davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, THURSDAY,

admit; for as he very properly observes. he was
" in q desperate bad fix about that time, and
it was powerful bid chance fo- man to take
notice of what was going on around him."
After being carried into the fort, he remain
ed insensble for some days, and his life was pre-
served with difficulty by his friends, who ex-
tracted all the bullets but two, which remained
in his thigh; one of which gave him great
deal of pain for several years, although the flesh
was healed At length he heard that physi-
clan had settled within few days ride of him
whom he went to see. The physician was will
ling to extract the ball, but asked the moderate
sum Of Rfty dollars for the operation. This Tom
hsllg rsfsod to give as itsRas more than half
years pension. As he rode home he turned
the matter in his mind, and determined on o
cheaper plan. When he reached his house, he
requested his wife to hand him razor. The
exercise OF riding had so chafed the part, that
the ball, which was not usually discovered to
the touch, could be felt. With the assistance
of his help-mate, he very deliberately laid open
his thigh, until the edge of the razor touched
the bullet, and inserting his two thumbs into
the cash, " flirted it OUT" as he assured US
"without costing him cent" The other ball
remains in his limb yet, but gives no trouble
except when he uses violent exercise. He is
now one of the most successful hunters in the
country, and it still takes the best kind of man
to handle him.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
From a recent Biography.
Putnam as a Spy.

Among the officers of the revolutionary army,
none, probably, possessed more originality than
Gen. Putnam, who was eccentric and fearless,
blunt in his manners, the daring soldier, without
the polish of gentleman. He might well be
called the Marion of the North, though he dis
liked disguise, probably from the fact of his
lisping, which was very apt to overthrow any
trickery he might have in view.
At this time stronghold called Horseneck,
some miles from New York. was in the hands Of
the British. Putnam, with few sturdy pat.
riots, was lurking in the vicinity, bent on driv-
ing them from the place. Tired of lying ir
ambush, the men became inpatient, and i'm
portuned the general with question as to wher
they were going to have a bout with the foe
One morning he made speech something tt
the following effect, which convinced then
something was in the wind
"Fellows, you have been idle too long, and s,
have I. I'm going to Bash's, at Horseneck, il
an hour, with an OK team and load of corn -
If come back will let you know the particu
lars if Eshould not, let them have it, b
hoky."
lie shortly afterwards mounted his OK car
dressed as one of the commonest order of Yan
kee farmers, and was at Bush's tavern, whic
was in possession of the British troops. N
sooner did the officers spy him than they bega
to question him as to his whereabouts, and fine
ing him complete smpleton, as they thought
they began to quiz him, and threatened to seiz
the corn and fodder
How much do you ask for your whole col
Germ F" asked they.
F." For mercy sake, gentlemen" replied Il
mock clodhopper, with the most deplorable loc
of entreaty, "only let me off, and you sha
have my hull team and load for nothing and
that won't dow I'll give you my word I'll retul
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01

to receive him. When we made large hole,
about four feet from the ground, the dogs jump
ed at it on the ou tside and the wolf on the In
side, and such barking, growing, swapping and
bowling never heard before. 1t made the
woods resound for great distance, and brought
several Of the neighbors to the spot. Things
continued so for while, and we consulted what
had best be done. We could not shoot the
wolf through this opening without too great
risk of killing the dogs, for he only appeared at
the inside when the dogs were at the outside
We finally concluded to stop the hole that we
had made, and fell the tree by cutting narrow
cash around it, The tree came down little
sooner than we expected. Frank Mahan had
81 az lifted for another stroke as it went over
with crash. The wolf, with bristled back, and
glaring eyes, and glittering teeth, leaped at his
throat with terrible ferocity. The descending
ak met half way, cleaving its skull and laying
it dead at his feet. We had no time to express
our wonder and congratulations at his narrow
and singular escape, before our attention was
called to that which filled us with amazement
if not dread. 1t was human skeleton, of me-
dunn size, and of a female, hidden in the cavi-
ty of the tree. Its posture was erect, and the
bones were held together by kind Of clear in
tegument, that seemed to cover, like a trans
parent skin, the entire frame The jar of the
feled tree severed several joints, and we drew
them all out and placed them in again in form.
The proportions were perfect and the limbs
straight-indcating a contour, when in flesh,
of perfect symmetry. Who could it have been
that thus perished years ago in this wild forest,
and how came her death in this strange place
were the queries that were Immediately sug-
gested. Could it have been some naiden, who,
like the bride in the 'Misletoe Bough, had
concealed herself from her lover in the heart of
this old tree, and become fastened there and
died1 -
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
Gait an Indication of Character.

