In closing, I may repeat what Sir John Lubbock once said, that at some -future time, twenty thousand pounds would be offered as a reward to any -one who would teach a dog to talk, and that then the world will be -astonished to learn how insufficiently the knowledge of man’s most -disinterested friend has been appreciated. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice included from the printed edition—this e-text is - public domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---Only in the text versions, delimited italicized text in _underscores_ - (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Than Men, by Rush Hawkins - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER THAN MEN *** - -***** This file should be named 53423-0.txt or 53423-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/2/53423/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, MFR and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/53423-0.zip b/old/53423-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 05d49a5..0000000 --- a/old/53423-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-8.txt b/old/53423-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d795aa8..0000000 --- a/old/53423-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3244 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Than Men, by Rush Hawkins - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Better Than Men - -Author: Rush Hawkins - -Release Date: November 1, 2016 [EBook #53423] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER THAN MEN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, MFR and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: "CHARLIE"] - - - - - BETTER THAN MEN - - - BY - RUSH C. HAWKINS - - J. W. BOUTON - TEN WEST TWENTY-EIGHT STREET - NEW YORK - 1896 - - Copyright, 1896, by - J. W. Bouton - - TO MY BELOVED AND LOVING WIFE, EVER FAITHFUL AND TRUE, WHOSE GOODNESS - PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING - - - - - CONTENTS - - - Explanatory 1 - The Excursion 13 - Tim, the Dissipated 91 - Carlo, the Soldier 113 - Jeff, the Inquisitive 127 - Toby, the Wise 139 - Two Dogs 149 - Two Innocents Abroad 165 - About Columbus, by an old showman 171 - In Relation to Mysteries 187 - Mysteries 195 - - - - - EXPLANATORY - - -The title chosen for the following sketches, written for the purpose of -presenting certain prominent characteristics of the lower animals worthy -of the attention of the human animal, stands for rather a serious -proposition which may be questioned by a majority of those readers whose -kindly interest in our mute friends has not already been seriously -awakened. - -To write so that those who read may infer that a certain selected number -of so-called lower animals are better, by nature and conduct, in certain -elemental virtues, than men, is, to say the least, rather imprudent, and -to the optimistic student of human nature may appear irreverent to an -unpardonable degree. Usually, to the minds of such observers, humanity -is accepted for its traditional value, regardless of established -conditions or inherent actualities. Such investigators investigate only -one side of their subject. They start out handicapped with the old -theory that in every respect the human animal is superior to every -other, without attempting to analyze unseen interior conditions, whether -natural or developed. - -In relation to natural conditions, the large majority of Christian sects -are perfectly logical. They lay down as a clearly established -fundamental fact that all human beings, owing to what they designate as -Adam's fall, are born into this world morally corrupt and completely -depraved, but that they have within their control for ready application -an appropriate panacea for a certain cure of these natural defects. But -the optimist neither admits the disease nor the necessity for cure; he -says always, at least inferentially, that all human beings come into the -world in a state of innocence and purity, and that their few defects -represent a certain amount of degeneration. - -Both of these theories may be wrong. It is possible that all children -come into the world with a certain number of well-known natural -qualities--good, bad, strong, and weak--in no two alike, and for which -they are in no way responsible; and that what they become in their -mature years depends largely, if not entirely, upon home training and -the care bestowed upon them by the government under whose laws they -exist. Strong, healthy, intellectual, and moral parents, aided by a wise -and honestly administered government, assist each other in forming -characters which make fine men and women. But without the combination of -those parental qualities ever actively engaged in instructing and -controlling, sustained by a wise political organization, there is -usually but little development of the higher and better qualities of our -nature, either moral or intellectual. - -It is at this point that we may be permitted to cite the difference -between the so-called upper and lower animal. In the dog and horse, -notably, their better qualities are inherent, born with them, grow -stronger with time, and their almost perfect and complete development is -natural, and continues without aid, example, or instruction. Not more -than one dog or horse in a thousand, if kindly treated and left to -himself, would turn out vicious, and treat them as we may, no matter how -unjustly or cruelly, we can never deprive them of their perfect -integrity and splendid qualities of loyalty to master and friends. - -These most valuable of all moral qualities are natural to certain -animals, and, no matter what man may do, they can never be extinguished. -Although intangible, they are as much parts of the living organism of -the horse and dog as are their eyes or the other organs needed for -physical purposes. The affection of the dog for those whom he loves is -actually boundless. It has neither taint of selfishness nor has it -limits, and it can only be extinguished with the loss of life. The -ever-willing horse will run himself to death to carry from danger, and -especially from the pursuit of enemies, those who make use of his -friendly aid. Other animals will do as much, but they never volunteer -for a dangerous service. - -In India, where the elephant is used for domestic purposes and is -sometimes treated as a domestic animal, he has been known to protect -children left in his charge, and in the performance of his daily task -will yield willing obedience to orders; but he is a knowing and cautious -constructionist, and seldom goes outside of the strict line of duty. He -will always fight for his own master or friends when told, and sometimes -volunteers to encounter a danger to protect those around him who seek -the aid of his superior powers. He is however, a natural conservative, -and prefers peace to war. - -Many other animals are capable of becoming affectionate pets and -interesting companions, but in no respect can they be compared with the -dog, the horse, or the elephant. In their separate and individual -combination of qualities which render them fit and useful companions for -man, they stand quite by themselves. The question of treating animals -with kindly consideration is usually disposed of by saying they are not -capable of appreciating kind treatment; that their brain capacity is so -limited in respect to quantity as to render them quite incapable of -distinguishing active kindness from passive indifference or even cruel -treatment. - -This is the theory of the thoughtless. - -The Newfoundland dog which, in the summer of 1866, I saw leap from a -bridge into a rapid-running deep creek and rescue a two-year-old child -from death, thought--and quickly at that. In a second he appreciated the -value of a critical moment, and estimated not only the magnitude but the -quality of the danger. No human being could have taken in the whole -situation more completely or caused the physical organization to respond -to the brain command with greater celerity. The whole incident was over -by the time the first on the spot of the would-be human rescuers had -taken off his coat. - -Crowley, the remarkable chimpanzee, who had his home in the Central Park -Menagerie for about four years, proved to be a most convincing item of -testimony in favor of the intellectual development of one of the lower -animals. The gradual and certain unfolding of his intelligence betrayed -the presence of a quantity of natural brainpower almost equal to that of -an intelligent child of his own age. - -Among his numerous accomplishments was a complete outfit of the table -manners of the average well-bred human being. His accurate holding of -knife, fork, and spoon, his perfect knowledge of their use, and the -delicate application to his lips of the napkin, proved the possession of -exceptional knowledge and a well-ordered memory. - -The things he did and the words he tried to speak, for he made thousands -of efforts every day to utter his thoughts, would make a convincing list -of items all going to prove the presence of a capacity for thinking -quite worthy of consideration. - -In elaborating the various powers which he employed in his methods of -expression he showed remarkable ingenuity. He, no doubt, reflected upon -his deficiencies, and thought the whole matter over with reference to -means of communication with those he cared to converse with, and then, -from out the store of his natural capacities, invented an extensive -combination of hand and feet signs with the variety of sounds at his -command, which finally enabled him to make himself perfectly understood -by those about him. - -The intellectual development of Crowley, of which I have given only an -inadequate idea, came from kind treatment and constant contact with his -keeper and the director of the menagerie, both of whom were his devoted -friends and teachers. - -These little character sketches, as they may perhaps be described, were -written for the purpose of awakening the personal interest of those who -may read them, with the hope also of enlisting their active influence in -behalf of spreading abroad a better understanding of the nature of our -four-footed friends and servants, who give so much and receive so little -in return. The better appreciation of their exceptionally fine qualities -will surely lead to closer relations between them and their masters, -and, in the end, insure better treatment for those humble and confiding -creatures which the Creator has placed so completely in the power of -man. - -Fiction plays but a little part in these pages. It has long been a -source of pleasure to me to note the marks of intelligence in the -animals that we admit to our companionship, that we make a part of our -family rule and association. These sketches are nearly all based upon -personal experiences and observations of my own. They are my plea for -their greater civil rights--at least in the way of kindness and -appreciation. Incidentally I have given such local color to the stories -as they require. The first sketch, for example, has for its frame the -pleasant hills and valleys of Vermont. It recalls old days worth the -recording and a people of pure Anglo-Saxon blood worth a lasting memory. - - R. C. H. - - - - - THE EXCURSION - - -A particular summer, back in the fifties, I spent in one of the -beautiful valley villages of the "Green Mountain State." The -old-fashioned, unpretending country tavern was comfortable and the air -and scenery all that could be desired. The amusements, or rather -occupations, afforded to the sojourners, aside from reading the solid -literature of the period, were neither novel nor exhausting, but they -gave pleasure, were reposeful, and were innocent enough to have -satisfied the code of the most exacting moralist. The daily routine was -limited, not costly, and within easy reach. - -Of course, the first rural recreation was to fish in streams where there -were no fish; to climb the highest hills as often as possible; argue -religious, political, and commercial questions with the numerous oracles -of the village, and diagnose the autumn crop question with the farmers. -These occupations were staple commodities, always in stock and on tap -ready to flow. - -The good people of the town were very much astonished when they found I -had discovered an additional occupation. I had made the acquaintance of -all the town dogs, and found them a most entertaining and sociable lot -of easy-going vagabonds. The majority were much given to loafing, -barking at strangers and the passing vehicles, and not over-anxious to -earn the scant meals grudgingly doled out to them by the thrifty -housewives, who frequently addressed them in terms not of a -complimentary nature. - -Those were not the days of romantic names for dogs. The New England -_rpertoire_ for the canine race had been handed down, in an unbroken -line, from a remote Puritan period. If a dog was of a large size he was -sure to respond to the name of Tige, Rover, or Lion, and, if small, he -was usually adorned with the name of Skip, Fido, or Zip. In those days -there were neither kennel clubs nor dog exhibitions, and the high-flown -English names, such as attach to the canine blue-bloods of to-day, were -unknown. - -Within the ranks of this lazy, good-for-nothing, good-natured tribe, -with its headquarters in my particular village, was a characteristic -specimen of a perfect nobody's dog. He was not unpleasant to the vision, -but, on the contrary, rather attractive. He was of a light brindle -color, with a black nose, and was blessed with a pair of beautiful, -sympathetic, and expressive dark-brown eyes, that had a frank way of -looking clear into the eyes of whoever addressed him. But he was without -pedigree, industry, or hope, cared nothing for worldly possessions, was -always ready to wag a hearty response to every salutation, and was an -ever-flowing fountain of good nature and kindness, but not devoid of -character. Along with all his apparent indifference he had his strong -points, and good ones at that. - -His great weakness was the woodchuck season. No sportsman was ever more -watchful for the return of the shooting period than was Rover for the -opening of the first woodchuck hole. For days before the first opening -he would range the fields very much after the manner of the truly -accomplished shopping woman of a large city in search of opportunities -on a "bargain day." He had the keenest nose for his favorite game of any -dog in the town, and so devoted was he to his particular sport, that -frequently, while the season lasted, after a hard day's work, he would -go to bed with an empty stomach, his chance mistress having issued an -edict to the effect that the kitchen door was to be closed at a certain -hour--Rover or no Rover. And so it came to pass that our devoted -sportsman often went to his couch in the shed a very hungry dog, not -happy for the moment, but always full of hope for the coming morning. - -While his sporting season lasted he had but one occupation. As soon as -he had licked his breakfast plate clean, even to the last mite of food, -he would start off for new adventures, and, as soon as he had succeeded -in finding a new subterranean abode of his favorite game, he would give -a joyous bark, and commence a most vigorous digging, and, if the soil -happened to be of a soft nature, he would soon bury his body so as to -leave no part of his belongings in sight but the tip end of a very -quick-moving tail amid the dbris of flying soil. If called from his -pursuit he would come out of his hole wagging most joyously and saying -as plainly as possible: "I wish you would turn in and help a fellow." - -He had never been known to capture a "chuck," but he had his fun all the -same. - -There is a story of a Frenchman, who, when walking in the woods, heard -the whistle of a woodcock and thereupon became possessed of an ardent -desire _pour la chasse_. He equipped himself by borrowing a gun from one -friend, a dog from another, a game-bag from a third, and the making of a -complete shooting outfit from several others. Early in the morning, -after the delusive whistle, he was up and off to the woods. Filled with -eager expectation he tramped hills and swamps the whole day through -without seeing a bird or getting a shot, and returned to the hotel much -the worse for the wear and tear of the search, but, Frenchman like, was -vivacious and cheerful. An English friend asked to see the inside of his -game-bag. "Ah," answered the would-be huntsman, "I did not get ze -leetle--ze _bcasse_, I did hear his whistle, _mais j'ai eu ma chasse_ -all ze same, and I am very happie." And so it was with Rover. He saw -where his would-be victim was located, enjoyed the pleasure of hope, and -had a day's digging. - -The other dogs of the village were not ambitious, save at meal-time, -when they were vigorously punctual, but very unpunctual when there was -anything useful to do, such as going after the cows at milking-time, -driving enterprising pigs out of the garden, chasing the hens from the -front entrance of the house, and the like. As a rule they were content -to pass the sunny hours of the day beneath protecting shades, resting -their lazy carcasses upon the softest patch of greensward to be found, -and they were usually experts in the art of finding such spots. It was -not so, however, with Rover. He was an active dog, without a lazy bone -in his body, always on the alert for an occupation, no matter if -sometimes useful. Take them, however, for all in all, this worthless -pack of four-footed worthies were not a bad sort of a lot. All save one -were good-natured and sociable. That exception was a maltese-colored -abridgment of a mastiff, short-haired and old. He was the property of -one of the village doctors, who was a pestiferous Whig, with the -reputation of being the "tongueyist man in the county, if not in the -State." He carried chips upon both shoulders, was the proprietor of a -loud voice--plenty of it--and was always ready for a war between -tongues. He "argered" for the sake of argument, but his ancient "Spot," -with a thickened throat and wheezy voice, could only keep up a running -_pro forma_ barking accompaniment while his master "downed" his -opponent. The old dog had unconsciously contracted his master's habit of -controversy, and felt that he must help him out. It is due to the memory -of that ancient canine to record that he attended strictly to his own -affairs, and would brook no interference from frivolous idle dogs with -no particular occupation, nor would he associate with them when off -duty. When not with his master, he kept inside his own fence, and barked -and made disagreeable faces at all would-be intruders. - -As bearing upon the story that will develop, I may add that besides the -dogs there are, in Vermont, other four-footed friends and servants of -man worthy of consideration. The Vermont "Morgan horse" is one of the -acknowledged native "institutions," and no lover of that animal has ever -made the intimate acquaintance of one of his strain without being -fascinated with his delicate, refined beauty, affectionate disposition, -intelligence, endurance, and willingness to serve. - -I was brought up with them, and used to romp and race with the colts, -ride the mothers without saddle, bridle, or halter, and purloin sugar -and salt to feed them when the "old folks were not looking." Among my -happiest hours were those of my childhood and boyhood spent in close -association with the great groups of animals that lived upon the hills -of the old farm at the "crotch in the roads." Calves, among the most -beautiful of all the young animals, with their great soft eyes and -innocent faces, were a source of infinite joy to me, and even the silly -and unintellectual sheep always appealed to my affections and sense of -protection. These I regarded as wards to love and protect, but the dogs -and Morgan horses were my petted friends and companions. From their -habitual display of good faith, perfect integrity and affection I -learned all the lessons applicable to every-day life that have been of -value to me. From man I could have learned the arts of deceit and -cunning, selfishness and want of feeling, and the practise of vanity, -but never a single quality which came to me from the habitual -association with the honest four-footed friends of my youth. - -The people of my native State, among their other fine characteristics, -have always been noted for their kindness to animals, which fact alone -stands for a very elevated plane of civilization. Ever since nearly a -century ago, when the Morgan horse first came to them, he has been an -object of their affection, and it is undoubtedly, to a great extent, -owing to that creditable fact that he has always been the same charming -animal that he is to-day. - -That the equine hero of this sketch was not of that noble breed will not -detract from his special virtues or impair my passing tribute to the -Vermont horse and his master. The one selected for my riding excursions -was the only saddle-horse of repute in the county; he belonged to a -livery stable, and was of the "calico" red and white sort, tall, long of -body, sound of legs and feet, with large, liquid, expressive eyes, small -ears, and a beautiful open nostril. His pedigree was unknown, and no one -in the village could say where he came from. He had been turned out lame -from a "travelling show" the year before, and had been bought for a -song. Such only was his brief known history. To his physical beauties -were added the higher qualities of head and heart in abundance. He was -the sort of a beautiful creature that could not have done a mean act. -Nature never furnished him tools for that kind of work. - -He was effusively affectionate, and his intelligence was of a high order -for a horse. We took a great fancy to each other, and both of us to -Rover, who once in a while could be coaxed from his pursuit of "chucks" -to take a run with us over the country roads. - -Thus we became chosen friends, and I selected them as companions for a -recreative excursion which I had planned, and which we shall now -retrace. - -An early breakfast for man, dog and horse, and off. The general plan was -to ride early and late, and rest during the hot hours of the middle -portion of the day. A village with a decent "tavern" for the night was -the objective point for each evening, and the usual daily distance, made -at an easy canter, was about twenty miles. Between each stretch of three -or four miles there was a halt for a dismount, a rest for the animals, -and a leg exercise for the rider. Rover was always glad for a loll -beneath the shady trees, but "Charlie," my calico friend, improved his -opportunities for a nibble of the tender grass and sprouts within his -reach. During the first two or three days I had to retrace my steps to -remount, but I soon succeeded in making my companions understand the -nature and object of a call, and, before the tour was half over, they -would not permit me to walk out of their sight. Rover was on the watch, -and, as soon as he saw me disappearing in the distance, would give the -alarm, and then both would start off on a smart run to overtake me. - -Upon one occasion, after climbing a sharp hill, I had left them at the -beginning of a long level piece of road, and had walked on. After going -about half a mile, I met a large drove of cattle. When I had succeeded -in passing through and beyond it, my attention was attracted by a -confused noise in the rear. Upon looking back I discovered a great cloud -of dust, and amidst it a confusion of moving horns and tails, while soon -there appeared, racing through the excited mass of bovines at the top of -his speed, Charlie, accompanied by his faithful attendant barking at the -top of his voice. The cattle were excited and frightened up to the point -of jumping and running they knew not where. Some went over fences, -others through them, while the main body kept to the road, and, for a -considerable distance, carried everything before them. I realized at -once that my zealous companions had got me into trouble. - -For the information of readers not acquainted with the average -"droveyer" of forty and fifty years ago, it is necessary to record that -he was not the sort of an individual calculated to adorn refined -society, and the language used by those in charge of this particular -"drove" was more characteristic for its strength than for its elegance -or politeness. I tried to appease their wrath, apologized for the -unseemly conduct of dog and horse, alleged sudden fright, marshalled a -fine array of other excuses, and finally succeeded in neutralizing the -flow of their ire--just a little. But the chief spokesman was not -satisfied with excuses and soft words; he was a materialist, and wanted -to know, then and there, who was to put up the fence and pay for the -damage done by the trampling down of growing crops. Under the -circumstances the query did not seem to be an unreasonable one, and I -suggested that the better course to pursue would be for the authors of -the mischief to make terms with the owner of the crops, state facts, and -await his decision. - -The season happened to be between planting and harvest, and "the -men-folks," we were told, "are up on yender hill mending fence, and -won't be down till dinner." The head "droveyer," impatient to keep with -his "drove," would not wait, and informed me, in a rather emphatic sort -of way, that I would have to wait and "settle up." There was no appeal -in sight from his decision. So he went and I waited. - -The hot part of the day had arrived, and it was within about two hours -"till dinner." After "hitchin'" the horse in the barn, away from the -flies, I suggested the loan of an axe. This excited surprise, and the -question came from the head of the interior of that particular domestic -establishment: "What are _you_ going to do with an axe?" I answered: -"I'm going to mend the fence where those cattle broke through." This -feather came very near breaking the back of the housewife, and her sense -of the ridiculous was excited up to the point of explosion, but she was -too well bred to give the laugh direct, full in the face, and contented -herself by making an acute mental survey of my physical points. She -measured with her eye the hands and girth of chest, and made a close -calculation as to the amount of biceps assigned to each arm, and after -some reflection, said: "You'll find an old axe in the woodshed; you can -take it and try and patch up the places, and, when you hear the horn, -you can come in and eat with the rest of the folks." I started off, -filled with the pride born of knowledge, and confident of a coming -success, but the even flow of my happiness was soon disturbed by a sound -from the upper register of a very loud, shrill voice, saying, "Don't -split your feet open with that are axe." This was like a small streak of -ice water down the spinal column, but I was on my mettle and not to be -discouraged. The vacant spaces in the broken fence were encountered and -yielded to superior force, and a fairish amount of success was -accomplished about the time the welcome tones of the sonorous horn -announced the hour for feeding. - -I was introduced to the "men-folks" as the stranger whose dog and horse -had "scart the cattle inter the oats." At first it was easy to see that -I was not regarded with favor, but, as the dinner proceeded, and as -anecdotes succeeded each other about men, things and far-off countries I -had seen, the Green Mountain ice began to melt, and, by the time the -"Injun puddin'" was emptied out of its bag, cordial relations were -established. The two bright-faced boys had become communicative, and the -older members of the family had forgotten for the time the damage to the -oats. - -The dinner ended, I requested a board of survey and an estimate. The -first relevant observation in relation to the case before the court came -from the grandfather: "Well, I declare, I couldn't done it better -myself. I didn't know you city folk could work so. Where did you l'arn -to mend fences?" This first witness for the defence produced a marked -effect upon the jury. The next point of observation was the field of -damaged oats. The eldest son, a Sunday-school-sort of boy, exclaimed: -"By pepper, they are pretty well trampled down, ain't they? No cradle -can git under 'em; guess'll have ter go at 'em with the sickle, but we -can save the heft of 'em by bending our backs a little." - -During the investigation not a word was uttered about compensation, and, -after leaving the field, the conversation ran into generalities; but -before we reached the house the grandfather's curiosity got the better -of his timidity, and he asked: "Where did you l'arn to mend fences?" -When I told him that my name was ----, that I was a grandson of ----, -was born at the "Old H. Place at the crotch of the roads in the town of -P----," learned to mend fences there, etc., etc., he had great -difficulty in suppressing the dimensions of the proud satisfaction my -information had produced. In his mind I was a degenerate Vermonter, -living in the great City of New York, but had not forgotten the lessons -learned at the old farm. I knew how to mend a fence, and that, for him, -was my certificate of character. - -From the moment of my disclosures, I was admitted to the inner family -circle, and there was no more farm-work for the rest of the day, while -the afternoon hours were devoted to reminiscences of the olden times: -"Ah," said the old grandfather, "when I first laid eyes on ye, I thought -I'd seen somebody like ye afore, and I remember it was your grandfather -on yer father's side. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War in one -of the Rhode Island ridgiments, and my father belonged to one from -Massachusetts; both served till the end of the war, and then emigrated -to Vermont, together. My father settled on this farm, where I was born -in 1790; your grandfather took up some land in P----, and till the end -of his days was the best schoolmaster and surveyor anywhere round these -parts. He was a master-hand at poetry, and used to write sarcastical -varses agin the lop-sided cusses he hated. There's allus some mean -critters in these country towns, who take advantage of poor folks that -ain't very smart and cheat 'em outer their property. They used to feel -mighty mean, I tell ye, when they read your grandfather's varses about -'em. I heerd old Si Simmons, up to town meeting only last year, telling -about a mean old critter down in P---- by the name of Podges and how -your grandfather writ a varse for his gravestun, and I remember it was -about like this: - - "'Here lies the body of Podges Seth, - The biggest knave that e'er drew breath; - He lived like a hog and died like a brute, - And has gone to the d----l beyond dispute.'" - -I was able to respond in kind, for I happened to remember about another -local poet, who hated a surviving son of this rural vampire, who quite -worthily perpetuated the detestable qualities of his defunct parent, -and, when he died, as he did not many years after his father, the other -local poet, not to be outdone by my grandfather, composed the following -verse as a fitting epitaph: - - "Here lies the body of Podges Ed, - We all rejoice to know he's dead; - Too bad for Heaven, too mean for Hell, - And where he's gone no one can tell." - -In the "Old Times" there were strong, honest, rugged characters among -the Vermont hills. The majority of them were men of plain speech and -unyielding contempt for meanness in any form. A goodly number of the -early settlers in the eastern counties were soldiers of the Revolution -who had emigrated to the new State soon after its close, and they -brought with them the simple, manly habits and ways of thinking which -are characteristic of service in the field. Many were the anecdotes told -of them that day--the day of the accident to the oats--very much to the -edification of the juniors, who were all eyes and ears, at least for -that occasion. - -The old house at the "crotch of the roads," when I was a boy, was the -Saturday and Sunday halting-place for the old soldiers of my own and -several of the neighboring towns. The larder was always well-supplied, -and the barrels of cider that lined a capacious cellar were ready to -respond to every call. Under the influence of an abundant supply of that -exhilarating beverage, the fighting over of old battles was always -vigorous and sometimes vividly realistic. - -The most famous of the local veterans, of my time, was known among his -neighbors as "Uncle Daniel V----." He was a Lexington-Bunker Hill man, -who had served till the end of the war. As I remember him, he was a most -interesting character, humorous, with a good memory, a famous drinker of -hard cider, and a notable singer of the patriotic soldier songs of the -"Seventy-six" period. I can recall, in his showing "how the Yankee boys -flaxed the Britishers," how he would shoulder one of his canes--he was a -rheumatic and walked with two--and march up and down the broad kitchen -of the old house, going through the motions of loading, aiming and -firing at an imaginary enemy, greatly to my childish delight, for those -were the first fierce war's alarms I had ever witnessed, and I can never -forget how my imagination was fired; nor how ardently I wished I had -been at Lexington and Bunker Hill, where "we gave it to the Red Coats." -Uncle Daniel was far too good a patriot to say anything about the return -compliments, "How the Red Coats gave it to us," upon one of those -historic fields. Since his day I have learned that one of his -glorification songs, which professed to give a correct account of one -particular Yankee victory, was not in strict accord with the truths of -history. I could recall for my host but a single verse of all the songs -he used to sing, and it savors so much of the camp that I had some -misgivings about repeating it before Christians, but upon being hard -pressed by the boys and seeing approving glances from other directions, -concluded to go ahead. - -The verse I remember is one from a song supposed to have been sung by -British soldiers who were in the retreat after the defeat at Concord, -April 19, 1775, and runs thus: - - "From behind the hedges and the ditches. - And every tree and stump. - We would see the sons of ---- - And infernal Yankees jump." - -I also remember, vaguely, something of another Revolutionary camp song -which depicted the grief of the soldiers of Burgoyne's army. The refrain -was like this: - - "We have got too far from Canada, - Run, boys, run." - -When we had exhausted the Revolution, it was time for an afternoon -start. For more than an hour Rover had manifested his impatience by -numerous waggings and by pawing vigorously at the legs of my trousers -whenever I looked his way, and from the barn there came sounds of -hoof-poundings and impatient whinnerings--loud and plain calls for a -move. So, after many protests against the going, a move to go was made. - -Before the advance upon the barn was fairly under way the youngster, who -had been an attentive listener, decided upon a search for information, -and, commanding a halt, informed me that "Old Jim Noyes, who lived over -in the Snow neighborhood, has two boys in Boston; the oldest was up here -in June and told us there was a steeple down in Boston as high as that -old 'Jackson Hill' of ours, but I didn't b'leve a word of it. Hosea -Doten, the biggest man at figgers and surveying in this part of Vermont, -told mother last year that Old Jack was 1,200 feet above the sea and -more than five hundred above where we are standing; now, there ain't no -such steeple in Boston nor anywhere else. What do folks want such a high -steeple for, anyway? And if meetin' houses must have steeples, why won't -fifty feet do as well as five hundred? Some folks say that bells are -hung up in steeples so God can hear them ring for folks to go to meetin' -Sunday mornin'. What odds would two or three hundred feet make to God? -He can hear a bell just as well in a fifty-foot steeple as in one five -hundred feet high. Meetin' folks could save a lot of money by building -low steeples. And besides, they ain't no use; nobody could live in 'em -five hundred feet up, and it would be too high to hang a thermometer on -unless you had a spy-glass to look at it with. I don't b'leve in such -high steeples; they cost lots of money and ain't of no use." - -I assured the young philosopher of my approval of his ideas about the -uselessness of high steeples, and told him that Boston was not the owner -of one five hundred feet high. This information was a source of immense -satisfaction. "I was right all the time," he added, "and knew that Jim -Noyes was giving us lies just as fast as his tongue could work 'em out. -Do all Vermont boys that go to Boston learn to talk like him? There's a -lot gone down there from about here. Some of 'em are up on a visit every -once in a while, and spend the most of their spare time in telling such -silly stories. I guess they think they can stuff us country folks just -like Thanksgiving turkeys. What makes 'em lie so? The boys round here, -if they talked like they do, would get licked a dozen times a week and -no decent folks would have anything to do with 'em. I suppose it's all -right. Boys, when they git to Boston, have got to lie to keep their -places and git a living. Grandfather don't take it to heart so much as -the rest of us. He says lying is the biggest part of the show, and the -longer we live the more on't we'll see." - -The day was well along, and the sun showed a decided intention of soon -disappearing behind the top of "Old Jack," before I insisted on -departing. Then the calico horse was watered, saddled and bridled, and -brought out for inspection and admiration. His appearance elicited -expressions of unbounded admiration, his great, soft, brown, and -beautifully expressive eyes, his amiability and active intelligence -coming in for no end of complimentary remarks. The boys were especially -enthusiastic and proposed a "swap for a four-year-old raised on the -place." - -The oats question was again brought up for adjudication, and, after -considerable argument, the party owning the injured crop determined to -leave the amount of damage an open question until the individual -responsible for it could "come around agin." - -The moment had arrived for the reluctant good-by, the grasp of hands, -the mount and the start, amid great excitement and noise on the part of -the animals; and then commenced a most exhilarating run of more than -fifteen miles over a softish dirt road, through a series of lovely -valleys, to the little village of D----, where we called a halt for the -night, which was destined to be prolonged into the orthodox Sunday rest -of the place and period. - -By this time the organization of three had crystallized into exact form, -and without effort had settled into an habitual daily routine, and the -incidents of to-day were quite certain to be repeated to-morrow. There -was always plenty of time, evenings and middle parts of days, for -talking with the "folks"--oracles about the village taverns--who, like -the old-time bar-room Major and Judge of the Slave States, were always -on hand and on tap for a copious outpouring of village gossip and -political information. In justice to the Major and Judge of the old days -of the South, it must be written that they were usually waiting for -another sort of a tap-flow to be turned on, from a tap not of their own. - -It is doubtful if the happy trio ever appreciated the greatness of this -three weeks' manifestation of themselves, through which they were -unambitious but undoubted involuntary heroes among the country folk. -John Gilpin could not have been more fortunate in the way of attracting -attention from all beholders; and "the more they gazed the more the -wonder grew," and the puzzle of forty years ago, in the villages through -which we passed, of "What is it, anyway?" remains as profound a mystery -as ever. - -In some places I was regarded as a very considerable personage on a -secret mission of great import; at other times the saddle-valise was -accused of containing a supply of a newly discovered life-saving pill; -but, generally, we were mistaken by the wise know-it-alls of the village -as the advance agents of a coming circus; if not, why the calico horse? -which to the rural mind, from the most remote period, has been -associated with the gorgeous, gilded bandwagon, spangles, and sawdust. -The fortunate suspicion of circus affiliations brought to us a measure -of attention far beyond our merits; both animals were treated with the -greatest respect, as possible performers of high standing, and upon -several occasions I was asked to "make 'em show off." - -The summer Saturday afternoon and evening in Vermont is always the same. -At the "stores" business flourishes, and profitable activity reigns -supreme until late into the evening hours. On the farm the opposite is -the rule, a general "slicking up for Sunday" and the doing of "odd -chores" around the house and barn is the order of the day, the whole -being a fitting prelude to the coming Sunday, which is always what it -ought to be, not the Lord's any more than another day, nor anybody -else's day, but a day of rest, pure and simple, for all the creatures of -the Creator. Ever since I can remember, Vermonters, without asking leave -of this or that authority have chosen their own way of Sunday resting. - -In no state west of the Rocky Mountains do the beauties of nature make a -stronger appeal for human appreciation than in Vermont, and never are -they seen to better advantage than upon a quiet summer Sunday morning, -when the brilliant blue sky is filled with light, and all the world -seems to be at peace. The clear, limpid streams move silently on as -though controlled by the all-pervading spirit of rest; the leaves of the -trees, yielding to the universal feeling of repose, keep silence with -the rest of nature, and over all there is the fascinating power of -wondrous beauties abounding not made by the hands of man. Such days are -made for rest and reflection, when nature invites us to commune with her -works, that we may know more of them and be able to rise to a higher and -more ennobling appreciation of her beauties. The quiet, suggestive New -England summer Sunday morning's appeal is nature's most beneficent call -to her children to come to her and search for knowledge of things which -lead through untrodden paths, where, at every step, new pleasures unfold -to the view for our instruction and enjoyment. - -Upon such occasions we yield to the influence of the silent voice and -the unseen hand, and unconsciously follow the beckonings of a wingless -fairy, Nature's ever-present handmaid, who, without our knowledge, leads -us to a new Fairyland, where new beauties abound, and where countless -joys are within the reach of the most humble subjects of the Creator. - -Such a typical Sunday as the one I have attempted to describe followed -the Saturday after our arrival at the little village of D----. The first -duties of the day were to our four-footed friends, and then came the -standard breakfast of the place and period for the superior being. Fifty -years ago this was very much more of a living Yankee institution than -now. In those days the French _menu_, much to the satisfaction of those -practitioners in the dental line, had not penetrated within the borders -of the New England rural districts. I remember distinctly the color and -taste of the native bean-coffee, the solidity of the morning pie-crusts, -the crumble after the crash of the cookey, and the greasy substantiality -of the venerated doughnut. All these we had in abundance, with the -incidental "apple sass" thrown in between courses that lovely Sunday -morning, forty-one years ago this writing. - -The town of D----, happened to be the shire-town of the county in which -it was situated. At the time of my brief sojourn there, the Supreme -Court was in session and one of the judges had the head of the table at -the hotel, while I, being a supposed distinguished stranger, with -"boughten clothes" and a fair expanse of starched shirt-front, was given -the seat of honor at his right hand. I found him a regulation specimen -of the real original Yankee judge, quaint of speech, humorous, and -intelligent, and not a profound believer in the oft-alleged superior -qualities of the animal said to have been made in the image of his -maker. - -Our conversation started and continued for some time in the usual way; -the weather and condition of crops being used as an excuse for the -opening sentences, but, before the breakfast was over, a shrewd series -of inoffensive direct questions, deftly put, brought to the surface the -fact that I had travelled in strange and far-away countries. - -Punctually at the usual hour