Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-03-15

may afford material for a story. The boy
sits on the. steps of the grocer, lulls upon the
pump at the corner, or leans over the tale-
rel of the ship, aud he is listening to some
history of stirring adventure. Do not call
him away, he is building up the materials for
a man--a man firm, enierprising and self
sus,aincd-tho only wealth, the only true
dignity.
A story-teller should never hurry, least of
all be interrupled-as for himself he should
think for the time being only of his story
give himself up and become part Of what
he relates. Nothing mars story like pre-
occupation. believe all l am writing was
suggested to me when about eight years old,
from the fact Of having unfortunately asked
Mrs. Smith, respectable country woman,
rejoicing in that rarest of names, to tell me
the story Of IA Catanount. Her husband was
also happy in the name Of John, but as these
two favorite names happened TO conJoin in
union as well as many of his neighbors, 1t was
not always easy 10 determine the individual
specified. In transition state of society,
man frequently receives soubriquet, indica-
ting some quality Of mind. person or achieve
ment, by which he is distinguished from
llloSt dpuui Iili II IL an dUClcHl pIdClItt
sanctioned by history, and one mode by which
names we're created. The aborigines in this
way named their chiefs and warriors. Mr..
John Smith of the country town of which
am speaking, was hence called Catamount
Smith.
Great was my curiosity TO learn why. l
questioned every one. Why is Mr.. Smith
called Catamount John
"Why7 Because he killed the Cata-
mount"
There was the fact; but wanted the sto-
ry-all the details--the enormous size of the
animal, his growl his tremendous leap, the
fierce contest, the peril, and finally 10 be in
al the death. Once sai.cad b. the good
natured face Of Catamount John, | ven,ured
to crave the story, blushing up to the eyes
while did so.
Mr. Smith, will YOU tell me how you Kill
led the Calamonnt ~
He turned his bland face fall upon mine,
placed his rough, broad palm upon my head
and answered,
"My dear, shot him"
&c But how, Mr.. Smith, how 7"
81 took my gun and pointed, So suiiing
the action to the word, and shot him through
the -" | ran out Of the room to hide
my vexaiion.
AT this moment, Mrs. Catamount Smith
passed by me, bearing an enormous pau of
butter, fresh from the churn. Now Mrs.
Smith would never have deludcd any thinn
but child into belief that she could tell ii
story. She was entirely deficient in that
quality of reposc, so essential TO the thing.
She was little, plump, huslling dame, for
ever on the alert to see that all was neat and
tidy. Her sleeves were always up at the ell
bow, her apron white as snow, and the frill
other cap blowing back with her quick tread.
Short people never stoop, and Mrs. Smith
being very short and very round, tipped some-
what backward when she walked.
That night, when all the family were in
bed, except faithful domestic named Polly,
seated myself beside the good old lady, to
hear the story of the Catamount. The rea-
der must bear with me while relate the thing
just as it TRANSFERRED.
Mrs. Smith gave one keen look about the
apartment, to convince herself that all was
right, and then stuck her needle into sheath
aflixed TO her belt, and commenced knitting
and talking at the same momeu.
"John and | began house keeping in the
! log house down by the pond, about mile
from the place where the meeting house now
-(la, Polly, there's Jacobs buskins on the
back Of your chair, and they must be bound
round tonight; do 90 rish to work on lhem)
where did leave off ?-whcre the meet
ing-house now stands. Twas another thing
to be fixed ont then, to what it is now-a- days.
| was considered very well otf-my father
gave me COW and pig-and had spun and
wove sheets and kiverlds, besides aiming
enough TO bny chist of draws, and couple
of chairs. Then my mother launched out "A
nice bed, a wheel, and some kettles. We
had nj much company in them times, our
highest neighbor was over the mountain, five
mile oif-(now did you ever-I liked to for.
got them are trousis of Ephraim's-h tied
his handkerchief round his knee all day, to
kiver up the hole-Polly, get my wax and
tiimble, and the patches, and I'll 90 right IL
work } Well, what was saying Oh, We
had Mt much company, and my old mar
made u settle, with high back, aud boueh
chairs two at time, as our family grew larg.
er."
"But, my dear ma'am, you promised &c
tell me about the Ca,amount"
Yes, yes, Pm comm along to it. Well
John had got together yoke of oxen, som,
sheep, and other cattle, and we began to be
pretty considerable forehanded. He was :
nice, smart man, and nobody should say he
had lazy wife. polly, just sweep til,
: hearth up.)
We had no machines then TO card ou
wool, and had to card i. mysef-for new
, or hired help ill after our Jacob was"
Dear Mrs. Smiih,the Catamount !"
; " Yes, child, I'm eeny most to it. lie
me see-till after Jacob was born-then
hired Lydia keene, as smart Girl she was
as ever wore shoe leather. BY this time W,
had eighteen or twenty sheep, and John uset
to drive them INFO the pen and count then
\ every night, to be sure that the wolves o
: panthcrs had MT got any of 'em for tin
beasts were pretty thick about the mountai
G and many time I've stood to the door AM
a heard them howl and cry. to say nothing @
d the foxes and screech-owls that kept up
u rnmPns all nigh long. (Dear me, this snap
bac h,e koI il,