Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-04-14
The Picker and 1'ilcr.
BY n. r. WILLIS.

The nature of the strange incident have to
relate forbids me to record either place or time
On one of the widest nights in which had
ever been abroad, ! drove my painting horses
through snow-dri!t breast high, to the door
CT a small tavern in the western country. The
host turned out unwilling at the knock of my
whip-handle on the outer door, and, wadng be-
fore the tired animals to the barn, which was
nearly inaccessible from the banks of snow, lac
assisted me in getting off their frozen harness
cs, and bestowing them safely for the night.
The "Bar-room' fire burnt brightly, and
never was fire more welcome. Room was
sat silent arounult, anu'wIui nrou vu,npfD-
henson of pleasure after PAIN" took ofimy
furs and moccasins, and stretched my cold con
tracted limbs to the blaze. When, few min
utes after, a plate Of cold salt beef was brought
me, with corn cake and mug OF Flip" hiss
ing from the poker, il certainly would have
been hard to convince me that | would have
put on my coats and moccasins again to have
ridden a mile TO Paradise.
The faces of my new companions, which
had not found time TO inspect very closely
while my supper lasted, were fully revealed
by the light of pitch pine knot, thrown on the
hearth by the landlord, and their grim reserve
and ferocity put me in mind, for tho first time
since had entered the room, il my Grand in
|
The timber-tracis which lie convenient TO
the rivers ofthe west, offer TO the refugee and
desperate of every description recourse
| from want, and lin their own opinion) from
crime, which is seized upon by all at least who
| are willing TO lahour. The owners OF the cX-
tensiyc forest, destined To become so valuable,
are mostly of large speculation living IN cities.
who satisfied with the constant advance in the
price of lumber, consider their pine as
liable to nothing but the laws Of nature, and
leave them unfenced and unprotected TO in
crease in size and value till the land beneath
them is wanted for culture. II Is natural
enough that solitary settlers, living IN the
! neghbo Irhood Of miles of apparently unclaim
ed land, should think seldom of the owner, AM
in time grow to the opinion ofthe Indian, tia
the Great Spirit gave the land, the air, and iht
water 10 his children, and they are free TO al
alike. Furnishing the requisite teams and i'm
; Elements, therefore, the inhabitants OF thes'
3, tracts collect a number OF the sraggler
through, the country, aud forming what Is caii
} ed "A "bee - 90 into the nearest woods and fol
] a month OF more, work laborously AZ selecting
T and falling the tallest and siraighiest pines
In their rude shaniy at night they have bread
pork and whiskey, which hard labour make
t usflicenily palatable, and the limo is passe,
merriy tlii the snow is right for shedding
!, lie logs are lncn ufdNn 10 thc wafer hiues
! RATS are formed. and the valuable lumber, fl
which they paid nothing butiheir labo'ir, j
run TO the cities for their common advantage
The only enemies of This class ofmen az
tie agents, who are sometimes sent oui IN III
winter to detect them in tie act of falling o
drawing on the timber, and in the dark counie
n nances around the fire, read this as the inter
= probation my own visit 10 the woods. The
: soon frightened and grew talka,iye when the
i discovered that ! was in search OF hands I
+ fell and burn, and make clearing for farm
and, after talk OF an hour or two, was told
IA in answer TO my inquiries, that all the me
> people" IN the country were busy lumbeIin
Il Tor themselves" unless II were-the
IS Picker and Piler.n
n A. the words we're pronounced, shrl
e neigh outside the door pronounced the aniy'
" Of new conner.
Talk ofihe deyil--"said the man ia lowe
n tone, and, without finishing the proyerb, b
n rose with respect which be had not accorde
u 10 me, % make room for the Picker and Pile
al man Of rather low stature entered an
r. turned to drive back bis horse, who bad follow
rs ed MIN nearly ia. observed that the amin
r. had neither saddle nor bride. Shutting ll
n door upon him without violence, he exchange