and minute, the Sunday bells commenced -their weekly call to the faithful, and the Judge interrupted the easy -flow of his entertaining conversation to ask how I usually spent Sunday. -I told him I had no particular way of doing that day, but usually -permitted original sin to take its course. That idea seemed to strike -him favorably and brought out a proposition that we should take to the -woods and see which could tell the biggest story, he at the same time -remarking: "You have travelled so much that by this time you ought to be -an interesting liar. On such a beautiful day as this there is no excuse -for bothering the parson. Sometimes on a cold chilly day he is a real -comfort; he warms us up with the heat of the brimstone to come." - -That Sunday made its mark. It was a red-letter day never to be -forgotten. My new acquaintance proved to be a philosopher and thinker of -no ordinary dimensions. He was saturated with the teachings of Socrates, -Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, and Gibbon, and I suspected he had taken a sly -glance or two at Lucretius and Voltaire. He had ready for use, at -command, the essence of the entire teachings of his favorite authors, -and could quote whole pages from their works. - -While we were stretched out upon a bed of dead leaves, looking up -through the living ones to the open sky above, my faithful companions, -feeling the quieting influence of the day, were near us, tranquilly -enjoying the shade, and acting as though taking in a conversation which -they seemed to understand. As with men we often meet, this silence was -passing them off for being wiser than they were. My canine companion was -close to my side with my hand gently resting upon his head, while my -calico equine friend was enjoying the grateful shade of a broad -spreading maple, and busying himself with switching away at speculative -flies in search of opportunities for luxurious dinners. - -The satisfactory contentment of the two animals attracted the attention -of my judicial companion, and he asked me to explain the secret of our -close companionship. He was surprised when I told him there was no -secret about it, that I treated my four-footed friends as I would human -beings; looked after their general welfare, saw that they were -sufficiently fed with the proper food, talked to them in kindly tones of -voice, gave them tid-bits now and then that I knew they were fond of, -patted them approvingly, never scolded or used a whip, and, finally, -spent a great deal of my time in their company. I further explained that -intellectually I regarded them as being on a plane with children--to be -looked after, to be kindly treated, and to have their mental faculties -developed to the full extent of the separate capacity of each, and, that -by pursuing such a course, we could obtain the best service and an -amount of affection and companionship that would amply recompense us for -all of our trouble. - -"Well," he exclaimed, "this is all news to me! There is logic and good -sound sense in your whole scheme, and it's strange I never thought of it -before. You have studied the subject of intellectual development in -animals and gotten something out of it I had never dreamed of. Ever -since I have been able to think my head has been filled with common law, -Court decisions, and the Statute in such case made and provided, and I -have had but little time, and, possibly, less disposition, to indulge in -sentiment. I suppose you know the people of your native state well -enough to appreciate their strong and weak points. The Vermonter, as a -rule, does not waste any time upon sentimentality; he is too busy -digging out a living from these old hills and from between the rocks for -those dependent upon him to waste much time cultivating the sentimental -side. He is quite apt to take the utilitarian view of most earthly -matters. His horse he regards as a useful animal, to be well fed and -comfortably housed in order to prolong his usefulness as much as -possible; and his dog he looks upon as a useless companion--not worthy -of respect, comfortable lodging, or good food, unless he earns all three -by bringing up the cows at night and chasing all marauders from grain -and planted fields during the day. Your side of the animal question is a -new one, and I am going to commence operations upon my faithful -burden-carrier as soon as we reach the stable. I'd be mightily pleased -to have him walk along with me and put his velvety nose against my face -as I have seen your calico friend do with you. All men, all real men, -properly put together, are fond of being loved, and are willing to take -it in wholesale doses, and a little dog and horse--when the women are -not around--thrown in to fill between the chinks, helps to make a -perfect whole. We men are a careless, selfish lot, who leave mothers, -sisters, wives, daughters, and dogs and horses to do the most of the -loving, and accept it as a matter of right, without making the returns -which are their due. They trudge along in silence, giving us their -affection, and work on, chiefly for us, when they ought to kick. In -giving me this Sunday lesson you have opened up a new lead in my -make-up, and I intend to explore it until I develop a new deposit of -humanity, and I'll commence by stealing a lump of sugar for 'Old Whitey' -the next time I leave the tavern table, and, instead of having it -charged in the bill, I'll open a new account, and credit my first theft -to the cause of animal development." - -The next morning I parted from my judicial acquaintance, he volunteering -the promise to write and let me know the result of his new experiment -among the inhabitants of the barnyard. During the night he had "analyzed -the whole business," and arrived at the conclusion that there were other -dumb creatures besides dogs and horses worthy of cultivating. The much -neglected and despised pig, he proposed, with apparent humorous -sincerity, to take in hand, and make a special effort to reform his -manners and cultivate his mental faculties. He argued that human society -was responsible for "downing the pig." It is a question of "mad dog!" -over again, he declared. "Some one in the far-off past had said the hog -was a filthy beast, and without stopping to inquire, everybody else had -joined in the cry. My mission is to do away with this unreasonable -prejudice, and to elevate to his proper social and intellectual position -among the animals of the earth my much abused and unappreciated porcine -friend." These were his jovial parting words, and, with them ringing in -my ears, the trio made the morning start for the last day of the -outward-bound part of the excursion. - -A thirty miles ride carried us to one of the oldest villages in the -northern part of the State--not far from the Canada line. One long -street, made up of the blacksmith, shoemaker, and tinshop; a dry goods -"Emporium," a tavern--"The Farmers' Home"--and the usual number of -churches, with a doctor's shop, and a few dwellings thrown in, here and -there, to fill up the intervals between the more important -structures--made, with a good supply of shade-trees, an attractive -village. Of course the buildings were all square and white, and the -blinds were all green, and they were placed as near the road as -possible, but notwithstanding these faults of form, color, and position, -constituting crimes against Nature, the whole was fairly attractive. Do -what they will to offend and deface the beauties of New England, and -especially Vermont nature, the Philistines who inhabit its picturesque -valleys cannot destroy the beautiful ever-varying outlines of its hills -or the restful repose of its summer days. They have managed to slaughter -its forests and to dry up its limpid mountain streams, but, with the -consummation of those outrages, Nature calls a halt; and the Vandals -leave off destroying because there is little left to destroy. - -The "Farmer's Home" proved to be an attractive family affair. The -father, mother, son and daughter composed the entire _mnage_, and all -were equally at home in the duties of their special departments. There -was a tour of duty for each in the kitchen; but the energetic daughter -was supreme in the "Dining-hall," where she propelled its affairs with -mechanical exactitude. Her unwritten motto was: "On time, or cold -victuals." She was a strict constructionist, and "cl'ared off the -things" as soon as the last piece of pie had disappeared. But, as the -English would say, she was not at all a bad sort. She was active, -inquisitive, quaint, and direct,--had opinions upon all subjects, and -expressed them freely. I have always believed I was her first serious -anthropological study. At first, she accepted me with an immense -qualification. My manifest bias in favor of animals was something new to -her which she could not comprehend. To her practical mind, the petting -of a dog and looking after his welfare was a perfect waste of time, -while paying particular attention to the wants and care of a horse was -something not to be thought of. I saw she was rapidly filling up to the -bursting point with curiosity, but was too shy to ask the direct -questions which she was anxious to put to me. As soon as occasion -offered, I felt it my duty to give her an opportunity to free her mind, -and, sitting out the rest of the "boarders" at my last "supper," -presented an opening for the point of the wedge to enter. By way of -introduction, I mentioned my regrets at being compelled to leave the -next morning. - -"All the folks around here," she frankly said, "will be sorry to hear -it; you ain't like anybody else we've ever had in this town, at least -sence I can remember. Father and Tom, and all the rest of 'em that's -been watching of you, say you care more for critters than you do for -human folks, and I think so too; ever sence I heard you talk to that dog -of yourn I couldn't make you out. We never had anything like that up -here before, and one of the store fellers told me yesterday he thought -you were one of them New York City chaps a little off, that had come on -this ride for your health, and yit you talk sense about anything else -except them critters of yourn, and that's what puzzles the folks--to -think that such a smart feller as you 'pear to be, should be clear gone -off when you get to talking to the critters. And then there ain't any -sense in it, any way; you can talk to dogs and hosses all your life and -never git an answer. They are dumb beasts, that's all they be, and you -can't make 'em folks if you try a thousand years. I'll bet anything you -ain't got a wife. If you had, you wouldn't be talking all this nonsense -to critters all the time; if you had one worth a cent, you'd stay to -home and talk to her, and let the critters take care of themselves, same -as other folks do. Nothing like a good wife to take such wrinkles out of -a man's head! Why don't you get married anyway? Right here in this town -there are a lot of first-rate girls, better educated than I be, been to -the high-school, and got as good learning as any of the city women, all -dying to git married, and you can take your choice right here now. If -you had one of our nice girls you wouldn't need to have that darn fool -of a dog round all the time for company." - -The latter part of this mind-freeing was earnest and emphatic, and I -discovered between the spoken lines the true cause of the outburst. It -was as clear as the noonday sun that she had a very poor opinion of an -individual who preferred the company of a dog to the fascinations of -fair woman, and she had made up her mind to let me know what she -thought. - -I ignored the nice girl part of the argument, and startled her by asking -if she were a Christian. "'Spose I am, I try to be. I don't know much -about it anyhow. What makes you ask such an all-fired silly question? -All the folks round here are Christians; we ain't heathens any mor'n -city folks." - -"Then it follows as a matter of course, you being a Christian, that you -believe the Creator made Heavens and the earth and all things therein, -and you do not believe he made anything in vain. All of his creations we -see or know anything of were made for a purpose. The domestic animals -were intended for the use of human beings, and upon the list of those -the horse stands first, because he is the most intelligent of the purely -useful animals; but the dog is far ahead of him in every respect save -physical power. His intelligence is of a high order, which entitles him -to our respect, and he is the only animal that will leave his kind to -associate with man; and there are thousands of instances recorded of his -having sacrificed his life for those he loved. No other animal has ever -been known to do that. The elephant, with his admitted capacity for -acute reasoning, never defends his master unless ordered; on the -contrary, he seldom misses an opportunity to kill those who have injured -or offended him. The dog never does this; he bears no malice, and -forgets and forgives injuries inflicted by those he loves, neither does -he know distinction of condition or rank. He knows you are his master or -mistress, and whether you are prince or peasant it matters not. The -palace or the garret are the same to him, provided a kind master is to -be found in either, and he shares with his master the feast or the crust -with equal pleasure. The noble dog possesses the highest qualities. He -gives you his loyal affection without reserve, never deceives you, and -is true even unto death, and I hold we are indebted to him for giving us -all that is good in his nature, for, the better you treat him, the more -his fine qualities come to the surface. Am I not right?" - -"Well, I swan; you've taken the breath all out of my body; I never heard -such talk before. I don't know what to say, and I can't dispute you. -You've got the whole thing by heart and let it out just like one of them -revival exhorters that comes along here every once in a while. You've -said a lot about animals I never heard before or thought of; nobody -round here ever talks about 'em like you do. Why, you put the dog way up -head of folks. From what you say, he's ten times as decent as most men, -and, if he could only talk, he would show us he could spell hard words -and do the meanest sums in the 'rithmetic. At any rate, if dogs and -horses and other sich like are as smart as you say they are, they ain't -got no feelings like we have--ain't got sense enough to be sensitive and -take on about pain and suffering like we do. You can't make me b'leve -any sich stuff as that anyhow." - -This is the point usually made by those who have never seriously -considered the true nature and physical structure of animals. A cursory -examination would prove to the most careless observer, that the organs -and various parts of the human organization are duplicated in the -animals, especially in those of the domestic sort. The two points of -difference are in form of body and the four legs given to the lower -orders instead of two. The heart, lungs, bones, muscles, nerves, -blood-vessels and brain are in each about the same. In the animal, for -want of speech, the power of the brain is an unknown quantity, and the -absence of that faculty of giving expression to thought constitutes the -greatest difference between the species. Give the higher of the lower -animals the power of speech, and possibly some men would take rank as -the lower animal. - -All this I explained to my audience of one, and, in addition, asserted -that a cruel punishment of a physical nature inflicted upon a human -being, if bestowed upon a dog, a horse or an ox would produce the same -amount of pain and suffering. If whipping is painless, why do all -animals who have once been whipped jump aside and try to dodge the whip -they see flourishing in the hands of those near them? The answer is, -fear of pain. There is no other explanation of their action. Schoolboys -dread the birch and ferule of the schoolmaster no more than a horse or -an ox fears and dreads the whip of a driver. - -"I declare this is all news to me," my rural friend replied, "and you -really have set me to thinking. I guess we ought to treat all sorts of -animals, including the human, better than we do. I've been going to -meeting sence I was old enough to go alone, and I never heard a minister -say anything about loving animals and treating them decently--kinder -like folks--do a lot of good if they did--'spose they think they ain't -paid for that sort of business and 'ave got all they can do to save the -souls of sinners." - -This was the last attempt at pure missionary work in behalf of the lower -orders. The pleasure part of the excursion was about to end, and on the -morning of the morrow the business of returning to the starting point -was to commence in earnest. The return was made by a short series of -long days' work, commencing early in the morning, running well into the -day, with rest in the middle, starting off again late in the afternoon, -and extending well into the evening. In three days the return was -finished, the whole excursion had lasted nearly three weeks--three -joyous weeks, never again to be duplicated. - -The most pleasurable hours of the little tour came from the association -with my four-footed servants and companions. The gradual unfolding of -their intelligence and the rapid development of their affection were -never-failing sources of pleasure. Towards the last my calico horse -would leave his feed, no matter how fascinating to his taste the oats -might be, to be in my society, and the watchful dog was never away from -my side, night or day. At first he shared the stable with his companion, -but soon after, whenever he was ordered out for the night, his anxious, -silent pleadings became so tender and touching that I could not -withstand them, and I consented to his sharing my room with me. At first -he had the natural dog habit of rising at an inconveniently early hour, -but after being admonished of the irregularity of his behavior, he would -remain quiet until ordered out for his morning exercise. - -Never before or since had I been blessed with more sincere and -disinterested friends--always anxious to serve and, seemingly, perfectly -happy only when in my society. - -Within a week after our return came the final parting between us, and I -have never had more stings of conscience than I felt when closing the -door of the little paradise my confiding friends were never to enter -again. I parted with them in sorrow, filled with anxiety for their -future, as well I might have been, for early the ensuing autumn my -calico friend became again a "circus horse" and was heard of no more, -and the other resumed the role of "nobody's dog" and went down to his -soulless (?) finality wishing, beyond all doubt, for another taste of -his lost paradise. - - -During the whole of the winter of 1862 and 1863, I was in camp with my -command at Falmouth, in front of Fredericksburg. The army was resting -after the colossal and tragic fiasco at Fredericksburg to recover a new -supply of strength and courage for the encounter with unknown blunders -to come; and, aside from doing as many drills as the mud would permit, -consuming rations and drawing pay, there was little to do. The winter -proved to be a period of weary inactivity, with no crowns of victory in -sight. - -Late one stormy afternoon in the month of January, 1863, the orderly -announced a civilian stranger who desired an interview. He told the -orderly that his name was of no consequence and that his business was -personal. Upon his entering my tent, I discovered a complete embodiment -of limp weariness and sorrow, a palpable wreck of something better in -the past. - -Upon being seated, he said: "I 'spose you don't know me? Well, I don't -blame you much, I've so changed since then; we've had a great sorrow -since your dog and horse scart that drove of cattle into the oats. Now I -b'leve you remember, but you'd never guess I'm the same man, would you?" - -I had to answer that the change was very great, and asked the cause. - -"That's partly what I am here for," he replied. "You see, when the war -first broke out, George, our oldest, you must remember him, a silent, -good and thoughtful boy, was at the high school. All Vermont was alive -with the right sort of feeling, and all the men and boys--and some of -the women, I guess,--wanted to shoulder arms and go. We were expecting -all the time to hear that George was going, but hoped the other way, and -finally one morning in June he got out of the stage with his whole kit -of books and clothes, and told his mother, whose eyes had already filled -with tears, that he had come home to go; that all the big boys of the -school had held a meeting, and agreed to enlist in the 'Third,' and he -was going with them. Well, I thought his mother would sink into the -ground then and there, but she didn't. George, you know, was her -favorite. He was always a reliable, duty-loving boy. She wiped her eyes, -took him in her arms, and, while her heart was breaking, kissed him, and -said: 'I 'spose you ought to go where right and your country calls, but -it will be awful hard for me to part with you. I don't know how I'm -going to live with you in danger.' The week he spent with us, I tell -you, it was like a great shadow in that old house. His mother kept -about, but her heart was breaking with terrible forebodings, and her -eyes were always filling with tears. When he had stayed his week out, -the last at the old home, we all drove over with him to the recruiting -station, and saw him sign his name to the roll of Company ----, Third -Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, 'for three years, or during the war.' In -three weeks the regiment left for the field; we went over to see him -off, and he was the only happy one of the family. We were filled with -unspeakable sadness; we saw them march away, and, as the old flag -disappeared round the corner of the road, his mother fainted, and fell -into my arms. She never saw a well day after that, but kind of lived on -like a machine, taking no interest in anything but the newspapers -bringing news from the war. - -"George was just as good a boy in the army as he had always been at -home, wrote encouraging letters to his mother, filled with ideas about -duty, patriotism, and all that. But it did no good. She had made up her -mind she would never see him again, and, although alive, he was as good -as dead almost to her. When the Winter ended, the Vermont troops went -with the army to Yorktown, and then came the dreadful 16th of -April--Lees' Mills. Three days after the fight some one sent a Boston -paper to us, which gave the news of the first advance having been made -by Companies ---- and ---- of the Third, and the terrible slaughter of -the men, but gave no names. His mother knew her son was killed, and two -days later a letter from his Captain told us how well he had done his -duty, and how bravely he had died. The strain was more than she could -bear, she took to her bed, and at the end of five weeks we buried them -side by side, and my happiness along with them. Now do you see why I've -changed?" - -After a slight pause, he resumed: "I forgot to tell you,--the other boy, -the one who talked to you about the meeting-house steeple five hundred -feet high, enlisted in the same company as soon as he got old enough, is -sick in the hospital here now, and I want to take him back home, and -that's what I'm here about. I want you to help me to get him out of the -Army. He was a new recruit when he saw his brother killed, and hasn't -been well since. You know he never was a strong boy, but he would go to -war to be with George. He wouldn't consent to his brother facing danger -all the time, while he was safe at home. He's all I've got left, except -my old father, who can't last much longer, and they tell me if I can get -you to go with me to General ---- he'll order his discharge." - -The sad story--one of many I had heard, touched me deeply. But I could -offer no consolation, such wounds as his were too deep to be reached by -words. All I could do was to change the current of sad thoughts and -extend the meagre hospitalities of the camp. Then the ride to the field -hospital, the interview with the once bright, happy boy I had seen seven -years before, now with the seal of death implanted upon his beautiful, -honest and manly face, then to headquarters, the handing over of his -discharge, and then the parting, with heavy heart, from one whose burden -of sorrow I had been able to lighten. - -Opportunities to do these acts of kindness for those kindred of the -fallen, whose hearts were overburdened with mighty sorrows, were about -the only rays of sunshine which ever invaded the tent life of those -whose responsibilities were often more burdensome than the sorrows of -others, which they were so often called upon to assuage. - -In the summer of 1865, during another visit to my native town, a longing -came over me to revisit the scene of the accident to the oats, and I -searched in vain for two companions to take the places of those of -twelve years before. But, so far as I could ascertain, there was not a -known saddle horse in the county, and the race of nobody's dogs had gone -quite out of fashion; so I was compelled to adopt the "buggy," and, -along with it, between its "fills," a lively and "spunky" little -specimen of a Vermont Morgan, that learned after the first hours of -driving that there was a kind friend holding the reins, and with whom, -from that moment, cordial relations were established. A very easy drive -carried me to the "old home," about noon of the second day, and, as I -drove up to the door, a kindly faced, frank-mannered woman of middle age -came out of the house, and asked me to alight, hitch, and walk in. As I -entered I asked where they all were? "Who do you mean by all?" queried -my hostess. I answered, "The C----s who lived here twelve years ago." - -She took me to an open window, and, pointing to the top of a "Meeting -House" spire that came just above the point of a rise in the ground, -said: "Just at the bottom of that steeple you'll find them all, save my -uncle C----, the grandfather of the boys; they are all buried there, -and, if you want to renew your acquaintance with them, you'll have to go -over there to do it. I'm the old maid of the whole family, and taught -school until I came here right after Cousin George's death--he was the -last of the four--to take care of uncle, who was awfully broken up, and -is to this day. I guess nothing but death will ever mend his broken -heart. He wanders about with no object in life, always wishing for the -end to come. He's out in the fields somewhere; he will be here pretty -soon and awful glad to see you. It seems to me he only cares now for -those who knew the four who lie buried over there. He lives in the past -altogether, and takes no interest in the present or future." - -A walk of five minutes through a meadow to a group of maples brought me -to the spot where I found, reclining beneath the shades, my acquaintance -of other days. At first he did not recognize me, and was a little -offish, but gradually became interested, and at last came to me with -both hands extended and with eyes filled with tears: - -"I didn't know ye at first, but I oughter have known that voice -anywhere. Your animals scart the drove into the oats, but you were so -good to us afterward. If it hadn't been for you, 'Vin' would have died -in that ere hospital, for he didn't live long after we got him home. Oh, -he was sich a comfort to us while he did live. I shall never forgit the -last days; and may God spare me from ever goin' through any more like -'em." - -While we were walking toward the house, I learned that Vincent, the -youngest boy, lived five weeks after he was brought home; that the -father died the next autumn, and, although nearly three years had passed -since the culmination of the "Great Sorrow," the atmosphere seemed -impregnated with it. The want of signs of life and movement without, and -the evidence of long continued quiet and order within, told as plainly -as words the story of an all-absorbing grief. - -During the dinner, the incidents of the oats, the conversation with -"Vin" about the steeple, his desire to trade for the "Kaliker" horse, -and all that was said upon the occasion of our first meeting, was -rehearsed, without a single item being omitted. The meal finished, there -came the walk to the "Meeting House Burying Ground," where I saw the -seven simple headstones standing for four generations. The first to Mary -Gale, wife of G. C.; the second to "George C., a soldier of the -Revolutionary War, born at Old Middlebury, Mass., June 12, 1756, died in -this town, March 7, 1833;" next to him came his daughter-in-law; then a -vacant space for his son--the second George, and then the graves of the -other four of the third and fourth generation. - -I have seen men stand in such a presence without being moved, but I -could never quite understand how they did it. Upon this occasion -something got into my throat, and I could not speak; something else -filled both eyes, and I had to turn away to conceal a weakness which I -could not control. - -As I turned toward my companions, the elder, pointing to the line -exclaimed; "Pretty soon there'll be four generations of Georges in this -lot, and that's about all there is to it, I guess. There couldn't be any -design in takin' all of 'em from me in so short a time. A merciful God -wouldn't have done such a cruel thing; if a kind God had had anything to -do with it, he would let some of 'em outlive me to have been a comfort -in my old age and to have kept the old place where we were all born in -the family name. No, I don't b'leve in sich kindness; all of 'em ought -to have lived; they were jest as good as they could be, not one of 'em -ever told a lie or did a mean thing as long as they lived. Then if they -were so good, as they were, and nobody can dispute it, why were they all -taken away from me so soon, and so many mean critters, good for nothing -to nobody, allowed to live? No, the ministers may talk to me from now to -the end of eternity, that their God, if he really does sich cruelties, -is merciful, and I won't b'leve 'em. It's all nonsense to murder a man -alive and break his old heart and call it merciful and all for the best. -There is no mercy or best about it, it's all wrong from beginnin' to -end, and I don't b'leve the heathen's god or anybody's God could be so -cruel and unjust. - -"My father battled from Bunker Hill 'till the last Red Coat had left the -land and then came here and began a new battle with the virgin forests -of Vermont. And ever sence I was born and old enough to work, my sweat -has watered this soil so dear to all of us. There's not a foot of the -cleared part of this old farm I have not worked over, and the whole of -it is as sacred in my eyes as if it were a lordly estate handed down -from scores of generations before me. The boys loved it as I do and -liked to work over it. Now what does it all amount to? In a short time -when I have passed over yender to join the rest on 'em, the old place -will go into the hands of unfeeling strangers who'll care no more about -it than savages. Most likely they'll rob the soil and skin it of the -last spear of grass, and all these noble old trees that have been my -friends sence I was a boy, will be cut down to feed the nearest sawmill. -It's astonishing, how mean most folks act toward natur! They treat her -as though she had no rights and forgit all about the good things she -gives us. But I suppose there is no good in sentiment if God is agin -ye." - -His niece interrupted him gently: "Come away, uncle, you are nervous and -excited and saying too much." - -"No, I'm not nervous or excited; I'm saying what I b'leve, and I want -everybody to know it. Look at those graves holding all I had in the -world, and no one had better, and then tell me if I have no cause to -complain?" - - - - - TIM THE DISSIPATED - - -Very late in the year 1848--Christmas day, to be exact--I found myself -in New Orleans, bankrupt in health and looking forward, hopelessly, to a -seemingly not far off culmination of my earthly affairs. But, owing to -the possession of a strong constitution, the good offices of kind -friends, and careful medical treatment, I was enabled to disappoint the -prophets and to evade the undertaker. By the time I had regained my -feet, the balmy days of March had come around, and I improved the -opportunity to make my duty-calls upon the kind-hearted friends who had -taken an active interest in the welfare of a stranger who had been cast -upon their shores. I found them wonderfully to my liking, generous, -cordial, and frank, to a degree I had never dreamed of. - -It was fortunate for me that I happened to become a denizen of that -interesting old city during one of its better periods. Socially it was -at high-water mark; the theatres were good and the French opera the -better of all outside of Paris. In the winter it was the rendezvous for -the well-to-do families of the whole far South. The rich cotton planters -from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama, and the sugar planters from -along the "coast" came to this Southern metropolis, and brought with -them their pretty daughters with their velvety voices, unaffected -speech, garnished with its tint of African accent, and their frank, -disingenuous ways; and also came their sons, who were not so -fascinating, but were good fellows at heart--the majority of them--and, -as a rule, save for one weakness, they were all right. But they had the -unpleasant habit of "drawing at sight," and to the credit of their -alertness, I am compelled to record that they were apt to see very -quick. - -The presence of a large colony of well-to-do planters assisted to make -New Orleans a very attractive winter resort. But they were not more -given to pleasure than the average citizen of the place, who, as a rule, -did not take life very seriously. He was in business, but not its slave, -and each day brought with it its pleasurable recreation. With their -peculiar and novel ways they were, to me, a revelation; the community -made up of them seemed almost ideal, and had it not been for the -presence of the slave and the slave market, the old French city, in its -relation to a certain select few, could have passed for a kind of brick -and mortar Arcadia. - -Among the favorite recreations of that period was a drive down the shell -road to Lake Ponchartrain, where there was a famous afternoon resort -kept by Capt. Dan Hicox, a once famous "Captain on the Lakes," a teller -of good stories and fabricator of the best fish and game dinners and -suppers to be found in the whole South. To say that his establishment -was popular would give but a faint idea of the real conditions. Of a -pleasant afternoon, in certain seasons of the year, nearly all that was -jolliest and brightest in New Orleans society could be found sitting -upon the captain's piazzas, enjoying the breezes of the lake, which were -usually tempered with something taken through a straw or drawn from the -upper end of a bottle recently from the ice-chest. - -In addition to the usual attractions of such a resort, there was a -circular pen with a pole planted in the centre of it to which was -attached a certain two-thirds grown specimen of the common American -black bear. When the merest mite of a cub he had been captured in the -wilds of Michigan, and afterwards sent to "Captain Dan" as a present by -one of his old friends of the lakes. - -"Tim" was a great pet and altogether comical. He found a comic side to -every incident which came under his observation, and, seemingly, never -had a serious thought or an unhappy moment. It might be said of him that -he was reared in luxury, for during his infancy he had a pleasant corner -of the bar-room for his abode, where he became the pet of the patrons -and the recipient of all kinds of good things from the larder, with now -and then a taste from the bottle arranged in a way to fit his appetite, -and very much to his liking. - -In the interests of truthful history, it must be recorded that "Tim," -within a short time after his first julep, became enamored of the -bottle, and, very much after the manner of the old style Southern -bar-room tippler, would watch the patrons of the bar, looking wistfully -into their faces for an invitation to "smile." At the beginning of his -career as an habitual drinker, it took about six or seven "treats" to -put him in a state of good-natured inebriation. When in that condition, -he was the incarnation of animal happiness; lying upon his back with all -four feet in the air, head to one side, tongue half out of his wide-open -mouth, with eyes half closed, he was the perfect personification of good -nature and indifference to earthly happenings. Kings might rule the -world, but Tim's happiness was supreme. He envied no other bear, and if -a tree trunk filled with the most delicious honey had been within easy -reach he would not have raised a paw for a barrel of it. The things of -this world troubled him not, and he possessed only one phase of the -great passion of avarice--he always, when sober, wanted enough strong -drink to make him happy. He had the appetite of the habitual human -drunkard, but, when in his cups, differed from his human _confrre_ in -one important particular; he was good natured and kind and never -quarrelsome or cruel like the human brute in a similar condition. - -Sometimes, when he was floored, a friend would try to coax him to -another drink by temptingly placing a well-filled glass near his nose, -an invitation that would generally excite in him an effort to rise and a -very comical and unsteady attempt to follow the lead of the disappearing -glass; usually he would wobble over, but would right himself enough to -sit up and gaze intently after the fascinating beverage beyond his -reach. In respect to demeanor or quantity, he was quite human; he never -knew he was making a beast of himself, or when he had enough. I do not -pretend to say that Tim's habits of drink were not reprehensible; for -the purposes of this true story he must have the blame. It was certainly -not the fault of his master; he simply suffered the usual penalty of -having too many thoughtless and convivial friends. - -In course of time, Tim became quite a bear, altogether too large for a -bar-room pet, and was removed to a specially prepared pen and chained to -a pole with a platform rest at the top. The change for Tim was not a -success. He spent his time in running around and climbing up and down -his pole, all the time whining, pleading, and scolding; he grew thin, -and looked and acted as though he regarded life as a failure. -Occasionally, a friend, pitying his unhappy condition, would unchain him -and lead him to his old haunt. In fact, it was nearly impossible to lead -him in any other direction. As soon as released from his pole he would -start for the bar-room, dragging his friend with him, nor would he stop -until he reached his favorite room, when, standing up with his hands on -the counter, he would mumble out in his most intelligible bear-language -a peremptory demand for a drink. Sometimes he was indulged to an extent -which would enable him to catch a glimpse of his lost paradise, but -usually he was returned to his pen after having disposed of only enough -of his favorite beverage to give him an appetite for more. - -It had often been suggested that if Tim could have a congenial -occupation his grief for his lost liberty would not be so acute. -Accidentally, an employment for all his spare time was forced upon him. - -One day, during a great thunderstorm, when the wind was blowing strong -from the east, a small alligator, about six feet long, was carried by a -wave to a part of the piazza near where I was sitting. He undertook to -get back into the lake with the receding water, but, being determined to -detain him, I caught him by the end of the tail. Within half of a second -the problem of extremes meeting was solved. As soon as he felt my hold -he doubled himself around, brought his jaws to-together with a savage -snap, and came within an infinitesimal measure of catching my hand. By -that time my blood was up, and I made up my mind to effect a capture of -my belligerent caller. With the use of a strong chair for a weapon, I -succeeded in preventing his return to the lake. Soon assistance with a -rope arrived, and a tight-drawn noose around the upper jaw did the rest. -"De 'gater swished dat tail a' his awfully Massa, but we done got him -sure," was the announcement that conveyed to "Captain Dan" the -information that he was the owner of a "'gater." Our captive was put in -a safe place for the night, and the next morning what to do with him -became the burning question. - -After considerable discussion a valuable suggestion came from one of the -colored spectators. He said: "I reckon if dat 'gater and Tim had a -chance dey'd make fust-rate frens inside a week." A unanimous vote -approved of the proposition, and in five minutes "de 'gater was in de -pen" and the gate closed. - -It was Tim's custom whenever he heard company approaching his place of -abode to meet them at the threshold. Upon this occasion, as usual, he -was ready to bestow the hospitalities of his establishment, but the -manner of his receiving was neither urbane nor graceful. His front door -was suddenly opened and an unwelcome guest unceremoniously thrust upon -the hospitality of the unsuspecting Tim, who was wholly unprepared for -such a visitor. It was his first experience with a Saurian. He had never -seen one before, and it took only a second for him to make up his mind -to pass the act of non-intercourse. He scampered to his pole and climbed -to his platform at the top, where, during the next twenty-four hours, he -remained an anxious and frightened observer. - -The new arrangement was no more satisfactory to the guest than to the -host. He missed his shore promenades and bathing accommodations; could -not imagine why he was shut up in a small enclosure, and spent his first -day and night in searching for an opening large enough for him to crawl -through. By noon of his second day of confinement he gave up his -fruitless search and settled down to a midday repose. - -Tim, weary with anxious watching, seeing his opportunity for an -investigation, cautiously descended to the ground, and noiselessly -approached near enough to his guest to reach him with a front paw; then, -for several minutes, he sat upon his haunches and made a very careful -diagnosis of the case before him and came to the conclusion that it was -not to his liking, and that he would have no more of it than he could -help. Acting upon this deliberately formed conclusion, he made a vicious -grab with both paws at the tail of the unsuspecting Saurian. Great was -his surprise to find that his victim was very wide awake, indeed, for no -sooner had he felt the disturbance at his caudal end than he sent his -open jaws around to ascertain the cause. This sudden flank movement was -a great surprise to Tim, who experienced considerable difficulty in -extracting one of his paws from the ample jaws of a "feller" that at -least one bear could not understand. Tim was not encouraged to another -investigation at the moment, but re-ascended to his throne, where he -spent the remainder of the day in licking the wounded paw, casting, now -and then, malicious glances at his unbidden guest, and concocting plans -for the future. - -The next day was bright and sunny, and brought with it apparent peace to -the domain of Tim. The Saurian was calmly reposing in the sunshine, and -Tim was doing his best thinking. He had not quite decided as to the -manner of proceeding, but upon one point he had made up his mind. There -was to be no middle way. His enemy was to be conquered and the savage -attack upon his paw avenged. With his mind then fully made up he -descended for a second investigation and another possible attack. This -time his approach was doubly guarded, and he was particularly careful in -calculating the distance between his position and the jaws which had -given him such an unpleasant surprise. - -After a deliberate survey of the situation, Tim made a sudden spring to -the side of his enemy, caught him under his chest, and turned him upon -his back. This side attack was unexpected and a perfect success, and the -reptile had an active and prolonged struggle to regain his natural -position. Tim watched the struggle with intense interest, seeming to be -happy in knowing that he held the key to the situation. From that time -on, his guest during the daylight hours had no peace. Whenever Tim had -an opportunity, he turned him over, and, when not engaged in that -diversion, he was chasing him around the enclosure. About one month of -such an existence brought the Saurian very near to his end. From a most -healthy and vigorous "'gater" at the time he was caught he had become -weak, weary and lank; so forlorn was his lamentable condition that he -excited the sympathy of some human friend, who, during the night, opened -the gate to the pen. The following morning the persecuted reptile was -nowhere to be found. From that moment Tim became his former self, -watched anxiously at the gate for the coming of friends, and pleaded -pertinaciously for the intoxicating beverage. - -The summer and greater part of the autumn after the "'gater" incident, I -spent at the Mississippi Springs, and, while there, received a letter -from a friend, who, next to myself, was the most ardent admirer Tim ever -had. It was the last word relating to my comical four-footed intimate, -and I cannot close this truthful narration more appropriately than by -quoting from it: - -"You will sympathize with me in our mutual loss. Probably, we have seen -the last of our old friend Tim; he departed from his well scratched pole -about two weeks ago, and is now on the road as an important item in 'The -Most Colossal Show Ever Known.' He had grown so large, and his appetite -for strong drink had increased to such an alarming extent, that the -attending darkies lost confidence in their ability to handle him. During -his later days at the Lake, he appeared to have but one idea, and that -related to opportunities for intoxication. Whenever his pen door opened, -no matter for what purpose, he would make a rush for whoever came in, -and demand to be led to the bar-room, and, if disappointed, would make a -most furious demonstration. - -"'Captain Dan' was immensely attached to him, but felt that the time had -arrived when some disposition must be made of him. The menagerie at -Algiers was the opportunity. A bargain was struck, and the time fixed -for his departure. - -"'Captain Dan' decided to give him a regular 'Fourth of July' send-off, -and, to that end, invited a few of his most intimate friends and -admirers to be present at the performance. The guests were assembled, -and Tim was released from his pole. He made a tremendous rush for the -open bar-room door dragging two stalwart Africans after him at a -break-neck pace. He went direct to his old corner where he found a large -tin pan filled with a milk-punch such as he had never tasted before. He -emptied it in short order and then, taking it between his paws, sat up, -licked the last reminiscence of the punch out of it, and in a few -moments became the most comical object imaginable. In fact he was never -known to be more funny. He was laughed at, poked with sticks, had his -ears pulled, but all to no purpose; he was too happy to be offended. He -made a few efforts to stand erect and to appear sober and dignified, but -ended each attempt by rolling over upon his back a helpless lump of limp -intoxication. - -"In that condition, our old friend was bundled into a box on wheels, and -made ready for his departure to the new life. Before going we all shook -him by the paw, patted his head, and wished him a happy future, and, as -he disappeared in the distance, there was a general expression of regret -that we had seen the last of poor Tim. 