Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-09-12

A BRAvF BoY.--Whcn I was boy lived a.
mong the Green mountains OF Vermont in winter
making snow ferts and sliding down the steep
hills and In summer and autumn wandering over
the mountains aitpt flowers or nuts, or catching
the beautiful trout from the brooks. But my
brother in Wisconsin wrote me 90 come 10 him,
and went, Our house was on what was then
called" Baxters Prairie The prairie was cover
ed with flowers, and the many clear lakes around
slcsn,A'd in fish and ducks but our principal
food was hoe cake and salt pork
One Of our neighbors had had no meat for a
long time, aud getting out of powder they had no
game one day they sent up their oldest son, n
boy about ten years old for piece ofpork. As
he was carrying il homewards, and going through
piece Of woods by "Silyer Lake. he heard q
ristinp Of the leaves in thickct 10y the roadside
lie stopped aud listcncd-all was still, Again he
pushed forward, again the leaves ustlcd behind
bin. and he thought he heard stcalthy step
Again he stopped everything was still except the
gentle dash OF the waves upon thc pcbbly beach,
and the rapid beating OF his own heart. lie
dreaded to 20 forward and he dared not stay, for
he saw night was approaching, when the woods
always echoed with the howl Of the hungry wolf
and the savage bear and stcalthy catamount came
out from their dens. So picking mp club, he
again startedhomeward. Again came the stealthy
step behind him, nearer and nearer, until he saw
gaunt and savage wolf creeping after him, and
as be- hurried on still clinginn to his meat the
wolf was coming nearer ana nearer and he might
at any moment spring upon him.
Still the boy, though lac trcmbcd in every limb,
did not lose his presence of mind. lie remrm-
bercd having heard his father say that il any one
faced a wild animal and looked it square in the
eve, 1t would not dare to attack him. He turned
around aud faced the hungry wolf, and com
mcnccd walking backwards towards his home.
still a long mile and a half away. As the woods
grew darker the wolf came nearer, shOwiag his
white teeth, with the hair bristng upon his back
The courageous boy knew that il be- gave up his
piece uf pork he was safe. and could run home
unmolcsted, but he knew there were hungry ones
at home awaiting his return. So backwards he
went, step bv step. As tho wolf came near, he
hit him square upon the head with stone, when
with an angry "yelp, the wolf spmng into the
thicket, and set up long and dismal howl The
BIO, listened 10 bear if there were any answering
howls and hearing none, took courage but soon
the savage beast maddcncd with hunger. came nj
him again with his club he gave him Welt
directed blow between tho eyes, which sent him
bowling back again ioto the thicket Again, and
again the contest renewed many times did
the savage yet cowardly animal MAXI a spring at
the lad. aud many times did the brave boy beat
him off, until at last he came the log cabin of
his parents, when the disappointed wolf, with a
long and wallmg howl, dashed away into the
woods. Trembling with excitement. aud wet with
preparation, the boy dropped the meat upon the
iloor, CRYING, Mother, I've got it, aud fell OK
haustcd at his mothcrs feet w. Am Messenger