54 PHILADELPHIA. 



was, that I might have daylight for the transit and splen 

 did views over the Alleghany Mountains and through 

 the forests, and an opportunity of observing a curve in 

 the line of rail that, not many years ago, or even now in 

 England, would have been regarded as impossible ; dan 

 gerous it must be, as safety depends entirely on very re 

 duced speed. 



On arriving at Philadelphia tickets were delivered to 

 us on being severed from our luggage, which would en 

 able us to claim it on reaching the Philadelphia Hotel ; 

 and I then proceeded to walk to the hotel, because the 

 streets at night were not only crowded but particularly 

 filled with that influential class the Boh-hoys, and I de 

 sired to be careful of my dogs. I then proceeded through 

 the streets in front of my four-footed companions, George 

 attached to their chains in the rear to keep them steady. 

 All at once, from behind a dark corner of an adjoining 

 dirty little street, and on seeing my dogs at my heels, 

 there rushed about fifteen or twenty of the lowest Row 

 dies and Boh-hoys, one of whom I suppose the leader 

 stopped short, and, looking me full in the face, cried 

 out in a most insolent nasal twang, 



" Hum hum hello stranger are you a dog-catch 

 er ? " At this question his companions roared with laugh 

 ter, and I replied, 



" Yes, I am ; I catch all the nice and civil dogs I can 

 find, give them lots of grub, and treat them well ; but if 

 I come across an insolent puppy like yourself, I just 

 about lap into him uncommon ; so you'd better cut ! " 



The manner in which I gave vent to this rejoinder so 

 fascinated the spokesman Boh-hoy's followers that they 

 in turn roared with mirth, in my favour^ and I passed on 

 without further molestation. 