'Captain Dan's' lip trembled, and -I feel sure if he had had it to do over again, he wouldn't have done -it." - -This parting with Tim proved to be the end of his connection with the -friends of his babyhood and youth: none of them so far as I know, ever -saw him again. - -Possibly a little bit of a lesson may be shown from the simple life -described. Tim, no doubt, came of decent parents of good habits and -morals, and in his downfall, there was no question of heredity involved. -In his infancy he was placed within easy reach of the temptations of the -bowl, and so, in his manhood, became as much of a victim to strong drink -as his surrounding circumstances would permit. Therefore, the inference -is, if he had not been tempted, there would have been no fall, and Tim -would have led a sober life and have been a respectable member of bear -society, provided human beings had left him in the home intended for his -race. - -His degradation, like that of the North American Indian, came from -contact with our superior Western civilization. - - - - - CARLO, THE SOLDIER - - -The Ninth New York Volunteers was organized in April, 1861, in the City -of New York. Two of its companies were extra-territorial. C was composed -of men from Hoboken and Paterson, New Jersey, and G marched into the -regimental headquarters fully organized from the town of Fort Lee in -that State. With this last named company came "Carlo," the subject of -this sketch. - -When he joined the regiment, he had passed beyond the period of -puppy-hood and was in the full flush of dogly beauty. He was large, not -very large,--would probably have turned the scales at about fifty -pounds. His build was decidedly "stocky," and, as horsey men would say, -his feet were well under him; his chest was broad and full, back -straight, color a warm dark brindle, nose and lips very black, while he -had a broad, full forehead and a wonderful pair of large, round, soft, -dark-brown eyes. Add to this description an air of supreme, well-bred -dignity, and you have an idea of one of the noblest animals that ever -lived. His origin was obscure; one camp rumor asserted that he was born -on board of a merchant ship while his mother was making a passage from -Calcutta to New York; and another told of a beautiful mastiff living -somewhere in the State of New Jersey that had the honor of bringing him -into the world. It would be very interesting to know something of the -parentage of our hero, but, since the facts surrounding his birth are -unattainable, we must content ourselves with telling a portion of a -simple story of a good and noble life. It may be safe to assert that he -was not a native American; if he had been, he would have provided -himself with the regulation genealogical tree and family coat-of-arms. - -During the first part of his term of service, Carlo was very loyal to -his Company, marched, messed, and slept with it, but he was not above -picking up, here and there, from the mess tents of the other Companies a -tid-bit, now and then, which proved acceptable to a well-appointed -digestion. - -His first tour on guard was performed as a member of the detail from Co. -G, and always afterward, in the performance of that duty, he was most -faithful. No matter who else might be late, he was ever on time when the -call for guard mount was sounded, ready to go out with his own -particular squad. At first, he would march back to Company quarters with -the old detail, but, as soon as he came to realize the value and -importance of guard duty, he made up his mind that his place was at the -guard tent and on the patrol beat, where he could be of the greatest -service in watching the movements of the enemy. In the performance of -his duties as a member of the guard, he was very conscientious and ever -on the alert. No stray pig, wandering sheep, or silly calf could pass in -front of his part of the line without being investigated by him. It is -possible that his vigilance in investigating intruding meats, was -sharpened by the hope of substantial recognition in the way of a stray -rib extracted from the marauding offender whose ignorance of army -customs in time of war had brought their tender "corpuses" too near our -lines. - -As a rule, Carlo, what with his guard duties and other purely routine -items, managed to dispose of the day until dress parade. At that time he -appeared at his best, and became the regimental dog. No officer or -soldier connected with the command more fully appreciated "The pomp and -circumstance of great and glorious war" than he. As the band marched out -to take position previous to playing for the Companies to assemble, he -would place himself alongside the drum-major, and, when the signal for -marching was given, would move off with stately and solemn tread, with -head well up, looking straight to the front. Upon those great occasions, -he fully realized the dignity of his position, and woe betide any -unhappy other dog that happened to get in front of the marching band. -When upon the parade field, he became, next to the Colonel, the -commanding officer, and ever regarded himself as the regulator of the -conduct of those careless and frivolous dogs, that go about the world -like the street _gamin_--having no character for respectability or -position in society to sustain. - -Of those careless ne'er-do-wells the regiment had accumulated a very -large following. As a rule, they were harmless and companionable, and, -like the inevitable "befo' de wah" Judge and Major, they were always on -hand ready for a free lunch and drink. It was only at dress parade that -they made themselves over-officious. Each Company was attended to the -parade ground by its particular family of canine companions, and, when -all of them had assembled, the second battalion of the regiment would -make itself known by a great variety of jumpings, caperings, barks of -joy, and cries of delight. To this unseasonable hilarity Carlo seriously -objected, and his demeanor plainly told the story of his disgust at the -conduct of the silly pates of his race. He usually remained a passive -observer until the exercise in the manual of arms, at which particular -period in the ceremonies, the caperings and the barkings would become -quite unendurable. Our hero would then assume the character of a -preserver of the peace. He would make for the nearest group of -revellers, and, in as many seconds, give a half a dozen or more of them -vigorous shakes, which would set them to howling, and warn the others of -the thoughtless tribe of an impending danger. Immediately the offenders -would all scamper to another part of the field, and remain quiet until -the dress parade was over. This duty was self-imposed and faithfully -performed upon many occasions. After the parade was dismissed Carlo -would march back to quarters with his own Company, where he would remain -until the last daily distribution of rations, whereupon, after having -disposed of his share, he would start out upon a tour of regimental -inspection, making friendly calls at various Company quarters and by -taps turning up at the headquarters of the guard. His duties ended for -the day, he would enjoy his well-earned rest until reveille, unless some -event of an unusual nature, occurring during the night, disturbed his -repose and demanded his attention. - -During the first year of his service in the field, Carlo was very -fortunate. He had shared in all of the transportations by water, in all -the marchings, skirmishes, and battles, without receiving a scratch or -having a day's illness. But his good fortune was soon to end, for it was -ordained that, like other brave defenders, he was to suffer in the great -cause for which all were risking their lives. - -The morning of April 18, 1862, my brigade then stationed at Roanoke -Island, embarked upon the Steamer Ocean Wave for an expedition up the -Elizabeth River, the object of which was to destroy the locks of the -dismal swamp canal in order to prevent several imaginary iron-clads from -getting into Albemarle Sound, where we had assembled at that time what -was known as a "Pasteboard Fleet," which the supposed iron-clads were to -destroy. - -Among the first to embark was the ever ready and faithful Carlo, and the -next morning, when his companions disembarked near Elizabeth City, he -was one of the first to land, and, during the whole of the long and -dreary march of thirty miles to Camden Court House, lasting from three -o'clock in the morning until one in the afternoon, he was ever on the -alert, but keeping close to his regiment. The field of battle was -reached: the engagement, in which his command met with a great loss, -commenced and ended, and, when the particulars of the disaster were -inventoried, it was ascertained that a cruel Confederate bullet had -taken the rudimentary claw from Carlo's left fore-leg. This was his -first wound, and he bore it like a hero without a whine or even a limp. -A private of Co. G, who first noticed the wound, exclaimed: "Ah, Carlo, -what a pity you are not an officer! If you were, the loss of that claw -would give you sixty days leave and a Brigadier-General's Commission at -the end of it." That was about the time that General's Commissions had -become very plentiful in the Department of North Carolina. - -The Command re-embarked, and reached Roanoke Island the morning after -the engagement, in time for the regulation "Hospital or Sick Call," -which that day brought together an unusual number of patients, and among -them Carlo, who was asked to join the waiting line by one of the wounded -men. When his turn came to be inspected by the attending surgeon, he was -told to hold up the wounded leg, which he readily did, and then followed -the washing, the application of simple cerate, and the bandaging, with a -considerable show of interest and probable satisfaction. Thereafter, -there was no occasion to extend to him an invitation to attend the -Surgeon's inspection. Each morning, as soon as the bugle call was -sounded, he would take his place in line with the other patients, -advance to his turn, and receive the usual treatment. This habit -continued until the wound was healed. Always, after this, to every -friendly greeting, he would respond by holding up the wounded leg for -inspection, and he acted as though he thought that everybody was -interested in the honorable scar that told the story of patriotic duty -faithfully performed. - -Later on, for some reason known to himself, Carlo transferred his -special allegiance to Co. K, and maintained close connection with that -Company until the end of his term of service. He was regarded by its -members as a member of the Company mess, and was treated as one of them. -But, notwithstanding his special attachments, there can be no reasonable -doubt about his having considered himself a member of the regiment, -clothed with certain powers and responsibilities. At the end of his -term, he was fitted with a uniform--trousers, jacket, and fez, and, thus -apparalled, marched up Broadway, immediately behind the band. He was -soon after mustered out of the service, and received an honorable -discharge, not signed with written characters, but attested by the -good-will of every member of the regiment. - -If alive to-day, he must be very old and decrepit; and I am sure that if -he is, in his honorable old age his honest traits of character have not -forsaken him. No doubt, he takes a just pride in the good service he -rendered to his country in the years of its great trials, and it is -fortunate that his having four legs has placed him beyond the temptation -to join the ranks of the Grand Army of treasury looters, who have traded -off the honorable name of soldier for that of the pensioned mercenary. - - - - - JEFF, THE INQUISITIVE - - -Among the gunboats doing duty on the inland waters of North Carolina, in -the early Spring of 1862, which composed what Commodore Goldsborough -designated his "Pasteboard Fleet," was the Louisiana, commanded by -Commander Alexander Murray, who was noted for his efficiency and good -nature. His treatment of his crew made him one of the most popular -officers in the whole fleet. He entered into all of their sports, and -sympathized with the discomforts of forecastle life. He was fond of -animal pets, and always welcomed the arrival of a new one. At the time -of which I am writing, his ship carried quite a collection of tame birds -and four-footed favorites. - -Among them was a singular little character known as "Jeff." He was a -perfectly black pig of the "Racer Razor Back" order, which, at that -time, were plentiful in the coast sections of the more southern of the -slave-holding States. They were called "racers" because of their long -legs, slender bodies, and great capacity for running; and "Razor Backs" -on account of the prominence of the spinal column. The origin of this -particular species of the porcine tribe is unknown, but there is a -tradition to the effect that their progenitors were a part of the drove -that came to the coast of Florida with De Soto when he started on the -march which ended with the discovery of the Mississippi River. History -records the fact that a large number of animals were brought from Spain -for food, and that a considerable number of them succeeded in getting -away from the expedition soon after the landing was effected. - -Our particular specimen of this wandering tribe of natural marauders was -captured by a boat's crew of the Louisiana in one of the swamps adjacent -to Currituck Sound, when he was a wee bit of an orphaned waif not much -larger than an ostrich-egg. He was an ill-conditioned little mite that -had probably been abandoned by a heartless mother, possibly while -escaping from the prospective mess-kettle of a Confederate picket. In -those days Confederate pickets were not very particular as to quality or -kind of food, and I have a suspicion that even a "Razor Back" would have -been a welcome addition to their _menu_. - -When "Jeff" was brought on board, his pitiful condition excited the -active sympathy of all, from the commander down to the smallest powder -monkey, and numerous were the suggestions made as to the course of -treatment for the new patient. The doctor was consulted, and, after a -careful diagnosis, decided there was no organic disease: want of -parental care, want of nourishment, and exposure, were held responsible -for "Jeff's" unfavorable condition. It was decided to put him on a light -diet of milk, which proved an immediate success, for, within forty-eight -hours after his first meal, the patient became as lively as possible. As -days and weeks went on, there appeared an improvement of appetite that -was quite phenomenal, but no accumulation of flesh. His legs and body -grew longer; and, with this lengthening of parts, there came a -development of intellectual acuteness that was particularly surprising. -He attached himself to each individual of the ship. He had no favorites, -but was hail-fellow-well-met with all. He developed all the playful -qualities of a puppy, and reasoned out a considerable number of problems -in his own way, without the aid of books or schoolmaster. His particular -admirers declared that he learned the meaning of the different whistles -of the boatswain: that he knew when the meal pennant was hoisted to the -peak, could tell when the crew was beat to quarters for drill, and often -proved the correctness of this knowledge by scampering off to take his -place by one particular gun division which seemed to have taken his -fancy. - -I can testify personally to only one item in the schedule of his -intellectual achievements. It is a custom in the navy for the commander -of a ship to receive any officer of rank of either branch of the service -at the gangway of the ship. In this act of courtesy he is always -accompanied by the officer of the deck, and often by others that may -happen to be at hand. After the advent of "Jeff," whenever I went on -board the Louisiana he was always at the gangway, and seemingly was -deeply interested in the event. It may be said of him, generally, that -he was overflowing with spirits, and took an active interest in all the -daily routine work of his ship. He had a most pertinacious way of poking -his nose into all sorts of affairs, not at all after the manner of the -usual pig, but more like a village gossip who wants to know about -everything that is going on in the neighborhood. - -In the gradual development of "Jeff's" character, it was discovered that -he had none of the usual well-known traits of the pig. He was more like -a petted and pampered dog, was playful, good-natured, and expressed -pleasure, pain, anger, and desire, with various squeals and grunts, -delivered with a variety of intonations that were very easily -interpreted. He was never so happy as when in the lap of one of the -sailors, having his back stroked. His pleasure upon those occasions was -evinced by the emission of frequent good-natured grunts and looking up -into the face of the friendly stroker. When on shore, he followed like a -dog, and was never known to root. Except in speech and appearance, he -was the counterpart of a happy, good-natured, and well-cared-for -household dog--possibly, however, rather more intelligent than the -average canine pet. - -The Fourth of July, 1862, was a gala day at Roanoke Island. The camps of -the island and the vessels in the harbor were _en grande fte_. Colors -were flying, bands playing, drums beating, patriotic steam was up to -high pressure, and a goodly number of glasses of "commissary" were -consumed in wishing success to the cause. The good old day, so dear to -the hearts of Americans, was made more glorious by the exchange of camp -hospitalities and an indulgence in such simple hilarity as the occasion -seemed to require; but "Jeff" was not forgotten. Early in the morning, -he was bathed and scrubbed, more than to his heart's content, and then -patriotically decorated. In his right ear was a red ribbon, in his left -a white one; around his neck another of blue, and at his mizzen, or, in -other words, his tail, he carried a small Confederate flag. Thus adorned -he was brought on shore to pay me a visit, and, as he came through my -door, he appeared to be filled with the pride of patriotism and a -realization of the greatness of the occasion. His reward for this -unusual demonstration was instantaneous, and consisted of some apples -and a toothsome dessert of sugar. Afterward he made the round of the -camps with a special escort of warrant officers and devoted Jack Tars. -From after accounts it appeared that he had been so well received that -his escort experienced much difficulty in finding their way back to the -ship. - -During this triumphant march over the island an incident occurred which -developed the slumbering instinct of the swamp "racer." In a second, as -it were, and seemingly without cause, "Jeff" was seen to move off at a -tremendous pace at right angles with the line of march. He was seen, -after he had run a few yards, to make a great jump, and then remain in -his tracks. The pursuing party found him actively engaged in demolishing -a moccasin, which he had crushed by jumping and landing with his feet -upon its head and back. Hogs of this particular kind are famous -snake-killers. A big rattler or a garter snake is all the same to them. -They advance to the attack with the greatest impetuosity, and a feast -upon snake is the usual reward of exceptional bravery. - -In his habits of eating, "Jeff" was a confirmed and persistent -_gourmand_, and in time paid the usual penalty for over-indulgence of a -very piggish sort of appetite. While the meal pennant was up, it was his -habit to go from one forecastle mess to another, and to insist upon -having rather more than his share of the choice morsels from each. In a -short time he came to the repair shop very much the worse for wear, with -an impaired digestion and a cuticle that showed unmistakable evidence of -scurvy. For the first, he was put upon short rations; for the second, -sand baths on shore were prescribed. Under this treatment poor "Jeff" -lost all his buoyancy of spirits and his habitual friskiness, and became -sad and dejected, but bore his troubles with becoming patience. He took -to the cool sand baths at once, and gave forth many disgruntled grunts -when lifted out of them. - -The last time I saw "Jeff," July 10, 1862, he was buried up to his ears -in the cool sands of the Roanoke Island shore, with eyes upturned and -looking like a very sad pig, but I fear none the wiser for his offences -against the rights of a well-regulated digestion. - -This account has not been written for the only purpose of glorifying the -one particular pig, or pigs in general, but rather to call attention to -the fact that this universally despised animal, by associating with -human beings and receiving gentle treatment, may develop interesting -traits of character, which would otherwise remain unknown; and also to -prove that kindness bestowed upon lower animals may be appreciated and -reciprocated in a manner which the upper animal, man, who boasts of his -superiority, would do well to imitate. - - - - - TOBY, THE WISE - - -The chief subject of this truthful history is a jet-black, middle-aged -bird, commonly known in England as a rook, but nevertheless a notable -specimen of the crow family. - -In his babyhood he was, in the language of the ancient chroniclers, -grievously hurt and wounded full sore, and particularly so in the left -wing. He was so badly disabled that he had to forego the pleasure of -flying through the air, and was obliged to content himself as best he -could with trudging about on the rough surface of our common mother -earth. - -In his sad plight, with the maimed wing dragging painfully along, he -chanced to pass the window of a _sanctum_ belonging to and occupied by a -charming old English gentleman, a perfect example of the old school, -learned, benevolent, and very fond of animals and feathered pets. No one -can tell what chance it was that brought the unhappy and wounded young -rook to the window of this good man. But possibly it was a real -inspiration on the part of the young bird. Toby was wet, weary, wounded, -and hungry, and as he looked in upon the cheerful wood fire and the -kindly face of the master of the house, his longing expression was met -with a raising of the window and an invitation to walk in to a breakfast -of corn and meal that had been hastily prepared for him. He gazed and -thought, and thought and gazed, upon the joys within and still he -doubted; but, finally, appetite and curiosity got the better of his -discretion, and, as he walked cautiously in, the window was closed -behind him. So the wounded waif entered upon a new life. - -At first he was a little shy and cautious, and it took considerable time -for him to convince himself that his protector was his friend. After a -few weeks, however, he realized the value of his new position, and -consented to the establishment of intimate relations. In fact, Toby -became so attached to his master, and so affectionate, that he was not -happy out of his presence. - -During the first month of his captivity, his wounded wing was bound -close to his body for the purpose of giving the fractured bone an -opportunity to unite, and during most of that time he would walk by his -master's side, cawing and looking up into his face as if asking for -recognition. When the wing got well, and his ability to fly was -re-established, he would anticipate the direction of the promenades by -flying in advance from shrub to bush, alighting and awaiting the arrival -of his master. - -The most singular part of Toby's domestication was his exclusive loyalty -to a single person. He had but one intimate friend, and to him his -loyalty was intense. He would tolerate the presence of other members of -the household, but when strangers appeared he was decidedly offish, and -scolded until they disappeared. - -Three times a day Toby is decidedly funny, and goes through a comical -performance. In his master's _sanctum_ there is a contrivance which, on -a small scale, resembles the old New England well-pole. At one end, -which rests upon the floor, Toby commences his ascent with a great -flapping of wings and uproarious cawing. When he arrives at the upper -end of the pole, some eight or nine feet from the floor, it falls and -lands him upon a platform, beside a plate containing his food. This -climbing up the pole precedes each meal, and takes place punctually at -the same hour and minute of each day. - -In the spring of 1890 Toby was tempted from his loyalty, and flew off -with a marauding flock of his kind. He remained away all summer. He was -missed but not mourned, for his master felt certain he would return; -and, sure enough, one bleak, cold morning in November, Toby was found -looking longingly into the room where he had first seen his good master. -The window was opened, he walked in and mounted his pole, and after him -came a companion, a meek, modest, and timid young rook, more confiding -than Toby, and differing from him in many other respects. He, too, was -duly adopted, and was christened Jocko. He was easily domesticated, and -soon became a part of the _entourage_ of one of the finest old -Bedfordshire manorial homes. - -With age Toby has taken on quite an amount of dignity. He is neither so -noisy nor so companionable as formerly, but is more staid and useful. -One of his favorite resting places, where he enjoys his after breakfast -contemplations and his afternoon siestas, is among the branches of a -fine old English oak, whose protecting shades, in the far-off past, were -the scene of the stolen love-meetings of Amy Wentworth and the -profligate Duke of Monmouth. - -Neither of these knowing birds has been able to understand the mystery -of a looking-glass. They spend many hours of patient investigation -before a mirror in their master's room, but all to no purpose, for the -puzzle seems to remain as great as ever. They usually walk directly up -to it, and betray great surprise when they find two other rooks -advancing to meet them. For a while they remain silent and motionless, -looking at the strangers, and waiting, apparently, for some sign of -recognition. Then they go through a considerable flapping of wings and -indulge in numerous caws, but after long waiting for an audible response -they give up the useless effort, only to return next day as eager as -ever to solve the mystery. - -The older bird and his admiring junior are perfectly contented with -their home, and never leave it. They often look out from their perches -upon various wandering flocks of vagrant rooks, but are never tempted to -new adventures. The old fellow is very wise. Like a fat old -office-holder, he knows enough to appreciate a sinecure in which the -emoluments are liberal and the service nominal. His devoted follower -never falters in his dutiful imitation of his benefactor. - -Toby proves by his actions that he appreciates the advantages of the -situation, and in his simple way makes some return for the pleasures he -enjoys. During a considerable portion of the pleasant days of the year -he is in reality the watchman upon the tower, ever on the outlook to -give notice of the approach of visitors to his castle, and no one can -intrude upon the premises under his self-appointed watchmanship without -exciting vigorous caws, which are enthusiastically reinforced by those -of his faithful subordinate. Aside from his affectionate devotion to his -master, displayed as often as occasion permits, this duty of "chief -watchman of the castle" is Toby's most substantial return for favors -received! - -In a letter of last May, the master wrote: "My two crows are sitting on -chairs close to me, and cawing to me that it is time for me to let them -out of the window, so I must obey." This quotation gives but a faint -intimation of the exceptionally friendly relations existing between -these devoted friends. Blessed are the birds that can inspire such -affection in the heart of a noble old man, and doubly blessed is he who -is the object of such loving appreciation. Long may they all live to -enjoy the fulness of their mutual attachments! - -This brief sketch is not intended for an amusing story. It is only a -narration of facts in support of an often repeated theory, viz: that the -humblest creatures are worthy of our tender consideration, and, when -properly treated, will make pleasing returns for the affection we may -bestow upon them. - - - - - TWO DOGS - - -In 1877, at his English home, I first made the acquaintance of "Max," a -fine specimen of a Dandy Dinmont dog. He was of the usual size, with -brown, velvety eyes--very expressive--a long body, tail, and ears, -coarse hair of a blackish brown and light-tan color, and with short -legs, not particularly straight. The ancient Greeks, with their severe -ideas regarding lines of beauty, would not have called him beautiful to -the sight. But, notwithstanding his looks, he was, to all who knew him -well, very beautiful; for he was a dog of marked intelligence and -superior moral character. So fine was his sense of integrity that a most -delicious and canine-tempting bone might remain within his reach for -days without his touching it, no matter if he were ever so hungry. - -His usual daily occupation commenced with a very early walk with his -master. Then, in regular order, after the family and guests had -breakfasted, the butler would give him his napkin, folded in his own -private ring, which he would carry from the dining-room to the kitchen, -where it would be spread upon a table, slightly raised from the floor, -arranged for serving his food. After the morning meal had been eaten, -his napkin would be refolded, and he would return it to the butler. The -same routine was always repeated for dinner. His time until evening, if -possible, was devoted to his master, of whom he was exceedingly fond, -but he would sometimes walk with the guests when told to do so by his -master, to whom he always appealed when invited for a promenade by a -stranger. - -Every day, after dinner, when the family and guests had assembled in the -drawing-room, "Max" would insist upon giving his regular daily -exhibition, and there was no peace from his importunities until he had -completed the usual performance. His master always carried with him from -the dinner table a biscuit which, in the drawing-room, he would hold up -and say: "Max, I have a biscuit for you. Can't you give us a little -dance and a song?" Whereupon he would commence to turn around upon his -hind feet, at the same time doing his best in the direction of singing a -very doleful sort of a song, all the while looking exceedingly grave, -the result of his abnormal effort. This part of the daily programme was -so exceedingly comical that it always excited unbounded applause from -the audience. The dance would go on until the master called out -"enough," when the performer would stop and look imploringly into his -master's face, as if asking him if he might continue the performance, -which consisted of his master going through the motion of firing, -accompanied with a noise which passed, in the doggish mind, for the -explosion of a gun, and was a signal for the actor to fall down -apparently dead, with eyes firmly closed, and keeping perfectly quiet. -In this position he would remain until his master told him to come to -life. The biscuit would then be given him, and that would end each day's -work, by which he, we may infer, believed he earned his daily bread. - -With passing time my little friend took on the garb of age, and, a few -years before his end, became totally blind, and among the most pathetic -sights I ever witnessed were his attempts to see his friends. I had been -so many times at his home that he had come to know me almost as one of -the family, and at each visit, after his loss of sight, as the carriage -drove up to the front door, when recognizing my voice, as I spoke to his -master, he would put his paws upon the steps of the carriage and wag me -a hearty welcome, at the same time trying his best to see me. - -His career ended in November, 1883, when his master buried him near a -garden gate, put a neat wire fence around his grave, and planted flowers -over his remains. And now those who may chance to go to Toddington will -find embedded into the garden wall a handsome marble slab, with a -mortuary inscription and a verse composed by his kind master engraved -upon it, which runs as follows: - - "MAX - Died, November, 1883. - - If ever dog deserved a tear - For fondness and fidelity, - That darling one lies buried here - Bemourned in all sincerity." - - -One bright morning in the month of November, 1879, the front door of my -house was opened, and there came bounding through it and up the flight -of stairs, the most vivacious, clean, and inquiring little dog -imaginable. As soon as he arrived upon the second floor, calls came to -him from several directions at the same time, and he did his best to -answer them all at the same moment; all the while barking and dancing -around in the most frantic and delighted manner. Within five minutes -after his _dbut_, he was perfectly at home and upon the best of terms -with the entire household. - -The name of this new member of the family was "Phiz," and his alleged -place of nativity Yorkshire, England. In other words, he was a pure -Yorkshire terrier in descent, a mixture of blue, light gray, and silver -in color; in size a little larger than the average dog of that breed, -and, as one of his dog-expert friends often remarked: "He is one of the -doggiest dogs of his size I have ever known." This was literally true, -for there never was a more manly and courageous little animal. In his -prime, his bravery was far beyond the point of reckless indiscretion, -and any dog whose appearance did not happen to please him, he would -attack, no matter how large, or under what disadvantageous -circumstances. The severe shakings and rough tumbles of to-day were -forgotten by the morrow, which found him ever ready for a new encounter. - -The red-letter events in his active life occurred in Madison Square, -which he would enter as though shot from a catapult; and woe of woes to -the unfortunate plethoric pug which might happen to pass his way! It was -his habit when he saw one of these stupid and helpless unfortunates to -"ring on full steam and board him head-on mid-ships." For a few seconds -after the coming together, there would be visible a comical mixture of -quick moving legs, tails, and ears, and a frantic attempt on the part of -the astonished pug to emit a wheezy sound of alarm, followed by a -condition of most abject submission. "Phiz," standing over the prostrate -body of his victim, head erect, tail and ears stiffened with pride of -victory, made a picture of doggish vanity, once seen, never to be -forgotten. These scenes, in the warm season, were almost of daily -occurrence, much to the chagrin of many pug-loving dames. - -"Phiz" only amused himself with the innocent pug (for he never was known -to offer to bite one), but he was always savagely in earnest in his -demonstrations of detestation of the face-making, ever-yelling average -street small boy. And he had no special love for the undersized -butcher's and grocer's assistant, whom he delighted to attack whenever -he could waylay them in a dark passage between the kitchen and front -basement hall. Some of these attacks were so sudden, fierce, and -unexpected, and were attended with such a volume of snarls and barks, -that the grocer's boy had been known to drop his basket of eggs, and run -as if pursued by a terrible beast of huge dimensions. - -As the subject of this sketch took on additional years, he accumulated -much knowledge, and, by the time he had accomplished the mature age of -six, he was far more wise than any serpent the writer had ever known. He -had never been taught to perform tricks, nor had been in any manner -trained, but by his own observation he had managed to pick up a world of -useful information, which proved of great value to him. Among his -acquirements he had learned how to make known, in an original and -intelligent manner, all the wants of a well-bred dog. He could tell -those around him when he desired to go up or down stairs, call for water -or food, ask to go out, and give a note of warning when a stranger was -coming up the street steps, but he was never known to bark at the like -approach of one of the family or a friend. - -One of his undeviating customs was the morning call at the chambers of -his master and his mistress, when he would first make himself known by a -very delicate scratch upon the door. If not answered, then another and -more vigorous scratch; still no response, then a gentle bark of -interrogation, and then, if the door was not opened, would come a most -commanding full-voiced bark, saying as plainly as possible: "Why don't -you let me in?" These gradations from the lesser to the greater in -effort and tones, all in the direction of asking for a certain thing, -proves conclusively the presence of powers to reason developed to a -considerable degree. - -"Phiz" was selfishly interested in three things: a walk, cats generally, -and dogs particularly; and no conversation relating to these could take -place in his presence without exciting his active attention. When these -subjects were being discussed he would leave his couch and go from one -conversationalist to another, looking up into their faces in the most -inquisitive manner, all the while making a great mental effort to -understand exactly what they were saying. - -His most remarkable manifestations of intelligence would occur at the -time when his master and mistress were about to leave their home for -their usual summer absence of about six months. On the first two or -three occasions of this kind he came to the carriage to wag a good-bye. -Later he must have arrived at the conclusion that certain preparations -meant a long period of loneliness for him, and then, from the -commencement of "putting things away" and packing boxes, he would appear -very much dejected--no more cheery barks and frisky wags, but, on the -contrary, he would show great depression of spirits, and, finally, when -the time arrived for the carriage and for carrying out the baggage, -"Phiz" would hide in some out-of-the-way place, there to nurse his -grief, undisturbed and unseen. - -The subject of this sketch reached the ripe old age of eleven with all -functions and faculties unimpaired, save sight, which, we are compelled -to record, was totally obscured. I happened to be with him when he came -to the painful realization of his great misfortune. It was during his -accustomed late-in-the-afternoon walk. Failing to find his way along the -sidewalk he had stopped, while I, without seeing him, had passed on, but -only for a short distance, when I was attracted by a most pitiful and -grief-stricken cry. I looked around, and there was my poor little friend -and companion, sitting close to the lower stone of a flight of steps, -with his nose pointed straight up to the heavens, and crying as though -his heart would break. I hurried to him, took him gently in my arms, and -carried him to his box, which he hardly left for many days. His grief -was so intense that he refused to eat or be cheerful, and made very -faint responses to the most affectionate advances. Within a week or -more, however, he began to resume his interest in affairs, having, no -doubt, like human beings similarly afflicted, through process of -reasoning, become reconciled to his misfortune. - -If he had been a man instead of a dog, he would have had an easy chair, -a pipe, and, in his moods of vainglory, fought his many battles over and -over again. But, as he was only a dog, he found his way about the house -as best he could, varying occasionally his dull routine by a short -promenade over the paths which were once the race-track of his wild and -gleeful prancings. And thus he passed on to that everlasting night, from -whence no dog whether good or bad has ever returned to wag a solution of -the mysteries which must have puzzled the minds of many generations of -wise and philosophical dogs. - - - - - TWO INNOCENTS ABROAD - - -I passed a portion of the summer of 1890 at Banff, a fascinating resort -in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, established and controlled by the -Canadian Pacific Railway Company. - -It would be very difficult to find a more charming and picturesque -location for a summer resting-place. The hotel is situated about four -thousand five hundred feet above the sea-level, and is nearly surrounded -by lofty peaks and mountain-ranges which present a great variety of -rugged outline. - -To the venturesome mountaineer, the inducements to climb seem almost -endless. In the immediate vicinity of the hotel, there is a choice of -ascents of from six to eleven thousand feet. Most of them may be made by -any one who has a cool head, a sure foot, and sufficient endurance; but -there are two or three which ought to be undertaken only by experienced -mountaineers. I made several of the lesser ascents alone, and, in each -instance, against the advice of inexperienced and timid persons, who -declared that I would either be dashed to pieces, by falling down a -precipice, or devoured by bears, which are supposed to be rather -plentiful. - -My last climb was to the top of the middle peak of the "Sulphur Range." -It was neither difficult nor dangerous; but the view from the little -table at the top was simply wonderful. As far as the eye could see, in -any direction, were mountain peaks, none covered with snow, but all -presenting magnificent rock-formations of a character which is quite -peculiar, I believe, to that part