Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1859-03-22


part OF the State was not moles,ed hv tha,n
afterward.
The last account we have of old Mvres.
'he Panther, Was IN the year 1913. The
Old man was at that time eighty years of
age; but his form was still erect and his
step was firm. - his eye was not dim, nor
his force abated-" Up to this time he
had remained on the banks of his favor
lie Illinois. But now he old veteran pio-
neer grew discontinued. The State was
rapidly filling up with inhabitants. the
forms and restraints of civilization press
ed upon him aud DISCONNECTED him
Ihe wilderness and freshness of the couo-
try were destroyed. He looked abroad
from his Old familiar hills, and he saw
that IN every direction the march of civ
ilizatlon had broken in upon the repose of
The noble OLD foresets, aud his heart aoaIn
yearned
" For lodge in some vast wilderness
some ooundess contguity OF shade,
Where rumor OF oppression or deceit
ofunsCccessful successful war
Might never reach him more"
The old man began to talk of selling
OUT aud once more pulling up stakes 10
be off,
" WHAT said a neighbor, YOU are
not going to leave us, father Myres, and
take yourself 10 the woods again in your
old age 2"
" Yes, said Myres, :" can't stand this
eternal hustle of the world around me. |
must be off into the woods where it is
quiet; and as soon as | can sell out my
improvements. | shall make tracks"
The venerable squatter had no fee in
the land be occupied, bat the improve
ments on 1t were his own, and it was not
long before gentleman appeared, who
offered HIM a fair equivalent for these
with right to purchase the soil. The
bargain was finally completed and the
Panther began 10 prepare for his depart
dre
Where are you going father Myres?"
said the neighbors.
Well, l reckon" said the old Panther,
o. shall go away off somewhere TO the
further side of NJ ssouri. | understand
the people haint got there, and there is
plenty of woods there"
He proceeded 10 array himself for his
journey. He put on the same hunting
shirt he wore when he killed the Indian
chief. He loaded his rife and girded on
his tomahawk and scalping knife and
having filled his knapsack with such art-
cles as he chose TO carry with him. he
bucked i, upon his shoulders, and giving
a farewell glance around the cabin, he
sailed forth and took the western road for
Missouri. When he had reached a lit-
tie eIninence some rods distant, he was
TO hesitate, and TO stop and look
back. Presently he returned slowly to
the cabin.
. Have you forgot any thing, father
Myres!' said the new occupant.
u believe, said the old man, q" / must
take the head of the panther along with
me. if you have no objection"
Certainly" said the gentleman, "any
personal matters you have perfect righl
to-"
The old man took down the dried up
remains OF the pauther's head from The
wall where 1t had hung for many years,
and fastened II to his knapsack. Then
taking one more last lingering lool, al the
premises, be turned TO the occupant and !
asked If he was willing that be should |
give his :" last yell" before he started on
his journey.
Certainly, father Myres," said the /
gentleman. . | wish you TO exercise the /
utmost freedom in all personal matters be-
fore you leave"
Al that the old Panther gave a long, +,
loud, and shrill whoop, that rang through /
he 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.--
7 our ground Will always yield an abun- /
lance, and you will always prosper"
Then old Myres, the Panther, turned /
lis face 10 the westward, and took up /
lis solitary march for the distant wilder !
lesS.