Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-04-01

The SKUNK TRADE.-The Skunk mania
bids fair to eclipse even Pixies Peak. All
over the West skunk skin traders abound and
and skunk hunters are on the alert for more
victims That which heretofore everybody it
seems has been anxious 10 avoid is now eager
ly sought for. Skunks which have herato-
fore been allowed to flourish and enjoy their
domestic habits in peace and quietncss now
find their homes ruthlessly invaded their I'M
happy progeny knocked on the head, and in
spite of their hitherto supposed inyincble ar
NOR, themselves and their families inhumau-
ly fayed for the purpose of decorating hiih
erto despisod race The supply seems to in
crease with the demand, and yet prices are
constantly going up. A few weeks since
when the excitement first broke out II -
and 90 cents was considered good price,
but now 80, 80 and even as high as 80 cents
each, we understand, have been paid for the
odiferous article. The skins are taken TO
Germany where they are deodorzed and
changed into "Sibcrian Squirrel and then
returned to this country to decorate the shout
ders Of our beaux and bellies. and IL is now
well ascertained that the principal cases of
the most popular Partisan perfumes are sup
piled from the essence bags" Of the defunct
animal
Here in Buffalo thriving. and an exceed
ingly extensive business is already being
done A skunk depot has been established
nearly opposite our Office, and huge packages
daily taken through our streets by express
messengers, from the west 1t is said that
the employees Of the express companies suffer
''some" from their confinement in the close
car, and that many have been forced to clay
up in consequence of the odor but all these
little inconveniences must yield to the neces-
sites of commerce.
Can il be possible asks some one, that such
an extensive mine of wealth has so long re-
NAMED undiscovered in our midst; Are
skunk sinks 70 become staple article OF
furss We see no reason to doubt it. IL is
the common boast of our statesmen that the
resources Of this country are but half develop
ed, and we begin to believe it. Skunks from
time immemorial have been an article OF dread
and why may they not. under this strange
disguise, have hidden ga precious jewel, lik,
the toad ugly and venomous" The time ha,
arrived, however, when skunks must yield &c
the utilitarian spirit of the age, and we give
the movement our unqualified and hearty en-
ement.-BuBaio Erpress.
WELL. DoNE, MISS KATE.-The "spellinp
down" practice in district schools is still in
vogue in the State Of New York. and on the
4th inst, we learn by the Keesville Standard
those scholars who lad spelled down theil
respective towns in the counties of Clinton
and Essex, met to contest for the palm of th,
county. Miss Eliza j. South Of Peru spelled
down Clinton county, and received the s.
prize and Miss Kate {. Sawyer Of Chester
field spelled down Essex county, and as'
received s. prize And now came the tul
of wharf.-the two best spoilers in Clinton ane
Essex counties met, and Miss Kate spelle,
down both counties and took an additiona
81. If the Publication OF this fact don't Sc
the careless bachelors Of old Essex to BRUSH
ing up their whiskers, they must be case
hardened set VergeHaes Citizen