of the great American range. - -The little table at the top of the peak is about thirty feet in diameter -and is covered with broken rock. While sitting there, musing upon the -natural wonders by which I was surrounded, I noticed the approach of two -chipmunks, coming up from the side of the mountain. They halted when -they saw a strange animal; but, finally, after sitting upright for a -short time and giving me a deliberate and careful stare, they concluded -to come on, and presently they discovered a little clump of stunted -grass growing from a crevice between the rocks, which they proceeded to -despoil of its dwarfed seeds. When they had finished their scanty meal -they looked about for something else to eat. Feeling sure of their -desires, I crushed a soft biscuit into small pieces, and dropped them at -my feet; and soon my little friends were busy eating the crumbs, -apparently quite unconscious of the fact that they were within easy -range of an animal supposed to have been created in the image of his -Maker, but the only one which kills for the sake of killing, and boasts -of the pleasure he derives from the destruction of innocent animal life. - -Within a very few minutes this pair of little innocents became quite -familiar, and the crumbs continued to fall until they had filled their -stomachs and then the ample pouches on each side of their jaws. Thus -loaded they presented a most comical appearance. When I rose to my feet -their surprise made them appear still more comical. They were inclined -at first to scamper off, but, upon reflection, concluded they would see -the whole show; and, as I moved over to the edge of the table, to go -down the mountain, they followed a short distance, and gave me a most -quizzical parting glance, which said as plainly as their little faces -could express their thoughts: "Good-bye. Be sure to come again, and -don't forget the biscuits." - -This is not a story; it is only an incident which proves what confiding -little fools the chipmunks were to trust themselves within reach of a -specimen of that tribe of superior animals which delights in the -destruction of life, kills for pleasure, and enjoys the infliction of -pain upon innocent and helpless creatures. - -The excuse for their confiding folly consisted in the fact that they had -never seen a man before. - - - - - ABOUT COLUMBUS - BY AN OLD SHOWMAN - - -For fully a third of a century the large elephant bearing the name of -the great discoverer was well known to all the "Show" loving inhabitants -of our country. He was remarkable for his great size and bad temper, -and, if he had been left in his native wilds, might have established a -notable reputation as a rogue elephant. His keepers were of the opinion -that he made the mistake of his life when he became a mere show animal, -engaging in an occupation that required a certain amount of decent -behavior. - -It was said of him that he was a very reasonable sort of an animal when -permitted to have his own way, but never submitted to confinement with -any sort of grace. He was always enraged at being chained to the ring or -stake, and sometimes decreed capital punishment, which he executed -himself, for the unfortunate keeper who was guilty of the offence of -chaining him. He was very much given to breaking and bolting, and when -once in the open, and fairly on the go, he became a very dangerous -customer, and his keeper, if wise, would give him a wide field until his -rampage was finished. - -One among the many of them, who died in the seventies, was his friend, -and never had any trouble with him, and he always insisted that the -lively escapades of his ponderous charge were the result of an all -absorbing longing for liberty. He used to describe the magnificent old -pachyderm as the living embodiment of a justifiable revolt. He had not -much sympathy for the keepers who had been executed, nor did he have -much respect for their knowledge or discretion. According to his theory, -they were mere machines for so much per month; they never studied the -character or feelings of the splendid animal in their charge; they were -inconsiderate, unnecessarily harsh and cruel, and, from the -unnaturally-confined elephant's standpoint, in most instances got what -they deserved. - -The Columbus incident, of which an account is to follow, was not a -particularly exceptional one, and the description of it was written by -the friendly old keeper who had charge of the hero of it during two -consecutive years back in the thirties. The narration is a modest one, -and its phraseology proves it to have been written by a man of rare -courage. It was printed in a Cincinnati newspaper in the month of -February, 1870, and is now given, with the editorial head note just as -it appeared. - - "THE ELEPHANT COLUMBUS." - - "Letter from another witness of his rampage near New Orleans." - - "The account of the rampage of the elephant Columbus near New Orleans, - in 1839, which we published some time since, has refreshed the - memories of many old showmen, and as we are always glad to publish - anything of interest to them, we give the following letter, which we - think will prove entertaining to our readers generally: - - South Pomfret, Vt., - January 30, 1870. - - To the Editor of the _Chronicle_: - - I have just received a copy of your paper, of December 31, 1869. I do - not think the statement headed 'A Curious Circus Reminiscence' is - quite correct. At that time I was the advertiser of one branch of the - Combined Circus and Menagerie. We were to exhibit in Algiers until the - 7th of January, and in New Orleans on the 8th, that being the most - popular day with the people of that city. William Crum was driving - Hannibal, and George Potter Columbus. It was Crum's horse that was - knocked down, and Crum was killed. Samuel Ward and myself were - standing within ten feet of Crum when he was killed. We had a bet on - the height of the two elephants, and that was the reason why they were - brought alongside of each other. Columbus was shot under the eye - before he killed the drayman. We did not exhibit in Algiers. The - people were too much frightened to attend. So we went to New Orleans - on the 1st of January, instead of waiting until the 8th. - - On the same evening the difficulty occurred, James Raymond and James - Humphrey, proprietors, came to me and wanted I should go and look - after Columbus. I told them I would if John Carley would go with me. I - knew him to be an old elephant man. They asked him: he said he would - like to go, but was sick and would rather be excused. The next morning - George Growe, a young green hand, who came with Foster's company, - volunteered to go with me. I must confess that when he came forward it - cooled my courage, but two horses were saddled and brought to the - door. I mounted mine in rather a confused state of mind, wishing - myself anywhere except where I was. When we started out it was dark - and foggy. I told Growe to go ahead, and, after going about half a - mile, we put up for the night on a flatboat. At daylight the next - morning we started again, and proceeded down the river about nine - miles, where we found Columbus in a canefield, with his head against a - pecan tree, asleep. I may now remark that Growe's courage had somewhat - cooled off, and he had fallen some half mile to my rear. I rode toward - the elephant until I got within hailing distance, and then spoke to - him to come to me. He raised up and began shaking his head. Presently - he started for me the best he could, and my horse did a good business - getting out of his way. He followed me for about six miles, and then - came to a halt in front of a large pile of lumber on the levee, which - he proceeded to throw into the river as fast as possible, and then - started after me at a more moderate gait. When we got in front of a - church at Algiers he made a second halt. I then told him to lie down, - and, to my astonishment, he obeyed. I got off from my horse, took my - knife, stuck it in his ear and held him down until assistance came - from the canvas, which was about half a mile off; then Growe took him - by the ear and led him to the canvas, and, the same day, we crossed - over to New Orleans. Growe took care of him all that winter and left - with him in the spring, but was killed by him the next summer, as I - learned afterward. - - Poor Crum met with a terrible death. Columbus' tusk entered his groin - and came out at his shoulder, going through the entire length of his - body. - - These are some of the exact facts as they occurred for I was on the - spot, and saw the whole affair. I could say much more, but do not - think it necessary." - -The writer of this letter was for two years the constant and interested -companion and friend of, possibly, the most unruly and bad-tempered -elephant ever exhibited in the United States, and the reason he got -along with him without accident was that he devoted his undivided -attention to his charge, studied his character, gave him frequent -opportunities for bathing, and as much liberty as circumstances would -permit. - -The old keeper used to say that Columbus "was full of odd whims and more -given to mischief than malice." When there was any hard work to be done, -like lifting cage wagons out of the mud, or clearing roads of fallen -trees, he was always ready to do his full share, and was never so happy -as when actively engaged in some laborious occupation. Once in a while -he would take it into his head that he would like a good run and an -opportunity to indulge in mischief, such as uprooting trees, scattering -fence rails, pulling off barn doors that happened to be standing open, -etc. etc. It was his habit to signify his desire, after the "show was -over," by trumpeting nervously, dancing in his elephantine way, and -tugging at his chain. These notifications did not come very often, but -when they did, if not too inconvenient, his request was complied with. -These calls never came just before the performance or while it was in -progress. The mischief-loving old sinner was far too wise for that, for -he had a most lively appreciation of the usual inflow of goodies from -the boys and girls who were courageous enough to encounter the danger of -"feeding the elephant." - -The last conversation I had with the successful old keeper, only a year -before his death, was about his singular charge, and he insisted upon -the truthfulness of his old theory--that the elephant was not naturally -bad, but hated confinement, demanded kindness and consideration from -those who were the visible instruments used in depriving him of his -liberty, and, when he received neither, revenged himself by killing the -tyrants who were depriving him of the freedom to which he was naturally -entitled. - -My old friend used to say: "It's awfully hard lines for such a -magnificent old beast as Columbus was to be tied up and deprived of -liberty, and, if I had been in his place, I would have killed more fools -of keepers than he did. Why, the old elephant was just as smart as any -of us. He had thought the whole thing out for himself and put the boot -on the right leg every time. He knew we'd no right to confine him the -way we did, and made up his mind to be judge, jury, and executioner, and -in his time he did a lot of killing. I don't quite remember how many he -made away with; some put it as high as ten, but I guess seven or eight -would be about correct. - -"When I was first asked to take charge of Columbus, I was in the -business part of the 'Show,' and had never thought of becoming an -elephant-driver. But somehow, without effort or knowing why, I got well -acquainted with the old fellow, and, although often warned of his -dangerous amusements, was never afraid of him. - -"During the winter of 183- and 183- we were in quarters at C----. The -confinement had been long and close, and during the whole winter -Columbus had been restive and cross. When it came time to start out for -the summer's business no one could be found to drive him. So, as a last -resort, the owners offered me a large salary for the job. I had no fear -concerning the success of the undertaking, but hesitated about becoming -a professional 'elephant-man,' but the big pay was a great temptation, -and I yielded. - -"The first few days after we started out upon the road, my charge was -cross and cranky, and I had to watch him all the time as a cat would a -mouse. Upon one occasion, when against my orders, just for the mere -deviltry of the thing, he went out of his way to turn over a plantation -cart that was standing by the roadside, I went for him savagely, with -hook and spear, and gave him a big dose of something he didn't want; he -soon had enough, threw up his trunk, and yelled like a schoolboy being -flogged. - -"This submission proved to be his complete surrender to my will, and -from that time we got on like a pair of loving brothers. We became -strong friends, and I used to talk to the old rascal as I would to a -human being. I have always believed he understood more than half I said -to him. - -"He became very fond of our morning race. It was the custom to start -early in the morning--never later than four o'clock. When we would get -fairly out of a village where we had exhibited the day before, I would -ride up alongside and ask him if he would like a run, he would answer by -throwing up his trunk, giving a trumpet sound of joy, and starting off -at a stiff gait, keeping it up until I called a halt, and, if we -happened to be near a stream deep enough to hold him, he would take to -it, and stay until the rest of the show came up. - -"No, I never had much difficulty in getting along with Columbus. From -the start he found out I was not afraid of him, and that I would give it -to him if he cut up any of his wicked capers; and he also came to -understand that I was his indulgent friend who humored many of his -harmless whims and treated him kindly. - -"At the end of two years I was both glad and sorry to leave him. The -watchful confinement had become irksome, and I was sure that as soon as -I would leave him he would get into trouble,--which he did, and had a -bad time of it to the end of his days. I have always felt kind of sorry -for having put the knife through his ear, and never would have done it -if I had not been excited and scart half out of my wits. If I had given -my common sense half a chance, it would have told me that his lying down -was a sign of recognition of authority, and that he was willing to throw -up the sponge and behave himself. But I guess he forgave me, for, -whenever afterwards I went near him, he would give me the old time -friendly greeting. - -"It's many years now since I left the show business, and I've thought -the whole thing over, and concluded it's all wrong. The confinement is -unnatural and cruel. Even the little animals in cages, while they seem -to be happy, are as miserable as they can be. Take a careful look at -them when they are not tired out or asleep, and you will find an anxious -expression on all their faces--a sort of looking out of their cages for -some one to come along and open the door. - -"The great cat tribe, Lions, Tigers, Leopards, Panthers, and the rest of -them, are always pushing their noses against the bars for liberty, and -are usually pretty cross because they can't get it. - -"At any rate, it's pleasant for me to look back upon my many years of -intercourse with the poor creatures, and to feel that I never, save in -the single instance, treated one of them unkindly." - -Assisting in the two years of successful management of Columbus was the -inevitable "elephant dog," who was his constant companion and friend. -They slept together nights and tramped side by side during the days, and -often, when the elephant would not obey his keeper, the faithful -companion would, in some mysterious way, induce his huge friend to do -the reasonable and behave himself like a respectable and order loving -beast. - -I have forgotten the manner of the taking off of the old slave of the -"Show," but he, with his friendly keeper, who to the end of his days was -his champion, have long since passed on to that mysterious resting place -from which neither man nor elephant have sent any message back, and let -us hope that after their many trampings, and as a reward for the many -miseries endured while upon earth, that they are now enjoying the -rewards bestowed upon the forgiven and blest. - - - - - IN RELATION TO MYSTERIES - - -The relation of the three unusual incidents following these introductory -words are only simple statements of facts for each reader to solve in -his own way. Concerning them I have no theory whatever, and avow -emphatically an entire disbelief in their sometimes alleged supernatural -origin. That, for the present at least, they are inexplicable must be -admitted, but that they will always remain within the realm of mysteries -beyond the power of solution is very doubtful. - -Up to the present time many accepted, or rather seeming, mysteries, -which, with the assistance of ages, have crystallized into form, have -been permitted to pass unchallenged, but the time has arrived when the -old fields, now almost sacred groves, where superstition has taken root -and blossomed, are about to be explored. The almost omnipotent -search-light of science is turning its rays into the dark nooks and -corners of complacent ignorance, greatly to the discomfiture of many old -theories and beliefs, whose foundations are as unsubstantial as dreams. - -Until the possibly far-off culmination of the great scientific epoch, -new mysteries known only to the laboratories of Nature will continue to -be born. But those who have watched the progress of scientific -achievement, through the last half of the Nineteenth Century, must -believe that, within the next like period, the visible manifestations of -secrets coming from the bosom of Nature (of which the outer shell now -only is seen) will have been ascertained to belong to a previously -undiscovered series of natural phenomena. - -We know as a certain fact of the existence of a natural element of power -called electricity, but what is it, and whence does it come? To the -ignorant it performs miracles in an apparently supernatural way, while -to the intelligent it is regarded as a subtle natural force coming from -the universal laboratory of boundless nature and as unending as time -itself. In electricity, as in many other manifestations of the forces of -nature, we see only results, and know little or nothing of the first -cause. The time, however, let us hope, is not far off when origins will -be as easily demonstrable as is now the seeing of effects we cannot -understand. - -Present indications point to the early solution of all superstitions, -many of which for centuries have construed some of the simplest -happenings, which could not upon any known principles be explained, into -demonstrations flowing from supernatural sources. Superstition must -certainly fall before the great and impartial sweep of modern research. -In at least one direction, the battle will be of long duration, but at -the end of the conflict, the vicious old fabric coined out of ages of -falsehood as old as our civilization, sustained by centuries of -superstitious ignorance and countless unspeakable cruelties and crimes, -will totter from its foundation in the limitless sphere of human -credulity, and fall, let us hope, to its final decay. - -The destruction of that inveterate enemy of intellectual progress and -the human race, will be the culminating triumph of scientific -achievement and the crowning glory of human effort in the interest of a -more exalted conception of the Deity, better morals, and a higher plane -of civilization. - -From my birth to and including a part of the year 1846, I lived with my -grandparents in the town of Pomfret, Vermont. The inhabitants of that -old rural community during my time were, I believe without exception, -descendants from the early English colonists of Massachusetts, -Connecticut, and Rhode Island. They were an orderly, law-abiding, -industrious, and honest people, intensely patriotic, believing in the -fruits of the Revolution, in many of the battles of which they and their -immediate ancestors had taken part. - -Up to the period of my early days they were still engaged in the -continuous difficult task of creating homes for their families and in -building a new state, and had but little time to bestow upon books or -mental culture of any sort. Their lives were laborious and beset with -many hardships. Indeed, it may be truly said of them that, from an -academic or bookish standpoint, they were educated and enlightened only -to a limited extent. Each household had its cupboard of books brought -from "below," and they retained in their memories an interesting stock -of historic traditions and patriotic anecdotes, many of which were -connected with the early history of a majority of the families of this -community. The frequent recital of these served to keep alive the -patriotic spirit, and to impress upon the minds of the rising generation -the importance and value of the heroic services performed by their -ancestors. - -As a rule, this little New England town unit, composed of strong, hardy -unlettered men and women, was exceptionally free from natural stupidity -and the usual _rpertoire_ of rural superstitions, but they had a few -which were dear to many of the good old New England housewives of my -particular period. Among them was a belief in the misfortunes likely to -attend new undertakings begun on Friday; they had a perfect reliance in -the ill ending of any enterprise connected with the number thirteen; and -it was rank heresy for any one not to believe in the ill-omened, -grief-stricken howls of the family dog. That this latter belief was not -without a certain reasonable shadow of foundation, I am about to show in -the relation of a series of remarkable incidents, which are of a sort -that up to this time have not been explained. - - - - - MYSTERIES - - - AUGUST 27, 1840 - -In the month of August, 1840, the twenty-seventh day, to be exact, I was -still at the "old H----n Place" with my grandparents. "Just before -bedtime" of the night of that day my grandmother called the attention of -the household to the mournful and unusual howls of the little house dog -that was sitting in the front yard with his nose pointed straight up, -crying most piteously. - -The incident connected with that sad sound was destined to affect me so -nearly that I have never lost it, and can hear it to-day as clearly as I -heard it fifty-four years ago. In about three weeks after the -demonstration by the little dog, the news arrived that my father, -Lorenzo Dow Hawkins, to whom I was passionately attached, had died at -St. Louis, Mo., late in the afternoon of August 27th. My kind-hearted -old grandmother looked down tenderly upon me, and said, "I knew -something dreadful had happened. Poor child, you will never see your -father again!" - -In 1854 I visited St. Louis and saw Dr. Simmons, who had attended my -father during his last illness, and he remembered his death having -occurred in the afternoon, probably, between five and six o'clock. The -difference in time between Vermont and Missouri, would make the moment -of his death late in the afternoon at one place and between eight and -nine at the other. - - Since writing this account, a doubt has arisen in my mind in relation - to the time when the two important incidents occurred. I am not quite - certain that the death of my father and the howling of the dog took - place at the same moment. I do remember, however, that both incidents - occurred _about_ the same time, and I have a vague recollection of - having heard my grandmother say, that the unusual and peculiar howl - meant a death in the family. And when the news of my father's decease - arrived she expressed her belief in the certain connection between the - two incidents. - - - AUGUST 12, 1864 - -In the month of August, 1864, I was visiting at the country residence of -my wife's mother, in the State of Rhode Island. Her oldest son, Alfred -Nicholas Brown, was at that time staying at the New York Hotel in the -City of New York. His younger sister was the owner of, and had with her -at her mother's residence, an intelligent little French poodle of a most -affectionate and sensitive nature. He suffered from the effects of the -summer heat and was very much annoyed by the attacks of house flies, and -in order, as far as possible, to avoid both annoyances, spent the -greater part of his time in a dark closet adjoining the sleeping room -occupied by my wife and myself. - -"Tommy" was an unusually quiet dog, seldom barking, and had never been -known to howl save when certain notes of the piano were touched. About -three o'clock in the morning of the 12th of August we heard a most -plaintive and sorrowful howl from "Tommy" in his closet, which continued -until he was stopped by being spoken to. At half past seven o'clock, the -same morning, while the family were at breakfast a telegram was handed -to the mother, announcing the death of her son at the New York Hotel at -ten minutes past three o'clock that morning. - -The fact of "Tommy's" howl had been mentioned previously, and I am not -quite certain if it was discussed, but have been informed that at least -one member of the family had insisted that it was the forerunner of bad -news. The bad news undoubtedly followed, but did "Tommy" obtain it in -advance, and if he did, how? Or was his unusual howl an accidental -coincidence? - - - MARCH 8, 1871 - -On the afternoon of March 8th, 1871, I was called to the bed-side of an -old and intimate friend who resided at Newport, Rhode Island. He had -spent six weeks of the winter at the Everett House in New York, the -latter part of the time confined to his room, and when I saw him he was -very near his end. - -Our friendship was very close and of many years standing, and we had had -an understanding between us to the effect that the one who survived the -other should inspect, and, at his discretion, destroy, letters and other -private papers left by the one deceased. - -In pursuance of that understanding my friend handed me a package of -keys, and requested me to take the boat that afternoon for Newport, to -go to his house, to open his safe, to look over his letters and other -papers, and to destroy such as I might think ought not to be preserved. - -I arrived at Newport at one o'clock the next morning, and drove directly -to his house. As I opened the front gate, a hundred feet or more from -the front door of the house, his Irish setter dog "Charlie" came -bounding down through the lawn to greet me. When he discovered I was not -his master, he showed signs of great disappointment, but, when he came -to realize that I was an old friend, he was better satisfied. The -servants let me in, and I went to rest in the bed usually occupied by my -absent friend, "Charlie" taking his usual place upon and at the foot of -the bed. - -In a seemingly short time,--about four o'clock, I was startled from a -sound sleep by the most unearthly and weird moan I had ever heard. In a -moment I discovered "Charlie" sitting up upon the bed with his nose -pointed to the ceiling, in great agony of mind, pouring forth with all -his strength the uncanny wails of a broken heart. I spoke to him, but -did not succeed in quieting him until all the servants in the house came -to the room to ascertain the cause of such an unusual disturbance. - -At seven o'clock I received a message telling me my friend had passed -away at ten minutes past four o'clock that morning. - -During every moment of my entire stay at Newport, "Charlie" was always -at my side, and could not be coaxed away from me, and, when I departed -the next evening, he went with me to the wharf, and resisted our -separation almost to the point of biting the servant who was to take him -back to the house. - -During the six weeks of his master's absence, "Charlie" slept outside -the front door, ready and hoping to greet his master whenever he might -return, as was his custom, by one of the Sound steamboats. - -I need not write that this unusual incident left a lasting impression -upon my mind. I have never attempted to solve it and never shall, as I -am quite satisfied that it was an example of natural phenomena entirely -beyond my comprehension. - -The chief character in this narrative, was a most quiet, dignified, and -gentlemanly dog. During my six or seven years of intermittent -intercourse with him, I never knew him to do an ungentlemanly act. He -was a veritable Chesterfield among dogs, and his noble and gentle -bearing was a model even for men. He was also the most beautiful of his -race, perfect in his combination of colors, for he had many all -perfectly blending into an artistic and harmonious whole. His -intellectual qualities were quite in keeping with his physical beauties. -His forehead was large, indicating a well rounded and well developed -brain, which was deposited between a pair of the most beautiful large, -soft, brown, and expressive eyes imaginable. - -He had never been taught tricks of any kind, but, by the application of -his natural understanding and constant reflective observation, had -gradually developed a rare amount of exact intelligence in relation to -many things. This rare intellectual development was largely due to his -constant companionship with his master. In the field, the road, the -stable, the bedroom, the dining-room, and at the table, he was usually -addressed and treated like a human being. At the three daily meals he -had his napkin adjusted to his neck, and sat at the right of his master, -and I think it may be written of him that, although his table manners -were of the dog sort, wherein the tongue played the most important part, -they were unexceptional, and that he was never known to commit a breach -of good table manners. - -Next to his master, I was his oldest and most intimate friend. Often, -when the former was away, I was left in charge as the head of the house; -on such occasions "Charlie" would adopt me as a substitute for his -master, but upon his master's return he would leave me and resume his -accustomed intercourse with the friend who, to him, was superior to all -others. He walked with me whenever ordered to do so by his master, but -not otherwise; I could not coax him even to a short promenade. - -Not having been in Newport at the time, I cannot write of his conduct -there while his master was ill in New York, but was informed by the -servants that he was always, night and day, on the lookout for his -return, and that they often experienced considerable difficulty in -coaxing him into the kitchen for his meals. They arranged for him a -comfortable bed near the front door, where he passed his nights, while -his days were spent in anxiously watching at the lawn gate, in the vain -hope of seeing the loved form of his kind master, whom he was never to -behold again. - -This was a rare instance (though probably not among dogs similarly -situated) of affection and devotion. But then the chief actor in the -pathetic little drama was ONLY A DOG. - -This loving dog, however, in his simple and direct way, silently, but -not the less effectually for all that, taught human beings a lesson, -showing an extent of unselfish fidelity and affection which they would -do well to imitate. - -In closing, I may repeat what Sir John Lubbock once said, that at some -future time, twenty thousand pounds would be offered as a reward to any -one who would teach a dog to talk, and that then the world will be -astonished to learn how insufficiently the knowledge of man's most -disinterested friend has been appreciated. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice included from the printed edition--this e-text is - public domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---Only in the text versions, delimited italicized text in _underscores_ - (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Than Men, by Rush Hawkins - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER THAN MEN *** - -***** This file should be named 53423-8.txt or 53423-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/2/53423/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, MFR and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/53423-8.zip b/old/53423-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 73f417d..0000000 --- a/old/53423-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h.zip b/old/53423-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0c68c07..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h/53423-h.htm b/old/53423-h/53423-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index dceb0d2..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/53423-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5316 +0,0 @@ -<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> -<title>Better Than Men, by Rush C. Hawkins: a Project Gutenberg eBook</title> -<meta name="author" content="Rush C. Hawkins" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> -<link rel="schema.DC" href="http://dublincore.org/documents/1998/09/dces/" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Rush C. Hawkins (****-****)" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Better Than Men" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Format" content="text/html" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1896" /> -<meta name="pss.pubdate" content="1896" /> -<style type="text/css"> -large { font-size:125%; } -sc { font-variant:small-caps; font-style: normal; } -/* == GLOBAL MARKUP == */ -body, table.twocol tr td { margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em; } /* BODY */ -.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-top:2em; } -.box p { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -.box dl { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -h1, h2, h3, h5, h6, .titlepg p { text-align:center; clear:both; } /* HEADINGS */ -h2 { margin-top:3.5em; margin-bottom:2.5em; } -h2.hq { text-align:left; font-size:110%; margin-bottom:1em; margin-top:2em; } -h1 { margin-top:3em; } -div.box h1 { margin-top:1em; } -h3 { font-variant:small-caps; margin-top:2.5em; } -h4, h5 { font-size:100%; text-align:center; } -h6 { font-size:100%; } -h6.var { font-size:80%; font-style:normal; } -.titlepg { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border-style:double; clear:both; } -span.chaptertitle { font-style:normal; display:block; text-align:center; font-size:150%; } -.tblttl { text-align:center; } -.tblsttl { text-align:center; font-variant:small-caps; } - - -pre sub.ms { width:4em; letter-spacing:1em; } -table.fmla { text-align:center; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } - -p, blockquote, div.p, div.bq { text-align:justify; } /* PARAGRAPHS */ -div.p, div.bq { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; } -blockquote, .bq { margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em; } -.verse { font-size:100%; } -p.indent {text-indent:2em; text-align:left; } -p.tb, p.tbcenter, verse.tb, blockquote.tb { margin-top:2em; } - -span.pb, div.pb, dt.pb, p.pb /* PAGE BREAKS */ - { text-align:right; float:right; margin-right:0em; clear:right; } -div.pb { display:inline; } -.pb, dt.pb, dl.toc dt.pb, dl.tocl dt.pb { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; display:inline; text-indent:0; - font-size:80%; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold; - color:gray; border:1px solid gray;padding:1px 3px; } -div.index .pb { display:block; } -.bq div.pb, .bq span.pb { font-size:90%; margin-right:2em; } - -div.img, body a img {text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; clear:both; } -.caption { text-align:center; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; font-weight:bold; } - -sup, a.fn { font-size:75%; vertical-align:100%; line-height:50%; font-weight:normal; } -h3 a.fn { font-size:65%; } -sub { font-size:75%; } -.center, .tbcenter { text-align:center; clear:both; } /* TEXTUAL MARKUP */ -div.tb { margin-top:4em; } -span.center { display:block; } -table.center { clear:both; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } -span.jr { text-align:right; display:block; } - -p { clear:left; } -.small, .lsmall { font-size:86%; } -.smaller { font-size:80%; } -.smallest { font-size:67%; } -.larger { font-size:150%; } -.large { font-size:125%; } -.xlarge { font-size:200%; line-height:60%; } -.xxlarge { font-size:500%; } -.gs { letter-spacing:1em; } -.gs3 { letter-spacing:2em; } -.gslarge { letter-spacing:.3em; font-size:110%; } -.sc { font-variant:small-caps; font-style: normal; } -.xo { position:relative; left:-.3em; } -.over, over { text-decoration: overline; display:inline; } -hr { width:20%; } -.jlx, span.jl { text-align:left; float:left; display:inline-block; } -.jr { text-align:right; min-width:2em; } -.jr1 { text-align:right; margin-right:2em; } -.ind1 { text-align:left; margin-left:2em; } -.u { text-decoration:underline; } -.hst { margin-left:2em; } -.rubric { color:red; } -.floatl { float:left; text-align:left;} -.floatr { float:right; text-align:right; } -ul li { text-align:justify; } -.ss { font-family:sans-serif; } - -dd.t { text-align:left; margin-left: 5.5em; } -dl.toc { clear:both; margin-top:1em; } /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ -.toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:2em; } -.toc dt { text-align:right; clear:left; } -.toc dd { text-align:center; clear:both; } -.toc dd.ddt { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; } -.toc dd.ddt2 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:5em; } -.toc dd.ddt3 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:6em; } -.toc dd.ddt4 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:7em; } -.toc dd.ddt5 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:8em; } -.toc dd.note { text-align:justify; clear:both; margin-left:5em; text-indent:-1em; margin-right:3em; } -.toc dt .xxxtest {width:17em; display:block; position:relative; left:4em; } -.toc dt a, -.toc dd a, -.toc dt span.left, -.toc dt span.lsmall, -.toc dd span.left { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } -.toc dt a span.cn { width:3em; text-align:right; margin-right:.7em; float:left; } -.toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } -.toc dt.jl { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } -.toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } -.toc dd.center { text-align:center; } -dd.tocsummary {text-align:justify; margin-right:2em; margin-left:2em; } -dd.center sc {display:block; text-align:center; } -/* BOX CELL */ -td.top { border-top:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.bot { border-bottom:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.rb { border:1px solid; border-right:solid; border-left:none; text-align:right; border-top:none; border-bottom:none; } -td.lb { border:1px solid; border-right:none; width:.5em; height:.8em;} -td.l { text-align:left; } -td.c { text-align:center; } -td.r { text-align:right; } -td.bbord { border-bottom:solid; } -td.tbord { border-top:solid; } - -/* INDEX (.INDEX) */ -dl.index { clear:both; } -.index dd { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dt.center {text-align:center; } - /* FOOTNOTE BLOCKS */ -div.notes p { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } - /* DICTIONARY LISTS */ -dl.undent dt { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dd { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dd.t { margin-left:3em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } - -dl.lr dt { text-align:right; clear:both; } -dl.lr dt .lj { text-align:left; float:left; } - /* POETRY LINE NUMBER */ -.lnum { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left:.5em; display:inline; } - -.hymn { text-align:left; } /* HYMN AND VERSE: HTML */ -.verse { text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.versetb { text-align:left; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.originc { text-align:center; } -.subttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; } -.srcttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; font-weight:bold; } -p.t0, p.l { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lb { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.tw, div.tw, .tw { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t, div.t, .t { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t2, div.t2, .t2 { margin-left:6em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t3, div.t3, .t3 { margin-left:7em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t4, div.t4, .t4 { margin-left:8em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t5, div.t5, .t5 { margin-left:9em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t6, div.t6, .t6 { margin-left:10em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t7, div.t7, .t7 { margin-left:11em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t8, div.t8, .t8 { margin-left:12em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t9, div.t9, .t9 { margin-left:13em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t10, div.t10,.t10 { margin-left:14em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t11, div.t11,.t11 { margin-left:15em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t12, div.t12,.t12 { margin-left:16em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t13, div.t13,.t13 { margin-left:17em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t14, div.t14,.t14 { margin-left:18em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t15, div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lr, div.lr, span.lr { display:block; margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:right; } -dt.lr { width:100%; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:1em; text-align:right; } -dl dt.lr a { text-align:left; clear:left; float:left; } - -.fnblock { margin-top:2em; } -.fndef { text-align:justify; margin-top:1.5em; margin-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } -.fndef p.fncont, .fndef dl { margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } -.fndef p.fnbq, .fndef dl { margin-left:1em; text-indent:0em; } - -dl.catalog dd { font-style:italic; } -dl.catalog dt { margin-top:1em; } -.author { text-align:right; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; display:block; } - -dl.biblio dt { margin-top:.6em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt div { display:block; float:left; margin-left:-6em; width:6em; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt.center { margin-left:0em; text-align:center; } -dl.biblio dd { margin-top:.3em; margin-left:3em; text-align:justify; font-size:90%; } -.clear { clear:both; } -p.book { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -p.review { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; font-size:80%; } -p.dialog { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-1em; } - -div.trump p { text-indent:1em; } -div.verse p { text-indent:-3em; } -div.trump dl.toc dt { text-align:left; } -div.trump dl.toc dt a { width: 4.5em; text-align:right; display:inline-block; margin-right:.7em; }</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Than Men, by Rush Hawkins - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Better Than Men - -Author: Rush Hawkins - -Release Date: November 1, 2016 [EBook #53423] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER THAN MEN *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, MFR and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div id="cover" class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Better Than Men" width="500" height="740" /> -</div> -<div class="img" id="fig1"> -<img src="images/p0.jpg" alt="“CHARLIE”" width="390" height="537" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="small">“CHARLIE”</span></p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>BETTER THAN MEN</h1> -<p class="center"><span class="small">BY</span> -<br /><span class="large">RUSH C. HAWKINS</span></p> -<div class="img" id="fig2"> -<img class="deco" src="images/p1.jpg" alt="Leaf" width="47" height="52" /> -</div> -<p class="center">J. W. BOUTON -<br /><span class="smaller">TEN WEST TWENTY-EIGHT STREET</span> -<br />NEW YORK -<br /><span class="small">1896</span></p> -<p class="center smaller">Copyright, 1896, by -<br /><span class="sc">J. W. Bouton</span></p> -</div> -<p class="center small">TO MY BELOVED AND LOVING WIFE, EVER FAITHFUL AND TRUE, WHOSE GOODNESS PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING</p> -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt><a href="#c1"><span class="sc">Explanatory</span></a> 1</dt> -<dt><a href="#c2"><span class="sc">The Excursion</span></a> 13</dt> -<dt><a href="#c3"><span class="sc">Tim, the Dissipated</span></a> 91</dt> -<dt><a href="#c4"><span class="sc">Carlo, the Soldier</span></a> 113</dt> -<dt><a href="#c5"><span class="sc">Jeff, the Inquisitive</span></a> 127</dt> -<dt><a href="#c6"><span class="sc">Toby, the Wise</span></a> 139</dt> -<dt><a href="#c7"><span class="sc">Two Dogs</span></a> 149</dt> -<dt><a href="#c8"><span class="sc">Two Innocents Abroad</span></a> 165</dt> -<dt><a href="#c9"><span class="sc">About Columbus, by an old showman</span></a> 171</dt> -<dt><a href="#c10"><span class="sc">In Relation to Mysteries</span></a> 187</dt> -<dt><a href="#c11"><span class="sc">Mysteries</span></a> 195</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_1">1</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c1">EXPLANATORY</h2> -<p>The title chosen for the following -sketches, written for the purpose -of presenting certain prominent -characteristics of the lower animals -worthy of the attention of the human -animal, stands for rather a serious proposition -which may be questioned by a -majority of those readers whose kindly -interest in our mute friends has not -already been seriously awakened.