Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-06-24
From Noah's Register.
ISRAEL PUTNAM.

ISRAEL PUTNAM.
Pu'nam's early days were spent as those
OF most boys placed in his situation in lie.
One OF his favoriie amusements was ..bird
nesting" cruel and useless custom, fol-
lowed in all country places with f.rocily
perfectly altrocious. These hunts were fol-
lowed in company; but Putnam was ALWAYS
the leader Of The band.
On one occasion, he and his conpan-
ions came across fine nest which lodged
on fail branch of very high tree
The Tree stood apart from the others. and
was difficult Of climbing. Besides this, i,
was evident that no pole or contrivanee
would answer the purpose of getting the
nest-there was no way of obtaining i,
save by venuring upon the branch, which.
nine chances 10 ten, would break under the
weight Of the robber. No one would VEN
ture.
Putnam regarded the tree and limb in
silence for some moments, and at length
said
"That bird has all e qualities Of sol
der. 1t has completely fortified its home
III wager there is not a boy for ten miles
round that could get that nest"
All agreed with him.
"l'llt try it," said he, deliberately taking
off his jacket and rolling his pantaloons up
to his knees
The little knot Of boys attempted to dis.
suade him; but to no purpose. Go he
would
.'l'I! fancy that one Of the Kings strong
holds" said Putnam. ''and may | be shot
if don't come off VICTOR"
The tree was ascended-the limb gained.
Putnam placed his foot on it, and it cracked,
while the old bird flew off with sharp cry
and remained describing circles round the
tree, uttering touching complaints.
"Bah!'' said Putnam, 'Go you not prey
on our feldss Do you not tax us for your
support! Do you not take our goods
against our will, just like the King?
He ventured foot farther on the limb.
1t bent low. and warning murmur arose
from the boys below. Putnam put his
knee 10 the branch and reached towards
the nest. The limb broke partiatly-a
shout below-and Putnam perssvered.-
His finger touched the wished-for prize,
and just as he cried-''l've got J" the
limb broke clear off, and he fell; but not
to the ground. His pantaloons caught in
one Of the lower branches and his head
hung downwards.
."Put, are you hurt?" asked one Of the
boys.
"Net hurt" answered the updaunted
heart-"but sorely puzzled how TO get
down."
ave can't cut away the limb, because
we have no knife"
81 can't stay here Till you get one"
"Aye. and smother me IN the smoke
That won't d."
There was boy named Randall in the
group, who was noted for being crack
marksman, and who afterwards Tough,
very bravely at Putnam's side. Him Put
nam addressed:
"Jim Randall, there's ball in your ri
fle."
"Yes."
"Do you see that very little limb thai
holds me Lere?"
81 do"
"Fire at it,"
"What, to cut you DOWN."
"Of course"
"But | might strike your head"
"Shoot. Better blow out my brains thar
see me die here, which | shall in fifteer
minutes. Shoot
"But you will iall."
"Jim Randall, will you ire!''
The sharp crack of the rifle rang thro
the forest-the splinters few-and Put.
nam fell upon the ground. He was mere
Iy bruised; bul laughed the matter off, ant
nothing more was thought Of it.
Three days after Putnam met Randall
and the rest, and, taking the nest from his
pocket, said
"Here is the mes I, said would have
it or perish; but went alone, because
determined no one should see me fall anC
aid me TO escape the consequence.
The Same indomitable spirit was di, play
ed in that instance as in the perilous LEAF
and the many other dangerous exploits
performed by the gaIlan. man in his efforts
for the ascendancy Of the cause Of liberty