Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-06-27
The family Circle.
The HerdSman's Lesson.

half hidden among the grass, IN object
which attracted his attention. Approach
ing with caution, great was his surprise to
behold rs it raised itself from the grass, q
beautiful chamois.
On seeing the herdsman, the animal
turned to flee, but after going few steps
it dropped down again, too much exhaust
ed to proceed
Taking cord from his pocket, he fas-
tened it round the poor creatures horns,
and at last succeeded, after some trouble,
in dragging it home. where he disposited
his new-found treasure in an old she'd
That evening, while the herdsman was
sitting at the fire recounting his adventure,
in walked one of the most noted hunters
of the neighborhood. He had been ut,
tracted by the peals Of laughter which ac-
companied the telling of the herdsman's
story.
"Ah, good evening, friend" said the
host, making room in TIE circle for the
new arrival.
How many chamois have you taken
this week, should like to know"
Not one" was the reply, d" They are
like enchanted creatures; they run, and
run, and run, and disappear-us ifinto the
earth-when my dog and | are tired out
with the chase
Yet [ don't think it requires much
skill to capture one" said the herdsman
grinning, and laugh went round the
group at the fire.
" Suppose you come and tryw suggest
ed the hunter ironically. Why, the day
before yesterday chased a channels from
morning till night. | spent the night on
the mountain; next day my dog tracked
him, and did not lose him till just Oh the
border of the river. He must have had
a long SWIM TO get away as he did,
" Was he young one of this year?'
asked the herdsman.
" No, indeed" replied the hunter; {" he
was II full grown animal with splendid
horns nearly II foot in length
" Really? then can tell you where he
is :" remarked the herdsman quietly.
The hunter looked askance ut the speak
cr, then shrugged his shoulders unbeliev-
ingly; but he said nothing, only blew a
long Whit of smoke from his pipe.
d" | assure you he is not far from here
pursued the herdsman; you shall see
him tomorrow if you like" And away
he went to the shed.
The hunter looked round the circle,
where the Pickering fire was lighting up
each ruddy face
" You don't suppose believe this nom
sense" said he, angrilly, taking off his felt
bat, and bringing it down upon the table
with IL vigorous slap.
Nevertheless" said another man, who
had not spoken hitherto, it is true that
Pierre, the herdsman, found your chamois,
or one like it, and brought it home"
PRAY, how did he bring it?"
with Il 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 anywhere"
The hunter stayed to hear no more.
Much excited, he ran off to the shed, and
saw for himself 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"
replied Pierre with 4 new found dignity.
" Dead chamois are your affairs; but as
for live ones-no, thank you. lam going
to exhibit this in the town and thereby get
both credit and profit"
" But if it had not been for my dogs
said the hunter, roughly, "you would
never have taken him.
- saw nothing of your dogs" replied
the other, " did not even hear them. Is
it my fault that you missed your game?"
If any one selpt badly that night, it was
Joseph the hunter He dreamed that he
was forever pursuing chamois with great
horns, but could never reach them; while
the herdsman 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 cal
culate what he expected to make by his
expedition. While thus engaged, his two
children came to him and claimed his at
tention.
Father" said the little girl, YOU must
buy me gold locket with the money YOU
get"
"And me silver watch chain, ;" said the
boy
- All this is we'll 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 the
other things.
Meanwhile, the poor chamois, bewil-
dered by the noise and number of specta-
tors, 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, "IfI
you won't sell me the chamois for a hun
dred francs, Mt least you might oblige me
by keeping all those boys from tormentng
the poor brute. cannot bear to see him
leased"
II suppose you think he would prefer
you and your dogs" retorted Pierre; but
| don't fancy he would be better off with
you than with me-"
The alteration between the two went
on for some time, and the porch beneath
which they were standing, resounded with
their angry voices. When suddenly, a
dark, brown shadow passed, with the "a
pidity Of Il meteor, over the heads of the
spectators-touched the ground with a
thud-then bounded away leaped a fence
and disappeared in the distance.
1t was the channels which, profting by
4 favorable moment, with one vigorous
spring, had escaped from his confinement
and was free ut last.
You and | shall meet again, friend |
channels, - shouted the hunter after the an
imal as it galloped away. II shall find
you once more on the mountains. Now,
MIR. Pierre, =" and he turned 10 the discom-
flied herdsman-" where is your honor and
proftP If you had only been content
with the offer made you, you would have
been u hundred francs richer than you
are"
They have both got a lesson said
wise looking old man who was passing at
that moment. Remember, friends, that
by grasping at too much we often lose all"
-Chiid'S COmoaaion.