</p> -<p>To write so that those who read -may infer that a certain selected number -of so-called lower animals are better, by -nature and conduct, in certain elemental -<span class="pb" id="Page_2">2</span> -virtues, than men, is, to say the least, -rather imprudent, and to the optimistic -student of human nature may appear -irreverent to an unpardonable degree. -Usually, to the minds of such observers, -humanity is accepted for its traditional -value, regardless of established conditions -or inherent actualities. Such investigators -investigate only one side of -their subject. They start out handicapped -with the old theory that in every -respect the human animal is superior to -every other, without attempting to -analyze unseen interior conditions, -whether natural or developed.</p> -<p>In relation to natural conditions, -the large majority of Christian sects are -perfectly logical. They lay down as -a clearly established fundamental fact -that all human beings, owing to what -they designate as Adam’s fall, are born -into this world morally corrupt and -completely depraved, but that they -<span class="pb" id="Page_3">3</span> -have within their control for ready application -an appropriate panacea for a -certain cure of these natural defects. -But the optimist neither admits the disease -nor the necessity for cure; he says -always, at least inferentially, that all -human beings come into the world in a -state of innocence and purity, and that -their few defects represent a certain -amount of degeneration.</p> -<p>Both of these theories may be -wrong. It is possible that all children -come into the world with a certain -number of well-known natural qualities—good, -bad, strong, and weak—in no -two alike, and for which they are in no -way responsible; and that what they -become in their mature years depends -largely, if not entirely, upon home training -and the care bestowed upon them -by the government under whose laws -they exist. Strong, healthy, intellectual, -and moral parents, aided by a wise -<span class="pb" id="Page_4">4</span> -and honestly administered government, -assist each other in forming characters -which make fine men and women. But -without the combination of those parental -qualities ever actively engaged in -instructing and controlling, sustained -by a wise political organization, there is -usually but little development of the -higher and better qualities of our nature, -either moral or intellectual.</p> -<p>It is at this point that we may be -permitted to cite the difference between -the so-called upper and lower animal. -In the dog and horse, notably, their -better qualities are inherent, born with -them, grow stronger with time, and -their almost perfect and complete development -is natural, and continues -without aid, example, or instruction. -Not more than one dog or horse in a -thousand, if kindly treated and left to -himself, would turn out vicious, and -treat them as we may, no matter how -<span class="pb" id="Page_5">5</span> -unjustly or cruelly, we can never deprive -them of their perfect integrity and -splendid qualities of loyalty to master -and friends.</p> -<p>These most valuable of all moral -qualities are natural to certain animals, -and, no matter what man may do, they -can never be extinguished. Although -intangible, they are as much parts of -the living organism of the horse and -dog as are their eyes or the other organs -needed for physical purposes. The -affection of the dog for those whom he -loves is actually boundless. It has -neither taint of selfishness nor has it -limits, and it can only be extinguished -with the loss of life. The ever-willing -horse will run himself to death to carry -from danger, and especially from the -pursuit of enemies, those who make -use of his friendly aid. Other animals -will do as much, but they never volunteer -for a dangerous service.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_6">6</div> -<p>In India, where the elephant is -used for domestic purposes and is sometimes -treated as a domestic animal, he -has been known to protect children left -in his charge, and in the performance -of his daily task will yield willing -obedience to orders; but he is a knowing -and cautious constructionist, and -seldom goes outside of the strict line of -duty. He will always fight for his own -master or friends when told, and sometimes -volunteers to encounter a danger -to protect those around him who seek -the aid of his superior powers. He is -however, a natural conservative, and -prefers peace to war.</p> -<p>Many other animals are capable of -becoming affectionate pets and interesting -companions, but in no respect can -they be compared with the dog, the -horse, or the elephant. In their separate -and individual combination of qualities -which render them fit and useful companions -<span class="pb" id="Page_7">7</span> -for man, they stand quite by -themselves. The question of treating -animals with kindly consideration is -usually disposed of by saying they -are not capable of appreciating kind -treatment; that their brain capacity is -so limited in respect to quantity as to -render them quite incapable of distinguishing -active kindness from passive -indifference or even cruel treatment.</p> -<p>This is the theory of the thoughtless.</p> -<p>The Newfoundland dog which, in -the summer of 1866, I saw leap from a -bridge into a rapid-running deep creek -and rescue a two-year-old child from -death, thought—and quickly at that. -In a second he appreciated the value of -a critical moment, and estimated not -only the magnitude but the quality of -the danger. No human being could -have taken in the whole situation more -completely or caused the physical organization -<span class="pb" id="Page_8">8</span> -to respond to the brain command -with greater celerity. The whole -incident was over by the time the first -on the spot of the would-be human -rescuers had taken off his coat.</p> -<p>Crowley, the remarkable chimpanzee, -who had his home in the Central -Park Menagerie for about four years, -proved to be a most convincing item of -testimony in favor of the intellectual -development of one of the lower animals. -The gradual and certain unfolding -of his intelligence betrayed the -presence of a quantity of natural brainpower -almost equal to that of an intelligent -child of his own age.</p> -<p>Among his numerous accomplishments -was a complete outfit of the -table manners of the average well-bred -human being. His accurate holding of -knife, fork, and spoon, his perfect knowledge -of their use, and the delicate application -to his lips of the napkin, proved -<span class="pb" id="Page_9">9</span> -the possession of exceptional knowledge -and a well-ordered memory.</p> -<p>The things he did and the words -he tried to speak, for he made thousands -of efforts every day to utter his -thoughts, would make a convincing -list of items all going to prove the presence -of a capacity for thinking quite -worthy of consideration.</p> -<p>In elaborating the various powers -which he employed in his methods of -expression he showed remarkable ingenuity. -He, no doubt, reflected upon -his deficiencies, and thought the whole -matter over with reference to means of -communication with those he cared -to converse with, and then, from out -the store of his natural capacities, invented -an extensive combination of -hand and feet signs with the variety of -sounds at his command, which finally -enabled him to make himself perfectly -understood by those about him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_10">10</div> -<p>The intellectual development of -Crowley, of which I have given only -an inadequate idea, came from kind -treatment and constant contact with -his keeper and the director of the menagerie, -both of whom were his devoted -friends and teachers.</p> -<p>These little character sketches, as -they may perhaps be described, were -written for the purpose of awakening -the personal interest of those who may -read them, with the hope also of enlisting -their active influence in behalf of -spreading abroad a better understanding -of the nature of our four-footed -friends and servants, who give so much -and receive so little in return. The -better appreciation of their exceptionally -fine qualities will surely lead to -closer relations between them and their -masters, and, in the end, insure better -treatment for those humble and confiding -creatures which the Creator has -<span class="pb" id="Page_11">11</span> -placed so completely in the power of -man.</p> -<p>Fiction plays but a little part in -these pages. It has long been a source -of pleasure to me to note the marks of -intelligence in the animals that we admit -to our companionship, that we -make a part of our family rule and association. -These sketches are nearly all -based upon personal experiences and -observations of my own. They are -my plea for their greater civil rights—at -least in the way of kindness and appreciation. -Incidentally I have given -such local color to the stories as they -require. The first sketch, for example, -has for its frame the pleasant hills and -valleys of Vermont. It recalls old days -worth the recording and a people of -pure Anglo-Saxon blood worth a lasting -memory.</p> -<p><span class="lr">R. C. H.</span></p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c2">THE EXCURSION</h2> -<p>A particular summer, back in -the fifties, I spent in one of the -beautiful valley villages of the -“Green Mountain State.” The old-fashioned, -unpretending country tavern -was comfortable and the air and scenery -all that could be desired. The amusements, -or rather occupations, afforded -to the sojourners, aside from reading -the solid literature of the period, were -neither novel nor exhausting, but they -gave pleasure, were reposeful, and were -innocent enough to have satisfied the -code of the most exacting moralist. The -<span class="pb" id="Page_14">14</span> -daily routine was limited, not costly, and -within easy reach.</p> -<p>Of course, the first rural recreation -was to fish in streams where there were -no fish; to climb the highest hills as -often as possible; argue religious, political, -and commercial questions with the -numerous oracles of the village, and -diagnose the autumn crop question -with the farmers. These occupations -were staple commodities, always in -stock and on tap ready to flow.</p> -<p>The good people of the town were -very much astonished when they found -I had discovered an additional occupation. -I had made the acquaintance of -all the town dogs, and found them a -most entertaining and sociable lot of -easy-going vagabonds. The majority -were much given to loafing, barking at -strangers and the passing vehicles, and -not over-anxious to earn the scant -meals grudgingly doled out to them by -<span class="pb" id="Page_15">15</span> -the thrifty housewives, who frequently -addressed them in terms not of a complimentary -nature.</p> -<p>Those were not the days of romantic -names for dogs. The New England -<i>répertoire</i> for the canine race had been -handed down, in an unbroken line, -from a remote Puritan period. If a dog -was of a large size he was sure to respond -to the name of Tige, Rover, or -Lion, and, if small, he was usually -adorned with the name of Skip, Fido, or -Zip. In those days there were neither -kennel clubs nor dog exhibitions, and -the high-flown English names, such as -attach to the canine blue-bloods of -to-day, were unknown.</p> -<p>Within the ranks of this lazy, good-for-nothing, -good-natured tribe, with its -headquarters in my particular village, -was a characteristic specimen of a perfect -nobody’s dog. He was not unpleasant -to the vision, but, on the -<span class="pb" id="Page_16">16</span> -contrary, rather attractive. He was of -a light brindle color, with a black -nose, and was blessed with a pair of -beautiful, sympathetic, and expressive -dark-brown eyes, that had a frank way -of looking clear into the eyes of whoever -addressed him. But he was without -pedigree, industry, or hope, cared -nothing for worldly possessions, was -always ready to wag a hearty response -to every salutation, and was an ever-flowing -fountain of good nature and -kindness, but not devoid of character. -Along with all his apparent indifference -he had his strong points, and good ones -at that.</p> -<p>His great weakness was the woodchuck -season. No sportsman was ever -more watchful for the return of the -shooting period than was Rover for the -opening of the first woodchuck hole. -For days before the first opening he -would range the fields very much after -<span class="pb" id="Page_17">17</span> -the manner of the truly accomplished -shopping woman of a large city in -search of opportunities on a “bargain -day.” He had the keenest nose for his -favorite game of any dog in the town, -and so devoted was he to his particular -sport, that frequently, while the season -lasted, after a hard day’s work, he -would go to bed with an empty stomach, -his chance mistress having issued -an edict to the effect that the kitchen -door was to be closed at a certain hour—Rover -or no Rover. And so it came -to pass that our devoted sportsman -often went to his couch in the shed a -very hungry dog, not happy for the -moment, but always full of hope for -the coming morning.</p> -<p>While his sporting season lasted he -had but one occupation. As soon as -he had licked his breakfast plate clean, -even to the last mite of food, he -would start off for new adventures, -<span class="pb" id="Page_18">18</span> -and, as soon as he had succeeded in -finding a new subterranean abode of -his favorite game, he would give a joyous -bark, and commence a most vigorous -digging, and, if the soil happened to -be of a soft nature, he would soon bury -his body so as to leave no part of his -belongings in sight but the tip end of a -very quick-moving tail amid the débris -of flying soil. If called from his pursuit -he would come out of his hole wagging -most joyously and saying as plainly as -possible: “I wish you would turn in -and help a fellow.”</p> -<p>He had never been known to capture -a “chuck,” but he had his fun all -the same.</p> -<p>There is a story of a Frenchman, -who, when walking in the woods, -heard the whistle of a woodcock and -thereupon became possessed of an ardent -desire <i>pour la chasse</i>. He equipped -himself by borrowing a gun from one -<span class="pb" id="Page_19">19</span> -friend, a dog from another, a game-bag -from a third, and the making of a complete -shooting outfit from several others. -Early in the morning, after the -delusive whistle, he was up and off to -the woods. Filled with eager expectation -he tramped hills and swamps the -whole day through without seeing a -bird or getting a shot, and returned to -the hotel much the worse for the wear -and tear of the search, but, Frenchman -like, was vivacious and cheerful. An -English friend asked to see the inside of -his game-bag. “Ah,” answered the -would-be huntsman, “I did not get ze -leetle—ze <i>bécasse</i>, I did hear his whistle, -<i>mais j’ai eu ma chasse</i> all ze same, and -I am very happie.” And so it was with -Rover. He saw where his would-be -victim was located, enjoyed the pleasure -of hope, and had a day’s digging.</p> -<p>The other dogs of the village were -not ambitious, save at meal-time, when -<span class="pb" id="Page_20">20</span> -they were vigorously punctual, but -very unpunctual when there was anything -useful to do, such as going after -the cows at milking-time, driving enterprising -pigs out of the garden, chasing -the hens from the front entrance of -the house, and the like. As a rule -they were content to pass the sunny -hours of the day beneath protecting -shades, resting their lazy carcasses upon -the softest patch of greensward to be -found, and they were usually experts -in the art of finding such spots. It -was not so, however, with Rover. He -was an active dog, without a lazy bone -in his body, always on the alert for an -occupation, no matter if sometimes useful. -Take them, however, for all in -all, this worthless pack of four-footed -worthies were not a bad sort of a lot. -All save one were good-natured and -sociable. That exception was a maltese-colored -abridgment of a mastiff, -<span class="pb" id="Page_21">21</span> -short-haired and old. He was the property -of one of the village doctors, who -was a pestiferous Whig, with the reputation -of being the “tongueyist man -in the county, if not in the State.” -He carried chips upon both shoulders, -was the proprietor of a loud voice—plenty -of it—and was always ready for a -war between tongues. He “argered” -for the sake of argument, but his ancient -“Spot,” with a thickened throat and -wheezy voice, could only keep up a -running <i>pro forma</i> barking accompaniment -while his master “downed” his -opponent. The old dog had unconsciously -contracted his master’s habit -of controversy, and felt that he must -help him out. It is due to the memory -of that ancient canine to record that he -attended strictly to his own affairs, and -would brook no interference from frivolous -idle dogs with no particular occupation, -nor would he associate with -<span class="pb" id="Page_22">22</span> -them when off duty. When not with -his master, he kept inside his own -fence, and barked and made disagreeable -faces at all would-be intruders.</p> -<p>As bearing upon the story that will -develop, I may add that besides the -dogs there are, in Vermont, other four-footed -friends and servants of man -worthy of consideration. The Vermont -“Morgan horse” is one of the acknowledged -native “institutions,” and no -lover of that animal has ever made the -intimate acquaintance of one of his -strain without being fascinated with his -delicate, refined beauty, affectionate -disposition, intelligence, endurance, and -willingness to serve.</p> -<p>I was brought up with them, and -used to romp and race with the colts, -ride the mothers without saddle, bridle, -or halter, and purloin sugar and salt to -feed them when the “old folks were -not looking.” Among my happiest -<span class="pb" id="Page_23">23</span> -hours were those of my childhood and -boyhood spent in close association with -the great groups of animals that lived -upon the hills of the old farm at the -“crotch in the roads.” Calves, among -the most beautiful of all the young animals, -with their great soft eyes and innocent -faces, were a source of infinite -joy to me, and even the silly and unintellectual -sheep always appealed to my -affections and sense of protection. -These I regarded as wards to love and -protect, but the dogs and Morgan -horses were my petted friends and companions. -From their habitual display -of good faith, perfect integrity and -affection I learned all the lessons applicable -to every-day life that have been of -value to me. From man I could have -learned the arts of deceit and cunning, -selfishness and want of feeling, and the -practise of vanity, but never a single -quality which came to me from the -<span class="pb" id="Page_24">24</span> -habitual association with the honest -four-footed friends of my youth.</p> -<p>The people of my native State, -among their other fine characteristics, -have always been noted for their kindness -to animals, which fact alone stands -for a very elevated plane of civilization. -Ever since nearly a century ago, when -the Morgan horse first came to them, -he has been an object of their affection, -and it is undoubtedly, to a great extent, -owing to that creditable fact that he has -always been the same charming animal -that he is to-day.</p> -<p>That the equine hero of this sketch -was not of that noble breed will not -detract from his special virtues or impair -my passing tribute to the Vermont -horse and his master. The one selected -for my riding excursions was the only -saddle-horse of repute in the county; -he belonged to a livery stable, and was -of the “calico” red and white sort, tall, -<span class="pb" id="Page_25">25</span> -long of body, sound of legs and feet, -with large, liquid, expressive eyes, -small ears, and a beautiful open nostril. -His pedigree was unknown, and no one -in the village could say where he came -from. He had been turned out lame -from a “travelling show” the year -before, and had been bought for a song. -Such only was his brief known history. -To his physical beauties were added the -higher qualities of head and heart in -abundance. He was the sort of a beautiful -creature that could not have done -a mean act. Nature never furnished -him tools for that kind of work.</p> -<p>He was effusively affectionate, and -his intelligence was of a high order for -a horse. We took a great fancy to -each other, and both of us to Rover, -who once in a while could be coaxed -from his pursuit of “chucks” to take a -run with us over the country roads.</p> -<p>Thus we became chosen friends, -<span class="pb" id="Page_26">26</span> -and I selected them as companions for -a recreative excursion which I had -planned, and which we shall now retrace.</p> -<p>An early breakfast for man, dog -and horse, and off. The general plan -was to ride early and late, and rest during -the hot hours of the middle portion -of the day. A village with a decent -“tavern” for the night was the objective -point for each evening, and the -usual daily distance, made at an easy -canter, was about twenty miles. Between -each stretch of three or four -miles there was a halt for a dismount, a -rest for the animals, and a leg exercise -for the rider. Rover was always glad -for a loll beneath the shady trees, but -“Charlie,” my calico friend, improved -his opportunities for a nibble of the tender -grass and sprouts within his reach. -During the first two or three days I had -to retrace my steps to remount, but I -<span class="pb" id="Page_27">27</span> -soon succeeded in making my companions -understand the nature and -object of a call, and, before the tour was -half over, they would not permit me to -walk out of their sight. Rover was on -the watch, and, as soon as he saw me -disappearing in the distance, would -give the alarm, and then both would -start off on a smart run to overtake me.</p> -<p>Upon one occasion, after climbing a -sharp hill, I had left them at the beginning -of a long level piece of road, and -had walked on. After going about half -a mile, I met a large drove of cattle. -When I had succeeded in passing -through and beyond it, my attention -was attracted by a confused noise in the -rear. Upon looking back I discovered -a great cloud of dust, and amidst it a -confusion of moving horns and tails, -while soon there appeared, racing -through the excited mass of bovines at -the top of his speed, Charlie, accompanied -<span class="pb" id="Page_28">28</span> -by his faithful attendant barking -at the top of his voice. The cattle were -excited and frightened up to the point -of jumping and running they knew not -where. Some went over fences, others -through them, while the main body -kept to the road, and, for a considerable -distance, carried everything before -them. I realized at once that my zealous -companions had got me into -trouble.</p> -<p>For the information of readers not -acquainted with the average “droveyer” -of forty and fifty years ago, it is -necessary to record that he was not the -sort of an individual calculated to adorn -refined society, and the language used -by those in charge of this particular -“drove” was more characteristic for its -strength than for its elegance or politeness. -I tried to appease their wrath, -apologized for the unseemly conduct of -dog and horse, alleged sudden fright, -<span class="pb" id="Page_29">29</span> -marshalled a fine array of other excuses, -and finally succeeded in neutralizing -the flow of their ire—just a little. But -the chief spokesman was not satisfied -with excuses and soft words; he was a -materialist, and wanted to know, then -and there, who was to put up the fence -and pay for the damage done by the -trampling down of growing crops. Under -the circumstances the query did not -seem to be an unreasonable one, and I -suggested that the better course to pursue -would be for the authors of the mischief -to make terms with the owner of -the crops, state facts, and await his decision.</p> -<p>The season happened to be between -planting and harvest, and “the -men-folks,” we were told, “are up -on yender hill mending fence, and -won’t be down till dinner.” The head -“droveyer,” impatient to keep with his -“drove,” would not wait, and informed -<span class="pb" id="Page_30">30</span> -me, in a rather emphatic sort of way, -that I would have to wait and “settle -up.” There was no appeal in sight -from his decision. So he went and I -waited.</p> -<p>The hot part of the day had arrived, -and it was within about two hours “till -dinner.” After “hitchin’” the horse -in the barn, away from the flies, I suggested -the loan of an axe. This excited -surprise, and the question came from the -head of the interior of that particular -domestic establishment: “What are -<i>you</i> going to do with an axe?” I answered: -“I’m going to mend the fence -where those cattle broke through.” -This feather came very near breaking -the back of the housewife, and her -sense of the ridiculous was excited up -to the point of explosion, but she was -too well bred to give the laugh direct, -full in the face, and contented herself by -making an acute mental survey of my -<span class="pb" id="Page_31">31</span> -physical points. She measured with -her eye the hands and girth of chest, -and made a close calculation as to the -amount of biceps assigned to each arm, -and after some reflection, said: “You’ll -find an old axe in the woodshed; you -can take it and try and patch up the -places, and, when you hear the horn, -you can come in and eat with the rest -of the folks.” I started off, filled with -the pride born of knowledge, and confident -of a coming success, but the even -flow of my happiness was soon disturbed -by a sound from the upper register -of a very loud, shrill voice, saying, -“Don’t split your feet open with that -are axe.” This was like a small streak -of ice water down the spinal column, -but I was on my mettle and not to be -discouraged. The vacant spaces in the -broken fence were encountered and -yielded to superior force, and a fairish -amount of success was accomplished -<span class="pb" id="Page_32">32</span> -about the time the welcome tones of -the sonorous horn announced the hour -for feeding.</p> -<p>I was introduced to the “men-folks” -as the stranger whose dog and -horse had “scart the cattle inter the -oats.” At first it was easy to see that I -was not regarded with favor, but, as the -dinner proceeded, and as anecdotes succeeded -each other about men, things -and far-off countries I had seen, the -Green Mountain ice began to melt, and, -by the time the “Injun puddin’” was -emptied out of its bag, cordial relations -were established. The two bright-faced -boys had become communicative, and -the older members of the family had -forgotten for the time the damage to the -oats.</p> -<p>The dinner ended, I requested a -board of survey and an estimate. The -first relevant observation in relation to -the case before the court came from -<span class="pb" id="Page_33">33</span> -the grandfather: “Well, I declare, I -couldn’t done it better myself. I didn’t -know you city folk could work so. -Where did you l’arn to mend fences?” -This first witness for the defence -produced a marked effect upon the -jury. The next point of observation -was the field of damaged oats. The -eldest son, a Sunday-school-sort of boy, -exclaimed: “By pepper, they are -pretty well trampled down, ain’t they? -No cradle can git under ’em; guess’ll -have ter go at ’em with the sickle, but -we can save the heft of ’em by bending -our backs a little.”</p> -<p>During the investigation not a word -was uttered about compensation, and, -after leaving the field, the conversation -ran into generalities; but before we -reached the house the grandfather’s -curiosity got the better of his timidity, -and he asked: “Where did you l’arn to -mend fences?” When I told him that -<span class="pb" id="Page_34">34</span> -my name was ——, that I was a grandson -of ——, was born at the “Old H. -Place at the crotch of the roads in the -town of P——,” learned to mend fences -there, etc., etc., he had great difficulty -in suppressing the dimensions of the -proud satisfaction my information had -produced. In his mind I was a degenerate -Vermonter, living in the great City -of New York, but had not forgotten -the lessons learned at the old farm. I -knew how to mend a fence, and that, -for him, was my certificate of character.</p> -<p>From the moment of my disclosures, -I was admitted to the inner family -circle, and there was no more farm-work -for the rest of the day, while the -afternoon hours were devoted to reminiscences -of the olden times: “Ah,” -said the old grandfather, “when I first -laid eyes on ye, I thought I’d seen -somebody like ye afore, and I remember -it was your grandfather on yer -<span class="pb" id="Page_35">35</span> -father’s side. He was a soldier of the -Revolutionary War in one of the Rhode -Island ridgiments, and my father belonged -to one from Massachusetts; -both served till the end of the war, and -then emigrated to Vermont, together. -My father settled on this farm, where I -was born in 1790; your grandfather -took up some land in P——, and till -the end of his days was the best schoolmaster -and surveyor anywhere round -these parts. He was a master-hand at -poetry, and used to write sarcastical -varses agin the lop-sided cusses he -hated. There’s allus some mean critters -in these country towns, who take advantage -of poor folks that ain’t very -smart and cheat ’em outer their property. -They used to feel mighty mean, -I tell ye, when they read your grandfather’s -varses about ’em. I heerd old -Si Simmons, up to town meeting only -last year, telling about a mean old -<span class="pb" id="Page_36">36</span> -critter down in P—— by the name of -Podges and how your grandfather writ -a varse for his gravestun, and I remember -it was about like this:</p> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">“‘Here lies the body of Podges Seth,</p> -<p class="t0">The biggest knave that e’er drew breath;</p> -<p class="t0">He lived like a hog and died like a brute,</p> -<p class="t0">And has gone to the d——l beyond dispute.’”</p> -</div> -<p>I was able to respond in kind, for I -happened to remember about another -local poet, who hated a surviving son -of this rural vampire, who quite worthily -perpetuated the detestable qualities of -his defunct parent, and, when he died, -as he did not many years after his -father, the other local poet, not to be -outdone by my grandfather, composed -the following verse as a fitting epitaph:</p> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">“Here lies the body of Podges Ed,</p> -<p class="t0">We all rejoice to know he’s dead;</p> -<p class="t0">Too bad for Heaven, too mean for Hell,</p> -<p class="t0">And where he’s gone no one can tell.”</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>In the “Old Times” there were -strong, honest, rugged characters -among the Vermont hills. The majority -of them were men of plain speech -and unyielding contempt for meanness -in any form. A goodly number of the -early settlers in the eastern counties -were soldiers of the Revolution who -had emigrated to the new State soon -after its close, and they brought with -them the simple, manly habits and -ways of thinking which are characteristic -of service in the field. Many were -the anecdotes told of them that day—the -day of the accident to the oats—very -much to the edification of the -juniors, who were all eyes and ears, at -least for that occasion.</p> -<p>The old house at the “crotch of the -roads,” when I was a boy, was the Saturday -and Sunday halting-place for the -old soldiers of my own and several of -the neighboring towns. The larder was -<span class="pb" id="Page_38">38</span> -always well-supplied, and the barrels of -cider that lined a capacious cellar were -ready to respond to every call. Under -the influence of an abundant supply of -that exhilarating beverage, the fighting -over of old battles was always vigorous -and sometimes vividly realistic.</p> -<p>The most famous of the local veterans, -of my time, was known among his -neighbors as “Uncle Daniel V——.” -He was a Lexington-Bunker Hill man, -who had served till the end of the war. -As I remember him, he was a most interesting -character, humorous, with a good -memory, a famous drinker of hard cider, -and a notable singer of the patriotic soldier -songs of the “Seventy-six” period. -I can recall, in his showing “how the -Yankee boys flaxed the Britishers,” how -he would shoulder one of his canes—he -was a rheumatic and walked with two—and -march up and down the broad -kitchen of the old house, going through -<span class="pb" id="Page_39">39</span> -the motions of loading, aiming and firing -at an imaginary enemy, greatly to -my childish delight, for those were the -first fierce war’s alarms I had ever witnessed, -and I can never forget how my -imagination was fired; nor how ardently -I wished I had been at Lexington -and Bunker Hill, where “we gave -it to the Red Coats.” Uncle Daniel -was far too good a patriot to say anything -about the return compliments, -“How the Red Coats gave it to us,” -upon one of those historic fields. Since -his day I have learned that one of his -glorification songs, which professed to -give a correct account of one particular -Yankee victory, was not in strict accord -with the truths of history. I could -recall for my host but a single verse of -all the songs he used to sing, and it -savors so much of the camp that I had -some misgivings about repeating it before -Christians, but upon being hard -<span class="pb" id="Page_40">40</span> -pressed by the boys and seeing approving -glances from other directions, concluded -to go ahead.</p> -<p>The verse I remember is one from a -song supposed to have been sung by -British soldiers who were in the retreat -after the defeat at Concord, April 19, -1775, and runs thus:</p> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">“From behind the hedges and the ditches.</p> -<p class="t">And every tree and stump.</p> -<p class="t0">We would see the sons of ——</p> -<p class="t">And infernal Yankees jump.”</p> -</div> -<p>I also remember, vaguely, something -of another Revolutionary camp song -which depicted the grief of the soldiers -of Burgoyne’s army. The refrain was -like this:</p> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">“We have got too far from Canada,</p> -<p class="t0">Run, boys, run.”</p> -</div> -<p>When we had exhausted the Revolution, -it was time for an afternoon start. -For more than an hour Rover had manifested -<span class="pb" id="Page_41">41</span> -his impatience by numerous waggings -and by pawing vigorously at the -legs of my trousers whenever I looked -his way, and from the barn there came -sounds of hoof-poundings and impatient -whinnerings—loud and plain calls for a -move. So, after many protests against -the going, a move to go was made.</p> -<p>Before the advance upon the barn -was fairly under way the youngster, -who had been an attentive listener, decided -upon a search for information, and, -commanding a halt, informed me that -“Old Jim Noyes, who lived over in the -Snow neighborhood, has two boys in -Boston; the oldest was up here in June -and told us there was a steeple down in -Boston as high as that old ‘Jackson -Hill’ of ours, but I didn’t b’leve a word -of it. Hosea Doten, the biggest man at -figgers and surveying in this part of -Vermont, told mother last year that Old -Jack was 1,200 feet above the sea and -<span class="pb" id="Page_42">42</span> -more than five hundred above where we -are standing; now, there ain’t no such -steeple in Boston nor anywhere else. -What do folks want such a high steeple -for, anyway? And if meetin’ houses -must have steeples, why won’t fifty -feet do as well as five hundred? Some -folks say that bells are hung up in steeples -so God can hear them ring for folks -to go to meetin’ Sunday mornin’. What -odds would two or three hundred feet -make to God? He can hear a bell just -as well in a fifty-foot steeple as in one -five hundred feet high. Meetin’ folks -could save a lot of money by building -low steeples. And besides, they ain’t -no use; nobody could live in ’em five -hundred feet up, and it would be too -high to hang a thermometer on unless -you had a spy-glass to look at it with. -I don’t b’leve in such high steeples; -they cost lots of money and ain’t of no -use.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<p>I assured the young philosopher of -my approval of his ideas about the uselessness -of high steeples, and told him -that Boston was not the owner of one -five hundred feet high. This information -was a source of immense satisfaction. -“I was right all the time,” he -added, “and knew that Jim Noyes was -giving us lies just as fast as his tongue -could work ’em out. Do all Vermont -boys that go to Boston learn to talk like -him? There’s a lot gone down there -from about here. Some of ’em are up -on a visit every once in a while, and -spend the most of their spare time in -telling such silly stories. I guess they -think they can stuff us country folks -just like Thanksgiving turkeys. What -makes ’em lie so? The boys round -here, if they talked like they do, would -get licked a dozen times a week and no -decent folks would have anything to do -with ’em. I suppose it’s all right. Boys, -<span class="pb" id="Page_44">44</span> -when they git to Boston, have got to -lie to keep their places and git a living. -Grandfather don’t take it to heart -so much as the rest of us. He says -lying is the biggest part of the show, -and the longer we live the more on’t -we’ll see.”</p> -<p>The day was well along, and the sun -showed a decided intention of soon disappearing -behind the top of “Old Jack,” -before I insisted on departing. Then -the calico horse was watered, saddled -and bridled, and brought out for inspection -and admiration. His appearance -elicited expressions of unbounded admiration, -his great, soft, brown, and -beautifully expressive eyes, his amiability -and active intelligence coming in -for no end of complimentary remarks. -The boys were especially enthusiastic -and proposed a “swap for a four-year-old -raised on the place.”</p> -<p>The oats question was again brought -<span class="pb" id="Page_45">45</span> -up for adjudication, and, after considerable -argument, the party owning the -injured crop determined to leave the -amount of damage an open question -until the individual responsible for it -could “come around agin.”</p> -<p>The moment had arrived for the reluctant -good-by, the grasp of hands, the -mount and the start, amid great excitement -and noise on the part of the animals; -and then commenced a most -exhilarating run of more than fifteen -miles over a softish dirt road, through -a series of lovely valleys, to the little -village of D——, where we called a -halt for the night, which was destined -to be prolonged into the orthodox Sunday -rest of the place and period.</p> -<p>By this time the organization of three -had crystallized into exact form, and -without effort had settled into an habitual -daily routine, and the incidents of -to-day were quite certain to be repeated -<span class="pb" id="Page_46">46</span> -to-morrow. There was always plenty -of time, evenings and middle parts of -days, for talking with the “folks”—oracles -about the village taverns—who, -like the old-time bar-room Major and -Judge of the Slave States, were always -on hand and on tap for a copious outpouring -of village gossip and political -information. In justice to the Major -and Judge of the old days of the South, -it must be written that they were usually -waiting for another sort of a tap-flow -to be turned on, from a tap not -of their own.</p> -<p>It is doubtful if the happy trio ever -appreciated the greatness of this three -weeks’ manifestation of themselves, -through which they were unambitious -but undoubted involuntary heroes -among the country folk. John Gilpin -could not have been more fortunate in -the way of attracting attention from all -beholders; and “the more they gazed -<span class="pb" id="Page_47">47</span> -the more the wonder grew,” and the -puzzle of forty years ago, in the villages -through which we passed, of “What is -it, anyway?” remains as profound a -mystery as ever.</p> -<p>In some places I was regarded as a -very considerable personage on a secret -mission of great import; at other times -the saddle-valise was accused of containing -a supply of a newly discovered -life-saving pill; but, generally, we were -mistaken by the wise know-it-alls of -the village as the advance agents of a -coming circus; if not, why the calico -horse? which to the rural mind, from -the most remote period, has been associated -with the gorgeous, gilded bandwagon, -spangles, and sawdust. The -fortunate suspicion of circus affiliations -brought to us a measure of attention -far beyond our merits; both animals -were treated with the greatest respect, -as possible performers of high standing, -<span class="pb" id="Page_48">48</span> -and upon several occasions I was asked -to “make ’em show off.”</p> -<p>The summer Saturday afternoon and -evening in Vermont is always the same. -At the “stores” business flourishes, -and profitable activity reigns supreme -until late into the evening hours. On -the farm the opposite is the rule, a -general “slicking up for Sunday” and -the doing of “odd chores” around the -house and barn is the order of the day, -the whole being a fitting prelude to the -coming Sunday, which is always what -it ought to be, not the Lord’s any more -than another day, nor anybody else’s -day, but a day of rest, pure and simple, -for all the creatures of the Creator. Ever -since I can remember, Vermonters, without -asking leave of this or that authority -have chosen their own way of -Sunday resting.</p> -<p>In no state west of the Rocky -Mountains do the beauties of nature -<span class="pb" id="Page_49">49</span> -make a stronger appeal for human appreciation -than in Vermont, and never -are they seen to better advantage than -upon a quiet summer Sunday morning, -when the brilliant blue sky is filled -with light, and all the world seems -to be at peace. The clear, limpid -streams move silently on as though -controlled by the all-pervading spirit of -rest; the leaves of the trees, yielding -to the universal feeling of repose, keep -silence with the rest of nature, and over -all there is the fascinating power of -wondrous beauties abounding not made -by the hands of man. Such days are -made for rest and reflection, when -nature invites us to commune with her -works, that we may know more of -them and be able to rise to a higher -and more ennobling appreciation of her -beauties. The quiet, suggestive New -England summer Sunday morning’s appeal -is nature’s most beneficent call to -<span class="pb" id="Page_50">50</span> -her children to come to her and search -for knowledge of things which lead -through untrodden paths, where, at -every step, new pleasures unfold to the -view for our instruction and enjoyment.</p> -<p>Upon such occasions we yield to -the influence of the silent voice and the -unseen hand, and unconsciously follow -the beckonings of a wingless fairy, -Nature’s ever-present handmaid, who, -without our knowledge, leads us to a -new Fairyland, where new beauties -abound, and where countless joys are -within the reach of the most humble -subjects of the Creator.</p> -<p>Such a typical Sunday as the one -I have attempted to describe followed -the Saturday after our arrival at the little -village of D——. The first duties of -the day were to our four-footed friends, -and then came the standard breakfast -of the place and period for the superior -<span class="pb" id="Page_51">51</span> -being. Fifty years ago this was very -much more of a living Yankee institution -than now. In those days the French -<i>menu</i>, much to the satisfaction of those -practitioners in the dental line, had not -penetrated within the borders of the -New England rural districts. I remember -distinctly the color and taste of the -native bean-coffee, the solidity of the -morning pie-crusts, the crumble after -the crash of the cookey, and the greasy -substantiality of the venerated doughnut. -All these we had in abundance, -with the incidental “apple sass” thrown -in between courses that lovely Sunday -morning, forty-one years ago this writing.