I think 'twas solely mine, indeed: The eyes of our mother-(take good heed) — Nor the fluttering bird, held so fast by the legs, You, sir, know Things that are fairest, things most sweet,- The mother, the lads, with their bird, at her knee: High as the heavens your name I'll shout, MR. PERKINS BUYS A DOG.-JAMES M. BAILEY. It is a little singular, as fond as I am of dogs, that I never enjoyed an undisputed title to one until the other day. I have frequently, to be sure, had a dog in my possession when I was a boy, but the possession was acquired by persuasiveness, and was but temporary, as my parent on my father's side entertained morbid prejudice against dogs, and never missed an opportunity to show his aversion. The dog I refer to as being strictly my own, was one I bought of a man named Robbins, who lives some distance down town. I gave him two dollars for the dog, on his own representations. He said it was a good animal, but had a little more of life and energy than were proper in a dog where there were hens on the premises. I don't keep hens, so this was no objection in my case. In the evening, I went down to his place after my purchase. It was a tall dog, with a long body, long legs, a long neck, and a very short tail. The color was a dirty yellow. His body was lank as well as long, which gave the impression that he had missed meals when he did not design to. I was a little disappointed in his general appearance, but there was a good frame, and time, with plenty of wholesome food, would undoubtedly complete a gratifying metamorphosis. Robbins gave me a good supply of rope, with which I made my animal fast, and started for home. We jogged along very nicely together. Occasionally I paused to pat him affectionately, adding some remark of a confidential nature. In this way we progressed until we reached the business part of the town. I don't know how to account for it, but he suddenly stopped, in a dogged manner, and commenced to rear back and cut up variously. Perhaps the glare of the lights confused his mind,-perhaps he may have got the impression I was a butcher, or something of that sort. Whatever it may have been, he was certainly acting in a strange manner. He pulled back with wonderful vigor, bracing his feet, and vibrating his head swiftly. The skin lopped over his eyes, while the joints in my body seemed to turn completely around in their sockets. He pulled back like this, until I thought his entire hide would slip over his head, then he abruptly came forward. and I struck the pavement on my back with a velocity that threatened to destroy my further usefulness in this world. He did this three or four times within the distance of a block, and finally I suggested if he did it again I should feel tempted to kick in some of his ribs as an experiment. At this time three boys gave an unexpected variety to the performance by getting in the animal's rear, and enlivening him with a pointed stick. He very soon got the impression that the boys were not actuated by friendly designs, and he came up nearer to me-and, eventually, went past. It may be well to remark just here that, when he went past, he carried a portion of my pantaloon leg with him,a circumstance many would not mention, perhaps, but it struck me as being a very singular proceeding, especially as my leg was next to, and in close proximity with the cloth. He went ahead so fast that it was nearly impossible to restrain him, and went the entire length of the rope, before 1 succeeded in checking him. As there were quite a number of people on the street at the time, it naturally increased my interest in his movements. The rope was a bed cord; it was full forty feet long; the dog was about four feet,-in all forty-four feet. It was a pretty long line of communication to keep up on a crowded thoroughfare, especially with a mad and hungry dog on the foose end of it. He was straining with all his might, and drawing me along at a rapid but not graceful gait. When I occasionally got my eyes down to a level with the walk, it was to discover him crawling out from under somebody, with various results. Sometimes, as in the case of very heavy people, they did not get fairly on their feet until I got abreast of them. These people invariably called my attention to the subject, and would have got my fairest views on it, had it been possible to have held up long enough to open my mouth. I endured these things pleasantly enough; but when a man and woman both came down together, and the rope got mysteriously twisted about three other people, and seesawed them in a wonderfully fearful manner, I lost all desire to own a dog, and let go of my end of the rope. It immediately transpired that no one was needed there. The people who were seesawing across the walk, and shouting for their friends, were so inconceivably entangled in the rope, that they held the dog as firmly as a piece of meat could have done. The old gentleman and lady were full as mysteriously mixed, both screaming vigorously,-although it is but fair to state that the former appeared to take the liveliest interest in the matter, as he was next to the dog, and in a very exposed condition, I regret to add. It at once resolved itself into such an exclusively private affair, that I didn't have the heart to do anything which would look like interfering, and so I sat down on a box, and rubbed my leg, and looked on to see what the party would eventually do. As it is reasonable to expect, a crowd gathered, and that dog was stepped on and walked over a number of times, but I can honestly affirm I do not recollect seeing any one step on him the second time. There was a great deal of confusion, of course, and the two elderly people were four or five minutes, getting up and down, before they fairly reached their feet. And when the old gentleman did get up, good and square, I was surprised and shocked to observe another gentleman, who was, I presume, the husband of the old lady, fetch him a clip between the eyes, that sent him on his back with great speed. Of course he didn't know anything about the dog and the rope, but he ought not to have been so nasty. This is what the people thought, undoubtedly, for they yelled their disapprobation, and crowded up closer, while that wretched dog came back to see what was now restraining him, but not being able to distinguish the present source of trouble, he split the difference and the calf of a new party's leg, and took off a good share of the tail to the irate husband's coat. The vivacity of that animal is the most remarkable thing of this season. He didn't waste any time on superfluous ceremonies, but rapidly notified all within reach, of his intentions, and when he did get loose, and left, I didn't see anybody follow him. I guess they pretty much shared my opinion of the animal: that the less they had to do with him the more there would be of them for other purposes. From "Life in Danbury." NO MORTGAGE ON THE FARM.-JOHN H. YATES. Mary, let's kill the fatted calf, and celebrate this day, Let us laugh and sing together, for the dear old farm is free. Don't all we Yankees celebrate the Fourth day of July? Because 'twas then that freedom's sun lit up our nation's sky; Why shouldn't we then celebrate, and this day ne'er forget? I've riz up many mornin's an hour before the sun, my arm: Each day of toil will help to pay the mortgage on the farm And, Mary, you have done your part in rowin' to the shore, And Bessie, our sweet daughter-God bless her loving heart! I'll build a little cottage, soon, to make your heart rejoice; I'll buy a good piano to go with Bessie's voice; You shall not make your butter with that up and down con cern, For I'll go this very day and buy the finest patent churn. Lay by your faded calico, and go with me to town, While our hearts are now so joyful, let us, Mary, not forget To thank the God of heaven for being out of debt; For he gave the rain and sunshine, and put strength into my arm, And lengthened out the days to see no mortgage on the farm. OUR WHOLE COUNTRY. Who would sever freedom's shrine? Dear to me the South's fair land, By our altars, pure and free; |