The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-10-20

abated. Up to that time he had remain
ed on the banks of his favorite Illinois,
But now the old veteran pioneer grew
discontented. The state was rapidly fill
ing up with inhabitants, and the forms
and restraints of civilization pressed upon
him. The wildness and freshness of the
country were destroyed. He looked a.
broad from his old favorite hills, and he
saw that in every direction the march Of
civilization had broken in upon the repose
of the old forest, and his heart again
yearned
"For lodge in some vast wilderness,
Some boundless contigulty Of shade,
Where rumor Of oppression and deceit,
Of unsuccessful or successful war,
Might never reach him more"
The old man talked about selling out
and once more "pulling up stakes" to be
off.
"What?" said a ncighbor, "you are not
going to leave US, Father Myers, and take
yourself to the woods again in your old
age?"
"Yes," said Myers, ~ can't stand this
eternal hustle of the world around me-
I must be off in the woods where it is qui-
ct, and as soon as can sell out my i'm
provements | shall make tracks"
The venerable "squatter" had no fee in
the land he occupied, but the improve
ments on it were his own, and it was not
long before a gentleman appeared who
offered fair equivalent for these, with a
right to purchase the soil. The bargain
was completed, and the money counted
out; and the Panther began to prepare
for his departure.
"Where are you going, Father Myers,
said the neighbor
"Well, I reckon, said the old Panther,
81 shall 60 away off somewhere to the fur
ther side of Missouri; understand the
people haint got there yet, and there S
plenty of woods there"
He proceeded to array himself for his
journey, He put on the same hunting
shirt which he wore when be killed the
Indian chief He loaded his rife and
girded on his tomahawk and scalping-
knife; and, having filled his knapsack
with such articles as he chose to carry
with him, he buckled it upon his shoul-
ders, and giving farewell glance round
the cabin, he sailed forth and took the
western road for Missouri. When he had
reached little eminence some rods dis
tant, he was observed to hesitate, and
stop and look back Presently he return
ed slowly to the cabin.
"Have you forgot anything, Father
Myers?" said the occupant.
II believe" said the old man, "I must
take the head of the panther along with
me, if you have no objections"
"Certainly," said the gentleman, "any
personal matters you have perfect right
| to-"
The old man took down the dried up
remains of the panther's head from the
wall where it had hung for many years,
and fastened it to his knapsack. Then
taking one last lingering look of the
premises, he turned to the occupant, and
asked if he was willing he should give his
"grand yell' before he started on his
journey.
"Certainly, Father Myers" said the
gentleman: 81 wish you to exercise the
utmost freedom in all personal matters
before you leave"
At this the old Panther gave long,
and loud, shrill whoop, that rang through
the welkin, and was echoed by forest and
hills for miles around.
"There," said the old man, "now my
blessing is on the land and on you. Your
ground will always yield an abundance,
and you will always prosper"
Then Old Myers, the Panther, turned
his face to the westward, and took up his
solitary march for the distant wilderness