Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-11-11
CaDtain Kidd,

been frozen to death in the forest. As he
felt little interest in the comings and goings
Of mortality, any further than his own ex
istence and that of his associate outlaws
was concerned, he would probably have
passed the corpse Of the unfortunate man,
with single punch Of his staff, had not a
new pair of pegged cowhide boots. which
graced the legs of the defunc,, presented an
enyiable superiority when ,conlrasted with
his own ragged and soleless brogans. Up.
ON this hint he puIled-but The boots clung
to their owners legs with such an affection
NE grasp that he was unable. to start them.
'Afer taking breath, he tried them again,
toe and heel, first one and then the other;
at length tired Of practising the boot jack
wilhso little success, he had nearly got the
better of his covetous thought when he hit
upon the happy expedient of taking boots,
legs and all, and thawirg them out at his
leisure. At it he went, slashing away
right and left, a very expeditions, ii not
skl.lful surgeon, making the knife with
which he usually cut his food do glorious
service on The legs of the frozen unknown;
few moments made sad cripple Of the
carcass, and slowing awaythe prize in his
empty provisions bag, Kidd began to 'leg
IT, seaward at rapid pace.
In spite of all his speed, however, he vas
benighted some light or ten lIou's from the
place where he expected to meet his asso--
ciates. Being in no great haste TO reach
his destination, he concluded 10 halt for the
night, at little collection ofhouses on the
edge Of the forest, and push on again at the
dawn Of day. He raped at the door of
the nearest habitalion, and was welcomed
with hearty Walk in And in he went
A little old woman, done up in black
bombazine grown and an enormous Gotten
frizzle cap, with dirty looking yellow
ribbon dangling around it, b. BE-.
g. Like sea weed around clam.'
and queer looking old man arrayed in a
snuf-coloreo bobstail coat, and pair of
aged hunting breeches, sat crouching over
fire Of sappy sizzling wood, in the oppo-
site corner of q Spacious fireplace. On
the hearth, hinge Newfoundland dog, and
a couple Of very decent sized cats, lay
stretched at full length, enjoying a most
delightful ,snooze. Kidd threw down his
provision bag in one corner of the room,
and hauled a chair into the domestic cir
Gle, round the fire. After taking a cold
bite,' and discussing matters and things for
an hour or two, over mug of cider and n
noggin ofapplez, old Contentment and his
wife crawled off to bed i'll an adjoining
room, and left the Captain to take his re-
pose on q heap of rugs and skins beside the
.fre-the best extra lodgings the house af-
forded. Accordingly, he extended his
frame, on the humble pallet, and soon fell
into gentle doze. ... ....- -.... -....
He dreamed-and the events of the pre-
vious day shaped the imoged that disturbed
his mind. He imagine he was chased by
more than a hundred human legs, with new
boots on and whenever he sought shelter
from those bodiless enemies he found him
self surrounded by as many men hobb.ing
about on stumps of legs! At length he i'm
ogined himself fairly cornered, the legs
began 10 kick him, ano the men beat him
with their fists In his exertons TO re.
lease himself from his imaginary enemies,
he extended his right arm with great force,
and knocked light stand, which stood
near, half way across the room.
"What's the matter, there, Msler?'-
cried old Contentmant in The bedroom.
"Bu-h! blu h!'' growled the dog in the
sink room and all was still again.
dreaming Of legs and bools," thought
Kid, now wide awake, "puts me in mind
of very nice set that saw chap lug
ging home yesterday, in bag--froze some
TO be sure--but warm water will fetch
them TO rights; by the way, guess l'll see
what affect fire will have on 'em." +"
With this reflection, he rose from his
couch as carefully as possible, and placing
his new boots near the fire, crept back TO
his nest, and slept like stage horse till
morning.
Wher he awoke it was broad daylight
much later than he intended to have re-
manned in the village. He was of, quicker
than ever fly left mustard pot, without
saying word to his host. In his hurry,
he forgot his baggage, and neglected to
close doors and windows after him. The
sayory smell of the thawing legs, soon in
viteds great lubber'y house dog and his
feline associates into the kitchen. and after
some preliminary snuffs and sly glances at
each other they made regular attack on
these agreeable delicacies, sparing neither
boot nor bone, in their engerness to get q
proper share. When the folks rose, the
floor was covered with bones, and daubed
with blood; one Of the legs was most 'cat-
awampously chawed up,' ana the trio were
making mince meat Of the other amazingly
| fast. as.E,s -5 -#.l ti.- i'z
."Oh! Ludr' screamed the lady, who was
the first on the docket, ''what upon airth is
( the ma,ter?" saus=- --..
,-"Wh hat is't ails yea" said the old man,
half awake. 5fi Fa+ - #
stOh, mercy! mercy! the dog is eating
up the traveller!-get out, Bosep'
The old man jumped out of bed as il
touched with red hot iron. One look al
the scene of carnage was sufficient. He
! darted through the room, into the street ir
his night dress, believing something oil
other, he hardly knew what himself-ane