Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-03-07
How | was Cured of Hunting.

When | was young and lived at home
upon the farm, like most other boys and
Young men, was extremely fond of hunt
ing. Among my early story books was the
history of Robin Hood, and His Merry
Men," and for years after | read that tried
to make me bow and arrows like those car
red by the famous outlaw. But after
time | outgrew the bow-and-arrow period of
youth, and grasped the stock and barrel OF
a shotgun. How the poor little birds and
squirrels had to take it from that time on
Finally, this hunting passion obtained an
almost complete possession of my mind
thought about it by day, and dreamed of it
at night. Every chance could get would
borrow gun q never was rich enough to
own one) and stroll off into the woods, or
over the fields, shooting at everything that
came in my way. Whatever luck | might
have, never became discouraged, but was
ready to go off and try it again the very
next opportunity that offered. Matters ran
on thus until grew to be fifteen or sixteen
years of age. | had learned by this time to
let all small game alone, and to strike out
after birds and squirrels, and other things
that were "good to eat" One day, after
trampng through the woods for many hours,
came home at night hungry, tired and en-
tirely unsuccessful ! went to bed and be-
gan to dream about the days work. i'm
agined | was chasing large hawk. lie
flew up into the top of hickory tree, and !
began to crawl along beside the stone fence
to get near enough for a shot. But before
reached the place, thought he flew out OF
the tree-top and began to sail around over
my head. While was looking at him he
seemed to change into an angel, who bore in
RIO hand a ,vida loutr ecralI and Who kari
his large, fiery eyes intently fastened upon
me- OF course was frightened. dared
not move, but crouched down and kept look
ing steadily at him. After sailing about fol-
a few minutes, and coming down nearer and
nearer to me, the angel let drop the scroll
and disappeared. The parchment fluttered
slowly down through the air and fell neal
me. ran and picked it up, and on it wa
written, in large letters, this sentence: Thou
shalt not Kill. As may be imagined, did
not sleep much more that night, and it was
a long while before ] dared TO take my gun
in hand again. After some weeks however
learned the hiding place of large, fa
gray squirrel, and wanted to get him very
much so sailed forth again, gun in hand
and started for the woods. lie had becom,
very shy, and | had to wait some time be
fore he made his appearance Pretty soon
however, he came out OF his hole and started
up the trunk of the tree. Taking good aim
fired, and down he came to the ground
Running up to get him, found his strug
Cling in the agonies of death. AS | cam,
up, he fixed his eyes upon me with one o
the strangest expressions that squirrel eve
wore. Into il was concentrated all TIN
hatred and scorn and malice of demon.
shall never forget that look. II seemed h
say to me Z" You miserable wretch, you hav,
killed me, haven't you But what good ha
it done your How ! would tear your lif
out, if could" And then | thought of m,
dream again, and of the command, "Thol
shalt not kill" "Does this extend TO ami
mails, as well as include men 2" asked my
self And finally concluded that for me i
did. never have hunted much since thel
never could bear to-memory was too bus,
with the past. tried il Number of times
but fate seemed 10 be against me- At on
of these times, came within an inch o