TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE.
There is a little dog whose name
Is Tuffy Todd, who has the same
Wise look as many a dog you've met;
And is a well-bred house-dog pet,
But quaintly called in rhyme a hound,
To please the poet's ear for sound.
Round as a mole, he's fat and fair,
And robed in coat of whitest hair;
His soft brown eyes are bright and clear,
His little ears are quick to hear.
He has a kind expressive face,
With every feature full of grace;
In disposition meek and mild,
He's gentle as a little child;
But has his own peculiar way,
As all who hear will surely say.
[pg 06] He is to people so polite,
You'd think he'd never bark or bite,
But strangers climbing up the hill
Will shout in vain: "You hound, be still!"
And traveler late in midnight dark
Is sure to hear Tuff's loudest bark,
While tramps who come about the yard
Must flee or face a valiant guard.
Although he has a host of friends,
To them he rarely condescends,
And their caresses kindly made
Are with indifference coldly paid.
He lives for Master Orrin Todd
And worships him as household god;
With him Tuff wildly romps and plays,
And from his side but seldom strays.
At times when Orrin goes away
To tarry but a single day,
He bids his Tuffy stay behind
And try to have a peaceful mind.
But Tuff, so sad and desolate,
Lies down alone to meditate;
Or seeks the porch—a sunny place—
[pg 07] To watch for Todd's returning face,
Or wait until the voice so dear
Shall fall like music on his ear.
Unmoved by other sight or sound
He lies as if in thought profound.
Call him, he seems both deaf and dumb
Unless you say: "Ho! Orrin's come!"
When quick, like one from sleep, he springs,
And flies, as swift as bird on wings,
To meet his master and his friend,—
Then Tuffy's mourning has an end.
His ways eccentric may appear,
But in the sequel they'll be clear.
Now little Tuff, it may seem strange,
Had lived at home, nor thought of change;
But one calm morning clear and bright,
As if new visions filled his sight,
To Griffin's Corners begged a ride
In Orrin's wagon by his side.
Good Master Todd could not deny
The pleading of poor Tuffy's eye,
And said: "Jump in and take a seat,
And you shall have a royal treat;
[pg 08] For though we go by mountain road
And do not want a heavy load,
Our sprightly horses strong and true
Will never mind a mite like you."
Then Tuff leaped in and sat erect
As if to show his intellect,
When off they rode with hearts of glee,
And warmer friends you rarely see.
Now Orrin thought it would be nice
To give his Tuffy some advice:
"Be careful, Tuffy mine," said he,
"We go where many dangers be;
Turn not aside nor leave my track
Till setting sun shall warn us back.
In town you will a stranger be;
Again I say: Go not from me."
To which the simple dog replied:
"Oh, never will I leave thy side,
But follow where thy footsteps lead,
Thou dearest friend in time of need."
(Our Tuff can talk like dogs of old
Of whom in fable Æsop told.)
[pg 09] Then Todd, to pass away the time,
Thus entertained his guest in rhyme:
"I've always made you stay at home
And never let you widely roam,
Because I feared you might be lost
And by the world be rudely tossed;
Or lest in some unlucky way
You might be hurt as on that day—
That doleful, direful day,—when life
And death seemed balanced in the strife.
You then were but a little pup,
And with a snail could scarce keep up,
But seeing Flora's gentle pace,
You thought with her you'd run a race!
And as she moved along the road
And pulled with care her heavy load,
You chanced to fall beneath the wheel
Which crushed your leg and made you reel.
O dreadful sight! O fearful cry!
A mangled limb! no surgeon nigh!
I stanched the blood which freely flowed,
And in my arms—a tiny load—
I bore you safely to our door;
Then said: 'You shall go out no more
[pg 10] Until your leg is fully healed,
Or death shall take you from the field!'
I set and bandaged well your limb,
(Should surgeon doubt, I'd challenge him,)
And laid you on an easy bed
And saw that you were kindly fed.
I closely watched you night and day
And did not fail for you to pray!
When you had reached the third long week,
Thank God! (with reverence do I speak)
'Twas plain you needed nothing more
Than just to walk about the floor.
At length, when people thought you dead,
You left your room and little bed;
"He's tough," they said, "as hickory rod,"
And called you "Tough," then Tuffy Todd;
And thus you see it strangely came
You have a soft and pretty name.
Now since to perfect health restored,
To thank me well you can afford."
Tuff answered: "Do you doubt, dear friend,
That I shall thank you to the end?
Since I was struck by wheel so rude,
[pg 11] Have I not shown you gratitude?
Have I not always been to you
Obedient, faithful, good and true?
Through evil and through good report
I've never failed in my support!
Forsaking friends, let none deny
For you I've lived, for you I'll die;
What care I for the world around
When all my joy in you is found?
Please pardon if too bold I seem
And hold me firm in your esteem."
"I did not mean to grieve your heart,
Good Tuff, nor cause a single smart,
But just to have a little play,
I thought I'd see what you would say
In answer to my sober talk,
While slow the horses onward walk."