Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-01-08

FURNISHED lid Of his golden snuff box with the pc
culiarly graceful tap of veteran snuff taker.
"Prlme Macaboy-a choice article"
g thank you, sir do not use snuff"
"No? Well, some call it bad habit, but
must confess have strong love for land to
prove the truth Of the assertion the gentleman took
bountiful pinch Of the Initiating dust. 81 love
it. sir"
$50 perceivew
"You do not understand me, sir; my regard for
1t springs not merely from its minisering gratif-
cation"
| could not repress a smile at the enthusiastic
tone IN which he spoke of his iavorite luxury.
You smile, sir, when tell you that to this much
abused article 1 am indebted for my life? Yes, sir,
] should have been dead man long ago had it not
been for snuff such DEATH" said he in a
most emphatic manner.
"You have good reason, then, for regarding it
favorably What was the nature of the complaint,
sir"
"Wrong again, my dear sir; never was sick a
day in my ie-do look like an ailing man? No
sir, though owe my life to snuif"-here he took a
huge pnch-"l am not the least indebted to its
medicinal properties"
"That is singular"
"Not so singular as you may suppose. But you
shall hear my story and Judge for yourself"
Setting down coziy in our seats 1--WE were the
only passengers, by the way,) the old gentleman
fondling the richly chased tho somewhat smoothly
worn box, and terrifying himself with a capacous
thumb and-linger full Of his greatly priced macca-
boy, commenced his story:
"Some thirty years ago | was travelling in the
upper part of Vermont, near the Canada line. i
was III 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 Il
stop and get something to eat, if possible, for wa
sharp set having travelled pretty good spell tina
day. Well | dsmounted at the door and takni
my saddlebags on my arm entered the house. TIL
appearance Of things was not very prepossessng,
assure you. However, | asked the man of tn
house, dark browed fellow with a sullen aspect
if he could furnish Inc with supper. lie YER
freely offered to give me what the house afforded
and ere long his wife, a considerably tidy looking
woman, invited me to partake of her hospitality.
After had done ample justice to her really goo
fare and paid my shot, which the man Of the hous
at first refused, | made preparation to continue M
Journey. The man advised me to stay all night
stating that the road was very lonesome, and that
patch OF woods through which it, for eight or nln
miles, run, was infested with wolves They wer
very ierocous he told me, and but a short time ag
had attacked man, who owed his escape solely L
the leetness of his steed. | was perfectly wei
come to remain if | chose, as he could accommo
date me with a spare bed. lie pressed me s.
strongly, and painted the dangers to which shou
be exposed in my journey through the woods i
such vivid coors, that | was more than half dis
posed to accept his Offer
Stepping out Of the door found the moon ha
risen, her beams resting on a recent fall of sno'
made 1t nearly as light day, which served in
great measure to dispel the feelings OF gloom whic
began TO creep over me. The atmosphere was cali
and bracing and as | somewhat in a hurry /
reach the next village, declined the urgent sole
itations Of the man. which were seconded by hi
wife, and mounting my horse proceeded on IN
way.
70 tell the truth, did not fancy the appearance
OF that couple. The man was highly inquisitiv