Observing persons move slow-their heads
move alternately from side to side, while they
occasionally stop and turn round. Careful
persons lit their feet high, and place them down
fiat and firm. Sometimes they stoor down, pick
up some little obstruction and place it quietly
by the side of the way. Calculating persons
generally walk with their <aands in their pock-
cts, and their heads slightly inclined Modest
persons step softly for fear Of being observed -
Timid persons often step off from the sidewalk
on meeting another, and always go round
stone, instead of stepping over it. Wide awake
persons " toe OUT and have long swing to
their arms. while their hands shake about
miscellaneously. Careless persons are forever
stubbing their toes. Lazy persons scrape about
loosly with their heels, and are first on one side
of the walk and then the other Very strong
minded persons have their toes directly in front
of them, and have kind of stamp movement
Unstable persons walk fast and slow by turns.
venturous persons try all the roads, frequently
climb the fences instead of going through the
gate, and never let down bar. One
idea persons and very selfish ones " toe in.''-
Cross persons are apt to hit their knees together.
Good natured persons snap their thumb and fin
ger every few steps. Fun-loving persons have
a kind of jig movement. Absent minded per-
sons often take the wrong road, and sometimes
finds themselves up to their knees in pud-
muddle, although the sidewalks are excellent.
Dignifed men move slow and erect Fast per-
sons cut across the corner, kick every dog they
meet, knock down the little children, run
against the ladies, and hit every twelfth man &
3 ribs with their elbows. Very neat men occasion.
ally stop to wipe the dust from their boots
q their hands hang by their sides. Very polite
persons are sometimas seen bowling in thei
course to black servant girls and black stumps
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
The Wild Man Again,

A correspondent of the Caddo Gazette wri-
ting under date of the 2Sth ult.. from Paraifta,
Arkansas, on Upper Red River. relates the fol-
lowing story of an attempt to capture the ia
nous wild man, who has been so often encoun-
tered on the borders of Arkansas and Northern
Louisiana;
"In my travels | met party from your
country in pursuit of wild man. They had
struck his trail at a cane-brake bordering on
Brant Lake and the Sun-Flower Prairie. |
learned from one of tbs party that the dogs ran
him to an arm of the lake which was frozen,
but not sufficiently strong to bear his weight,
which consequently gave way. He had, how
ever, crossed, and the dogs were at fault.
d" One of the parry, mounted on fleet horse,
coming up, encouraged the dogs to pursue, but
found it impossible to cross with the horse, and
concluded to follow the lake round, until he
could ascertain the direction taken by this mon
ster of the forest. On reaching the opposite
side of the bcnd he was surprised to see some
with his arms, and hastened under cover of the
underground to the spot where he expected him
to come out He concealed himself near the
place, when he had full view of him, until he
reached the shore. where he came out and shook
himself. He represents him as stout, athletic
mar, about six feet four inches in height, com
pletely covered with hair of brownish cast
about four to six inches long He was well
muscled, and ran up the bank with the aeetness
of deer.
"He says he could have killed him with his
gun, but the object of the party being to take
him alive, and hearing the hornsof his comrads
and the bowling Of the dogs on the opposite
bank of the lake, he concluded to ride up and
head him so as to bring him to bay and then Sc
cure their prize. So soon, however, as the wilt
man saw the horse and rider he rushed frantic
ally towards them, and in an instant dragged
the hunter to the ground and tore him in most
dreadful menner, scratching out one of his eyes
and injuring the other so much that his com
RAIDS despair of the recovery OF his sight, anc
, biting large pieces out of his shoulders and
various parts of his body. The monster ther
tore off tho saddle and bride from the horse anc
destroyed them, and holding the horse by th'
name, broke a short pieceof sapling, and noun
ting the animal, started at full speed across thu
plains in the direction of the mounta ms, gud
ing the horse with his club. The person lef
with the wounded man informed me that th
. party was still in pursuit, having been joined b.
band of friendly Indians, and thought that i
y they could find place in the mountains no
. covered with snow, or a canebreak in the viciu
! ity to feed their horses, they might overtak
him in day Or two"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01

