Tuffy Todd's Adventure Part 1

Tuffy Todd's Adventure.

by Samuel Doggerel.

TUFFY TODD'S ADVENTURE.

There is a little dog whose name Is Tuffy Todd, who has the same Wise look as many a dog you've met; And is a well-bred house-dog pet, But quaintly called in rhyme a hound, To please the poet's ear for sound.

Round as a mole, he's fat and fair, And robed in coat of whitest hair; His soft brown eyes are bright and clear, His little ears are quick to hear.

He has a kind expressive face, With every feature full of grace; In disposition meek and mild, He's gentle as a little child; But has his own peculiar way, As all who hear will surely say.

He is to people so polite, You'd think he'd never bark or bite, But strangers climbing up the hill Will shout in vain: "You hound, be still!"

And traveler late in midnight dark Is sure to hear Tuff's loudest bark, While tramps who come about the yard Must flee or face a valiant guard.

Although he has a host of friends, To them he rarely condescends, And their caresses kindly made Are with indifference coldly paid.

He lives for Master Orrin Todd And wors.h.i.+ps him as household G.o.d; With him Tuff wildly romps and plays, And from his side but seldom strays.

At times when Orrin goes away To tarry but a single day, He bids his Tuffy stay behind And try to have a peaceful mind.

But Tuff, so sad and desolate, Lies down alone to meditate; Or seeks the porch--a sunny place-- To watch for Todd's returning face, Or wait until the voice so dear Shall fall like music on his ear.

Unmoved by other sight or sound He lies as if in thought profound.

Call him, he seems both deaf and dumb Unless you say: "Ho! _Orrin's_ come!"

When quick, like one from sleep, he springs, And flies, as swift as bird on wings, To meet his master and his friend,-- Then Tuffy's mourning has an end.

His ways eccentric may appear, But in the sequel they'll be clear.

Now little Tuff, it may seem strange, Had lived at home, nor thought of change; But one calm morning clear and bright, As if new visions filled his sight, To _Griffin's Corners_ begged a ride In Orrin's wagon by his side.

Good Master Todd could not deny The pleading of poor Tuffy's eye, And said: "Jump in and take a seat, And you shall have a royal treat; For though we go by mountain road And do not want a heavy load, Our sprightly horses strong and true Will never mind a mite like you."

Then Tuff leaped in and sat erect As if to show his intellect, When off they rode with hearts of glee, And warmer friends you rarely see.

Now Orrin thought it would be nice To give his Tuffy some advice: "Be careful, Tuffy mine," said he, "We go where many dangers be; Turn not aside nor leave my track Till setting sun shall warn us back.

In town you will a stranger be; Again I say: Go not from me."

To which the simple dog replied: "Oh, never will I leave thy side, But follow where thy footsteps lead, Thou dearest friend in time of need."

(Our Tuff can talk like dogs of old Of whom in fable aesop told.)

Then Todd, to pa.s.s away the time, Thus entertained his guest in rhyme: "I've always made you stay at home And never let you widely roam, Because I feared you might be lost And by the world be rudely tossed; Or lest in some unlucky way You might be hurt as on that day-- That doleful, direful day,--when life And death seemed balanced in the strife.

You then were but a little pup, And with a snail could scarce keep up, But seeing Flora's gentle pace, You thought with her you'd run a race!

And as she moved along the road And pulled with care her heavy load, You chanced to fall beneath the wheel Which crushed your leg and made you reel.

O dreadful sight! O fearful cry!

A mangled limb! no surgeon nigh!

I stanched the blood which freely flowed, And in my arms--a tiny load-- I bore you safely to our door; Then said: 'You shall go out no more Until your leg is fully healed, Or death shall take you from the field!'

I set and bandaged well your limb, (Should surgeon doubt, I'd challenge him,) And laid you on an easy bed And saw that you were kindly fed.

I closely watched you night and day And did not fail for you to pray!

When you had reached the third long week, Thank G.o.d! (with reverence do I speak) 'Twas plain you needed nothing more Than just to walk about the floor.

At length, when people thought you dead, You left your room and little bed; "He's _tough_," they said, "as hickory rod,"

And called you "_Tough_," then Tuffy Todd; And thus you see it strangely came You have a soft and pretty name.

Now since to perfect health restored, To thank me well you can afford."

Tuff answered: "Do you doubt, dear friend, That I shall thank you to the end?

Since I was struck by wheel so rude, Have I not shown you grat.i.tude?

Have I not always been to you Obedient, faithful, good and true?

Through evil and through good report I've never failed in my support!

