EARLY DAYS OF THE BORO', No. 1.
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Sometime during the reign of Andrew the 1st, there lived in this ancient borough, Dr. Thomas Borland, distinguished alike for his
dignified demeanor, his courtley manners and his professional skill. Many of our people remember him and his talented sons,
Euclid, Roscius and Solon. He lived on the spot where now the Institute stands. At the same time there was a stately mansion,
(now owned by Col. U. Vaughan) which from its dimensions and environs, was ycleped [']The Castle' for it contained a jewel
in the form of a rare and radient maiden. This castle was carefully guarded by a fierce and ferocious Bull terrier, who rejoiced
in an[d] answered to the name of B[ose]. The charmes of this lovely lady were f[u]lly appreciated by all;
she was the bell of the Boro,' and subsequently became the wife of an amiable and we[a]lthy gentleman on the Roanoake, and the mother of
two charming daughters; one of whom is the wife of our distinguished Senator [i]n Congress, Gen. R.
No Ceribus guarded the treasurer of Pluto m[ore fa]ithfully than did the vigilent Bose the castle.
He was the terror unto all evildoers as well as all others. On the occa[sion] we are recording, it became the
profe[ss]ion[a]l duty of Dr. B. to visit the castle. The gate on the street, as it is now, perhaps,
was some distance from the house. B[os]e spied the venerable Doctor, as he approached, and like all animals for tis their nature too,
had no respect of persons on account of age, race, color or previous condition. He made for the Doctor whose s[t]ately steps radidly
incr[ea]sed to a double quick and then full foot rac[e]! In his flight he made rapid pass[e]s in the most approved style of fencing
with this gold headed cane, by garrying en garde, in front and in rear,
en driot and en [tie]rce which only increased the ferocity of his [as]pirant and caused the good Doctor to call loudly for aid.
Dear Aunt Sally Vaughan (peace to her ashes) on hearing the alarm, rushed down quickly opened the door and
'Let the wandering pilgrim in--'
not however without the loss of his nether garment; whether like Shyl[o]ck, Bose got his 'pound of flesh' or not, history is silent.
It is certain that he drew blood. With his hat in one hand holding up the ravages of the rear with the other, the Doctor apologised for his sudden euteran[c]e and
sad appearance. Aunt Sally wat [e]qually afflicted, for her favorite, for she declared with excited agony that 'frest meat always made Bose sick and he
was never known to bite gen[t]lemen.'
The good Doctor in the future approached the castle with pre caution; and had Bose tied whenever his calls were made. He used to smile at the extra comfort
he received on the occasion from Aunt Sally. It was long the subject of mirth among our boys;
who like John Gilpin used to sing:
Long live good aunt Sally Vaughan!
Long live good Doctor B.!--
And when he runs another race,
May I be there to see!
But alas! they are all gone; only a few are left who remember them, and to think sadly that such things were!
SENEX.
"The Murfreesboro Enquirer", Murfreesboro, [Hertford County] N.C.
Thursday, September 6, 1877 [Vol. II, No. 45]
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