Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-11-14

sieHt VISIT, anu gone OH upon MS wander
ings.
But the next morning showed my hopes
were vain, Tor he had gone through" my
line again and every trap WAS upset. II
really seemed rs ii the "varmintn had
taken malicious delight in tearing them
10 pieces AT one OF the traps II fine
sable had been caught, and as il for very
mischief the marauder had torn the beau.
tiiul skin, which was worth ten or
dozen dollars, 10 shrcds
Surely, If there is Il business in the
world that demands patience and persc-
verance, ii is trapping. At least il took
about all could summon 10 go resigned
" io work. make new spindles, catch
fresh bait. and set the traps again, es.
pctially with the prospect OF having the
same task TO perform the next morning.
went at it. however, and by eleven
o'clock had them all set save one, the up.
! per one, where the sable had been caught.
when, ON approaching it through the
thick spruces, | saw large r'ccoon
gnawing the sablc's head Seeing me at
the same instant, h, caught mp the head
,nd i.r'nrr could m>lmg M, gun,
,ru,ll,d aAa> ouI "t sight
Va, i p",>ihlr That coon had been
dom" a. lhi' mischief: ! kn"w them u
to" a'lr"> a. = variety al woods tricks
tu' h"d n'Nrr heard "i their rubbing
tap, ieiorc. Here wa> "nc caught
snavi": q >nhlr'> head IN III" vicinit' oi
III" '1"tr" maps Crcnm>'an'ial c'i-
'rn'r. ~ they LAY IN court. WAS strong
against him.
determined To Wa'ch-lhal "aP' III
least.
Going over To our camp on The lake
took hasiy lunch. and putting n fresh
charge into my gun, went back to the
ravine. \ few rods from the place where
| had surprised the coon, there was
thick clump OF low spruces. Here I hid
myself anu began my watch
Inc afternoon oragge" away crows
ana hawks cawed ana screamed KING
nsherS anu squirrels c'icNer'o "n" c"'''
red' ou' no amman came near 'nc traps
Inc sun WAS se'''hg oeh'h" inc h'g"'
black mountains ana t"ilisht began 10
am The narrow valley
lh'hE'hS hau my iaoor ior my palhs'
l was about crawling out oi my hiding
place when twig snapped IN me direc-
tion oil the traps, ana turning quickly
saw the coon coming up the bank OF tue
brook, the same one. was sure. that |
had seen before, because OF its unusual
size.
With glance around, 10 see that there
was no danger near. he ambled along to
the spot where the sable's head had been,
and began smiling ut the shreds and bits
Of fur which lay about. Wishing 10 see
if he would touch the traps. did not
stir, but watched his movements.
After picking up the bits OF skin, he
walked round the trap several times.
with his queer, quizzical face askew. ex.
amining il Then happening TO scent
one OF the sable's legs which lay at Il
distance he ran 10 i, and began To eat il. !
could hear his sharp teeth upon the !
bones. Suddenly lie stopped, listened,
then growled Very much to my sur !
prise. there WAS an answering growl.-
Then M other and another response. In /
a moment more. from behind great |
rock in the bank, there stole out u large, |
black animal. an object of the 'coon's |
utter adherence, evidently.
Fresh growlS greeted the appearance
OF the intruder. who came stealthily for
ward. He was wicked looking fellow
and had evidently hostile intentions
The coon rose TO his feet, lifting his
back like bear or u cat, and growing
all the while. The new conner erouched
almost to the earth, but continued to steal
up to the coon until within yard or
two.
lhere 'hey S'oo" i"ci"s '"'" o'"o',
getting 'hof0 "ust1 e'''' '''''"'' '
e'iue"''s i'''e"'eu ~ nav = OS
1 nao u" WIS" ~ i"''''e'e' """ m"'
'ehleu u Ie'i'''" sPe''"'o' "' WV
ihicSes miSh' sel'ic 'ucir qu"l'c' oe'"e'"
themselves was" "' "i' V''s"'' "
whieh oi 'hehi rs'oo" inueo'e0 !" NY
extra 'aoor' anu eonc'uueu u Neep NY
charge oil shot lOf whenever OF lIlclU |