</p> -<p>The town of D——, happened to be -the shire-town of the county in which -it was situated. At the time of my -brief sojourn there, the Supreme Court -was in session and one of the judges -had the head of the table at the hotel, -<span class="pb" id="Page_52">52</span> -while I, being a supposed distinguished -stranger, with “boughten clothes” and -a fair expanse of starched shirt-front, -was given the seat of honor at his right -hand. I found him a regulation specimen -of the real original Yankee judge, -quaint of speech, humorous, and intelligent, -and not a profound believer in -the oft-alleged superior qualities of the -animal said to have been made in the -image of his maker.</p> -<p>Our conversation started and continued -for some time in the usual way; -the weather and condition of crops being -used as an excuse for the opening -sentences, but, before the breakfast was -over, a shrewd series of inoffensive direct -questions, deftly put, brought to -the surface the fact that I had travelled -in strange and far-away countries.</p> -<p>Punctually at the usual hour and -minute, the Sunday bells commenced -their weekly call to the faithful, and the -<span class="pb" id="Page_53">53</span> -Judge interrupted the easy flow of his -entertaining conversation to ask how I -usually spent Sunday. I told him I had -no particular way of doing that day, but -usually permitted original sin to take its -course. That idea seemed to strike him -favorably and brought out a proposition -that we should take to the woods and -see which could tell the biggest story, -he at the same time remarking: “You -have travelled so much that by this time -you ought to be an interesting liar. On -such a beautiful day as this there is no -excuse for bothering the parson. Sometimes -on a cold chilly day he is a real -comfort; he warms us up with the heat -of the brimstone to come.”</p> -<p>That Sunday made its mark. It was -a red-letter day never to be forgotten. -My new acquaintance proved to be a -philosopher and thinker of no ordinary -dimensions. He was saturated with -the teachings of Socrates, Cicero, Marcus -<span class="pb" id="Page_54">54</span> -Aurelius, and Gibbon, and I suspected -he had taken a sly glance or two -at Lucretius and Voltaire. He had ready -for use, at command, the essence of the -entire teachings of his favorite authors, -and could quote whole pages from their -works.</p> -<p>While we were stretched out upon a -bed of dead leaves, looking up through -the living ones to the open sky above, -my faithful companions, feeling the -quieting influence of the day, were near -us, tranquilly enjoying the shade, and -acting as though taking in a conversation -which they seemed to understand. -As with men we often meet, this silence -was passing them off for being wiser -than they were. My canine companion -was close to my side with my hand -gently resting upon his head, while my -calico equine friend was enjoying the -grateful shade of a broad spreading maple, -and busying himself with switching -<span class="pb" id="Page_55">55</span> -away at speculative flies in search -of opportunities for luxurious dinners.</p> -<p>The satisfactory contentment of the -two animals attracted the attention of -my judicial companion, and he asked -me to explain the secret of our close -companionship. He was surprised -when I told him there was no secret -about it, that I treated my four-footed -friends as I would human beings; -looked after their general welfare, saw -that they were sufficiently fed with the -proper food, talked to them in kindly -tones of voice, gave them tid-bits now -and then that I knew they were fond -of, patted them approvingly, never -scolded or used a whip, and, finally, -spent a great deal of my time in their -company. I further explained that intellectually -I regarded them as being on -a plane with children—to be looked -after, to be kindly treated, and to have -their mental faculties developed to the -<span class="pb" id="Page_56">56</span> -full extent of the separate capacity of -each, and, that by pursuing such a -course, we could obtain the best service -and an amount of affection and companionship -that would amply recompense -us for all of our trouble.</p> -<p>“Well,” he exclaimed, “this is all -news to me! There is logic and good -sound sense in your whole scheme, and -it’s strange I never thought of it before. -You have studied the subject of intellectual -development in animals and gotten -something out of it I had never -dreamed of. Ever since I have been -able to think my head has been filled -with common law, Court decisions, and -the Statute in such case made and provided, -and I have had but little time, -and, possibly, less disposition, to indulge -in sentiment. I suppose you -know the people of your native state -well enough to appreciate their strong -and weak points. The Vermonter, as a -<span class="pb" id="Page_57">57</span> -rule, does not waste any time upon sentimentality; -he is too busy digging out -a living from these old hills and from -between the rocks for those dependent -upon him to waste much time cultivating -the sentimental side. He is quite -apt to take the utilitarian view of most -earthly matters. His horse he regards -as a useful animal, to be well fed and -comfortably housed in order to prolong -his usefulness as much as possible; -and his dog he looks upon as a useless -companion—not worthy of respect, -comfortable lodging, or good food, unless -he earns all three by bringing up -the cows at night and chasing all marauders -from grain and planted fields -during the day. Your side of the animal -question is a new one, and I am -going to commence operations upon -my faithful burden-carrier as soon as -we reach the stable. I’d be mightily -pleased to have him walk along with -<span class="pb" id="Page_58">58</span> -me and put his velvety nose against -my face as I have seen your calico -friend do with you. All men, all real -men, properly put together, are fond of -being loved, and are willing to take it -in wholesale doses, and a little dog and -horse—when the women are not around—thrown -in to fill between the chinks, -helps to make a perfect whole. We -men are a careless, selfish lot, who -leave mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, -and dogs and horses to do the -most of the loving, and accept it as a -matter of right, without making the returns -which are their due. They trudge -along in silence, giving us their affection, -and work on, chiefly for us, when they -ought to kick. In giving me this Sunday -lesson you have opened up a new -lead in my make-up, and I intend to -explore it until I develop a new deposit -of humanity, and I’ll commence -by stealing a lump of sugar for ‘Old -<span class="pb" id="Page_59">59</span> -Whitey’ the next time I leave the tavern -table, and, instead of having it -charged in the bill, I’ll open a new account, -and credit my first theft to the -cause of animal development.”</p> -<p>The next morning I parted from my -judicial acquaintance, he volunteering -the promise to write and let me know -the result of his new experiment among -the inhabitants of the barnyard. During -the night he had “analyzed the -whole business,” and arrived at the -conclusion that there were other dumb -creatures besides dogs and horses -worthy of cultivating. The much neglected -and despised pig, he proposed, -with apparent humorous sincerity, to -take in hand, and make a special effort -to reform his manners and cultivate his -mental faculties. He argued that human -society was responsible for “downing -the pig.” It is a question of “mad -dog!” over again, he declared. “Some -<span class="pb" id="Page_60">60</span> -one in the far-off past had said the hog -was a filthy beast, and without stopping -to inquire, everybody else had -joined in the cry. My mission is to do -away with this unreasonable prejudice, -and to elevate to his proper social and -intellectual position among the animals -of the earth my much abused and unappreciated -porcine friend.” These were -his jovial parting words, and, with them -ringing in my ears, the trio made the -morning start for the last day of the -outward-bound part of the excursion.</p> -<p>A thirty miles ride carried us to -one of the oldest villages in the northern -part of the State—not far from the -Canada line. One long street, made -up of the blacksmith, shoemaker, and -tinshop; a dry goods “Emporium,” a -tavern—“The Farmers’ Home”—and -the usual number of churches, with a -doctor’s shop, and a few dwellings -thrown in, here and there, to fill up the -<span class="pb" id="Page_61">61</span> -intervals between the more important -structures—made, with a good supply -of shade-trees, an attractive village. -Of course the buildings were all square -and white, and the blinds were all -green, and they were placed as near -the road as possible, but notwithstanding -these faults of form, color, and -position, constituting crimes against -Nature, the whole was fairly attractive. -Do what they will to offend and deface -the beauties of New England, and -especially Vermont nature, the Philistines -who inhabit its picturesque valleys -cannot destroy the beautiful ever-varying -outlines of its hills or the restful -repose of its summer days. They have -managed to slaughter its forests and to -dry up its limpid mountain streams, -but, with the consummation of those -outrages, Nature calls a halt; and the -Vandals leave off destroying because -there is little left to destroy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>The “Farmer’s Home” proved to -be an attractive family affair. The -father, mother, son and daughter composed -the entire <i>ménage</i>, and all were -equally at home in the duties of their -special departments. There was a tour -of duty for each in the kitchen; but the -energetic daughter was supreme in the -“Dining-hall,” where she propelled its -affairs with mechanical exactitude. Her -unwritten motto was: “On time, or -cold victuals.” She was a strict constructionist, -and “cl’ared off the things” -as soon as the last piece of pie had disappeared. -But, as the English would -say, she was not at all a bad sort. She -was active, inquisitive, quaint, and -direct,—had opinions upon all subjects, -and expressed them freely. I have -always believed I was her first serious -anthropological study. At first, she -accepted me with an immense qualification. -My manifest bias in favor of -<span class="pb" id="Page_63">63</span> -animals was something new to her -which she could not comprehend. To -her practical mind, the petting of a dog -and looking after his welfare was a -perfect waste of time, while paying -particular attention to the wants and -care of a horse was something not to -be thought of. I saw she was rapidly -filling up to the bursting point with -curiosity, but was too shy to ask the -direct questions which she was anxious -to put to me. As soon as occasion -offered, I felt it my duty to give her an -opportunity to free her mind, and, sitting -out the rest of the “boarders” at -my last “supper,” presented an opening -for the point of the wedge to enter. -By way of introduction, I mentioned -my regrets at being compelled to leave -the next morning.</p> -<p>“All the folks around here,” she -frankly said, “will be sorry to hear it; -you ain’t like anybody else we’ve ever -<span class="pb" id="Page_64">64</span> -had in this town, at least sence I can -remember. Father and Tom, and all -the rest of ’em that’s been watching of -you, say you care more for critters than -you do for human folks, and I think so -too; ever sence I heard you talk to that -dog of yourn I couldn’t make you out. -We never had anything like that up -here before, and one of the store fellers -told me yesterday he thought you were -one of them New York City chaps a little -off, that had come on this ride for -your health, and yit you talk sense -about anything else except them critters -of yourn, and that’s what puzzles -the folks—to think that such a smart -feller as you ’pear to be, should be clear -gone off when you get to talking to the -critters. And then there ain’t any sense -in it, any way; you can talk to dogs -and hosses all your life and never git -an answer. They are dumb beasts, -that’s all they be, and you can’t make -<span class="pb" id="Page_65">65</span> -’em folks if you try a thousand years. -I’ll bet anything you ain’t got a wife. -If you had, you wouldn’t be talking all -this nonsense to critters all the time; if -you had one worth a cent, you’d stay -to home and talk to her, and let the critters -take care of themselves, same as -other folks do. Nothing like a good -wife to take such wrinkles out of a -man’s head! Why don’t you get married -anyway? Right here in this town -there are a lot of first-rate girls, better -educated than I be, been to the high-school, -and got as good learning as any -of the city women, all dying to git -married, and you can take your choice -right here now. If you had one of our -nice girls you wouldn’t need to have -that darn fool of a dog round all the -time for company.”</p> -<p>The latter part of this mind-freeing -was earnest and emphatic, and I discovered -between the spoken lines the -<span class="pb" id="Page_66">66</span> -true cause of the outburst. It was as -clear as the noonday sun that she had -a very poor opinion of an individual -who preferred the company of a dog to -the fascinations of fair woman, and she -had made up her mind to let me know -what she thought.</p> -<p>I ignored the nice girl part of the -argument, and startled her by asking -if she were a Christian. “’Spose I am, -I try to be. I don’t know much about -it anyhow. What makes you ask such -an all-fired silly question? All the folks -round here are Christians; we ain’t -heathens any mor’n city folks.”</p> -<p>“Then it follows as a matter of -course, you being a Christian, that you -believe the Creator made Heavens and -the earth and all things therein, and -you do not believe he made anything -in vain. All of his creations we see or -know anything of were made for a -purpose. The domestic animals were -<span class="pb" id="Page_67">67</span> -intended for the use of human beings, -and upon the list of those the horse -stands first, because he is the most intelligent -of the purely useful animals; -but the dog is far ahead of him in -every respect save physical power. His -intelligence is of a high order, which -entitles him to our respect, and he is -the only animal that will leave his kind -to associate with man; and there are -thousands of instances recorded of his -having sacrificed his life for those he -loved. No other animal has ever been -known to do that. The elephant, with -his admitted capacity for acute reasoning, -never defends his master unless -ordered; on the contrary, he seldom -misses an opportunity to kill those -who have injured or offended him. -The dog never does this; he bears no -malice, and forgets and forgives injuries -inflicted by those he loves, neither does -he know distinction of condition or -<span class="pb" id="Page_68">68</span> -rank. He knows you are his master or -mistress, and whether you are prince -or peasant it matters not. The palace -or the garret are the same to him, provided -a kind master is to be found in -either, and he shares with his master -the feast or the crust with equal pleasure. -The noble dog possesses the highest -qualities. He gives you his loyal -affection without reserve, never deceives -you, and is true even unto death, -and I hold we are indebted to him for -giving us all that is good in his nature, -for, the better you treat him, the more -his fine qualities come to the surface. -Am I not right?”</p> -<p>“Well, I swan; you’ve taken the -breath all out of my body; I never -heard such talk before. I don’t know -what to say, and I can’t dispute you. -You’ve got the whole thing by heart -and let it out just like one of them -revival exhorters that comes along here -<span class="pb" id="Page_69">69</span> -every once in a while. You’ve said a -lot about animals I never heard before -or thought of; nobody round here ever -talks about ’em like you do. Why, -you put the dog way up head of folks. -From what you say, he’s ten times as -decent as most men, and, if he could -only talk, he would show us he could -spell hard words and do the meanest -sums in the ’rithmetic. At any rate, if -dogs and horses and other sich like are -as smart as you say they are, they ain’t -got no feelings like we have—ain’t got -sense enough to be sensitive and take -on about pain and suffering like we do. -You can’t make me b’leve any sich stuff -as that anyhow.”</p> -<p>This is the point usually made by -those who have never seriously considered -the true nature and physical structure -of animals. A cursory examination -would prove to the most careless observer, -that the organs and various -<span class="pb" id="Page_70">70</span> -parts of the human organization are duplicated -in the animals, especially in -those of the domestic sort. The two -points of difference are in form of body -and the four legs given to the lower orders -instead of two. The heart, lungs, -bones, muscles, nerves, blood-vessels -and brain are in each about the same. -In the animal, for want of speech, the -power of the brain is an unknown -quantity, and the absence of that faculty -of giving expression to thought -constitutes the greatest difference between -the species. Give the higher of -the lower animals the power of speech, -and possibly some men would take -rank as the lower animal.</p> -<p>All this I explained to my audience -of one, and, in addition, asserted that a -cruel punishment of a physical nature -inflicted upon a human being, if bestowed -upon a dog, a horse or an ox -would produce the same amount of pain -<span class="pb" id="Page_71">71</span> -and suffering. If whipping is painless, -why do all animals who have once been -whipped jump aside and try to dodge -the whip they see flourishing in the -hands of those near them? The answer -is, fear of pain. There is no other -explanation of their action. Schoolboys -dread the birch and ferule of the -schoolmaster no more than a horse or -an ox fears and dreads the whip of a -driver.</p> -<p>“I declare this is all news to me,” -my rural friend replied, “and you -really have set me to thinking. I guess -we ought to treat all sorts of animals, -including the human, better than we -do. I’ve been going to meeting sence -I was old enough to go alone, and I -never heard a minister say anything -about loving animals and treating them -decently—kinder like folks—do a lot of -good if they did—’spose they think they -ain’t paid for that sort of business and -<span class="pb" id="Page_72">72</span> -’ave got all they can do to save the -souls of sinners.”</p> -<p>This was the last attempt at pure -missionary work in behalf of the lower -orders. The pleasure part of the excursion -was about to end, and on the -morning of the morrow the business of -returning to the starting point was to -commence in earnest. The return was -made by a short series of long days’ -work, commencing early in the morning, -running well into the day, with rest -in the middle, starting off again late in -the afternoon, and extending well into -the evening. In three days the return -was finished, the whole excursion had -lasted nearly three weeks—three joyous -weeks, never again to be duplicated.</p> -<p>The most pleasurable hours of the -little tour came from the association -with my four-footed servants and companions. -The gradual unfolding of their -intelligence and the rapid development -<span class="pb" id="Page_73">73</span> -of their affection were never-failing -sources of pleasure. Towards the last -my calico horse would leave his feed, -no matter how fascinating to his taste -the oats might be, to be in my society, -and the watchful dog was never away -from my side, night or day. At first he -shared the stable with his companion, -but soon after, whenever he was ordered -out for the night, his anxious, -silent pleadings became so tender and -touching that I could not withstand -them, and I consented to his sharing -my room with me. At first he had -the natural dog habit of rising at an -inconveniently early hour, but after -being admonished of the irregularity of -his behavior, he would remain quiet -until ordered out for his morning exercise.</p> -<p>Never before or since had I been -blessed with more sincere and disinterested -friends—always anxious to serve -<span class="pb" id="Page_74">74</span> -and, seemingly, perfectly happy only -when in my society.</p> -<p>Within a week after our return came -the final parting between us, and I have -never had more stings of conscience -than I felt when closing the door of -the little paradise my confiding friends -were never to enter again. I parted -with them in sorrow, filled with anxiety -for their future, as well I might -have been, for early the ensuing autumn -my calico friend became again a -“circus horse” and was heard of no -more, and the other resumed the role -of “nobody’s dog” and went down to -his soulless (?) finality wishing, beyond -all doubt, for another taste of his lost -paradise.</p> -<hr /> -<p>During the whole of the winter of -1862 and 1863, I was in camp with my -command at Falmouth, in front of Fredericksburg. -The army was resting after -<span class="pb" id="Page_75">75</span> -the colossal and tragic fiasco at Fredericksburg -to recover a new supply of -strength and courage for the encounter -with unknown blunders to come; and, -aside from doing as many drills as the -mud would permit, consuming rations -and drawing pay, there was little to do. -The winter proved to be a period of -weary inactivity, with no crowns of -victory in sight.</p> -<p>Late one stormy afternoon in the -month of January, 1863, the orderly -announced a civilian stranger who desired -an interview. He told the orderly -that his name was of no consequence -and that his business was personal. -Upon his entering my tent, I discovered -a complete embodiment of limp weariness -and sorrow, a palpable wreck of -something better in the past.</p> -<p>Upon being seated, he said: “I -’spose you don’t know me? Well, I -don’t blame you much, I’ve so changed -<span class="pb" id="Page_76">76</span> -since then; we’ve had a great sorrow -since your dog and horse scart that -drove of cattle into the oats. Now I -b’leve you remember, but you’d never -guess I’m the same man, would you?”</p> -<p>I had to answer that the change was -very great, and asked the cause.</p> -<p>“That’s partly what I am here for,” -he replied. “You see, when the war -first broke out, George, our oldest, you -must remember him, a silent, good and -thoughtful boy, was at the high school. -All Vermont was alive with the right -sort of feeling, and all the men and -boys—and some of the women, I guess,—wanted -to shoulder arms and go. -We were expecting all the time to hear -that George was going, but hoped the -other way, and finally one morning in -June he got out of the stage with his -whole kit of books and clothes, and -told his mother, whose eyes had already -filled with tears, that he had -<span class="pb" id="Page_77">77</span> -come home to go; that all the big boys -of the school had held a meeting, and -agreed to enlist in the ‘Third,’ and he -was going with them. Well, I thought -his mother would sink into the ground -then and there, but she didn’t. George, -you know, was her favorite. He was -always a reliable, duty-loving boy. She -wiped her eyes, took him in her arms, -and, while her heart was breaking, -kissed him, and said: ‘I ‘spose you -ought to go where right and your -country calls, but it will be awful hard -for me to part with you. I don’t know -how I’m going to live with you in danger.’ -The week he spent with us, I tell -you, it was like a great shadow in that -old house. His mother kept about, but -her heart was breaking with terrible -forebodings, and her eyes were always -filling with tears. When he had stayed -his week out, the last at the old home, -we all drove over with him to the recruiting -<span class="pb" id="Page_78">78</span> -station, and saw him sign his -name to the roll of Company ——, -Third Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, -‘for three years, or during the war.’ In -three weeks the regiment left for the -field; we went over to see him off, and -he was the only happy one of the family. -We were filled with unspeakable -sadness; we saw them march away, -and, as the old flag disappeared round -the corner of the road, his mother -fainted, and fell into my arms. She -never saw a well day after that, but -kind of lived on like a machine, taking -no interest in anything but the newspapers -bringing news from the war.</p> -<p>“George was just as good a boy in -the army as he had always been at -home, wrote encouraging letters to his -mother, filled with ideas about duty, -patriotism, and all that. But it did no -good. She had made up her mind she -would never see him again, and, although -<span class="pb" id="Page_79">79</span> -alive, he was as good as dead -almost to her. When the Winter ended, -the Vermont troops went with the army -to Yorktown, and then came the dreadful -16th of April—Lees’ Mills. Three -days after the fight some one sent a -Boston paper to us, which gave the -news of the first advance having been -made by Companies —— and —— of the -Third, and the terrible slaughter of the -men, but gave no names. His mother -knew her son was killed, and two days -later a letter from his Captain told us -how well he had done his duty, and -how bravely he had died. The strain -was more than she could bear, she took -to her bed, and at the end of five weeks -we buried them side by side, and my -happiness along with them. Now do -you see why I’ve changed?”</p> -<p>After a slight pause, he resumed: -“I forgot to tell you,—the other boy, -the one who talked to you about the -<span class="pb" id="Page_80">80</span> -meeting-house steeple five hundred feet -high, enlisted in the same company as -soon as he got old enough, is sick in -the hospital here now, and I want to -take him back home, and that’s what -I’m here about. I want you to help -me to get him out of the Army. He -was a new recruit when he saw his -brother killed, and hasn’t been well -since. You know he never was a strong -boy, but he would go to war to be with -George. He wouldn’t consent to his -brother facing danger all the time, while -he was safe at home. He’s all I’ve got -left, except my old father, who can’t -last much longer, and they tell me if -I can get you to go with me to General —— he’ll -order his discharge.”</p> -<p>The sad story—one of many I had -heard, touched me deeply. But I could -offer no consolation, such wounds as his -were too deep to be reached by words. -All I could do was to change the current -<span class="pb" id="Page_81">81</span> -of sad thoughts and extend the meagre -hospitalities of the camp. Then the ride -to the field hospital, the interview with -the once bright, happy boy I had seen -seven years before, now with the seal -of death implanted upon his beautiful, -honest and manly face, then to headquarters, -the handing over of his discharge, -and then the parting, with heavy -heart, from one whose burden of sorrow -I had been able to lighten.</p> -<p>Opportunities to do these acts of -kindness for those kindred of the fallen, -whose hearts were overburdened with -mighty sorrows, were about the only -rays of sunshine which ever invaded the -tent life of those whose responsibilities -were often more burdensome than the -sorrows of others, which they were so -often called upon to assuage.</p> -<p>In the summer of 1865, during another -visit to my native town, a longing -came over me to revisit the scene of the -<span class="pb" id="Page_82">82</span> -accident to the oats, and I searched in -vain for two companions to take the -places of those of twelve years before. -But, so far as I could ascertain, there was -not a known saddle horse in the county, -and the race of nobody’s dogs had -gone quite out of fashion; so I was -compelled to adopt the “buggy,” and, -along with it, between its “fills,” a -lively and “spunky” little specimen of -a Vermont Morgan, that learned after -the first hours of driving that there was -a kind friend holding the reins, and with -whom, from that moment, cordial relations -were established. A very easy -drive carried me to the “old home,” -about noon of the second day, and, as -I drove up to the door, a kindly faced, -frank-mannered woman of middle age -came out of the house, and asked me to -alight, hitch, and walk in. As I entered -I asked where they all were? “Who -do you mean by all?” queried my hostess. -<span class="pb" id="Page_83">83</span> -I answered, “The C——s who -lived here twelve years ago.”</p> -<p>She took me to an open window, -and, pointing to the top of a “Meeting -House” spire that came just above the -point of a rise in the ground, said: -“Just at the bottom of that steeple -you’ll find them all, save my uncle -C——, the grandfather of the boys; -they are all buried there, and, if you -want to renew your acquaintance with -them, you’ll have to go over there to -do it. I’m the old maid of the whole -family, and taught school until I came -here right after Cousin George’s death—he -was the last of the four—to take -care of uncle, who was awfully broken -up, and is to this day. I guess nothing -but death will ever mend his broken -heart. He wanders about with no object -in life, always wishing for the end -to come. He’s out in the fields somewhere; -he will be here pretty soon and -<span class="pb" id="Page_84">84</span> -awful glad to see you. It seems to me -he only cares now for those who knew -the four who lie buried over there. He -lives in the past altogether, and takes -no interest in the present or future.”</p> -<p>A walk of five minutes through a -meadow to a group of maples brought -me to the spot where I found, reclining -beneath the shades, my acquaintance of -other days. At first he did not recognize -me, and was a little offish, but -gradually became interested, and at last -came to me with both hands extended -and with eyes filled with tears:</p> -<p>“I didn’t know ye at first, but I -oughter have known that voice anywhere. -Your animals scart the drove -into the oats, but you were so good to -us afterward. If it hadn’t been for you, -‘Vin’ would have died in that ere hospital, -for he didn’t live long after we got -him home. Oh, he was sich a comfort -to us while he did live. I shall never -<span class="pb" id="Page_85">85</span> -forgit the last days; and may God spare -me from ever goin’ through any more -like ’em.”</p> -<p>While we were walking toward the -house, I learned that Vincent, the youngest -boy, lived five weeks after he was -brought home; that the father died the -next autumn, and, although nearly -three years had passed since the culmination -of the “Great Sorrow,” the -atmosphere seemed impregnated with -it. The want of signs of life and movement -without, and the evidence of long -continued quiet and order within, told -as plainly as words the story of an all-absorbing -grief.</p> -<p>During the dinner, the incidents of -the oats, the conversation with “Vin” -about the steeple, his desire to trade -for the “Kaliker” horse, and all that -was said upon the occasion of our first -meeting, was rehearsed, without a single -item being omitted. The meal finished, -<span class="pb" id="Page_86">86</span> -there came the walk to the -“Meeting House Burying Ground,” -where I saw the seven simple headstones -standing for four generations. -The first to Mary Gale, wife of G. C.; -the second to “George C., a soldier of -the Revolutionary War, born at Old -Middlebury, Mass., June 12, 1756, died -in this town, March 7, 1833;” next to -him came his daughter-in-law; then a -vacant space for his son—the second -George, and then the graves of the -other four of the third and fourth generation.</p> -<p>I have seen men stand in such a -presence without being moved, but I -could never quite understand how they -did it. Upon this occasion something -got into my throat, and I could not -speak; something else filled both eyes, -and I had to turn away to conceal a -weakness which I could not control.</p> -<p>As I turned toward my companions, -<span class="pb" id="Page_87">87</span> -the elder, pointing to the line exclaimed; -“Pretty soon there’ll be four generations -of Georges in this lot, and that’s -about all there is to it, I guess. There -couldn’t be any design in takin’ all of -’em from me in so short a time. A -merciful God wouldn’t have done such -a cruel thing; if a kind God had had -anything to do with it, he would let -some of ’em outlive me to have been a -comfort in my old age and to have kept -the old place where we were all born -in the family name. No, I don’t b’leve -in sich kindness; all of ’em ought to -have lived; they were jest as good -as they could be, not one of ’em ever -told a lie or did a mean thing as long -as they lived. Then if they were so -good, as they were, and nobody can -dispute it, why were they all taken -away from me so soon, and so many -mean critters, good for nothing to nobody, -allowed to live? No, the ministers -<span class="pb" id="Page_88">88</span> -may talk to me from now to the -end of eternity, that their God, if he -really does sich cruelties, is merciful, -and I won’t b’leve ’em. It’s all nonsense -to murder a man alive and break -his old heart and call it merciful and all -for the best. There is no mercy or best -about it, it’s all wrong from beginnin’ -to end, and I don’t b’leve the heathen’s -god or anybody’s God could be so cruel -and unjust.</p> -<p>“My father battled from Bunker -Hill ’till the last Red Coat had left the -land and then came here and began a -new battle with the virgin forests of Vermont. -And ever sence I was born and -old enough to work, my sweat has -watered this soil so dear to all of us. -There’s not a foot of the cleared part of -this old farm I have not worked over, -and the whole of it is as sacred in my -eyes as if it were a lordly estate handed -down from scores of generations before -<span class="pb" id="Page_89">89</span> -me. The boys loved it as I do and -liked to work over it. Now what does -it all amount to? In a short time when -I have passed over yender to join the -rest on ’em, the old place will go into -the hands of unfeeling strangers who’ll -care no more about it than savages. -Most likely they’ll rob the soil and skin -it of the last spear of grass, and all -these noble old trees that have been my -friends sence I was a boy, will be cut -down to feed the nearest sawmill. It’s -astonishing, how mean most folks act -toward natur! They treat her as though -she had no rights and forgit all about -the good things she gives us. But I -suppose there is no good in sentiment -if God is agin ye.”</p> -<p>His niece interrupted him gently: -“Come away, uncle, you are nervous -and excited and saying too much.”</p> -<p>“No, I’m not nervous or excited; -I’m saying what I b’leve, and I want -<span class="pb" id="Page_90">90</span> -everybody to know it. Look at those -graves holding all I had in the world, -and no one had better, and then tell me -if I have no cause to complain?”</p> -<div class="img" id="fig3"> -<img class="deco" src="images/p2.png" alt="Decoration" width="171" height="181" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c3">TIM THE DISSIPATED</h2> -<p>Very late in the year 1848—Christmas -day, to be exact—I found -myself in New Orleans, bankrupt -in health and looking forward, -hopelessly, to a seemingly not far off -culmination of my earthly affairs. But, -owing to the possession of a strong -constitution, the good offices of kind -friends, and careful medical treatment, I -was enabled to disappoint the prophets -and to evade the undertaker. By the -time I had regained my feet, the balmy -days of March had come around, and I -<span class="pb" id="Page_92">92</span> -improved the opportunity to make my -duty-calls upon the kind-hearted friends -who had taken an active interest in the -welfare of a stranger who had been cast -upon their shores. I found them wonderfully -to my liking, generous, cordial, -and frank, to a degree I had never -dreamed of.</p> -<p>It was fortunate for me that I happened -to become a denizen of that -interesting old city during one of its -better periods. Socially it was at high-water -mark; the theatres were good -and the French opera the better of all -outside of Paris. In the winter it was -the rendezvous for the well-to-do families -of the whole far South. The rich -cotton planters from Tennessee, Mississippi, -and Alabama, and the sugar planters -from along the “coast” came to this -Southern metropolis, and brought with -them their pretty daughters with their -velvety voices, unaffected speech, garnished -<span class="pb" id="Page_93">93</span> -with its tint of African accent, and -their frank, disingenuous ways; and also -came their sons, who were not so fascinating, -but were good fellows at heart—the -majority of them—and, as a rule, -save for one weakness, they were all -right. But they had the unpleasant -habit of “drawing at sight,” and to the -credit of their alertness, I am compelled -to record that they were apt to see very -quick.</p> -<p>The presence of a large colony of -well-to-do planters assisted to make -New Orleans a very attractive winter -resort. But they were not more given -to pleasure than the average citizen -of the place, who, as a rule, did not -take life very seriously. He was in -business, but not its slave, and each -day brought with it its pleasurable recreation. -With their peculiar and novel -ways they were, to me, a revelation; -the community made up of them -<span class="pb" id="Page_94">94</span> -seemed almost ideal, and had it not -been for the presence of the slave and -the slave market, the old French city, -in its relation to a certain select few, -could have passed for a kind of brick -and mortar Arcadia.</p> -<p>Among the favorite recreations of -that period was a drive down the shell -road to Lake Ponchartrain, where there -was a famous afternoon resort kept by -Capt. Dan Hicox, a once famous “Captain -on the Lakes,” a teller of good -stories and fabricator of the best fish -and game dinners and suppers to be -found in the whole South. To say that -his establishment was popular would -give but a faint idea of the real conditions. -Of a pleasant afternoon, in certain -seasons of the year, nearly all that was -jolliest and brightest in New Orleans -society could be found sitting upon the -captain’s piazzas, enjoying the breezes -of the lake, which were usually tempered -<span class="pb" id="Page_95">95</span> -with something taken through a -straw or drawn from the upper end of a -bottle recently from the ice-chest.</p> -<p>In addition to the usual attractions -of such a resort, there was a circular -pen with a pole planted in the centre of -it to which was attached a certain two-thirds -grown specimen of the common -American black bear. When the merest -mite of a cub he had been captured in -the wilds of Michigan, and afterwards -sent to “Captain Dan” as a present by -one of his old friends of the lakes.</p> -<p>“Tim” was a great pet and altogether -comical. He found a comic side -to every incident which came under his -observation, and, seemingly, never had -a serious thought or an unhappy moment. -It might be said of him that he -was reared in luxury, for during his infancy -he had a pleasant corner of the -bar-room for his abode, where he became -the pet of the patrons and the -<span class="pb" id="Page_96">96</span> -recipient of all kinds of good things -from the larder, with now and then a -taste from the bottle arranged in a way -to fit his appetite, and very much to his -liking.</p> -<p>In the interests of truthful history, it -must be recorded that “Tim,” within a -short time after his first julep, became -enamored of the bottle, and, very much -after the manner of the old style Southern -bar-room tippler, would watch the -patrons of the bar, looking wistfully into -their faces for an invitation to “smile.” -At the beginning of his career as an habitual -drinker, it took about six or seven -“treats” to put him in a state of good-natured -inebriation. When in that condition, -he was the incarnation of animal -happiness; lying upon his back with -all four feet in the air, head to one side, -tongue half out of his wide-open mouth, -with eyes half closed, he was the perfect -personification of good nature and indifference -<span class="pb" id="Page_97">97</span> -to earthly happenings. Kings -might rule the world, but Tim’s happiness -was supreme. He envied no other -bear, and if a tree trunk filled with the -most delicious honey had been within -easy reach he would not have raised a -paw for a barrel of it. The things of -this world troubled him not, and he -possessed only one phase of the great -passion of avarice—he always, when -sober, wanted enough strong drink to -make him happy. He had the appetite -of the habitual human drunkard, but, -when in his cups, differed from his human -<i>confrère</i> in one important particular; -he was good natured and kind and -never quarrelsome or cruel like the human -brute in a similar condition.</p> -<p>Sometimes, when he was floored, a -friend would try to coax him to another -drink by temptingly placing a well-filled -glass near his nose, an invitation -that would generally excite in him an -<span class="pb" id="Page_98">98</span> -effort to rise and a very comical and -unsteady attempt to follow the lead of -the disappearing glass; usually he -would wobble over, but would right -himself enough to sit up and gaze intently -after the fascinating beverage beyond -his reach. In respect to demeanor -or quantity, he was quite human; he -never knew he was making a beast of -himself, or when he had enough. I do -not pretend to say that Tim’s habits of -drink were not reprehensible; for the -purposes of this true story he must -have the blame. It was certainly not -the fault of his master; he simply -suffered the usual penalty of having -too many thoughtless and convivial -friends.</p> -<p>In course of time, Tim became quite -a bear, altogether too large for a bar-room -pet, and was removed to a -specially prepared pen and chained to a -pole with a platform rest at the top. -<span class="pb" id="Page_99">99</span> -The change for Tim was not a success. -He spent his time in running around -and climbing up and down his pole, all -the time whining, pleading, and scolding; -he grew thin, and looked and acted -as though he regarded life as a failure. -Occasionally, a friend, pitying his unhappy -condition, would unchain him -and lead him to his old haunt. In fact, -it was nearly impossible to lead him in -any other direction. As soon as released -from his pole he would start for -the bar-room, dragging his friend with -him, nor would he stop until he reached -his favorite room, when, standing up -with his hands on the counter, he -would mumble out in his most intelligible -bear-language a peremptory demand -for a drink. Sometimes he was -indulged to an extent which would -enable him to catch a glimpse of his -lost paradise, but usually he was returned -to his pen after having disposed -<span class="pb" id="Page_100">100</span> -of only enough of his favorite beverage -to give him an appetite for -more.</p> -<p>It had often been suggested that if -Tim could have a congenial occupation -his grief for his lost liberty would not -be so acute. Accidentally, an employment -for all his spare time was forced -upon him.</p> -<p>One day, during a great thunderstorm, -when the wind was blowing -strong from the east, a small alligator, -about six feet long, was carried by a -wave to a part of the piazza near where -I was sitting. He undertook to get -back into the lake with the receding -water, but, being determined to detain -him, I caught him by the end of the -tail. Within half of a second the problem -of extremes meeting was solved. -As soon as he felt my hold he doubled -himself around, brought his jaws to-together -with a savage snap, and came -<span class="pb" id="Page_101">101</span> -within an infinitesimal measure of catching -my hand. By that time my blood -was up, and I made up my mind to -effect a capture of my belligerent caller. -With the use of a strong chair for a -weapon, I succeeded in preventing his -return to the lake. Soon assistance -with a rope arrived, and a tight-drawn -noose around the upper jaw did the -rest. “De ’gater swished dat tail a’ his -awfully Massa, but we done got him -sure,” was the announcement that conveyed -to “Captain Dan” the information -that he was the owner of a -“’gater.” Our captive was put in a -safe place for the night, and the next -morning what to do with him became -the burning question.