PRINTING IN THE WooDs.-We Q are doing what
perhaps his never been done in the United States
before we are printing the Wisconsin Mirror
in the woods! not a dwelling, except our own,
within half mile Of us, and only one within q
a mile The forest oaks hang over our office
and dwelling, the deer and rabbits shy around
us, and the partridges and quails seek our ac-
quaintance by venturiug nearer and nearer our
doors. The noble Wisconsin is bearing onward
its immense burdens of ice, majestically and si-
lently, within sight of our windows and the
snow capped hills, covered with scattering oaks
and pines, peer up in the distance. There is
romance and reality in all thins; and we feel
almost willing to publish paper in such a loca-
ton, just for the excitement of the thing
But most of the romance is soon to be spoiled.
Already several dwellings are in progress near
US, and before many weeks they are to be occu-
pied by enterprising neighbors; and, when
spring and summer shall come. we expect such
clatter of axes and spades, and trowels, and
saws, and hammers, that we shall hardly be
able to write our editorials without introducing
more or less of the confusion. The fact is, we
expect large village-yea, a city-to grow up
rapidly around us and that is why we are here
printing in the woods Wisconsin Miro,
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
Adventure with a Wolf.

The Kansas correspondent of the St.. Louis
Republican tells the following story:
"A few days since, while riding in the rear
of our town, in small ravine, through which
a streamlet takes its quiet way beneath its crys-
tai covering, and whose irrigation has produced
tall grasses and shrubs that make hiding place
for game, came suddenly upon large black
wolf. lie was scratching at thin place in the
ice, and seemed almost famished for water
When he saw me, he started in full run for the
forest in the river bottom. kept upon his
heels, and tried to ride upon him. He was al
most exhausted, and just as supposed he would
give out, he slipped into the hollow of large
cotton wood tree stopped the hole through
which he entered, and came back to town and
rot an ak and the dogs, and the assistance ol
Frank Manan and VIM. Palmer, and together
we returned to cut him out. The dogs wert
anxious, and we were prepared with our gum
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01

VOLCANIC ERUPTIoNs.-Th phenomena exhib-
tied by volcanic eruptions have led to many dis
cussions among scientific men Various theories
have been advanced in order to explain these
truly wonderful phenomena, all of which bear
close analogy to each other. The most probable
and generally received opinion of the cause of
volcanoes is, that in the bowels of mountains
their exists large quantities ofsulphur, bitumen,
pyrites. and even some of the alkaline bases
such as potassium and sand. These, by expo
sure to air or moisture, explode and ferment,
according to the quantity of combustible matter
contained in them. A large quantity of aerform
matter is thus produced, which struggles hard
to find natural vent, and should it find that
impossible, it forces a passage by raising the
earth, and makes its dreadful discharge in a
volcano. Water seems to be the important in
gredient which forms volcanic eruptions. For,
observes DR., Clark, before any great eruption
not only does the water disappear in all the
wells of Naples, Portei, Messina, and other
towns at the foot of the mountain, but even the
sea retires, and marine animals, by the want o.
their native element, expire. The water, which
has thus disappeared, is conveyed by numerous
subterraneous passages to the subterraneou'
fires, and there being decomposed, its element
are exploded with such terrible violence that thu
loudest artillery bears but faint resemblance.
The depth of volcanoes are almost beyond com
prchension and extend to an immense length
breaking off into numerous subterraneous fires.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
Further Discoveries in Afric "a.

