Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-09-13
Wit NM Numur.
From, the Yankee Pripateer.
HUNTING WOODCHUCKS;
DR.
10 PETERS MISTAKE.
By C. ". E.


Come 10, get the dog, and let's see if we
can't catch a woodchuck,' said Harry Sheldon,
one fine afternoon in July, as he and Joe Pc
ters lay upon the grass thinking IL what they
should pass away time.
Il know where there's hole, big enough
for bull dog and newly dug, and I'll bet my
hat against pumpkin that there is smash
Ing woodchuck in it, and if you are a mind to
hop up, and GO down with me to Smiths
wooks, guess we can catch him. continued
Harry.
tWhat kind of critter are they p said Joe
as he rose from the ground. sWill they bte1'
sOh no. answered Harry, sthey are the pref
tiest little feller you ever see, and as harmless
as little Kitten
What Harry meant by lying so, We cannot
say, perhaps the sequel will tell.
sWell,' continued 10, sI'n go in the house
and get sGuess' Cthe dog,) and We'll catch
him if he's anywheres round,' and going into
the house, he soon returned with the gun and
dog. The latter Individual was a fine, large
dog of the spaniel breed, and famous for wood
chuck hunting.
Handing the gun to Harry, 10 exclaimed
Il never saw a woodchuck in all my born
days, and I'd give small sized farm to catch
one, and chain him; now what's the reason we
can't, Harry p
we can, just as slick as grease answered
Harry. if you are only mind to catch him by
the tail and fetch him up to the house,
Il can DO that just as slick as a mice,' said
10.
We'll then, let's be off, exclaimed Harry,
and whistling for the dog, they started off.
After walk of about half mile, they came
to small thick piece of woods which greatly
abounded in game. Harry stopped, and draw
ing the ramrod he measured the charge, (Har-
~ had a mortal dislike to kicking gun,) he
then returned the ramrod, and walked on.
They walked silently on, when Harry, CIV
ing Guess his marching orders which were
simply TO keep behind exclaimed in low
voice.
by thunder, Jo, saw one then.'
'Did yer, well give him beans, I'll wait here.'
$50 do exclaimed Harry, and cooking the
gun, he crept forward.
Il see him. and quick as thought he raised
the gun to his shoulder and fred.'
Il fetched him. exclaimed Harry, and dis
appearing in the bushes, he soon returned,
fetching by the tail a small animal about the
size OF small kitten, and throwing him on
the ground proceeded to load, while 10 exam
ined the schuck' very attentively.
Harry loaded the gun about eight fingers,
but for what reason We cannot imagine
Handing the gun to Joe, he said, Take him
by the tail, and come along, we shan't see any
more in here. when fired, scarf 'um ALL so
you can carry the gun.'
10 picked up the woodchuck, and shoulder
ing the gun, proceeded onward. After a walk
OF i0 minutes they came to the edge of the
woods; sthere it's somewheres round here,'
said Harry as he looked around.
sHullo, see it, exclaimed 10, and walking
dug.
'Yes, here it is,' said Harry, as he threw
himself upon the grass; smell him Guess,
take hold of him, dig him out
Guess did smell him, and then giving loud
and musical howl proceeded to dig.
Hes in there said Harry, sand 10, you
must watch the hole, for the moment Guess
sees him, he'll make chicken pie of him.
q tI'H look out,' answered Joe, as he sat
watching Guess.
Guess kept on digging. Suddenly Harry
sprang up and run off to a safe distance, ex-
claiming.
sJewhittaker, 10, saw him then, catch him |
by the tail, or Guess viii save you the trouble
10 rose up and looking into the hole, put
his arm, and Immediately drew it ont with an |
animal Of sohite and 6laeA color, by the tail, |
the moment the Wccdchuet saw the air, he