Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-01-14

grown past his claim TO that title, com.
pleted Dawes live stock.
The question of u pump, in place of
the old well-sweep, had been seriously
agitated; for the bucket was constantly
being lost in the well; but Dawes father,
who looked upon this wel-sweep as
marvel Of mechanism, stood out so stoutly
against this change, that Dave always
fshed out the bucket, and said nothing
more about it, The old man said she
couldn't understand anybody's wanting
pump, thing that would be always gttin'
out o'kiter, when they could git we'll
sweep; and besides that, he didn't believe
in covering the well over it would spile
the water" Dave usually remarked to
strangers, when he noticed them looking
about the place, "tbat when he found
time, - an unsuccessful search so far
"he meant to have an overhaulin', and
straighten things out"
The door at the back of the house
opened into a long, low room and here
was where the enterprise Of the establish
ment centered. 1t went by the name Of
the back-kitchen, and was the precinct sa-
cred to Dave for here were kert all the
paraphernalia Of his hunting and fishing
expeditions The low ceiling, blackened
by the smoke of years, served him for
day-book and ledger; for, as Dave said,
/" Twas handy place to chalk things
/ Il - Inr, IIn tn ha thn
milk-score that proved such financial
failure, careful list of the different game
birds sent TO market, together with vari-
ou5 items and accounts, and, as y matter
Of minor importance, the few bushels OF
potatoes stored iu the cellar below. A
large open fireplace, with brick oven at
one side, and two small cupboards over it,
wheroDave kept his ammunition, occupied,
as was tie plan Of houses of that day,
about the whole side OF the room.
Hung in festoons above this fireplace
were skins of foxes, mnks, muskrats,
and, as the choicest prize Of all, an otter,
His guns, tishiug-tackIe, paddles, boards
Ior stretching skins, steel traps of vari-
Gus sizes, nets. and wooden decoys, the
result of Dawes genius as sculptor,
modelled partially with an axe and the
finishing touches given with a jack-kuiic,
helped complete the decorations of the
room. Ia the winter, crook-necked
squashes and lunches Of seed.corn hung
on the great beams that ran the length Of
the ceiling overhead.
A hgh-backed settle occupied place
at the side of the Fireplace; and here,
after a successful days hunt for musk
rats, Dove used to seat himself, and by
the light Of the bright fire that illumined
all the queer old room defty strip the
creatures of their skins, while on the set!
tie behind was gro,esque shadow that
mocked his every move. His rugged,
ruddy face, made ruddicr still by the fire.
light, told by its varying expression when
he "took off the jackets" as he termed
it. Of the finest rates. and the strong odor
Of musk would prevade the whole house.
The muskrats' bodies were carefully
laid aside for the table of the old doctor
who considered them equal to black ducks !;
but Dave used to say "he should take the
ducks" These muskrats Dave always
seemed to consider generous equivalent
for the doctors professional services.
StaIwart and hardy as he was, Dave
at length began to feel the effects of his
reckI less habits and life. Once he con-
) suited the old doctor in regard to these
strange unnatural feelings. The doctor
warned him that, unless he changed the
manner of his life, it would end suddenly.
Treat yourself, Dave, as we'll as you
treat your dogs, and will ensure you u
long life added the doctor. But this
advice went unheeded and the DID, care
less ways were continued.
Not long after this remarkable flight
of pIover occurred 1t was the last Of
August The wind had blown from the
east all day, bringing up heavy rain
clouds; and, as night set in, both wind
and rain increased, until 1t seemed as if
each was trying to see which could be
most powerful.
Inside the old kitchen was the constant
drip, drip of rain-drops that found their
wny through leak over the window and
from between the door and threshold, now
hollowed by the wear of many footsteps,
the driving rain found another entrance.
} Around the old house the wind waistled,
fairly shrieking as it tried to cutter be-
tween the shaking window-sashes, rattlng
the old worn latch, and, finally bursting
J the door wide open, it swept into the hoose
slamming the doors, and blowing out thG
light.
All through the night las,ed this uproar
} Of wind and rain; but ever and anon
through all the riot Of the storm, Dawes
quick ear canght the plainive note Of tho
! plover and the clear whistle Of the cur
J lew. Morning came, and with it no abate.
ment Of the storm but. through the pour,
ing rain, Dave could see countless mum,
bers of these storm.driven birds settling
. down on the hills. 'g
/ Several times hs attempted to brave the
} weather and 60 out with his gun but thl
the storm drove him back. All day il
. continued. Dave spent his time examin.
; ing his guns, and making preparations fol
this, the greatest plovershoo.ing Of his
: life. As night closed IN, the focks in
! creased, as if the supply was inexhausti
: BILE. The air seemed full Of them; and
their peculiar notes were continually hearG
through the gleam and storm,
Dave became SO impatient that he could
not sleep; until finally. about midnight
: the wind lnlled the rain ceased and Dave