American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-02-17
S N U F F
OR, THE LAST PINCH OF THE GAME,
BY CHARLES p. ILsLEy,

"Take pinch, sr?"
The querist was hale, hearty old man, with
whom time had dealt very leniently, combining
his ravtges TO the silverng of the hair, leaVirg
the rud iy cheeks without a flIrrow to betray
his footsteps. We fund oursef travelling
companion with the old gentleman some years
since in stage coach, and rarely have we ta-
len in with more agreeable one. He as very
commandments an neXhaustibIe fund OF
anecdotes to draw upon-was keen observer
OF men and things, and had experienced large
ly of the viciSsludes of life.
"Take pinch, sir?" and he tapped the
highly FURNISHED nd Of his golden snuli'box
with the peculiarly graceful touch OF veteran
gnuh-iaker.
"Prime Maccaboy--a choice article!"
~ thank you, sir, ! do not uss snuff"
"No? Well, some call it a bad habit, but
must confess strong love for it"-and to
prove tho assertion the old gentleman took a
bountifuI pinch Of the titllldting dust. II love
it, sir"
$50 perceive"
''You do not understand me, sir; my regard
for it springs not merely from its mnistering
to my sensual qualification"
could not repress a smile at the enthusias-
tic tone in which he spoke of his tavorite
luxury.
"You smile, sir, at the strong regard man
ifest for it. What will you think sir, when |
tell you that to this much abused Article l am
.adtbted for my life? Yes, sir, should have
been dead man long ago had it not been for
! snuff-and such death!' and he tapped his
box in most emphatic manner.
''You have good reason, then, for regarding
it favoraby. What was the nature of the COM
plant, sir2"
eWrong again, my dear sir-never was sick
in my fe-do look like an alling man? No,
sir, though owe my life to snuff" here he
took a large pinch, Il am not in the least in
debted to its medical properties.
"Ths is singular"
"Not SO singular as you may suppose. But
you shall hear my story and judge for your
self"
Settling down costly in our seats 1--WE were
the only passengers, by the way,) the old gen
tleman, fondlng tho richly chased though
somewhat smoothly worn box, and foItltying
himself with a capacious thumb and finger full
of his greatly priced maccaboy, commenced his
story.
"Some thirty years ago was travelling in
the upper part Of Vermont, near the Canada
lines. 1t was in the carly spring, and was on
horseback. Just at dusk one evening arrived
at a small cabin in an out.cf-the-waY place,
where concluded to stop get something to
eat, if possible, for | was sharp set, having ira
yelled pretty good spell that day. Well, |
dsmounted at the door, and taking my saddle
bags on my arm, entered the house. The APP
pearance of things was not very prepossessing
| assure you. However, asked the man of
the house, dark browed fellow with sullen
aspect, if he could furnish me with supper.
A, He very freely offered to give me what the
3 house afforded, and ere long his wife,a cons'de-
rable tidy looking woman, invited me to par
take of her hospitality.
After had done ample justice to her really
good fars and paid my scot, which the man OF
the house first refused, made preparation TO
continue my journey. The man advised me
to remain all night, stating that the road was
very lonesome, and that patch of woods
through which it run for some eight or nine
miles, was INFESTED with wolves. They were
very ftrocious, he told me, and but a short
time before had attacked man, who owed his
escape sol Nv to the tleetness OF his horse.
was peril ctly welcome to remain if chose, as
he could accommodate me with spare bed
He pressed me strongly and painted the dan
ger to which | should be exposed in my Jour-
ney through the woods in such vivid colors,
that was more than half disposed TO accept OF
his Offer
Stepping out of the door found that the
moon had arisen, her beams resting on re-
cent fall of snow made it as light as day, which
served, in great measure, to dlspel the feel
) ihgs of gloom which had begun to creep over
me. The atmosphere was calm and braclpg,
and as was soniea hat in hurry to reach the
next village, declined the urgent solicitations
Of the man, which were seconded by his wife,
and mounting my horse, proceeded on my
way.
To tell the truth, did not fancy The appear
ance Of the couple. The man was mighty in
quis;live about my business-no more, per.