The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-03-13
BY ANDREW j. RHE4.]
M1scE1L A NE o U s.
HOW JACK WOOD GOT Thin.


became acquainted with the hero of this
sketch. tie was about 35 years, old, SIX
feet two in height, and stout IN proportion
u noble specimen OF man, quite an
Ajax in size and courage. His hair was
long and black, and fell in a curly mass
down on his shoulders. He could walk
q, far, run as fast, and shoot or fight as
we'll as 1.-The next one
He always prided himself on his hunting
dress, and always looked neat IN his per-
aDn; his usual dress was thick blanket
hunting frock, of a dark brown color,
bound round the neck, SKIRT, and sleeves,
with strips of beaver skin. his stout home
sDun breeches was met at the knees by
heavy buckskIn leggins, his feet encased
in strong Indian mUccasIns, and on his
head be wore sor! of skull-caP OF gray
fox-skin, with the tail sewed on the left
side, and hanging down on has shoulder
His breast was crossed by two fancy bea-
ded belts of buckskIn. one supporting an
oxhorn so white and transparent that the
dark powder could be seen through it, the
other supported fancy leather scabbard,
into which was thrust heavy hunting
knife. His waist was enclrcled by a
sIou, leather belt, iE which he carried his
bullets ard caps, and through which was
lhruS<his small but sharp tomahawk.
His1fe was of the best make, and he Pri-
led himself in keeping ii in good order.
Having ran away from home when but
l9 years of age, he worked his way out
10 the Western country, where he adopted
he hunters life, and joined rowing band
Of half Indians and half whites, with whom
ae strolled till the breaking out of the
Mexican war. He then joined company
of rangers, and fought under old lack I'll!
the close of the war, and while there, dis
played tha, courage, and daring that has
always marked his life.
The war over, he came home 10 Phila-
5elphIa, and finding father and mother dead,
and both sisters married, he went out West
again and commenced the rowing lie he so
much liked He wandered across the
country till he reached the wilds OF Penn
syIyania, and being much pleased with the
scenery and hunting grounds, he built him
self a cabin, and there 1t was | formed his
acquaintance.
Pardon me, kind reader, for thus iniru-
ding on your good nature, by entering on
The bioI ply of our hero, but II is a weak
falling have 10 eulogIse my friends. But
now for my story.
Jacks only partner of his joys and sor>
rows was his hound, for he hated all the
womankind.
Last fall visited Jacks neighborhood,
and stopped at the same tavern as when
soJourned Ihither in 40, and after seeing
my horse well taken care of, entered the
oar-rocm and lighted my cigar, thinking
10 have smoke. Seated by the old-tash-
,oned wood stove, puiFed away quite
ielsurely, thinking, as the old soug says,
OF "thc maid | LETT behind me-" when in
sSaiked the tallest, aud thinnest, and queer
est specimen of man had ever seen.-
He was IN full hunting rig, aud dropping
the butt of his rifle heavily on the floor,
he leaned on the muZZle, and looked me
tull In the face. After he seemed fully
satisfied, he walked towards me, and
when within three feet of me, stopped
and took another look, then selZlng me by
the hand, he shouted out
Harry Huntsman, as I'm a sinner -
Old boy, how dye do !''
Stranger" replied |, "you certainly
'iH'C d lllttC tilC Vi
"Slrangerl' roared he, 'damme if
don't like thatl Call me stranger! Old
Jack Wood stranger to youl Ha, ma,
ia! capital joke that! You're the stran-
geri',
"Why, Jack, that aint you" foolish
" asked.
Yes, Harry, what's left of me-just
about :hree-quarters of the original"
4" ihree-quarters!' replied 4; "wby,
Jack say one-quarter, and you will be
nearer the mark. But how came this
great change-been sick, or in lover'
Love! No, Stree! As for sickness,
don't know what you mean, but the
cause Of my being so thin is
What" eagerly asked
'Panthers.'.
"Panthers," laughed l, why. Jack,
hey didn't eat the best part of you away,
did they 20
mo, worse than that, they scared it off.
makes my flesh crawl TO think of IT,"
:, At this, my curiosity was riz, as the
tankeei says, and ] was anxious for par
hculars.
"Come, Jack, out with it, don't let me
"e 10 ignorance"
well, Harry, here goes; but first and
iofemostt.y you know / never was coward.
sno never viii be. All | want is fair play,
Du' 70 cut mans throat when he's asleep