The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-30
A LEAP FOR LIFE.

A herdsman of Swiss Canton, COM
ing home from his work one evening,
saw, half hidden among the grass, an
object which attracted his attention.
Approaching with caution, great was his
surprise to behold, as it raised itself from
the grass, beautiful chamois.
On seeing the herdsman the animal
turned to fee, but after going a few
steps it dropped down again, too much
exhausted to proceed.
Taking a cord from his pocket, he
fastened it round the poor creatures
horns, and at last succeeded, after some
trouble, in dragging it home, where he
deposited his new-fOund treasure in an
old shed.
That evening, while the herdsman was
sitting at the fire recounting his advent
ure, in walked one of the most noted
hunters of the neighborhood. He had
been attracted by the peals of laughter
which accompanied the telling of the
herdsman's story
All, good evening, friend" said the
host, making room in the circle for the
new arrival.
How many chamois have you taken
this week, l should like to know?"
Not one," was the reply. "They
are like enchanted creatures; they run,
and run, and run, and disappears if
into the earth-when my dogs and are
tired out with the chase"
Yet don't think it requires much
skill to capture one," said the herdsman,
grinning, and a laugh went round the
group at the fire.
Suppose you come and try" sug-
gested the hunter, ironically. "Why,
the day before yesterday l chased a
chamois from morning till night. ]
spent the night on the mountain; next
day my dogs tracked him, and l did not
lose him till just ON the border of the
river. He must have had long swim to
get away as he did"
Was he a young one of this year?'
asked the herdsman.
No, indeedr replied the hunter; she
was full-grown animal with splendid
horns nearly foot in length"
Really? then can tell you where he
is" remarked the herdsman, quietly.
The hunter looked askance at the
speaker, then. shrugged his shoulders
unbelevingly; but he said nothing, only
blew long Whit of smoke from his
pipe.
81 assure you that he is not far from
here, pursued the herdsman; you shall
see him tomorrow if you like" And
away he went to the she'd
The hunter looked around the circle,
where the Pickering fire was lighting up
each ruddy face.
You don't suppose believe this non
sense" said he, angrily, taking off his
felt hat, and bringing it down upon the
table with vigorous slap.
Nevertheless, said another man,
who had not spoken hitherto, ait is true
that Pierre, the herdsman, found your
chamois, or one like it, and brought it
home"
" Pray, how did he bring it?"
With a cord" replied the man.
" The truth is that when your great dogs
had been chasing the animal all that
time, it was tired enough to be led any
where"
The hunter stayed to hear no more
Much excited, he ran off to the shed, and
saw for himself that the story was true
one, for there was the chamois lying
painting on the straw.
"For how much will you sell me this
beast?" asked the hunter.
The animal is not for you, my friend, y
replied Pierre, with new-found dignity
" Dead chamois are your affairs; but as
for live ones-no, thank you. | am 60
ing to exhibit this in the town and there.
by get both credit and profit"
But if it had not been for my dogs, u
said the hunter, roughly, "you would
never have taken him"
81 saw nothing of your dogs" replied
the other; 81 did not even hear them.
Is it my fault that you missed your
gamer"
If anyone slept badly that night ii
was Joseph, the hunter. He dreamed
that he was forever pursuing channels
with great horns, but could never reach
them; while the herdsmen caught them
easily, and led them away before his
eyes with bells on their necks.
The next day everybody came to see
the chamois. Good food and rest had
restored the poor beast to its original
strength.
Pierre now prepared halter by which
to conduct his prisoner, and began to
calculate what he expected to make by
his expedition. While thus engaged his
two children came to him and claimed
his attention.
Father" said the little girl, "you
must buy me gold locket with the
money you get"
And me a silver watch.chain," said
the boy.
"All this is well enough" replied
Pierre, "but there is beautiful COW in
the valley yonder that I've set my heart
upon. When | have secured her We
will talk about other things"
Meanwhile the poor chamois, Devil
dered by the noise, and number of spec
tators, had shrunk into a corner of the
shed, and stood there with his head
against the wall.
1t was now that the hunter once more
approached the herdsman and said eli
you won't sell me the chamois for a hun
dred francs, at least you might oblige mt