Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-01-18

hannah, lived soIe years ego, an lndlvld
ual whose lie bad been dsssied 10 III.
woods and the storm, He had grown oil
lin the forest. but ike the agedand knoii3
oak, vestige still remained I'll bis ANTIGUA
/ y and hardlhood. When saw him iirsi
The reminded meof a diIapidaied aud de
serted fortress. decaying but sill strong
! couftea bis acquaintance. end many i
the time that have warmed myself during
The dreary months, q, the bright Gre tie
Industry Of age had kindled | loved ihe
told man. but that love could moi have OH.
4 sinaled ia pity for his nis5pflu0es- ia,
be was happy as spring bitdsl The only
regret be ever expressed was that the
'clearings' around had driven away tile
game. He was himself : ridnser Of the
forest, and civilization had deprived hin
Of half lis ehaFmss yet be would tell oysl
the tales sof his eventual lie. and WEEP
and laugh as he rerollecfedAhem. oh.
said be once TO me- have seen the fool
Of the IndianHand the panther, where nov
The iells are white with Earvesls 1 they
have passed away with the wildness. and
| MY own grey head will soon lie down il
the dust-I must not murmar--ye shall
be the last who has Witnessed nature on
this spot in her simple and solitary graz
deur. butsit | could once again exhibit j
panther skin as The tfophyof may sge.
could even forget that
The day was fast waning away, and The
shades Of the snrroundiag trees enselopsd
| the wa,chfnl hunter as be paced the mar,
Gin Of an almost inaccessible rsyine, ca
ger 70 discover bis prey Sut The panther
appeared not, and be began 20 fear tha
be had been doomed TO watch In vain. =
AT length be leaned his rife against tree
aud commenced taking ! scaniy repas
he bad provided; all was still around hin
his dog lay quietly by his rides few
| yards beyond bin The clear end sparkling
waters Of the West Braach slight he seen
meandslingin loyeliness beneath thecrag-
gy bank or precipice, lifting itself toward,
the skies more than hundred feet
! Thilherward the hunte. slFayed. looking
upon the stream and valley below Grim
soned by the setting sun. while thoughts
Of other days chased ono anbther across
| his brain as summer clouds cast their dick
ering shadows over a harvest field. IIe
was aroused from his lelhsrgy BY rust,
ling in the sbrubbery near him. and. turn
ing, he beheld panther cross his path
He shuaaeEed, .lof bis file still leaned
against the Tree, where be left il, and
fthe panther was between bin and thai
tree. Oh God, he cried. !. ia thou per
1ciful to me. The animal seemed 10 have
observed him, and springing into the tres
with groHl, now surveyed the horror
stricken hunter. while his fierce and tie
Try gaze made him recoil TO The very brink
Of the precipiee. He cast bis eyes ote
| the abyss--theFe was no retreat dea,l
stared him in the face ca either side. al,
be gave himself Up 10 The hopelessness 0
despair. Yet there might be hope b,
held bis knife in one hand, whilst uncon
scious Of what be did be frmly grasped
small sapling with the other; his dog
however, instead Of relieving bis fears
only excited them, irritating his foe. b,
an angry bark. as it lay crouched upor
the limb like a cat ready 10 sprfng upor
her prey; but still this spring was DELAY
ed, as lit felt conscious that its prey wa
sure, and pleasure 10 holding its victim
in terrific suspense. Az length. ripping
np The bark with ferocious and quicL
! gfowl, j: drew its tecnmbent length to
| gether. then suddenly expanding Hsel
sprung through the air towards It's victim
i The hunter who had eagerly watched 1t
motions With a shrek pf. honor sprung q
side. but fortunately held to the saplinI
with almost convalsivs grasp TIL
sharp claws Of the animal fixed in hi
clothing and seemed nigh 10 have carrie
him headlong with il over the dread sbys
for moment il scanned thai the pan
Ilher. would recover its footing. but will
an iniuiliye presence Of mind the old mai
riped assundcr his clothing, and il fel
| from crag 10 crag marking the sharp pro
Election Of the rocks with iis blood, TIL ID,
welcome sound Of its fall 10 the earl
struck on his ears as joyfully IS The sound
OF liberty 10 The captive. lie rushed for.
ward 10 his rife. fearful perhaps thai lifs
twas not extinct in Sis enemy. Soon
however the contents Of bis piece were
logged in the head Of his foe. while pray
er went up 10 heaven from bis lips ID gFal.
itude for his preservation. The hunter
exhibited bis trophy but the terror anc
toll had been leo greas--hs expired IN /
short time after.
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