_A Fair and an Elopement._
When the head of a family is distinguished for ill humour, it rarely
happens that the dumb dependants escape its influence. I had felt the
utmost commiseration for a poor dog that was chained to his kennel and
most sparingly fed by a mistress, who yet expected him to be vigilant
in his office of watching the clothes; and in the simplicity of my
heart, wondered he made no effort to absolve himself from so vile a
bondage, when I was doomed to experience a similar kind of confinement.
I beseech you not to suppose I incurred this punishment by any new
frolic--in fact, my spirits at this period were particularly low:--no,
it was the parsimonious disposition of Mrs. Dawes that led to this
result. The palings remained some time as I had left them, until her
landlord, paying her a visit, made some remarks which compelled her to
have them repaired. The expense could not be considerable, though I
heard her tease the carpenter and declare, he was making a job of it
because she was a lone woman. The man denied the charge, and hastened
his work, glad no doubt to be released from her voluble complaints:
but, in order to prevent any future transgressions on my part, a
rope was thrown over my neck and tied to a tree--thus confining my
exercise within its limits. I felt this as the most pointed insult I
had ever encountered, nor could I bear the idea of meeting Bobby under
so painful a degradation. I was boisterous at first, kicked up my
heels, brayed, and in short, shewed every disposition to resist: alas!
what imbecile creatures we are! What is our strength opposed to the
ingenuity of the rational creation! But it was hard to reflect that
the very quality which made us useful to our employers, should thus be
rendered negative when our own comfort was the consideration. Nor could
I look around me without anticipating the day when, having eaten to the
length of my rope, I might be starved in the view of plenty.
I knew Mrs. Dawes practised this sort of self-denial, scarcely allowing
herself the necessaries of life: this was no rule for me; I was not a
glutton, but most assuredly I had no liking to the Pythagorean system.
Ere evening arrived I had changed my mind, and longed to consult
with Bob respecting this new misfortune. So true it is, that the
consolations of friendship are a balm for almost every ill. Bobby came
home later than usual--I heard his footsteps--but could not, as was
my custom, meet him half way. The worthy fellow was grieved to find me
under such a restraint: but here his good sense did not forsake him; he
would not allow that I was the most unfortunate Donkey in existence,
nor listen to my passionate regrets at the loss of my liberty.
“This is weak in the extreme,” said he; “liberty is undoubtedly a
privilege of incalculable worth; but you breathe the fresh air, are
in no immediate want of food, and your occasional duties will vary
the scene a little. Think of the female Ass, so often doomed to drag
a chained log not only within a limited space, but frequently is
this chain connected with the head, thus holding her in a state of
inconceivable uncomfortableness!”
“I have heard of such things,” said I; “thank fortune I never saw a
lady Ass in this situation, nor can I understand why such a refinement
in cruelty should be inflicted on a female.”
“She is thus punished,” resumed Bobby, “because her maternal feelings
would lead her to pursue her purloined offspring. There is no danger
nor difficulty from which a female Ass would shrink, where the safety
of her young ones is concerned. That her estate on many occasions is
deplorable, no one will deny: it of course excites our sympathy; but
even rational animals have taken note of it. I heard our friend Balaam
repeat some lines on this subject which pleased me excessively.”