</p> -<p>After considerable discussion a valuable -suggestion came from one of the -colored spectators. He said: “I reckon -if dat ’gater and Tim had a chance -dey’d make fust-rate frens inside a -<span class="pb" id="Page_102">102</span> -week.” A unanimous vote approved -of the proposition, and in five minutes -“de ’gater was in de pen” and the gate -closed.</p> -<p>It was Tim’s custom whenever he -heard company approaching his place -of abode to meet them at the threshold. -Upon this occasion, as usual, he -was ready to bestow the hospitalities -of his establishment, but the manner of -his receiving was neither urbane nor -graceful. His front door was suddenly -opened and an unwelcome guest unceremoniously -thrust upon the hospitality -of the unsuspecting Tim, who was -wholly unprepared for such a visitor. -It was his first experience with a Saurian. -He had never seen one before, -and it took only a second for him to -make up his mind to pass the act of -non-intercourse. He scampered to his -pole and climbed to his platform at the -top, where, during the next twenty-four -<span class="pb" id="Page_103">103</span> -hours, he remained an anxious and -frightened observer.</p> -<p>The new arrangement was no more -satisfactory to the guest than to the -host. He missed his shore promenades -and bathing accommodations; could -not imagine why he was shut up in a -small enclosure, and spent his first day -and night in searching for an opening -large enough for him to crawl through. -By noon of his second day of confinement -he gave up his fruitless search and -settled down to a midday repose.</p> -<p>Tim, weary with anxious watching, -seeing his opportunity for an investigation, -cautiously descended to the -ground, and noiselessly approached near -enough to his guest to reach him with -a front paw; then, for several minutes, -he sat upon his haunches and made a -very careful diagnosis of the case before -him and came to the conclusion that it -was not to his liking, and that he would -<span class="pb" id="Page_104">104</span> -have no more of it than he could help. -Acting upon this deliberately formed -conclusion, he made a vicious grab with -both paws at the tail of the unsuspecting -Saurian. Great was his surprise to -find that his victim was very wide -awake, indeed, for no sooner had he -felt the disturbance at his caudal end -than he sent his open jaws around to -ascertain the cause. This sudden flank -movement was a great surprise to Tim, -who experienced considerable difficulty -in extracting one of his paws from the -ample jaws of a “feller” that at least one -bear could not understand. Tim was -not encouraged to another investigation -at the moment, but re-ascended to his -throne, where he spent the remainder -of the day in licking the wounded -paw, casting, now and then, malicious -glances at his unbidden guest, and concocting -plans for the future.</p> -<p>The next day was bright and sunny, -<span class="pb" id="Page_105">105</span> -and brought with it apparent peace to -the domain of Tim. The Saurian was -calmly reposing in the sunshine, and -Tim was doing his best thinking. He -had not quite decided as to the manner -of proceeding, but upon one point he -had made up his mind. There was to -be no middle way. His enemy was to -be conquered and the savage attack -upon his paw avenged. With his mind -then fully made up he descended for a -second investigation and another possible -attack. This time his approach was -doubly guarded, and he was particularly -careful in calculating the distance -between his position and the jaws -which had given him such an unpleasant -surprise.</p> -<p>After a deliberate survey of the situation, -Tim made a sudden spring to the -side of his enemy, caught him under -his chest, and turned him upon his -back. This side attack was unexpected -<span class="pb" id="Page_106">106</span> -and a perfect success, and the reptile -had an active and prolonged struggle -to regain his natural position. Tim -watched the struggle with intense interest, -seeming to be happy in knowing -that he held the key to the situation. -From that time on, his guest during the -daylight hours had no peace. Whenever -Tim had an opportunity, he turned him -over, and, when not engaged in that -diversion, he was chasing him around -the enclosure. About one month of -such an existence brought the Saurian -very near to his end. From a -most healthy and vigorous “’gater” -at the time he was caught he had become -weak, weary and lank; so forlorn -was his lamentable condition that he -excited the sympathy of some human -friend, who, during the night, opened -the gate to the pen. The following -morning the persecuted reptile was -nowhere to be found. From that moment -<span class="pb" id="Page_107">107</span> -Tim became his former self, -watched anxiously at the gate for the -coming of friends, and pleaded pertinaciously -for the intoxicating beverage.</p> -<p>The summer and greater part of the -autumn after the “’gater” incident, I -spent at the Mississippi Springs, and, -while there, received a letter from a -friend, who, next to myself, was the -most ardent admirer Tim ever had. It -was the last word relating to my comical -four-footed intimate, and I cannot -close this truthful narration more appropriately -than by quoting from it:</p> -<p>“You will sympathize with me in -our mutual loss. Probably, we have -seen the last of our old friend Tim; he -departed from his well scratched pole -about two weeks ago, and is now on -the road as an important item in ‘The -Most Colossal Show Ever Known.’ -He had grown so large, and his appetite -for strong drink had increased to -<span class="pb" id="Page_108">108</span> -such an alarming extent, that the attending -darkies lost confidence in their -ability to handle him. During his later -days at the Lake, he appeared to have -but one idea, and that related to opportunities -for intoxication. Whenever his -pen door opened, no matter for what -purpose, he would make a rush for -whoever came in, and demand to be led -to the bar-room, and, if disappointed, -would make a most furious demonstration.</p> -<p>“‘Captain Dan’ was immensely attached -to him, but felt that the time -had arrived when some disposition -must be made of him. The menagerie -at Algiers was the opportunity. A bargain -was struck, and the time fixed for -his departure.</p> -<p>“‘Captain Dan’ decided to give him -a regular ‘Fourth of July’ send-off, and, -to that end, invited a few of his most -intimate friends and admirers to be -<span class="pb" id="Page_109">109</span> -present at the performance. The guests -were assembled, and Tim was released -from his pole. He made a tremendous -rush for the open bar-room door dragging -two stalwart Africans after him at -a break-neck pace. He went direct to -his old corner where he found a large -tin pan filled with a milk-punch such as -he had never tasted before. He emptied -it in short order and then, taking it -between his paws, sat up, licked the -last reminiscence of the punch out of it, -and in a few moments became the most -comical object imaginable. In fact he -was never known to be more funny. -He was laughed at, poked with sticks, -had his ears pulled, but all to no purpose; -he was too happy to be offended. -He made a few efforts to stand erect -and to appear sober and dignified, but -ended each attempt by rolling over -upon his back a helpless lump of limp -intoxication.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_110">110</div> -<p>“In that condition, our old friend -was bundled into a box on wheels, and -made ready for his departure to the new -life. Before going we all shook him by -the paw, patted his head, and wished -him a happy future, and, as he disappeared -in the distance, there was a -general expression of regret that we -had seen the last of poor Tim. ‘Captain -Dan’s’ lip trembled, and I feel sure -if he had had it to do over again, he -wouldn’t have done it.”</p> -<p>This parting with Tim proved to -be the end of his connection with the -friends of his babyhood and youth: -none of them so far as I know, ever -saw him again.</p> -<p>Possibly a little bit of a lesson may -be shown from the simple life described. -Tim, no doubt, came of decent -parents of good habits and morals, -and in his downfall, there was no question -of heredity involved. In his infancy -<span class="pb" id="Page_111">111</span> -he was placed within easy reach -of the temptations of the bowl, and so, -in his manhood, became as much of a -victim to strong drink as his surrounding -circumstances would permit. Therefore, -the inference is, if he had not been -tempted, there would have been no fall, -and Tim would have led a sober life -and have been a respectable member of -bear society, provided human beings -had left him in the home intended for -his race.</p> -<p>His degradation, like that of the -North American Indian, came from contact -with our superior Western civilization.</p> -<div class="img" id="fig4"> -<img class="deco" src="images/p2.png" alt="Decoration" width="171" height="181" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c4">CARLO, THE SOLDIER</h2> -<p>The Ninth New York Volunteers -was organized in April, 1861, in -the City of New York. Two of -its companies were extra-territorial. C -was composed of men from Hoboken -and Paterson, New Jersey, and G -marched into the regimental headquarters -fully organized from the town of -Fort Lee in that State. With this last -named company came “Carlo,” the -subject of this sketch.</p> -<p>When he joined the regiment, he had -passed beyond the period of puppy-hood -and was in the full flush of dogly -<span class="pb" id="Page_114">114</span> -beauty. He was large, not very large,—would -probably have turned the scales -at about fifty pounds. His build was -decidedly “stocky,” and, as horsey men -would say, his feet were well under -him; his chest was broad and full, back -straight, color a warm dark brindle, -nose and lips very black, while he had -a broad, full forehead and a wonderful -pair of large, round, soft, dark-brown -eyes. Add to this description an air of -supreme, well-bred dignity, and you -have an idea of one of the noblest animals -that ever lived. His origin was -obscure; one camp rumor asserted that -he was born on board of a merchant -ship while his mother was making a -passage from Calcutta to New York; -and another told of a beautiful mastiff -living somewhere in the State of New -Jersey that had the honor of bringing -him into the world. It would be very -interesting to know something of the -<span class="pb" id="Page_115">115</span> -parentage of our hero, but, since the -facts surrounding his birth are unattainable, -we must content ourselves with -telling a portion of a simple story of a -good and noble life. It may be safe to -assert that he was not a native American; -if he had been, he would have -provided himself with the regulation -genealogical tree and family coat-of-arms.</p> -<p>During the first part of his term of -service, Carlo was very loyal to his -Company, marched, messed, and slept -with it, but he was not above picking -up, here and there, from the mess tents -of the other Companies a tid-bit, now -and then, which proved acceptable to a -well-appointed digestion.</p> -<p>His first tour on guard was performed -as a member of the detail from -Co. G, and always afterward, in the -performance of that duty, he was most -faithful. No matter who else might be -<span class="pb" id="Page_116">116</span> -late, he was ever on time when the call -for guard mount was sounded, ready to -go out with his own particular squad. -At first, he would march back to Company -quarters with the old detail, but, as -soon as he came to realize the value -and importance of guard duty, he made -up his mind that his place was at the -guard tent and on the patrol beat, -where he could be of the greatest service -in watching the movements of -the enemy. In the performance of his -duties as a member of the guard, he -was very conscientious and ever on the -alert. No stray pig, wandering sheep, -or silly calf could pass in front of -his part of the line without being investigated -by him. It is possible that -his vigilance in investigating intruding -meats, was sharpened by the hope of -substantial recognition in the way of a -stray rib extracted from the marauding -offender whose ignorance of army customs -<span class="pb" id="Page_117">117</span> -in time of war had brought their -tender “corpuses” too near our lines.</p> -<p>As a rule, Carlo, what with his guard -duties and other purely routine items, -managed to dispose of the day until -dress parade. At that time he appeared -at his best, and became the regimental -dog. No officer or soldier connected -with the command more fully appreciated -“The pomp and circumstance of -great and glorious war” than he. As -the band marched out to take position -previous to playing for the Companies -to assemble, he would place himself -alongside the drum-major, and, when -the signal for marching was given, -would move off with stately and solemn -tread, with head well up, looking -straight to the front. Upon those great -occasions, he fully realized the dignity -of his position, and woe betide any unhappy -other dog that happened to get -in front of the marching band. When -<span class="pb" id="Page_118">118</span> -upon the parade field, he became, next -to the Colonel, the commanding officer, -and ever regarded himself as the regulator -of the conduct of those careless -and frivolous dogs, that go about the -world like the street <i>gamin</i>—having no -character for respectability or position -in society to sustain.</p> -<p>Of those careless ne’er-do-wells the -regiment had accumulated a very large -following. As a rule, they were harmless -and companionable, and, like the -inevitable “befo’ de wah” Judge and -Major, they were always on hand ready -for a free lunch and drink. It was only -at dress parade that they made themselves -over-officious. Each Company -was attended to the parade ground by -its particular family of canine companions, -and, when all of them had assembled, -the second battalion of the regiment -would make itself known by a -great variety of jumpings, caperings, -<span class="pb" id="Page_119">119</span> -barks of joy, and cries of delight. To -this unseasonable hilarity Carlo seriously -objected, and his demeanor -plainly told the story of his disgust at -the conduct of the silly pates of his -race. He usually remained a passive -observer until the exercise in the manual -of arms, at which particular period -in the ceremonies, the caperings and the -barkings would become quite unendurable. -Our hero would then assume the -character of a preserver of the peace. -He would make for the nearest group -of revellers, and, in as many seconds, -give a half a dozen or more of them -vigorous shakes, which would set them -to howling, and warn the others of the -thoughtless tribe of an impending danger. -Immediately the offenders would -all scamper to another part of the field, -and remain quiet until the dress parade -was over. This duty was self-imposed -and faithfully performed upon many occasions. -<span class="pb" id="Page_120">120</span> -After the parade was dismissed -Carlo would march back to -quarters with his own Company, where -he would remain until the last daily distribution -of rations, whereupon, after -having disposed of his share, he would -start out upon a tour of regimental inspection, -making friendly calls at various -Company quarters and by taps -turning up at the headquarters of the -guard. His duties ended for the day, -he would enjoy his well-earned rest -until reveille, unless some event of an -unusual nature, occurring during the -night, disturbed his repose and demanded -his attention.</p> -<p>During the first year of his service -in the field, Carlo was very fortunate. -He had shared in all of the transportations -by water, in all the marchings, -skirmishes, and battles, without receiving -a scratch or having a day’s illness. -But his good fortune was soon to end, -<span class="pb" id="Page_121">121</span> -for it was ordained that, like other -brave defenders, he was to suffer in the -great cause for which all were risking -their lives.</p> -<p>The morning of April 18, 1862, my -brigade then stationed at Roanoke Island, -embarked upon the Steamer Ocean -Wave for an expedition up the Elizabeth -River, the object of which was to -destroy the locks of the dismal swamp -canal in order to prevent several imaginary -iron-clads from getting into -Albemarle Sound, where we had assembled -at that time what was known -as a “Pasteboard Fleet,” which the supposed -iron-clads were to destroy.</p> -<p>Among the first to embark was the -ever ready and faithful Carlo, and the -next morning, when his companions -disembarked near Elizabeth City, he -was one of the first to land, and, during -the whole of the long and dreary -march of thirty miles to Camden Court -<span class="pb" id="Page_122">122</span> -House, lasting from three o’clock in the -morning until one in the afternoon, he -was ever on the alert, but keeping close -to his regiment. The field of battle was -reached: the engagement, in which his -command met with a great loss, commenced -and ended, and, when the -particulars of the disaster were inventoried, -it was ascertained that a cruel -Confederate bullet had taken the rudimentary -claw from Carlo’s left fore-leg. -This was his first wound, and he bore -it like a hero without a whine or even -a limp. A private of Co. G, who first -noticed the wound, exclaimed: “Ah, -Carlo, what a pity you are not an -officer! If you were, the loss of that -claw would give you sixty days leave -and a Brigadier-General’s Commission -at the end of it.” That was about the -time that General’s Commissions had -become very plentiful in the Department -of North Carolina.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<p>The Command re-embarked, and -reached Roanoke Island the morning -after the engagement, in time for the -regulation “Hospital or Sick Call,” -which that day brought together an -unusual number of patients, and among -them Carlo, who was asked to join the -waiting line by one of the wounded -men. When his turn came to be inspected -by the attending surgeon, he -was told to hold up the wounded leg, -which he readily did, and then followed -the washing, the application of -simple cerate, and the bandaging, with -a considerable show of interest and -probable satisfaction. Thereafter, there -was no occasion to extend to him an -invitation to attend the Surgeon’s inspection. -Each morning, as soon as -the bugle call was sounded, he would -take his place in line with the other -patients, advance to his turn, and receive -the usual treatment. This habit -<span class="pb" id="Page_124">124</span> -continued until the wound was healed. -Always, after this, to every friendly -greeting, he would respond by holding -up the wounded leg for inspection, and -he acted as though he thought that -everybody was interested in the honorable -scar that told the story of patriotic -duty faithfully performed.</p> -<p>Later on, for some reason known to -himself, Carlo transferred his special -allegiance to Co. K, and maintained -close connection with that Company -until the end of his term of service. -He was regarded by its members as a -member of the Company mess, and was -treated as one of them. But, notwithstanding -his special attachments, there -can be no reasonable doubt about his -having considered himself a member of -the regiment, clothed with certain powers -and responsibilities. At the end of -his term, he was fitted with a uniform—trousers, -jacket, and fez, and, thus apparalled, -<span class="pb" id="Page_125">125</span> -marched up Broadway, immediately -behind the band. He was soon -after mustered out of the service, and -received an honorable discharge, not -signed with written characters, but -attested by the good-will of every -member of the regiment.</p> -<p>If alive to-day, he must be very old -and decrepit; and I am sure that if he -is, in his honorable old age his honest -traits of character have not forsaken -him. No doubt, he takes a just pride -in the good service he rendered to his -country in the years of its great trials, -and it is fortunate that his having four -legs has placed him beyond the temptation -to join the ranks of the Grand -Army of treasury looters, who have -traded off the honorable name of soldier -for that of the pensioned mercenary.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c5">JEFF, THE INQUISITIVE</h2> -<p>Among the gunboats doing duty -on the inland waters of North -Carolina, in the early Spring of -1862, which composed what Commodore -Goldsborough designated his -“Pasteboard Fleet,” was the Louisiana, -commanded by Commander Alexander -Murray, who was noted for his -efficiency and good nature. His treatment -of his crew made him one of the -most popular officers in the whole fleet. -He entered into all of their sports, and -sympathized with the discomforts of -forecastle life. He was fond of animal -<span class="pb" id="Page_128">128</span> -pets, and always welcomed the arrival -of a new one. At the time of which -I am writing, his ship carried quite a -collection of tame birds and four-footed -favorites.</p> -<p>Among them was a singular little -character known as “Jeff.” He was a -perfectly black pig of the “Racer Razor -Back” order, which, at that time, were -plentiful in the coast sections of the -more southern of the slave-holding -States. They were called “racers” because -of their long legs, slender bodies, -and great capacity for running; and -“Razor Backs” on account of the prominence -of the spinal column. The origin -of this particular species of the porcine -tribe is unknown, but there is a tradition -to the effect that their progenitors were a -part of the drove that came to the coast -of Florida with De Soto when he started -on the march which ended with the -discovery of the Mississippi River. History -<span class="pb" id="Page_129">129</span> -records the fact that a large number -of animals were brought from Spain -for food, and that a considerable number -of them succeeded in getting away -from the expedition soon after the landing -was effected.</p> -<p>Our particular specimen of this wandering -tribe of natural marauders was -captured by a boat’s crew of the Louisiana -in one of the swamps adjacent to -Currituck Sound, when he was a wee -bit of an orphaned waif not much larger -than an ostrich-egg. He was an ill-conditioned -little mite that had probably -been abandoned by a heartless -mother, possibly while escaping from -the prospective mess-kettle of a Confederate -picket. In those days Confederate -pickets were not very particular -as to quality or kind of food, and I have -a suspicion that even a “Razor Back” -would have been a welcome addition -to their <i>menu</i>.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>When “Jeff” was brought on board, -his pitiful condition excited the active -sympathy of all, from the commander -down to the smallest powder monkey, -and numerous were the suggestions -made as to the course of treatment for -the new patient. The doctor was consulted, -and, after a careful diagnosis, decided -there was no organic disease: -want of parental care, want of nourishment, -and exposure, were held responsible -for “Jeff’s” unfavorable condition. -It was decided to put him on a light -diet of milk, which proved an immediate -success, for, within forty-eight hours -after his first meal, the patient became -as lively as possible. As days and -weeks went on, there appeared an improvement -of appetite that was quite -phenomenal, but no accumulation of -flesh. His legs and body grew longer; -and, with this lengthening of parts, -there came a development of intellectual -<span class="pb" id="Page_131">131</span> -acuteness that was particularly surprising. -He attached himself to each -individual of the ship. He had no favorites, -but was hail-fellow-well-met with -all. He developed all the playful qualities -of a puppy, and reasoned out a considerable -number of problems in his -own way, without the aid of books or -schoolmaster. His particular admirers -declared that he learned the meaning of -the different whistles of the boatswain: -that he knew when the meal pennant -was hoisted to the peak, could tell when -the crew was beat to quarters for drill, -and often proved the correctness of this -knowledge by scampering off to take -his place by one particular gun division -which seemed to have taken his fancy.</p> -<p>I can testify personally to only one -item in the schedule of his intellectual -achievements. It is a custom in the -navy for the commander of a ship to receive -any officer of rank of either branch -<span class="pb" id="Page_132">132</span> -of the service at the gangway of the -ship. In this act of courtesy he is always -accompanied by the officer of the -deck, and often by others that may happen -to be at hand. After the advent of -“Jeff,” whenever I went on board the -Louisiana he was always at the gangway, -and seemingly was deeply interested -in the event. It may be said of -him, generally, that he was overflowing -with spirits, and took an active interest -in all the daily routine work of his ship. -He had a most pertinacious way of poking -his nose into all sorts of affairs, not -at all after the manner of the usual pig, -but more like a village gossip who -wants to know about everything that is -going on in the neighborhood.</p> -<p>In the gradual development of -“Jeff’s” character, it was discovered -that he had none of the usual well-known -traits of the pig. He was more -like a petted and pampered dog, was -<span class="pb" id="Page_133">133</span> -playful, good-natured, and expressed -pleasure, pain, anger, and desire, with -various squeals and grunts, delivered -with a variety of intonations that were -very easily interpreted. He was never -so happy as when in the lap of one of -the sailors, having his back stroked. -His pleasure upon those occasions was -evinced by the emission of frequent -good-natured grunts and looking up -into the face of the friendly stroker. -When on shore, he followed like a dog, -and was never known to root. Except -in speech and appearance, he was the -counterpart of a happy, good-natured, -and well-cared-for household dog—possibly, -however, rather more intelligent -than the average canine pet.</p> -<p>The Fourth of July, 1862, was a gala -day at Roanoke Island. The camps of -the island and the vessels in the harbor -were <i>en grande fête</i>. Colors were flying, -bands playing, drums beating, patriotic -<span class="pb" id="Page_134">134</span> -steam was up to high pressure, -and a goodly number of glasses of -“commissary” were consumed in wishing -success to the cause. The good old -day, so dear to the hearts of Americans, -was made more glorious by the exchange -of camp hospitalities and an indulgence -in such simple hilarity as the -occasion seemed to require; but “Jeff” -was not forgotten. Early in the morning, -he was bathed and scrubbed, more -than to his heart’s content, and then -patriotically decorated. In his right ear -was a red ribbon, in his left a white -one; around his neck another of blue, -and at his mizzen, or, in other words, -his tail, he carried a small Confederate -flag. Thus adorned he was brought on -shore to pay me a visit, and, as he -came through my door, he appeared to -be filled with the pride of patriotism -and a realization of the greatness of the -occasion. His reward for this unusual -<span class="pb" id="Page_135">135</span> -demonstration was instantaneous, and -consisted of some apples and a toothsome -dessert of sugar. Afterward he -made the round of the camps with a -special escort of warrant officers and -devoted Jack Tars. From after accounts -it appeared that he had been -so well received that his escort experienced -much difficulty in finding -their way back to the ship.</p> -<p>During this triumphant march over -the island an incident occurred which -developed the slumbering instinct of -the swamp “racer.” In a second, as it -were, and seemingly without cause, -“Jeff” was seen to move off at a tremendous -pace at right angles with -the line of march. He was seen, after -he had run a few yards, to make a -great jump, and then remain in his -tracks. The pursuing party found him -actively engaged in demolishing a -moccasin, which he had crushed by -<span class="pb" id="Page_136">136</span> -jumping and landing with his feet upon -its head and back. Hogs of this particular -kind are famous snake-killers. -A big rattler or a garter snake is all -the same to them. They advance to -the attack with the greatest impetuosity, -and a feast upon snake is the -usual reward of exceptional bravery.</p> -<p>In his habits of eating, “Jeff” was -a confirmed and persistent <i>gourmand</i>, -and in time paid the usual penalty for -over-indulgence of a very piggish sort -of appetite. While the meal pennant -was up, it was his habit to go from one -forecastle mess to another, and to insist -upon having rather more than his share -of the choice morsels from each. In a -short time he came to the repair shop -very much the worse for wear, with -an impaired digestion and a cuticle -that showed unmistakable evidence of -scurvy. For the first, he was put -upon short rations; for the second, -<span class="pb" id="Page_137">137</span> -sand baths on shore were prescribed. -Under this treatment poor “Jeff” lost -all his buoyancy of spirits and his -habitual friskiness, and became sad and -dejected, but bore his troubles with -becoming patience. He took to the -cool sand baths at once, and gave -forth many disgruntled grunts when -lifted out of them.</p> -<p>The last time I saw “Jeff,” July 10, -1862, he was buried up to his ears in -the cool sands of the Roanoke Island -shore, with eyes upturned and looking -like a very sad pig, but I fear none the -wiser for his offences against the rights -of a well-regulated digestion.</p> -<p>This account has not been written -for the only purpose of glorifying the -one particular pig, or pigs in general, -but rather to call attention to the fact -that this universally despised animal, -by associating with human beings and -receiving gentle treatment, may develop -<span class="pb" id="Page_138">138</span> -interesting traits of character, which -would otherwise remain unknown; -and also to prove that kindness bestowed -upon lower animals may be appreciated -and reciprocated in a manner -which the upper animal, man, who -boasts of his superiority, would do well -to imitate.</p> -<div class="img" id="fig5"> -<img class="deco" src="images/p2.png" alt="Decoration" width="171" height="181" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c6">TOBY, THE WISE</h2> -<p>The chief subject of this truthful -history is a jet-black, middle-aged -bird, commonly known in -England as a rook, but nevertheless a -notable specimen of the crow family.</p> -<p>In his babyhood he was, in the language -of the ancient chroniclers, grievously -hurt and wounded full sore, and -particularly so in the left wing. He -was so badly disabled that he had to -forego the pleasure of flying through -the air, and was obliged to content -himself as best he could with trudging -about on the rough surface of our common -mother earth.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>In his sad plight, with the maimed -wing dragging painfully along, he -chanced to pass the window of a <i>sanctum</i> -belonging to and occupied by a -charming old English gentleman, a perfect -example of the old school, learned, -benevolent, and very fond of animals -and feathered pets. No one can tell -what chance it was that brought the -unhappy and wounded young rook to -the window of this good man. But -possibly it was a real inspiration on -the part of the young bird. Toby was -wet, weary, wounded, and hungry, -and as he looked in upon the cheerful -wood fire and the kindly face of the -master of the house, his longing expression -was met with a raising of the -window and an invitation to walk in to -a breakfast of corn and meal that had -been hastily prepared for him. He -gazed and thought, and thought and -gazed, upon the joys within and still -<span class="pb" id="Page_141">141</span> -he doubted; but, finally, appetite and -curiosity got the better of his discretion, -and, as he walked cautiously in, -the window was closed behind him. -So the wounded waif entered upon a -new life.</p> -<p>At first he was a little shy and cautious, -and it took considerable time for -him to convince himself that his protector -was his friend. After a few -weeks, however, he realized the value -of his new position, and consented to -the establishment of intimate relations. -In fact, Toby became so attached to his -master, and so affectionate, that he was -not happy out of his presence.</p> -<p>During the first month of his captivity, -his wounded wing was bound close -to his body for the purpose of giving -the fractured bone an opportunity to -unite, and during most of that time he -would walk by his master’s side, cawing -and looking up into his face as if -<span class="pb" id="Page_142">142</span> -asking for recognition. When the wing -got well, and his ability to fly was re-established, -he would anticipate the direction -of the promenades by flying in -advance from shrub to bush, alighting -and awaiting the arrival of his master.</p> -<p>The most singular part of Toby’s -domestication was his exclusive loyalty -to a single person. He had but one intimate -friend, and to him his loyalty was -intense. He would tolerate the presence -of other members of the household, -but when strangers appeared he -was decidedly offish, and scolded until -they disappeared.</p> -<p>Three times a day Toby is decidedly -funny, and goes through a comical performance. -In his master’s <i>sanctum</i> there -is a contrivance which, on a small scale, -resembles the old New England well-pole. -At one end, which rests upon -the floor, Toby commences his ascent -with a great flapping of wings and uproarious -<span class="pb" id="Page_143">143</span> -cawing. When he arrives at -the upper end of the pole, some eight -or nine feet from the floor, it falls and -lands him upon a platform, beside a -plate containing his food. This climbing -up the pole precedes each meal, and -takes place punctually at the same hour -and minute of each day.</p> -<p>In the spring of 1890 Toby was -tempted from his loyalty, and flew off -with a marauding flock of his kind. He -remained away all summer. He was -missed but not mourned, for his master -felt certain he would return; and, sure -enough, one bleak, cold morning in November, -Toby was found looking longingly -into the room where he had first -seen his good master. The window -was opened, he walked in and mounted -his pole, and after him came a companion, -a meek, modest, and timid young -rook, more confiding than Toby, and -differing from him in many other respects. -<span class="pb" id="Page_144">144</span> -He, too, was duly adopted, -and was christened Jocko. He was -easily domesticated, and soon became -a part of the <i>entourage</i> of one of the -finest old Bedfordshire manorial homes.</p> -<p>With age Toby has taken on quite -an amount of dignity. He is neither so -noisy nor so companionable as formerly, -but is more staid and useful. One -of his favorite resting places, where he -enjoys his after breakfast contemplations -and his afternoon siestas, is among -the branches of a fine old English oak, -whose protecting shades, in the far-off -past, were the scene of the stolen love-meetings -of Amy Wentworth and the -profligate Duke of Monmouth.</p> -<p>Neither of these knowing birds has -been able to understand the mystery of -a looking-glass. They spend many -hours of patient investigation before a -mirror in their master’s room, but all to -no purpose, for the puzzle seems to remain -<span class="pb" id="Page_145">145</span> -as great as ever. They usually -walk directly up to it, and betray great -surprise when they find two other -rooks advancing to meet them. For a -while they remain silent and motionless, -looking at the strangers, and waiting, -apparently, for some sign of -recognition. Then they go through a -considerable flapping of wings and indulge -in numerous caws, but after long -waiting for an audible response they -give up the useless effort, only to return -next day as eager as ever to solve the -mystery.</p> -<p>The older bird and his admiring -junior are perfectly contented with their -home, and never leave it. They often -look out from their perches upon various -wandering flocks of vagrant rooks, but -are never tempted to new adventures. -The old fellow is very wise. Like a fat -old office-holder, he knows enough to -appreciate a sinecure in which the emoluments -<span class="pb" id="Page_146">146</span> -are liberal and the service nominal. -His devoted follower never falters -in his dutiful imitation of his benefactor.</p> -<p>Toby proves by his actions that he -appreciates the advantages of the situation, -and in his simple way makes some -return for the pleasures he enjoys. -During a considerable portion of the -pleasant days of the year he is in reality -the watchman upon the tower, ever on -the outlook to give notice of the approach -of visitors to his castle, and no -one can intrude upon the premises -under his self-appointed watchmanship -without exciting vigorous caws, which -are enthusiastically reinforced by those -of his faithful subordinate. Aside from -his affectionate devotion to his master, -displayed as often as occasion permits, -this duty of “chief watchman of the -castle” is Toby’s most substantial return -for favors received!</p> -<p>In a letter of last May, the master -<span class="pb" id="Page_147">147</span> -wrote: “My two crows are sitting on -chairs close to me, and cawing to me -that it is time for me to let them out of -the window, so I must obey.” This -quotation gives but a faint intimation -of the exceptionally friendly relations -existing between these devoted friends. -Blessed are the birds that can inspire -such affection in the heart of a noble old -man, and doubly blessed is he who is -the object of such loving appreciation. -Long may they all live to enjoy the fulness -of their mutual attachments!</p> -<p>This brief sketch is not intended for -an amusing story. It is only a narration -of facts in support of an often repeated -theory, viz: that the humblest -creatures are worthy of our tender consideration, -and, when properly treated, -will make pleasing returns for the affection -we may bestow upon them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c7">TWO DOGS</h2> -<p>In 1877, at his English home, I first -made the acquaintance of “Max,” -a fine specimen of a Dandy Dinmont -dog. He was of the usual size, -with brown, velvety eyes—very expressive—a -long body, tail, and ears, -coarse hair of a blackish brown and -light-tan color, and with short legs, -not particularly straight. The ancient -Greeks, with their severe ideas regarding -lines of beauty, would not have -called him beautiful to the sight. But, -notwithstanding his looks, he was, to -all who knew him well, very beautiful; -<span class="pb" id="Page_150">150</span> -for he was a dog of marked intelligence -and superior moral character. So fine -was his sense of integrity that a most -delicious and canine-tempting bone -might remain within his reach for days -without his touching it, no matter if he -were ever so hungry.</p> -<p>His usual daily occupation commenced -with a very early walk with his -master. Then, in regular order, after the -family and guests had breakfasted, the -butler would give him his napkin, folded -in his own private ring, which he -would carry from the dining-room to -the kitchen, where it would be spread -upon a table, slightly raised from the -floor, arranged for serving his food. -After the morning meal had been eaten, -his napkin would be refolded, and he -would return it to the butler. The -same routine was always repeated for -dinner. His time until evening, if possible, -was devoted to his master, of -<span class="pb" id="Page_151">151</span> -whom he was exceedingly fond, but -he would sometimes walk with the -guests when told to do so by his master, -to whom he always appealed when -invited for a promenade by a stranger.</p> -<p>Every day, after dinner, when the -family and guests had assembled in the -drawing-room, “Max” would insist -upon giving his regular daily exhibition, -and there was no peace from his -importunities until he had completed -the usual performance. His master -always carried with him from the dinner -table a biscuit which, in the drawing-room, -he would hold up and say: -“Max, I have a biscuit for you. Can’t -you give us a little dance and a song?” -Whereupon he would commence to -turn around upon his hind feet, at the -same time doing his best in the direction -of singing a very doleful sort of -a song, all the while looking exceedingly -grave, the result of his abnormal -<span class="pb" id="Page_152">152</span> -effort. This part of the daily programme -was so exceedingly comical -that it always excited unbounded applause -from the audience. The dance -would go on until the master called -out “enough,” when the performer -would stop and look imploringly into -his master’s face, as if asking him if he -might continue the performance, which -consisted of his master going through -the motion of firing, accompanied with -a noise which passed, in the doggish -mind, for the explosion of a gun, and -was a signal for the actor to fall down -apparently dead, with eyes firmly -closed, and keeping perfectly quiet. -In this position he would remain until -his master told him to come to life. -The biscuit would then be given him, -and that would end each day’s work, -by which he, we may infer, believed -he earned his daily bread.</p> -<p>With passing time my little friend -<span class="pb" id="Page_153">153</span> -took on the garb of age, and, a few -years before his end, became totally -blind, and among the most pathetic -sights I ever witnessed were his attempts -to see his friends. I had been -so many times at his home that he had -come to know me almost as one of the -family, and at each visit, after his loss -of sight, as the carriage drove up to the -front door, when recognizing my voice, -as I spoke to his master, he would put -his paws upon the steps of the carriage -and wag me a hearty welcome, at the -same time trying his best to see me.</p> -<p>His career ended in November, 1883, -when his master buried him near a garden -gate, put a neat wire fence around -his grave, and planted flowers over his -remains. And now those who may -chance to go to Toddington will find -embedded into the garden wall a handsome -marble slab, with a mortuary -inscription and a verse composed by -<span class="pb" id="Page_154">154</span> -his kind master engraved upon it, -which runs as follows:</p> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="center">“MAX</p> -<p class="center">Died, November, 1883.</p> -</div> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">If ever dog deserved a tear</p> -<p class="t">For fondness and fidelity,</p> -<p class="t0">That darling one lies buried here</p> -<p class="t">Bemourned in all sincerity.”</p> -</div> -<hr /> -<p>One bright morning in the month of -November, 1879, the front door of my -house was opened, and there came -bounding through it and up the flight of -stairs, the most vivacious, clean, and -inquiring little dog imaginable. As soon -as he arrived upon the second floor, -calls came to him from several directions -at the same time, and he did his -best to answer them all at the same moment; -all the while barking and dancing -around in the most frantic and -delighted manner. Within five minutes -<span class="pb" id="Page_155">155</span> -after his <i>début</i>, he was perfectly at -home and upon the best of terms with -the entire household.</p> -<p>The name of this new member of -the family was “Phiz,” and his alleged -place of nativity Yorkshire, England. In -other words, he was a pure Yorkshire -terrier in descent, a mixture of blue, light -gray, and silver in color; in size a little -larger than the average dog of that -breed, and, as one of his dog-expert -friends often remarked: “He is one of -the doggiest dogs of his size I have ever -known.” This was literally true, for -there never was a more manly and courageous -little animal. In his prime, his bravery -was far beyond the point of reckless -indiscretion, and any dog whose appearance -did not happen to please him, he -would attack, no matter how large, or -under what disadvantageous circumstances. -The severe shakings and rough -tumbles of to-day were forgotten by the -<span class="pb" id="Page_156">156</span> -morrow, which found him ever ready -for a new encounter.