We have from time to time given such infor-
nation as We could derive from different sources,
relative to the discoveries going on in Africa
A new era seems to be rapidly drawing upon
us, as it regards the obtaining knowledge of
this hitherto sealed position of the world. The
first grand discovery-the opening of the door
to the interior of this quarter of the globe, was
the tracing Of the river Niger to its sources, a
few years ago by the Landers, since which time
constant progress has been making in the
knowledge of the country far into Central AT
RIGA, and tho developments which are made
from time to time of the newly discovered tribes,
and cities, and fertility, and abundent resources
of the country, are both wonderful and graft
flying.
An intelligent Baptist Missionary stationed
in the Kingdom of Youba, in Central Africa,
has sent home very interesting report of that
country, from which we extract the following
1t seems that one of the cities called Ijaye, seems
unlike many other cities. Within its bounds
are large number of farmers who reside in
the city, but go out daily to the surrounding
country to labor. Around the city Ijaye, says
he, whose population, at least must number
fifty thousand souls, the country for miles
around is in state of wonderful cultivation
The diameter of the circuit may be estimated
with safety, at fifteen or twenty miles being as
is the fact in the case, thousands of acres o.
cultivation. There is no man in America i
dropped down at night into one of these exten
ded arms, and waking in the morning, but woul(
be filled with profound astonishment. I wa
unprepared to witness any such scenes in AT
RIGA.
1t may be asked, why! What do they cult
vate! Corn, cotton, yams, potatoes, Guine'
corn, peas, &C., &c. And without enumeratiny
further, 60 into their markets, and there yo
will find an unending variety of articles. From
one view, | have perhaps seen thousands of acre
in state of cultivation that would make you
heart leap for joy. But yesterday evening 1 ha
one of these views. This work is all accom-
pllshed by means OF small hoe, set at an angl
of thirty or forty degrees, with handle tw
feet and half long. And by whom! B
thousands of industrious laborers.
Every morning from the six gates of lay
go out streams of living beings perhaps te
thousand people, or more, to work their farms
and return in the evening with the profits
their days labor on their heads. For four ar
six miles, from three o'clock until night Il
: roads are almost thronged with people on the
; way home. Nearly every man, woman ar
child, has load of some kind, either to
. carried home, or to market. would suppo
t at least, one Thousand bushels of corn or NOR
: to be brought into town on the head evel
day
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
Hunting Lynxes in NORWAY,

When you have come in the forest and have
lot loose your dogs, you must often take your
chance of what kind of game is started, although
well-trained hounds usually find what you are
in search of; but not unfrequently other game
is turned out; the hounds 60, and the hunters
with the eagerness Of sportsmen-follow.-
An experienced hunter can nearly at once tell
by the different manner and tongue of the hound.
what kind of game is scented, and takes his
measures accordingly. If the cry of the hound,
at once eager and anxious, shown that wolf.
lynx is on his legs, he hastens after assured
that he will soon hear by the loud, angry, and
continued barking of the dogs, that they have
brought him either to tree or stand -
when the wolf-lynx marks that he is pursued, he
takes flight, and endeavors to find a tree in a re.
clining position, up which he climbs, and at.
tempts to conceal himself by lying stretched and
fat along the trunk. His weight and bull
prevent him from climbing up the standing tire,
with the activity of the fox lynx. In th
position, he remains till the approach of til,
hunter, who then usually shoots him gdown.-
As it is, however, frequently difficult to ret
shot at him from the nature of his position, h
is often only wounded, in which case he some
times springs tiercely from the tree, and ha
been known to attack the hunter in a most de
termined and desperate manner, completely re
gardlesS of the dogs. If the lynx cannot find
convenient tree to dimb, he generally bring
up near some large stone or piece of rock, wit
which he covers his rear, and with teeth an
claws delivers most bloody battle to the hounds
who are scarcely match for him. Hunter
relate that they have sometimes come unaware
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01

