Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1836-03-04
ANECDoTE OF CAPT. KIDD.

The notorious Capt Kidd, on returning
from an inland exploring expedition, one
cold afternoon, in December, accidentally
came upon the body of man who had been
frozen TO death in the forest. AS he felt lit
tie interest in the comings and goings of
mortality any further than his own existence
and that of his assocate outlaws was con-
cerned, he would probably have passed the
corpse of the unfortunate man, with sing lie
punch Of his staff had not new pair OF
pegged cow-hde boots which graced the
legs of the defunct. presented an enviable
superiority when contrasted with his own
ragged and useless brogans. Upon this he
pulled bu, the boots chung TO the owners
legs with such an affectionale grasp that he
was unable TO start them. After taking
breath he tried them again, toe and heel,
first one and then the other; at length tired
of practcng the boot jack with so little sue
cess, he had nearly got the better of his COW
etous thoughts, when he hit upon the happy
expedent of taking boots, legs and all. and
ihaw them out at his leisure AT it he went,
slashing away right and left, a very expedi-
tious, if not kind surgeon, making the
knife with which he usually cut his food,
do glorious service on the legs of the frozen
unknown; a few moments made sad Grip
pie of the carcass, and Slowing away the
prizes In his empty provision bag, Kidd be-
gan TO leg it" seaward at a rapid pace
In spite of all his speed however, he was
benighted some eight or ten miles from the
place where he expected TO meet his asso.
cates. Being in no great haste to reach his
destination, he concluded to halt for the night
at little collection of houses on the edge of
the forest, and push on again at the dawn of
the day He raped at the door of the near
est habitation and was welcomed with a
hearty walk in" And in he went. A
little old woman, done up in black bomba-
zine gown and an enormous cotton frizzle
cap with dirty looking yellow ribbon
dangling round it,
''like sea-wccds round a clam"
and queer looking old man, arraycd in
snuff coored bob-tailed coat, and pair Of
aged hunting breeches, sat crouching over
fire of sappy sizzling wood, in the oppo-
site corner of spacious fire place. On the
hearth a huge Newfoundland dog. and
couple of very decent sized tom-cats, lay
stretched at full length, enjoying a most de-
lighted snooze. Kidd threw down his pro-
vision bag in one corner of the room, and
hauled chair into the domestic circle,
round the fire. After taking "cold bite"
and discussing matters and things for an
hour or two, over mug of cider, and nog-
gin of apples old Contentment and bis wife
crawled off to bed in an adjoining room,
and left the Capt to take his repose on a
heap of rugs & skins beside the fire the best
extra lodgings the house afforded Accor-
dinghy, he extended his frame on the humble
pallet and soon fell into gentle doze
lie dreamed; and the event of the previ-
Gus day shaped the images that disturbed
his mind He imagined that he was chased
by more than hundred human legs with
new boots on and whenever he sought shell.
ter from those bodiless enemies, he found
himself surrounded by as many men hob
bling about on stumps of legs AT length
he imagined himself fairly cornered the
legs began 10 kick him. and the men beat
him with their fists, In his exertons to re-
lease himself from his imaginary enemies,
he extended his right arm with great force,
and knocked light stand, which stood near
half way across the room.
Whats the matter, there, Mister? cried
old Contentment, in the bed room.
Blu h blu hl" growled the dog in the
sink-room; and all was still again.
dreaming of legs and boots" thought
Kidd now wide awake, "puts me in mind oil
very nice set that | saw a chap Juggling
home yesterday, in bag froze some to b.
sure but warm water will fetch them to
rights; by the way, guess I'll see what eff
feet fire will have on em"
With this reflection he rose from his
couch as carefully as possible, and placing
his new boots near the fire, crept back tc
his nest and slept like stage horse till
morning.
When he awoke it was broad day light
much later than he intended to have remain
ed IN the village He was off quicker thar
ever fly left mustard pot, without sav
ing word TO his host. In his hurry, he for.
got his baggage and neglected to close the
doors. after him, The savory smell of the
thawiog legs soon invited the great lubberIv
house dog and his feline associates into ,be
kii'heu and after some preliminary snuffs