Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-05-31

industrious hands Of Harry Nickstff-and his
virtues recorded by our friend Howell on half
ton of polished marble--Col Carter.
Israel Putnam.
Pntnam's early days were spent MS those Of
most boys placed in his situation in life. One
Of his favorie amusements was "bird nesting"
cruel and useless custom, followed in all coun.
try places with ferocity perfectly a'rocious
These hunts tor nests were followed in cornpa.
ny but Putnam was always the leader of the
band
On one occasion he and his companious came
across fine nest which lodged on frail
branch ofa very high tree. The tree stood a.
part from the others, and was difficult: of climb.
inc. Besides this. it was evden; no pole, or
contrivance would answer the purpose of pet.
ting the ncst-there was no way oi obtaining it,
save 10y venturng upon the branch which. nne
chances to ten, would break under the weight
OF the robber. No one would venture.
Putnam regarded the nest and ii,nb in silence
for some moments, and at length said
That bird has all the qualities of soldier
1t has completely fortified lis home. I'll wager
there is not a boy fur ten miles round that
could ge, that nest
All agreed with him.
'l'll try it, said he deliberately taking off his
iacket, and rolling his pan,aloons up to his
knees
The little knot of boys attempted to dissuade
hun, hut to 10 purpose. Go he would.
Ill fancy that one of the Kings strong.
come nff victor
The tree was ascended-,he limb gained.
Putnam placed his foot on IT, and it crcakei.
while the oil bird fl W off with sharp cry
and remnned d"scr bng circles around the tree
| and utt"ring touching complaints.
BAH SAID Putnam. 'io you not prey on our
fields Do YOU not tax Us for your support
Do you not take our goods against our WILL just
Ike the King ~
He ventured foot further on TO the limb.
Ii bent low, and a warning murmur arose from
the boys below. Putnam put his knee TO the
branch. and reached toward the nest. The
limb broke partnly-a shout below-and Put
nam persevered. His finger, touched the wish
ed for prize, and just as he crled-'l've got IT.,
the limb broke clear off, and he fell, but not to
the ground. HIS pautaloons caught IN one of
the lower branches, aud his head hung down.
wards.
.l'ut, are you hurt asked one of the boys
Not hurt answered the undaunted hcart
but sorcly puzzled how to get down.
we can't cut away the limb because we
have no knife
| 4 can't stay here till you get one.'
wen strlkea light and burn the tree down
AVE, aud smother me in the smoke. That
won't DO.
There was a hoy named Randall in the group.
who afterwards fought very braveIy at Putnam'v
side Him Putnam addressed:
! Jim Randall, there's ball in your rifle
'Yes'
DO you see that very little liab holds the
! herer
| dor
| Fire at it!
What to Gu. you down"
OF course
| But might strike your head =
Shoot. Better Dow out my brains than see
me die here, which shall IN fifteen minutes.
Shoot
But you will fall
Jim Randall will you fire
The sharp crack OF tie rifle ran through the
foreSt-the spllnlers flew-and PGlnsm fell
upon the grounG. lie was severely bruised
but laughed the matter off, and nothing more
was thought of it.
Three days after, Putnsm met Randall and
the rest, and taking the nest from his pocket,
! said
Here is that nest saG would have it or
perish bat went alone, because determined
no one should see me fail, and aid me to es-
cape the consequences.
The same indomItable spirit was displayed
in that instance as IN the perous leap, and the
many other dangerous and daring exploits per-
formed by that gallant man in his efFbrts for
the asce ndancy of the cause of liberty.-No-
abs Messenger.
ENGLISH RALRoADs.-One Of the last Lon
don papers states that the aggregate receipts
since the lst of January, on the principal pub.
lc railways, amount, in round numbers, to Il :
l.at nnn i