on the lynx stretched out on reclining tree,
which is favorite position in which be lies in
wait for prey, and, being unprepared, have
hung up their coat in view on a pole, and this
has been sufficient to retain him stationary till
they have returned and shot him. Our hunt
er thus describes an affair with large wolf
lynx:
g In the last days of February, I observed in
the snow the traces of large wolf-lynx, which
pursued thirty hours before found it con-
venient to let loose the only hopnd had with
me. AS this part of the country was much in
tested with wolves, had furnished the dog
with o leather collar full Of tae inch long steel
spikes, as protection. ksax..-s
After two or three hours on the scent, the
lynx at last tried and came to stand still near
a birch tree, where the dog kept him till came
near enough to give him shot. The distance
was rather long, and the lynx was only wounded,
but before l could approach and discharge the
other barrel, the enraged animal, with single
spring, had thrown itself over the hound A
violent struggle was the consequence, and, on
my endeavoring to come to the succor of my
companion, the lynx Immediately relinquished
the contest with him and attached me fercely,
with its claws on my thigh. The pain caused
me to make a powerful effort to release myself,
but stumbled and fell on my face in the snow,
in which position laid, with the lynx over me
tearing like mad, and anything but pleasant
The hound, who hand found himself protecte
by the spiked collar, was more courageous than
usual, came to the rescue, and fastening deter
minedly on the throat of the lynx forced it to
relinquish its hold. Regaining my feet was
enabled to seize the gun, which had been under
me- and, with close shot, brought the enemy
to the ground. My thick Winter clothing had
partially protected me, but was much torn -
As for the hound, large and strong as he was,
he was nearly killed in the short struggle, which
altogether only lasted some minutes, and he
did not recover from his injuries for many
months had it not been for the spiked collar
he would not have had the slightest chance. -
". Y, Spirit of the Times.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01

tomorrow, and pay you heartily for your kind
ness and condescension.'
" well, said they, "we'll take you at your
word. Leave the team and provender with US,
and we won't require bail for your appear
ance."
Putnam gave up the team, and sauntered
about for an hour or SO, gaining all the infor-
nation he wished. He then returned to his
men, and told them of the foe, and his plan of
attack.
The morning came, and with it sailed out
the gallant band. The British were handled
with rough hands; and when they surrendered
to Gen. Putnam, the clod. hopper, he sarcastic
.aaaly remarked:
Gentlemen, I have kept my word. I told
you I would call and pay you for your kindness
and condescension.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-01
| thousand.

MILK TREE.-In narrative of travels on the
Amazon and Rio Negro, just published, Mr.
Wallace describes an extraordinary tree, called
the milk tree, which was one of the first won
ders he saw near Para. The fruit is edible, and
full of very juicy pulp; but strangest of oil
is the vegetable milk, which exudes in abun-
dance when the bark is cut 1t was about the
consistence of thick cream, and but for a very
slight peculiar taste, could hardly be distin-
guished from the genuine product of the COW.
Mr.. Leavens ordered man to tap some logs that
had laid nearly month in the yard. lie cut
several inches in the bark with an axe, and in a
minute the rich sap was running out in grea1
quantities. 1t was collected in basin, diluted
with water, strained, and brought up at tea
time and at breakfast next morning, The pecu
liar flavor of the milk seemed rather to improv
the quality of the tea, and gave it as good
color as rich cream in coffee it is equally good
The milk is also used for glue, and it is said t
be as durable as that made use Of by carpen
tara