Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1878-12-21

UdSnc- vi peiitce itposc. ic 10, WIN
out exception, the widest animal | ever
saw-a fiery, sput ering little bolt OF
life, luxuriating in quick oxygen and
the woods best juices. One can hard
" think Of such creature dependent,
like the rest OF US, on climate and food.
But. after all, it requires no long ac-
auaintance to learn he is human, tor he
works for living. His busiest time is
in the Indian summer. Then he gathers
burrs and hazel-puts like a piodding
farmer, working continuously every day
for hours; saying not word;
cutting off the ripe cones
at the top of his speed, as if employed
by the job, and examining every branch
in regular order, as if careful that not
one should escape him: then, descend
ing, he stores them away beneath logs
stumps, in anticipation Of the pinching
hunger days of winter. He see ms him
self a kind of coniferous fruit, both fruit
and flower. The rosiny essences of the
pines pervade every pore of his body,
and eating his flesh is like chewing gum.
One never tires of this bright chip of
nature-this brave little voice crying in
the misunderstanding his many
works and ways, and listening to his
curious language. His musical, piney
gossip is savory TO the ear as balsam to
the palate; and, though he has not ex-
actly the gift Of song, some of his notes
are sweet AS these OF a linnet-almost
fute-like in sof:ness; while others prick
and Jingle like thistles. He is the
mocking-bird of squirrels. pouring forth
mixed chatter and song like a perennial
fountain. Barking like a dog, scream
ing like hawk, whis,ling like black
birds and sparrows; while in bluff, au-
dacious noisiness he is a jay.
In descending the trunk of tree with
the intention of alighting on the ground,
he preserves a curious silence, mind
full, perhaps, of foxes and wild
cats; but there is no end to his
capers and noise while rocking safely
at home; and Woe TO the gray squirrel
or chipmunk that ventures to set foot
on his favorite tree? No matter how
slyly they trace the burrows of the bark,
they are speedily discovered, and kicked
down stairs with comic vehemence,
while torrent of angry notes come rush
ing from his whiskered lips that sounds
remarkably like human swearing. He
will even attempt at times to drive away
dogs aud men, especially if he has had
no previous knowledge of them. Seeing
a man for the first time, The approaches
nearer and nearer, until within a few
feet, then, with an angry outburst, he
makes sudden rush, all teeth and eyes,
as if about to eat you up. But, finding
that the big, forked animal doesn't scare
worth nut, he prudently beats re-
treat, and sets himself up to rsconnoiter
on some overhanging branch, scruti-
niZing every movement you MAKE with
ludierous solemnity. Gathering cour-
age, be ventures down the trunk again,
churring and chirping, and jerking ner
vously up and down in curious loops,
eyeing you al the time, as if show
ing OFF and demanding your admiration.
Finally, growing calmer, he settles
down in comfortable posture on some
horizontal branch commanding good
view, and beats time with his tail to a
steady "Cheeup. cheeup!'' or. when
somewhat less excited, 'Peeah," with
the first syllable keenly accented, and
the second drawn out like the scream of
a hawk-repeating this slowly and more
emphatieally at first, then gradually
faster, until a rate of about $50 words
a minute is reached, and usually sitting
all the time on his launches, with paws
resting on his belly, which pulses visi-
bly, with each word. II is remarkable,
too, that, though calculating distinctly,
he keeps his mouth shut most of the
time, and speaks through his nose.
have occasionally observed him even
eating sequoia seeds and nibbling n
troublesome flea, without ceasing or in
any way confusing his steady "Peeah,
peeah," for single moment.
While ascending trees all his claws
come into play, but in descending, the
weight OF his body is sustained chiefly
by those of the hind feet; still, in neither