Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-08-06
Snuff. Or, the last Pinch of the Game.
BY CHARLES P ILsLEr.

Take a pinch, sir ?"
The querist was a hearty old man, with whom
time had dealt very lenienty, conhning his ravages
to the syering OF the hair leaving the rudy cheeks
withOut furrow 10 betray has footsteps We found
ourselves a companion with the old gentleman
some year since in a stage coach, aud rarely have
we fallen IN with more agreeable one. He was
very communicative; had inexhausiible fund
Of anecdote to draw upon was a keen observer Of
men and things, and had experienced largely Ofihe
vicssiiudes OF life.
Take a pinch, sir :" and he tapped the highly
FURNISHED lid of his golden snuff box with the pecu-
liarly graceful tap OF veteran snuff taker.
Prime Maccaboy-a choice article p
81 thank you sir, do not snuff"
"Nol Well, some call it bad habit, but must
confess have a strong love for if'-and to prove
the truth of the assertion, the old gentleman took
bountiful pinch Of the tilang dust 81 love it sir p
$50 perceived"
"You do not understand me, sir my regard for
it springs not merely from ii minstering grat6ca-
ton"
could not repress smile at the enthusiastic
tone in which he spoke OF his fayoriie luxury
"You smile, sir, when | tell YOU that to this
much abused article an indebted for mg life p
Yes, sir, | should have been dead man long ago,
had it not been for snui-and such death ~ said
he in a most emphatic manner.
"You have good reason then for regarding ii IA
vorably What was the nature Of the complaint,
sir p
"Wrong again, my dear sir never was sick a
day in my liie-do look like an ailing mani No
sir though owe my life TO snui,"-here he took a
huge pinch--"I am not the eas, indebted to its
medicinal properties"
"That is singular"
mot SO singular as you may suppose. But you
shall hear my story and Judge for yourself"
Setting down cozy in seats I've were the
only passengers by the way,) the old gentleman
iondling the richly chased, though somewhat
smoothly worn box, aud terrifying himself with a
capacous thumb-and-inger full Of his greatly priv
ed maccaboy commenced his story
"Some thirty years ago was travelling in the
upper part OF Vermont, near the Canada line. II
was in the early spring, and was on horseback
Just at dusk one evening arrived at small cabin
in an out Of the way place, where | concluded to
stop and get something to eat fpossible, for was
sharp set having travelled pretty good spell that
day. Well | dismounted at the door, aud taking
my saddlebags on my arm, entered the house The
appearance Of things was not very progressing,
assure you. However, | asked the man of the
house, dark browed fellow with sullen aspect
if he could furnish me with supper He yerl
freely offered TO give me what the house afforded
and ere long his wife, considerably tidy looking
woman invited me TO partake Of her hospitality.
"Aiter had done ample Justice toI her really
good fare, and paid my shot which the man Of the
house at first refused, made preparation to con
tnue my journey. The man advised me to stay al
night stating that the road was very lonesome an,
that patch Of woods, through which it for eight o
nine miles ran, was infesled with wolves. The,
were very ferocious, he told me, and but a shor
time ago had attacked man, who owed his escap
solely 10 the leetness Of his seed. | was periect
welcome to remain, i'll chose, as he could accom-
modate me with spare bed He pressed me 81
strongly, and painted the dangers to which SHOULD
be exposed in my journey through the woods, il
such vivid colors, that was more than half dispos
ed TO accept his offer.
"Siepping out Of the door, found the moon ha,
risen, her beams resting 4 recent fall Of snow
made it nearly as light as day, which served in
great measure to dspel The feelings gloom whcl
began to creep over me. The atmosphere wa
calm and bracing, and as was somewhat in hur
~ TO reach the next village, declined the urgen
solicitations ofthe man, which were seconded b
his wife, and mounting my horse | proceeded OF
my way
"'ro tell the truth, did not fancy the appear
anee of that couple. The man was highly inquisi