The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-10-19


lived with her near the old place. And
my wife. the love of my early days. was
still the fond Jennie-gentle. tender, trust
ful-and from that day buried my ideas
OF the pride of war.
Jennie was my only glory, and she was
faithful to me forever.
Wheaton and the Panther.
Bob Wheaton was one of the first set
tiers on the waters of the Susquehannah,
Immediately after the war-s rough. un.
cultivated man. As many others OF the
same stamp and character. he subsis,ed
chiefly by hunting, cativatlng The land bu,
sparingly, and in this way raised a numer-
Gus family amid the woods. in half starv-
L ed condition, and comparative nakedness
But as the Susquehannah country rapid
! ly increased in population. the hunting
grounds OF Wheaton were encroached
upon, so that chance with his smooth
bore. among the bears and deers, was
greatly lessened. On this account Wheat
on removed from the Susquehannah coun-
try, in Otsego county, TO the more unset
tied wids Of the Delaware. near a place
yet known by the appellation of Waifs
Settlement. where game was more plenty.
| The distance from where he made his
home i'll the woods. through to the Susque-
hannah, was about fifteen miles. and was
one continued wilderness at that time.
| Through these woods this almost aborigi
nal hunter was often compelled to pass
10 The Susquehannah. for various neces-
saries. and among the rest no small guam
,a.f int.
perate habits On one of these visits. in
the midst Of summer. with his smooth bore
always on his shoulder. knife. hatchet.
&c. in their proper place. he had nearly
performed the distance when he became
weary. and having come to the summit oil
ridge (some time in the afiernoom
which overlooks the vale OF the Susque-
hannah. he selected a convenient place
in the shade, as it was hot. for the rays OF
tile sun from the west poured his sullry
influence through all the forest, where he
lay down 10 rest awhile among the leaves.
after having first took drink from his
green glass pint bottle. and mouthful OF
cold Jonny cake from his pocket.
In this situation he was soothed TO drowsi-
ness by tho hum OF insects. and the monoto.
ny Of the passing winds among the foliage
around him, when he soon unwearily fell
asleep with his gun folded in his arms.
But after while he awoke from his sleep,
and for moment or two still lay in the
same position, as it happened, without stir
ring. when he found that something had
taken place while he had slept. which hal
situated him somewhat differently from the
manner in which he first went to sleep.
On rejecting moment, he found he was
entirely covered over, head and ears, with
leaves and light stuff. occasioned, as he
now suspected. either by the sudden blow
ing OF the wind, or by some wild animal.
on which account he became little dis
turbed in his mind, as he well knew the
manners oi the panther at that season ol
the year, when it hunts to supporiits young.
and will often cover its prey with leaves
and bring its young to the banquet. He,
therefore, continued TO lie perfectly still.
as when he first awoke; he thought he
heard the step OF some kind OF heavy an
imal near him. and knowing that if it were
panther, the distance between himself
and death could not be far, il he should
attempt to rise up. Accordingly. as he
suspected, after having lain a full minute,
he now heard distinctly the retiring tread
of the stealihy panther, OF which he had
no doubt. from his knowledge OF the crea-
iure's ways Ithad taken but a few steps,
however. when it again stopped a longer
time; still Wheaton continued his silen;
position, knowing his safety depended on
this. Soon the tread was again heard.
farther off. till il entirely died away in the
distance-but he still lay motionless few
minutes longer. when he veniured gently
and cautiously TO raise his head, cas-, an
eye in the direction OF the creature. which.
whatever ii might be. had gone. and he
could see nothing. He now rose up with
a spring, for his blood had been running
from his heart TO the extremities, and back
| again. with uncommon velocity. all the
while his ears had listened TO the steps oil
the animal on the brush and leaves He
now saw plainly the marks Of design
among the leaves, and that he had been
covered over, and the paws of some crea-
ture had done it.
And as he suspected, the panther was
the animal, and he knew it would soon re-
turn to kill him, on which account he
made haste to deceive il. and to put him
| self in situation 10 give il a taste Of the
contents Of his old ..snsooM bore" He
now seized upon some pieces OF old wood
which lay about. and placed as much as
was equal TO his own bulk, exactly where
he had slept. and covered il over with
leaves in the same manner the panther had
done. and then sprang TO tree near by,
into which he ascended, from whence he
had view q. good distance about him. and
especially in the direction the creature had
gone. Here in the crotch Of the tree ne