Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-03-17
Farm and Faresade.
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ject in half column newspaper article3
and why not I, who have, probably, seen
ten times as many skunks as he? mean
the genuine animal. l am not speaking
figuratively, as claimed by Mark Twain,
when he recommended sending boy up
to shake off the turnips. II Is the true
quadrupedal skunk that have in mind /;
none OF the New York officials, nor their
constituents. In metaphorical sense no
dweller in rural district could claim SUI
perorlty over ii. w. Beecher or any other
near resident of the New York metropo-
lis.
Let me premise here, that as mankind
progresses In the refnements of civiliza-
ton, we find the people divided and subdi-
vided into classes with an increasing ten
dency to special occupations. Adam was
his own doctor, tailor, carpenter, shoemak-
er, etc Now each of these avocations is
divided till we have dozen or more UNI
der each head. Even the simple process of
killing and dressing pig, in some of the
large packing establishments of the
West, has its half dozen special experts in
as many different departments. Among
these, the chief artist-the gutter-if pro-
foundly versed in the mysteries of his
calling, gets higher pay than many col
lege graduate laboring in some of the pro-
LESSONS.
The tendency of the age towards special
occupations is illustrated by an inhabitant
Of little village at the foot of one of the
Green Mountains in Bennington County.
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sional skunk hunter; enthusiastically de-
voted to his calling. His zeal has been
wonderfully stimulated of late by the high
price of their skins, though some motive
OF higher nature seems to attract him to
this specially. No mere mercenary mo-
tive can account for his passionate fond
ness of these striped outcasts. Years of
study and experiment have made him an
expert in all that pertains to skunks. He
takes no pains to conceal his knowledge of
this peculiar branch of Natural History.
On ordinary occasions he is taciturn; but
when his favoritc theme is the subject of
conversation, his eyes CLEAN with enthusi-
asm, and he becomes, at once, communca-
tive. You soon learn what may be accom-
plished when genius throws all its force in
single direction. He has deep insight
into skunk nature, and knows how to avoid
with certainty the consequences that boiall
rash inexperts. Though he may seem
reckless, he steers clear of the rock on
which so many have foundered. He UNI
derstands precisely that point in time when
the animal considers forbearance no long
er virtue. He handles it with consum-
mate skill, caressing it, like pet cat, with
perfect safety.
In all the country for miles around, he
knows the dwelling places of his favorites.
He loves to go out moonlight nights and
and visit their subterranean abodes. On
such occasions he sometimes comes down
to the village, carly in the morning, lead
ing or driving skunk with cord tied to
Its leg, and exhibits to those who do not
flee, few infantile specimens of the same
species, taken from his coat pockets. He
takes many in traps and removes them
alive with perfect immunity from disagree
able consequences. 1t is a gift of nature
brought to the acme of perfection by long
devotion to the art. A member of Con-
gress in some of his positions might prove
disgraceful failure. Therefore word of
caution seems necessary. The spirit of i'm
itation is contagious. Says Fisher Ames,
"When the man flew from the steeple of
the North Church fifty years ago, every
unlucky boy thought of nothing but flying
from sign post"
An acquaintance of the writer, addicted
to the habit of getting into deep water be-
fore he had learned to swim, and unlucki-
ly confident in his own powers had the pre-
sumption to believe he could perform
some of the feats of the skunk tanner of
Bennington County. He had caught in a
trap fine black and white ornament of
the genus, and resolved to dispose of it in
artistic style. He approached it slowly
and held out his hand. The animal SEEM
ed pleased; they do know how to appre-
ciate Kindness. He moved nearer and
STOPPING down brought his hand close to
its small, sparkling eyes. Caressingly he
touched its head. Quick as lightning van
ished all his faith! He staggered back,
blinded, sadder and wiser man. He
made frantic efforts in the direction of the
nearest body of fresh water, tearing off and
throwing his hat and other articles of cloth
ing on his way. He says he partially re-
covered his sight in about five minutes.
bnt he will never again presume to prac-
tice the arts of the skunk tanner of Ben
nington County. MOL
Fayetteville, VT.
N. 4. Homestead.