Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-01
OUR SPORTING PAPERs.--No. A.
BY NED JEUNER.
ADVENTURE WITH A cATAMouNT.

river towns in the southern part of this State,
accidentally met, at an evening gathering, an
old resident, who related the following adyen-
ture stating time, place, and names of the par
ties. That it is mainly true, | have no manner
Of doubt, though whether the animal was really
a Catamount or not, | at the time thought ques
tionable, but recent information in this respect,
from an unquestionabe source, leaves no doubt
in my mind but the whole may be relied on with
just that exageration which all such stories gath
er, in being handed down orally from one to an
other.
We were spending the evening, by invitation,
with the family Of wealthy farmer, and the
weather outside was 50 exceedingly rough, that
only cozy little group met, among which was
an aged man that lived near by-came with his
daughter, and told among others, the following
story remember the facts we'll, and if | could
put it on paper in his own language, it would
be far better, but shall be under the necessity
Of marrlng it somewhat Ily using my own.
1t was very early in the season. commenced
the aged hunter, September. should thrk,
though it might have been as late as October,
that Tom Burke and Leonard Kathan came over
the mountains on their way to New Hampshire,
and stopped at my place over night. They were
old acquaintance, and always made it a point
to call whenever they were near enough. They
lived for while here in s., on the farm
adjoining mine, but being somewhat rowing in
their dispositions and habits, they left after a
two or three years residence, and went over
west of the mountains. Leonard married Tom s
together after, owning a farm, and working it
in company The friendly familiarity which
was begun when we were nelghbors, was kept
up to considerable extent after they went over
the mountains, they sometimes stopping with
me, and occasionally rambling over to see
them.
1t was very late in the evening, and Tom and
Len and I've always called him Len for short
were sitting up, talking over old times, and
| A0I"VAlS H0" lhOlu0Nso, "h0u PAVPoo0U """u
they should stop over one day, for hunt on the
old grounds.
1T won't do, said Len, we have got too
much business on hand. Besides, Inn think
ing that game must be getting scar e in these re
gions.
On the contrary replied, l believe it was
never plentier. Ike Bancroft told me yesterday
ttat he had seen deer frequently this Summer
and only a few days ago there was one came tc
his pasture and mixed with his cattle.
90, probably onc't in while u deer Or suthin'
but most likely they re poorly skurce, said Tom
"Thars been mighty sight o. new settlers
sence we left these diegins, and of course game
gettin thinned off,
'Oh, yes, of course, said Len.
Not exactly of course, said [. True, there
has been good deal of clearing un done, bu
the fact is, there ha mt no hunters come in, anC
since you left have done but little in that lint
myself. Fact. don t believe there's been hal
dozen deer killed in town since you moved ovel
the mountains, The new settlers have all pitched
up the river there amt man on the Devil
Flat yet
so 2? said Tom.
&c. said l, the old ground is as wild as ev
err
wal, 1 Mould like mighty well to try tn
Flat agin, by lightnin. What 'dy say, Len +?
1t won't do, Tom. You know pretty wei
what's to pay if we amt at home by the da.
promised. We had better 60 to bed
i can fix that all right if that's ALL said
again, determined to keep them if possible
When you get back here again on your wa,
home, if you ha MT made up the day, I'll hitcl
up and carry you to Coles Mills, and that will
gain it.
Good, said Tom, bringing the palm of hi
hand down on to Leonards knee. Might a
well come in, Len, fust as last. We've got t.
rake the DEVILS Flat onct more afore we 20
anyhow
'Oh, yes, said Leonard laughing, Il knew
very we'll should have to. knew how
would end when heard you two chaps begin
always the same come out to your hunting prop
OsitiOns. If Ralph should propose a huntin,
expedition to the Moon, you'd be in for it, an,
| should have to come in
Tho Devils Flat was large level tract O
densely wooded land, containing some ten acre
or more, half way up high hill that laid Of
10 Tho north runst The nnnntArr nrn,,r,A a M,