</p> -<p>The red-letter events in his active life -occurred in Madison Square, which he -would enter as though shot from a catapult; -and woe of woes to the unfortunate -plethoric pug which might -happen to pass his way! It was his -habit when he saw one of these stupid -and helpless unfortunates to “ring on -full steam and board him head-on mid-ships.” -For a few seconds after the -coming together, there would be visible -a comical mixture of quick moving legs, -tails, and ears, and a frantic attempt on -the part of the astonished pug to emit a -wheezy sound of alarm, followed by a -condition of most abject submission. -“Phiz,” standing over the prostrate -body of his victim, head erect, tail and -ears stiffened with pride of victory, made -a picture of doggish vanity, once seen, -never to be forgotten. These scenes, in -<span class="pb" id="Page_157">157</span> -the warm season, were almost of daily -occurrence, much to the chagrin of -many pug-loving dames.</p> -<p>“Phiz” only amused himself with -the innocent pug (for he never was -known to offer to bite one), but he was -always savagely in earnest in his demonstrations -of detestation of the face-making, -ever-yelling average street small -boy. And he had no special love for -the undersized butcher’s and grocer’s -assistant, whom he delighted to attack -whenever he could waylay them in a -dark passage between the kitchen and -front basement hall. Some of these attacks -were so sudden, fierce, and unexpected, -and were attended with such a -volume of snarls and barks, that the -grocer’s boy had been known to drop -his basket of eggs, and run as if pursued -by a terrible beast of huge dimensions.</p> -<p>As the subject of this sketch took on -<span class="pb" id="Page_158">158</span> -additional years, he accumulated much -knowledge, and, by the time he had -accomplished the mature age of six, he -was far more wise than any serpent the -writer had ever known. He had never -been taught to perform tricks, nor had -been in any manner trained, but by his -own observation he had managed to -pick up a world of useful information, -which proved of great value to him. -Among his acquirements he had learned -how to make known, in an original and -intelligent manner, all the wants of a -well-bred dog. He could tell those -around him when he desired to go up -or down stairs, call for water or food, -ask to go out, and give a note of warning -when a stranger was coming up the -street steps, but he was never known -to bark at the like approach of one of -the family or a friend.</p> -<p>One of his undeviating customs was -the morning call at the chambers of his -<span class="pb" id="Page_159">159</span> -master and his mistress, when he would -first make himself known by a very -delicate scratch upon the door. If not -answered, then another and more vigorous -scratch; still no response, then a -gentle bark of interrogation, and then, -if the door was not opened, would -come a most commanding full-voiced -bark, saying as plainly as possible: -“Why don’t you let me in?” These -gradations from the lesser to the greater -in effort and tones, all in the direction -of asking for a certain thing, proves -conclusively the presence of powers to -reason developed to a considerable degree.</p> -<p>“Phiz” was selfishly interested in -three things: a walk, cats generally, -and dogs particularly; and no conversation -relating to these could take place -in his presence without exciting his -active attention. When these subjects -were being discussed he would leave -<span class="pb" id="Page_160">160</span> -his couch and go from one conversationalist -to another, looking up into -their faces in the most inquisitive manner, -all the while making a great -mental effort to understand exactly -what they were saying.</p> -<p>His most remarkable manifestations -of intelligence would occur at the time -when his master and mistress were -about to leave their home for their -usual summer absence of about six -months. On the first two or three -occasions of this kind he came to the -carriage to wag a good-bye. Later he -must have arrived at the conclusion -that certain preparations meant a long -period of loneliness for him, and then, -from the commencement of “putting -things away” and packing boxes, he -would appear very much dejected—no -more cheery barks and frisky wags, -but, on the contrary, he would show -great depression of spirits, and, finally, -<span class="pb" id="Page_161">161</span> -when the time arrived for the carriage -and for carrying out the baggage, -“Phiz” would hide in some out-of-the-way -place, there to nurse his grief, undisturbed -and unseen.</p> -<p>The subject of this sketch reached -the ripe old age of eleven with all functions -and faculties unimpaired, save -sight, which, we are compelled to record, -was totally obscured. I happened to be -with him when he came to the painful -realization of his great misfortune. It -was during his accustomed late-in-the-afternoon -walk. Failing to find his way -along the sidewalk he had stopped, -while I, without seeing him, had passed -on, but only for a short distance, when -I was attracted by a most pitiful and -grief-stricken cry. I looked around, -and there was my poor little friend and -companion, sitting close to the lower -stone of a flight of steps, with his nose -pointed straight up to the heavens, and -<span class="pb" id="Page_162">162</span> -crying as though his heart would break. -I hurried to him, took him gently in -my arms, and carried him to his box, -which he hardly left for many days. -His grief was so intense that he refused -to eat or be cheerful, and made very -faint responses to the most affectionate -advances. Within a week or more, -however, he began to resume his interest -in affairs, having, no doubt, -like human beings similarly afflicted, -through process of reasoning, become -reconciled to his misfortune.</p> -<p>If he had been a man instead of -a dog, he would have had an easy -chair, a pipe, and, in his moods of vainglory, -fought his many battles over -and over again. But, as he was only a -dog, he found his way about the house -as best he could, varying occasionally -his dull routine by a short promenade -over the paths which were once the -race-track of his wild and gleeful prancings. -<span class="pb" id="Page_163">163</span> -And thus he passed on to that -everlasting night, from whence no dog -whether good or bad has ever returned -to wag a solution of the mysteries -which must have puzzled the minds -of many generations of wise and philosophical -dogs.</p> -<div class="img" id="fig6"> -<img class="deco" src="images/p2.png" alt="Decoration" width="171" height="181" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c8">TWO INNOCENTS ABROAD</h2> -<p>I passed a portion of the summer of -1890 at Banff, a fascinating resort in -the heart of the Canadian Rockies, -established and controlled by the Canadian -Pacific Railway Company.</p> -<p>It would be very difficult to find a -more charming and picturesque location -for a summer resting-place. The -hotel is situated about four thousand -five hundred feet above the sea-level, -and is nearly surrounded by lofty peaks -and mountain-ranges which present a -great variety of rugged outline.</p> -<p>To the venturesome mountaineer, -<span class="pb" id="Page_166">166</span> -the inducements to climb seem almost -endless. In the immediate vicinity of -the hotel, there is a choice of ascents of -from six to eleven thousand feet. Most -of them may be made by any one who -has a cool head, a sure foot, and sufficient -endurance; but there are two or -three which ought to be undertaken -only by experienced mountaineers. I -made several of the lesser ascents alone, -and, in each instance, against the advice -of inexperienced and timid persons, who -declared that I would either be dashed -to pieces, by falling down a precipice, -or devoured by bears, which are supposed -to be rather plentiful.</p> -<p>My last climb was to the top of the -middle peak of the “Sulphur Range.” -It was neither difficult nor dangerous; -but the view from the little table at the -top was simply wonderful. As far as -the eye could see, in any direction, -were mountain peaks, none covered -<span class="pb" id="Page_167">167</span> -with snow, but all presenting magnificent -rock-formations of a character -which is quite peculiar, I believe, to -that part of the great American range.</p> -<p>The little table at the top of the peak -is about thirty feet in diameter and is -covered with broken rock. While sitting -there, musing upon the natural -wonders by which I was surrounded, I -noticed the approach of two chipmunks, -coming up from the side of the mountain. -They halted when they saw a -strange animal; but, finally, after sitting -upright for a short time and giving -me a deliberate and careful stare, they -concluded to come on, and presently -they discovered a little clump of stunted -grass growing from a crevice between -the rocks, which they proceeded to despoil -of its dwarfed seeds. When they -had finished their scanty meal they -looked about for something else to eat. -Feeling sure of their desires, I crushed a -<span class="pb" id="Page_168">168</span> -soft biscuit into small pieces, and -dropped them at my feet; and soon -my little friends were busy eating the -crumbs, apparently quite unconscious -of the fact that they were within easy -range of an animal supposed to have -been created in the image of his Maker, -but the only one which kills for the -sake of killing, and boasts of the pleasure -he derives from the destruction of -innocent animal life.</p> -<p>Within a very few minutes this pair -of little innocents became quite familiar, -and the crumbs continued to fall -until they had filled their stomachs and -then the ample pouches on each side of -their jaws. Thus loaded they presented -a most comical appearance. When I -rose to my feet their surprise made them -appear still more comical. They were -inclined at first to scamper off, but, -upon reflection, concluded they would -see the whole show; and, as I moved -<span class="pb" id="Page_169">169</span> -over to the edge of the table, to go -down the mountain, they followed a -short distance, and gave me a most -quizzical parting glance, which said as -plainly as their little faces could express -their thoughts: “Good-bye. Be sure -to come again, and don’t forget the biscuits.”</p> -<p>This is not a story; it is only an incident -which proves what confiding little -fools the chipmunks were to trust -themselves within reach of a specimen -of that tribe of superior animals which -delights in the destruction of life, kills -for pleasure, and enjoys the infliction -of pain upon innocent and helpless -creatures.</p> -<p>The excuse for their confiding folly -consisted in the fact that they had never -seen a man before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c9">ABOUT COLUMBUS -<br /><span class="smaller">BY AN OLD SHOWMAN</span></h2> -<p>For fully a third of a century the -large elephant bearing the name -of the great discoverer was well -known to all the “Show” loving inhabitants -of our country. He was remarkable -for his great size and bad temper, -and, if he had been left in his native -wilds, might have established a notable -reputation as a rogue elephant. His -keepers were of the opinion that he -made the mistake of his life when he -became a mere show animal, engaging -<span class="pb" id="Page_172">172</span> -in an occupation that required a certain -amount of decent behavior.</p> -<p>It was said of him that he was a -very reasonable sort of an animal when -permitted to have his own way, but -never submitted to confinement with -any sort of grace. He was always enraged -at being chained to the ring or -stake, and sometimes decreed capital -punishment, which he executed himself, -for the unfortunate keeper who was -guilty of the offence of chaining him. -He was very much given to breaking -and bolting, and when once in the open, -and fairly on the go, he became a very -dangerous customer, and his keeper, if -wise, would give him a wide field until -his rampage was finished.</p> -<p>One among the many of them, who -died in the seventies, was his friend, -and never had any trouble with him, -and he always insisted that the lively -escapades of his ponderous charge were -<span class="pb" id="Page_173">173</span> -the result of an all absorbing longing for -liberty. He used to describe the magnificent -old pachyderm as the living -embodiment of a justifiable revolt. He -had not much sympathy for the keepers -who had been executed, nor did he have -much respect for their knowledge or -discretion. According to his theory, they -were mere machines for so much per -month; they never studied the character -or feelings of the splendid animal in -their charge; they were inconsiderate, -unnecessarily harsh and cruel, and, -from the unnaturally-confined elephant’s -standpoint, in most instances got what -they deserved.</p> -<p>The Columbus incident, of which an -account is to follow, was not a particularly -exceptional one, and the description -of it was written by the friendly -old keeper who had charge of the hero -of it during two consecutive years back -in the thirties. The narration is a modest -<span class="pb" id="Page_174">174</span> -one, and its phraseology proves it -to have been written by a man of rare -courage. It was printed in a Cincinnati -newspaper in the month of February, -1870, and is now given, with the -editorial head note just as it appeared.</p> -<blockquote> -<p class="center">“THE ELEPHANT COLUMBUS.”</p> -<p class="center">“Letter from another witness of his rampage near New Orleans.”</p> -<p>“The account of the rampage of the elephant -Columbus near New Orleans, in 1839, which we -published some time since, has refreshed the -memories of many old showmen, and as we are -always glad to publish anything of interest to -them, we give the following letter, which we -think will prove entertaining to our readers generally:</p> -<p><span class="center"><span class="sc">South Pomfret, Vt.</span>,</span> -<span class="lr">January 30, 1870.</span></p> -</blockquote> -<blockquote> -<p>To the Editor of the <i>Chronicle</i>:</p> -<p>I have just received a copy of your paper, of -December 31, 1869. I do not think the statement -<span class="pb" id="Page_175">175</span> -headed ‘A Curious Circus Reminiscence’ is -quite correct. At that time I was the advertiser -of one branch of the Combined Circus and Menagerie. -We were to exhibit in Algiers until the -7th of January, and in New Orleans on the 8th, -that being the most popular day with the people -of that city. William Crum was driving Hannibal, -and George Potter Columbus. It was Crum’s -horse that was knocked down, and Crum was -killed. Samuel Ward and myself were standing -within ten feet of Crum when he was killed. We -had a bet on the height of the two elephants, and -that was the reason why they were brought -alongside of each other. Columbus was shot -under the eye before he killed the drayman. We -did not exhibit in Algiers. The people were too -much frightened to attend. So we went to New -Orleans on the 1st of January, instead of waiting -until the 8th.</p> -<p>On the same evening the difficulty occurred, -James Raymond and James Humphrey, proprietors, -came to me and wanted I should go and -look after Columbus. I told them I would if John -Carley would go with me. I knew him to be -an old elephant man. They asked him: he said -he would like to go, but was sick and would -rather be excused. The next morning George -<span class="pb" id="Page_176">176</span> -Growe, a young green hand, who came with -Foster’s company, volunteered to go with me. I -must confess that when he came forward it -cooled my courage, but two horses were saddled -and brought to the door. I mounted mine in -rather a confused state of mind, wishing myself -anywhere except where I was. When we -started out it was dark and foggy. I told Growe -to go ahead, and, after going about half a mile, -we put up for the night on a flatboat. At daylight -the next morning we started again, and -proceeded down the river about nine miles, -where we found Columbus in a canefield, with -his head against a pecan tree, asleep. I may -now remark that Growe’s courage had somewhat -cooled off, and he had fallen some half -mile to my rear. I rode toward the elephant -until I got within hailing distance, and then -spoke to him to come to me. He raised up and -began shaking his head. Presently he started -for me the best he could, and my horse did a good -business getting out of his way. He followed -me for about six miles, and then came to a halt -in front of a large pile of lumber on the levee, -which he proceeded to throw into the river as -fast as possible, and then started after me at a -more moderate gait. When we got in front of -<span class="pb" id="Page_177">177</span> -a church at Algiers he made a second halt. I -then told him to lie down, and, to my astonishment, -he obeyed. I got off from my horse, took -my knife, stuck it in his ear and held him down -until assistance came from the canvas, which -was about half a mile off; then Growe took him -by the ear and led him to the canvas, and, the -same day, we crossed over to New Orleans. -Growe took care of him all that winter and left -with him in the spring, but was killed by him -the next summer, as I learned afterward.</p> -<p>Poor Crum met with a terrible death. Columbus’ -tusk entered his groin and came out at his -shoulder, going through the entire length of his -body.</p> -<p>These are some of the exact facts as they -occurred for I was on the spot, and saw the -whole affair. I could say much more, but do -not think it necessary.”</p> -</blockquote> -<p>The writer of this letter was for two -years the constant and interested companion -and friend of, possibly, the most -unruly and bad-tempered elephant ever -exhibited in the United States, and the -reason he got along with him without -<span class="pb" id="Page_178">178</span> -accident was that he devoted his undivided -attention to his charge, studied -his character, gave him frequent opportunities -for bathing, and as much liberty -as circumstances would permit.</p> -<p>The old keeper used to say that -Columbus “was full of odd whims and -more given to mischief than malice.” -When there was any hard work to be -done, like lifting cage wagons out of -the mud, or clearing roads of fallen -trees, he was always ready to do his -full share, and was never so happy as -when actively engaged in some laborious -occupation. Once in a while he -would take it into his head that he -would like a good run and an opportunity -to indulge in mischief, such as -uprooting trees, scattering fence rails, -pulling off barn doors that happened to -be standing open, etc. etc. It was his -habit to signify his desire, after the -“show was over,” by trumpeting nervously, -<span class="pb" id="Page_179">179</span> -dancing in his elephantine way, -and tugging at his chain. These notifications -did not come very often, but -when they did, if not too inconvenient, -his request was complied with. These -calls never came just before the performance -or while it was in progress. -The mischief-loving old sinner was far -too wise for that, for he had a most -lively appreciation of the usual inflow -of goodies from the boys and girls who -were courageous enough to encounter -the danger of “feeding the elephant.”</p> -<p>The last conversation I had with the -successful old keeper, only a year before -his death, was about his singular -charge, and he insisted upon the truthfulness -of his old theory—that the elephant -was not naturally bad, but hated -confinement, demanded kindness and -consideration from those who were the -visible instruments used in depriving -him of his liberty, and, when he received -<span class="pb" id="Page_180">180</span> -neither, revenged himself by killing -the tyrants who were depriving him -of the freedom to which he was naturally -entitled.</p> -<p>My old friend used to say: “It’s -awfully hard lines for such a magnificent -old beast as Columbus was to be -tied up and deprived of liberty, and, if I -had been in his place, I would have killed -more fools of keepers than he did. -Why, the old elephant was just as -smart as any of us. He had thought -the whole thing out for himself and put -the boot on the right leg every time. -He knew we’d no right to confine him -the way we did, and made up his mind -to be judge, jury, and executioner, and -in his time he did a lot of killing. I -don’t quite remember how many he -made away with; some put it as high -as ten, but I guess seven or eight would -be about correct.</p> -<p>“When I was first asked to take -<span class="pb" id="Page_181">181</span> -charge of Columbus, I was in the business -part of the ‘Show,’ and had never -thought of becoming an elephant-driver. -But somehow, without effort or knowing -why, I got well acquainted with the -old fellow, and, although often warned -of his dangerous amusements, was -never afraid of him.</p> -<p>“During the winter of 183- and 183- we -were in quarters at C——. The confinement -had been long and close, and -during the whole winter Columbus had -been restive and cross. When it came -time to start out for the summer’s business -no one could be found to drive -him. So, as a last resort, the owners -offered me a large salary for the job. I -had no fear concerning the success of -the undertaking, but hesitated about becoming -a professional ‘elephant-man,’ -but the big pay was a great temptation, -and I yielded.</p> -<p>“The first few days after we started -<span class="pb" id="Page_182">182</span> -out upon the road, my charge was cross -and cranky, and I had to watch him all -the time as a cat would a mouse. Upon -one occasion, when against my orders, -just for the mere deviltry of the thing, -he went out of his way to turn over a -plantation cart that was standing by -the roadside, I went for him savagely, -with hook and spear, and gave him a -big dose of something he didn’t want; -he soon had enough, threw up his -trunk, and yelled like a schoolboy being -flogged.</p> -<p>“This submission proved to be his -complete surrender to my will, and -from that time we got on like a pair of -loving brothers. We became strong -friends, and I used to talk to the old -rascal as I would to a human being. I -have always believed he understood -more than half I said to him.</p> -<p>“He became very fond of our morning -race. It was the custom to start -<span class="pb" id="Page_183">183</span> -early in the morning—never later than -four o’clock. When we would get fairly -out of a village where we had exhibited -the day before, I would ride up alongside -and ask him if he would like a run, -he would answer by throwing up his -trunk, giving a trumpet sound of joy, -and starting off at a stiff gait, keeping -it up until I called a halt, and, if we -happened to be near a stream deep -enough to hold him, he would take to -it, and stay until the rest of the show -came up.</p> -<p>“No, I never had much difficulty in -getting along with Columbus. From -the start he found out I was not afraid -of him, and that I would give it to him -if he cut up any of his wicked capers; -and he also came to understand that I -was his indulgent friend who humored -many of his harmless whims and treated -him kindly.</p> -<p>“At the end of two years I was both -<span class="pb" id="Page_184">184</span> -glad and sorry to leave him. The watchful -confinement had become irksome, -and I was sure that as soon as I would -leave him he would get into trouble,—which -he did, and had a bad time of it -to the end of his days. I have always -felt kind of sorry for having put the -knife through his ear, and never would -have done it if I had not been excited -and scart half out of my wits. If I had -given my common sense half a chance, it -would have told me that his lying down -was a sign of recognition of authority, -and that he was willing to throw up -the sponge and behave himself. But -I guess he forgave me, for, whenever -afterwards I went near him, he would -give me the old time friendly greeting.</p> -<p>“It’s many years now since I left -the show business, and I’ve thought the -whole thing over, and concluded it’s all -wrong. The confinement is unnatural -and cruel. Even the little animals in -<span class="pb" id="Page_185">185</span> -cages, while they seem to be happy, -are as miserable as they can be. Take -a careful look at them when they are -not tired out or asleep, and you will -find an anxious expression on all their -faces—a sort of looking out of their -cages for some one to come along and -open the door.</p> -<p>“The great cat tribe, Lions, Tigers, -Leopards, Panthers, and the rest of -them, are always pushing their noses -against the bars for liberty, and are -usually pretty cross because they can’t -get it.</p> -<p>“At any rate, it’s pleasant for me to -look back upon my many years of intercourse -with the poor creatures, and -to feel that I never, save in the single -instance, treated one of them unkindly.”</p> -<p>Assisting in the two years of successful -management of Columbus was -the inevitable “elephant dog,” who was -his constant companion and friend. -<span class="pb" id="Page_186">186</span> -They slept together nights and tramped -side by side during the days, and often, -when the elephant would not obey his -keeper, the faithful companion would, -in some mysterious way, induce his -huge friend to do the reasonable and -behave himself like a respectable and -order loving beast.</p> -<p>I have forgotten the manner of the -taking off of the old slave of the -“Show,” but he, with his friendly -keeper, who to the end of his days was -his champion, have long since passed -on to that mysterious resting place from -which neither man nor elephant have -sent any message back, and let us hope -that after their many trampings, and as -a reward for the many miseries endured -while upon earth, that they are now -enjoying the rewards bestowed upon -the forgiven and blest.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_187">187</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c10">IN RELATION TO MYSTERIES</h2> -<p>The relation of the three unusual incidents -following these introductory -words are only simple -statements of facts for each reader to -solve in his own way. Concerning -them I have no theory whatever, and -avow emphatically an entire disbelief -in their sometimes alleged supernatural -origin. That, for the present at least, -they are inexplicable must be admitted, -but that they will always remain within -the realm of mysteries beyond the -power of solution is very doubtful.</p> -<p>Up to the present time many accepted, -<span class="pb" id="Page_188">188</span> -or rather seeming, mysteries, -which, with the assistance of ages, -have crystallized into form, have been -permitted to pass unchallenged, but -the time has arrived when the old -fields, now almost sacred groves, where -superstition has taken root and blossomed, -are about to be explored. -The almost omnipotent search-light of -science is turning its rays into the -dark nooks and corners of complacent -ignorance, greatly to the discomfiture -of many old theories and beliefs, -whose foundations are as unsubstantial -as dreams.</p> -<p>Until the possibly far-off culmination -of the great scientific epoch, new -mysteries known only to the laboratories -of Nature will continue to be -born. But those who have watched -the progress of scientific achievement, -through the last half of the Nineteenth -Century, must believe that, within the -<span class="pb" id="Page_189">189</span> -next like period, the visible manifestations -of secrets coming from the bosom -of Nature (of which the outer shell now -only is seen) will have been ascertained -to belong to a previously undiscovered -series of natural phenomena.</p> -<p>We know as a certain fact of the -existence of a natural element of power -called electricity, but what is it, and -whence does it come? To the ignorant -it performs miracles in an apparently -supernatural way, while to the intelligent -it is regarded as a subtle natural -force coming from the universal laboratory -of boundless nature and as unending -as time itself. In electricity, as in -many other manifestations of the forces -of nature, we see only results, and -know little or nothing of the first cause. -The time, however, let us hope, is not -far off when origins will be as easily -demonstrable as is now the seeing of -effects we cannot understand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_190">190</div> -<p>Present indications point to the -early solution of all superstitions, many -of which for centuries have construed -some of the simplest happenings, which -could not upon any known principles -be explained, into demonstrations flowing -from supernatural sources. Superstition -must certainly fall before the -great and impartial sweep of modern -research. In at least one direction, the -battle will be of long duration, but at -the end of the conflict, the vicious old -fabric coined out of ages of falsehood -as old as our civilization, sustained by -centuries of superstitious ignorance and -countless unspeakable cruelties and -crimes, will totter from its foundation -in the limitless sphere of human credulity, -and fall, let us hope, to its final -decay.</p> -<p>The destruction of that inveterate -enemy of intellectual progress and the -human race, will be the culminating -<span class="pb" id="Page_191">191</span> -triumph of scientific achievement and -the crowning glory of human effort in -the interest of a more exalted conception -of the Deity, better morals, and a -higher plane of civilization.</p> -<p>From my birth to and including a -part of the year 1846, I lived with my -grandparents in the town of Pomfret, -Vermont. The inhabitants of that old -rural community during my time were, -I believe without exception, descendants -from the early English colonists of -Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode -Island. They were an orderly, law-abiding, -industrious, and honest people, -intensely patriotic, believing in the fruits -of the Revolution, in many of the battles -of which they and their immediate -ancestors had taken part.</p> -<p>Up to the period of my early days -they were still engaged in the continuous -difficult task of creating homes for -their families and in building a new -<span class="pb" id="Page_192">192</span> -state, and had but little time to bestow -upon books or mental culture of any -sort. Their lives were laborious and -beset with many hardships. Indeed, it -may be truly said of them that, from an -academic or bookish standpoint, they -were educated and enlightened only to -a limited extent. Each household had -its cupboard of books brought from -“below,” and they retained in their -memories an interesting stock of historic -traditions and patriotic anecdotes, -many of which were connected with -the early history of a majority of the -families of this community. The frequent -recital of these served to keep -alive the patriotic spirit, and to impress -upon the minds of the rising generation -the importance and value of the -heroic services performed by their ancestors.</p> -<p>As a rule, this little New England -town unit, composed of strong, hardy -<span class="pb" id="Page_193">193</span> -unlettered men and women, was exceptionally -free from natural stupidity -and the usual <i>répertoire</i> of rural superstitions, -but they had a few which -were dear to many of the good old -New England housewives of my particular -period. Among them was a -belief in the misfortunes likely to attend -new undertakings begun on Friday; -they had a perfect reliance in the ill -ending of any enterprise connected with -the number thirteen; and it was rank -heresy for any one not to believe in -the ill-omened, grief-stricken howls of -the family dog. That this latter belief -was not without a certain reasonable -shadow of foundation, I am about to -show in the relation of a series of remarkable -incidents, which are of a sort -that up to this time have not been explained.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_195">195</div> -<div class="img"><img class="deco" src="images/chapter.jpg" alt="Decorative header" width="397" height="71" /></div> -<h2 id="c11">MYSTERIES</h2> -<h3>AUGUST 27, 1840</h3> -<p>In the month of August, 1840, the -twenty-seventh day, to be exact, -I was still at the “old H——n -Place” with my grandparents. “Just -before bedtime” of the night of that -day my grandmother called the attention -of the household to the mournful -and unusual howls of the little house -dog that was sitting in the front yard -with his nose pointed straight up, crying -most piteously.</p> -<p>The incident connected with that -sad sound was destined to affect me so -<span class="pb" id="Page_196">196</span> -nearly that I have never lost it, and can -hear it to-day as clearly as I heard it -fifty-four years ago. In about three -weeks after the demonstration by the -little dog, the news arrived that my -father, Lorenzo Dow Hawkins, to whom -I was passionately attached, had died -at St. Louis, Mo., late in the afternoon -of August 27th. My kind-hearted old -grandmother looked down tenderly -upon me, and said, “I knew something -dreadful had happened. Poor -child, you will never see your father -again!”</p> -<p>In 1854 I visited St. Louis and saw -Dr. Simmons, who had attended my -father during his last illness, and he -remembered his death having occurred -in the afternoon, probably, between -five and six o’clock. The difference -in time between Vermont and Missouri, -would make the moment of his -death late in the afternoon at one place -<span class="pb" id="Page_197">197</span> -and between eight and nine at the -other.</p> -<blockquote> -<p>Since writing this account, a doubt has arisen in my mind -in relation to the time when the two important incidents occurred. -I am not quite certain that the death of my father and -the howling of the dog took place at the same moment. I do -remember, however, that both incidents occurred <i>about</i> the -same time, and I have a vague recollection of having heard my -grandmother say, that the unusual and peculiar howl meant a -death in the family. And when the news of my father’s decease -arrived she expressed her belief in the certain connection between -the two incidents.</p> -</blockquote> -<h3>AUGUST 12, 1864</h3> -<p>In the month of August, 1864, I was -visiting at the country residence of -my wife’s mother, in the State of -Rhode Island. Her oldest son, Alfred -Nicholas Brown, was at that time staying -at the New York Hotel in the City -of New York. His younger sister was -the owner of, and had with her at her -mother’s residence, an intelligent little -French poodle of a most affectionate -and sensitive nature. He suffered from -<span class="pb" id="Page_198">198</span> -the effects of the summer heat and was -very much annoyed by the attacks of -house flies, and in order, as far as possible, -to avoid both annoyances, spent -the greater part of his time in a dark -closet adjoining the sleeping room occupied -by my wife and myself.</p> -<p>“Tommy” was an unusually quiet -dog, seldom barking, and had never -been known to howl save when certain -notes of the piano were touched. About -three o’clock in the morning of the 12th -of August we heard a most plaintive and -sorrowful howl from “Tommy” in his -closet, which continued until he was -stopped by being spoken to. At half -past seven o’clock, the same morning, -while the family were at breakfast a -telegram was handed to the mother, -announcing the death of her son at the -New York Hotel at ten minutes past -three o’clock that morning.</p> -<p>The fact of “Tommy’s” howl had -<span class="pb" id="Page_199">199</span> -been mentioned previously, and I am -not quite certain if it was discussed, but -have been informed that at least one -member of the family had insisted that -it was the forerunner of bad news. The -bad news undoubtedly followed, but -did “Tommy” obtain it in advance, -and if he did, how? Or was his unusual -howl an accidental coincidence?</p> -<h3>MARCH 8, 1871</h3> -<p>On the afternoon of March 8th, -1871, I was called to the bed-side -of an old and intimate -friend who resided at Newport, Rhode -Island. He had spent six weeks of the -winter at the Everett House in New -York, the latter part of the time confined -to his room, and when I saw him -he was very near his end.</p> -<p>Our friendship was very close and -<span class="pb" id="Page_200">200</span> -of many years standing, and we had -had an understanding between us -to the effect that the one who survived -the other should inspect, and, -at his discretion, destroy, letters and -other private papers left by the one deceased.</p> -<p>In pursuance of that understanding -my friend handed me a package of keys, -and requested me to take the boat that -afternoon for Newport, to go to his -house, to open his safe, to look over -his letters and other papers, and to destroy -such as I might think ought not -to be preserved.</p> -<p>I arrived at Newport at one o’clock -the next morning, and drove directly to -his house. As I opened the front gate, -a hundred feet or more from the front -door of the house, his Irish setter dog -“Charlie” came bounding down through -the lawn to greet me. When he discovered -I was not his master, he showed -<span class="pb" id="Page_201">201</span> -signs of great disappointment, but, -when he came to realize that I was -an old friend, he was better satisfied. -The servants let me in, and I went to -rest in the bed usually occupied by -my absent friend, “Charlie” taking his -usual place upon and at the foot of the -bed.</p> -<p>In a seemingly short time,—about -four o’clock, I was startled from a -sound sleep by the most unearthly -and weird moan I had ever heard. In -a moment I discovered “Charlie” sitting -up upon the bed with his nose -pointed to the ceiling, in great agony -of mind, pouring forth with all his -strength the uncanny wails of a broken -heart. I spoke to him, but did not -succeed in quieting him until all the -servants in the house came to the room -to ascertain the cause of such an unusual -disturbance.</p> -<p>At seven o’clock I received a message -<span class="pb" id="Page_202">202</span> -telling me my friend had passed -away at ten minutes past four o’clock -that morning.</p> -<p>During every moment of my entire -stay at Newport, “Charlie” was always -at my side, and could not be coaxed -away from me, and, when I departed -the next evening, he went with me -to the wharf, and resisted our separation -almost to the point of biting the -servant who was to take him back -to the house.</p> -<p>During the six weeks of his master’s -absence, “Charlie” slept outside the -front door, ready and hoping to greet -his master whenever he might return, -as was his custom, by one of the Sound -steamboats.</p> -<p>I need not write that this unusual -incident left a lasting impression upon -my mind. I have never attempted to -solve it and never shall, as I am quite -satisfied that it was an example of -<span class="pb" id="Page_203">203</span> -natural phenomena entirely beyond my -comprehension.</p> -<p>The chief character in this narrative, -was a most quiet, dignified, and gentlemanly -dog. During my six or seven -years of intermittent intercourse with -him, I never knew him to do an ungentlemanly -act. He was a veritable -Chesterfield among dogs, and his noble -and gentle bearing was a model even -for men. He was also the most beautiful -of his race, perfect in his combination -of colors, for he had many all -perfectly blending into an artistic and -harmonious whole. His intellectual -qualities were quite in keeping with his -physical beauties. His forehead was -large, indicating a well rounded and -well developed brain, which was deposited -between a pair of the most -beautiful large, soft, brown, and expressive -eyes imaginable.</p> -<p>He had never been taught tricks of -<span class="pb" id="Page_204">204</span> -any kind, but, by the application of his -natural understanding and constant -reflective observation, had gradually -developed a rare amount of exact intelligence -in relation to many things. -This rare intellectual development was -largely due to his constant companionship -with his master. In the field, the -road, the stable, the bedroom, the dining-room, -and at the table, he was -usually addressed and treated like a -human being. At the three daily meals -he had his napkin adjusted to his neck, -and sat at the right of his master, and I -think it may be written of him that, -although his table manners were of the -dog sort, wherein the tongue played -the most important part, they were -unexceptional, and that he was never -known to commit a breach of good -table manners.</p> -<p>Next to his master, I was his oldest -and most intimate friend. Often, when -<span class="pb" id="Page_205">205</span> -the former was away, I was left in charge -as the head of the house; on such occasions -“Charlie” would adopt me as a -substitute for his master, but upon his -master’s return he would leave me and -resume his accustomed intercourse with -the friend who, to him, was superior to -all others. He walked with me whenever -ordered to do so by his master, but -not otherwise; I could not coax him -even to a short promenade.</p> -<p>Not having been in Newport at the -time, I cannot write of his conduct there -while his master was ill in New York, -but was informed by the servants that -he was always, night and day, on the -lookout for his return, and that they -often experienced considerable difficulty -in coaxing him into the kitchen -for his meals. They arranged for him -a comfortable bed near the front door, -where he passed his nights, while his -days were spent in anxiously watching -<span class="pb" id="Page_206">206</span> -at the lawn gate, in the vain hope of seeing -the loved form of his kind master, -whom he was never to behold again.</p> -<p>This was a rare instance (though -probably not among dogs similarly situated) -of affection and devotion. But -then the chief actor in the pathetic little -drama was ONLY A DOG.</p> -<p>This loving dog, however, in his -simple and direct way, silently, but not -the less effectually for all that, taught -human beings a lesson, showing an extent -of unselfish fidelity and affection -which they would do well to imitate.</p> -<p>In closing, I may repeat what Sir -John Lubbock once said, that at some -future time, twenty thousand pounds -would be offered as a reward to any one -who would teach a dog to talk, and that -then the world will be astonished to -learn how insufficiently the knowledge -of man’s most disinterested friend has -been appreciated.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_207">207</div> -<div class="img" id="fig7"> -<img class="deco" src="images/p3.jpg" alt="Seal" width="194" height="198" /> -</div> -<h2 class="eee">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul><li>Copyright notice included from the printed edition—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>Only in the text versions, delimited italicized text in _underscores_ (the HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.)</li></ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Than Men, by Rush Hawkins - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER THAN MEN *** - -***** This file should be named 53423-h.htm or 53423-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/4/2/53423/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Rick Morris, MFR and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/53423-h/images/chapter.jpg b/old/53423-h/images/chapter.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5df19a5..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/images/chapter.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/53423-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1fad4ca..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h/images/p0.jpg b/old/53423-h/images/p0.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 206d8a5..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/images/p0.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h/images/p1.jpg b/old/53423-h/images/p1.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4382558..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/images/p1.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h/images/p2.png b/old/53423-h/images/p2.png Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 294c1c4..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/images/p2.png +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/53423-h/images/p3.jpg b/old/53423-h/images/p3.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1ce5b4e..0000000 --- a/old/53423-h/images/p3.jpg +++ /dev/null |
