The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-06-26
From Chamber Edinburg Jourmsl
SsOry Of . Wild Cat Nklm.

During my stay at one Of the Australian
Diggings, purchased csmmodious residence,
in which lived for some time in solitary
state This tenement was situated in = most
desirable locality, in the midst Of delightful
woodland scenery. and surrounded BY very ex.
tensive park grounds There was u right
If free warren attached TO the property. and
good shooting in the neighborhood. To de-
sccnd to particulars. may say that the resi-
dence in question consisted of bark hut which
was made over to me by my friends, the Col.
tcrs, when they set out for Mount X korOng. and
which | believe TO have been one Of the hest
appointed and most convenient dwellings at
that time on the Diggings.
The fixtures and furniture Of the hut also
came into my possession, including = table, Of
which the legs were weak and uncertain, aud
the top slightly on an incline an original grid
iron, or bent hoop; several empty bottles, two
benches, one shelf. or sheet Of bark nailed TO
the wall, containing candles. salt, pipes and
tobacco, and which usually filed with water
when it raDel. the roof being rather leaky. In
addition to these valuables. there was bed
stead, or frame OF logs covered with bOughs--
an article whose luxurious character it is un-
necessary for me to point out.
considered myself one Of the most fortu-
nate fellows in the country, till ] discovered
that the Golfers had lcft behind them other
things Of less desirable nature. After having
bought my first bag Of -four, became aware
that had come into the revcrsion Of pOpu-
lous colony of mice. which consumed among
them almost a. much flour as did. They rat
tied over my furniture at night, and sercnadc'l
me with faint squcaks Of pleasure ~ they
pitched into my provisions. There was no
keeping them ont. | put my damper into
double bags. and hung it from the ceiling
that ia to say, from the ridge pole-but they
climbed down the rope and gnawei hole in
the bags After many iruitlcss Efforts, ] caught
one. and made An example of him. but found
that example was entirely lost upon the rest.
They were incorrigibly hungry, and wo,id eat.
They increased and multiplied to such an cx-
tent that at length matters became serious.
hop AIN not by nature cruel, nor much
given to what are called antipathies. ] like
al l;yiuy trta,cns in their proper plscss
There was an old frog headed lizard which re-
sided in my chimney, and which was OF social
disposition. and would come out some'im and
pass the evening with me. lie would sit on
the hearth. and stare fxedly at me with his
contemplatve eye for an hour together. ]
never thought Of doing hm any harm; but
then h. was not 0btrusve in his maDDers-
above all he did not cat -four AZ IL 81 pound.
Powder and shot were expensive. hut their
Effects were lasting. ] got out my revolver,
loaded it carefully; and having placed my last
rev dsmppr. uncovered. in the middle Of the
floor, turned into bssl, keeping my eye on the
Hamper and my finger on the trigger. Bu, not
one Of the cunning little rascals would CONE
out. Several times one old fai fellow poppd
his head out Of his hol1, as though on the watch
my residence xas entirely undermined by
these animals-looked NJ me- and then popped
back again I think he winkod at M
The other inhabitants Of the hut were eS
troublesome. There were sotne tarantulzs. or
,ri-an,elotes. as Golfer called them which
lived in the bark, and were in the habi, Of bi.
ting people bu, was told they always r'--
pscted the prson II the proprietw. 1ben
there were q numhcY OF insects. of such curious
iorms and brilliant colors ss woah have de-
lighted an entomologist. Any one with prop
er regard for the interests of science, would GER
iaiBiy have collected some oi th.m in botiIe
Aed burned lucifer ma,ch.s in Il ], however
conten,ci myself with watching them A. they
crowded on my table at night. When by chance
had got newspaper and was busy reading
they wouid delight to walk over the white pa
per and tiatter iher rorgeously painted wings
There vas a kiDd Il moth with four wing,
little gray -coatsd fellow. which us-d 10 ob
-ervc with a meiancholy curiosity. He uoad
conc flying down aPco the paper. where N
you'd yak abon' ior 4 while snd then. AZ i
he preferred iha, mode Of travelling. would cas-
~ his wings oHe after the o'ber. and he~oue !
rnere grub Here vas tbsDe ou ~hich ysr
haps gold digger migh, m0ralre.
The digg,rs IN the nelghborbcoi went away
one amer the other. ill ,.rcanse ooufnesi al
ms, exclusively 10 the soc'~'y have 3'-eri
hd However. there was stnrr still stand M
A,og, halt a mile Of and a. loog a. that re
main--i. ther. vas no srsat csa-e O' complaint
4 butcher had no ned of ~hde the povde'
and -bot lasted. for the wood. yieldct p'eniy
y gam. aDd IA abundant variety Tbere YER
guah., piz>ons ,b1- we're birds With gosde'
sDgs la'ser than the E4slrsh sont p,seoss