Forsaking friends, let none deny For you I've lived, for you I'll die; What care I for the world around When all my joy in you is found?

Please pardon if too bold I seem And hold me firm in your esteem."

"I did not mean to grieve your heart, Good Tuff, nor cause a single smart, But just to have a little play, I thought I'd see what you would say In answer to my sober talk, While slow the horses onward walk."

Conversing thus as friend with friend, At last they reach their journey's end.

Todd's heart with anxious fears beset, Foreboding peril to his pet, He turns to Tuffy: "You've been warned In language clear and unadorned, To stay by me and to beware Of dangers lurking everywhere.

Although no prophet born or bred, Though on my mind no light is shed, I fear from knowledge of your race, _The day will end in your disgrace_."

Out jumped brave Tuff and Farmer Todd, But scarce had gone a single rod Before they heard: "Bow-wow! Friend Tuff!

For that's your name I'm sure enough; How glad I am to see your face And give to you a friend's embrace; Now while in town, stay thou with me, And boon companions we will be."

Then Tuff, (poor "Innocent abroad,"

Who never dreamed of any fraud,) Replied: "Perhaps we've met before, I'll take your word and ask no more: It would not seem polite, I know, Should I refuse with you to go."

Away they marched, as large as life, Their hearts with hope and pleasure rife, And wandered in their heedless play, Through many a dark and devious way.

Unchecked they raced and chased around, A lawless cur and recreant hound; They took no note of time, nor cared How far they strayed nor how they fared; For Tuff could not foresee his woes Till darkness did around him close.

Oh, Tuffy, born and reared in ease, With bread enough to eat and cheese, Where now thy master's tender care?

Where now the bed thou erst didst share?

Thy new-made friend all false will be In time of thy adversity!

Upon the cold, cold ground to-night No sleep shall come ere morning light, Nor morsel sweet for hungry maw, Nor peace for nature's broken law!

The westering sun had low declined, When homeward with an easy mind Good Orrin turned his horses' feet, Expecting there his dog to meet; But drawing near, no Tuff was found To greet him with accustomed sound.

Poor Orrin could not sleep a wink, But lay awake all night to think How sad the fate of Tuff might be, Who late was in prosperity.

Back, in the early morning bright, To Griffin's Orrin took his flight, But thoughts of Tuff so filled his mind No other thought a place could find, And as he pa.s.sed each neighbor's door 'Twas little known the load he bore.

The dogs ran out and barked so bold They wakened echoes in the wold, While ducks and geese joined in the strife And quacked and screamed for their dear life.

Then proudly crowed vain chanticleer: "I am, you see, without a peer, Let none within my realm intrude To scare my hens and little brood."

But patient kine in farmyard pent Were mute with meek-eyed wonderment, While grazing sheep on hillside near, Heard all and said: "We need not fear;"

Each mother called her own dear lamb, Who answered back: "Oh, here I am!"

The squirrel with his nimble feet Now quickly found a safe retreat, And from the wall, or limb on high, Peeped slyly out as Todd went by.

The birds from out the leafy trees, So gently swayed by morning breeze, Poured forth their notes in merry lay And sang: "Good speed and happy day!"

And insect world, on joyous wing, In sunlight clear did sweetly sing, Or hum in myriad tones so gay: "We cheer the traveler on his way."

But ferns and flowers in wayside beds With meek surprise did lift their heads And whisper low: "Our friend's in haste And has no time on us to waste.

In days gone by he'd stop awhile To praise our charms and make us smile, Or take us in his gentle hands As if rare gifts from foreign lands."

And thus each loving, living thing Had kindly thought or word to bring, Which proved a balm to soothe Todd's soul As he moved onward to his goal.

The livelong day through street and lane He sought his dog, but sought in vain; From house to house he asked each man, "Where's Tuff? Pray tell me if you can."

"Why, Tuff has gone with Bruno Brown, A dog," they said, "of poor renown."

It was enough to turn one's brain To always hear this sad refrain.

Retracing now in twilight drear His weary steps, Todd dropped a tear And took with heavy heart the way His feet had pressed at opening day, And walked in doubt and gloom along Where late he sang his cheerful song,-- Where frisked his faithful dog with glee And kept him joyful company.

Poor Tuff, a wanderer forlorn, Now loud bewailed that he was born!

For though in darkness and in grief, There came no friend to his relief.

But being born he did not care Just then to die. With reason rare, He searched along the dusty ground To see where footprints could be found, When he with keen instinctive nose Discerned the course of Orrin's toes!

Then light and hope began to rise And cheer the darkness of his skies, While slow he kept the lonely road Which led him safe to his abode.