The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-31
NO. II.
A Famous Virginia. Hunter.

A Famous Virginia Hunter.
The name Of my hero is James Todd, who,
in his day, was recognized as the greatest
hunter In Virginia. His appearance itself
would have well justified one in believing it,,
had not his exploits been still more remark
able. Six feet two inches tall, straight as
an arrow, without superfluous ounce of
flesh on him !; with an eye, set far back in
his head, that flashed fire even when not
excited a short-brim, sum Drowned felt hat
on well-shaped head; and his ever present
and ever-ready rifle in his hand, his deer
skin pouch, and a GRACEFUL y.shaped cows
horn hanging by his side, he stands now
before my minds eye as wildly as when I
first saw him twenty-five years ago, the
most perfect specimen of the real mountain
hunter that it ever has been my fortune to see,
although l have travelled through the far
West, and seen many of the border hunters,
guides and trappers OF more or less renown.
In addition to his remarkable appearance,
suggesting in every feature the hardy life
which he had led from his childhood, his
voice, gesture and bearing showed him at
once to be a man of wonderful self possess
ion and GOODNESS, and moments conversa-
ton would satisfy even stranger that every
word uttered by that man was as true as
gospel. There was an earnestness and
carefulness in his language that carried
conviction in every syllable, as he looked
| you with burning gaze square in the eye.
There was, too a charm about his CONVERSE
ton that was simply enchanting, not only
to lovers OF sport, but to all classes OF people
old and young, cultivated and ignorant.
As Illustrative OF his marvellous quickness
Of perception and retentive memory of ia
ces and circumstances, let me tell you the
following anecdote. 1t was told to me not
more than month ago by gentleman of
my city who is one of the ablest if not the
ablest, lawyer in our State. whose character
and veracity are above suspicion.
When beginning the practice of his pro-
fession some thirty-five years ago), as was
common in those days, he had to travel on
horseback through the mountains in going
from courthouse to courthouse west of ours.
Upon one of these journeys, owing to high
waters on the usual route he was obliged to
cross the mountains by bride path that
led through the valley in which Todd lived.
1t was in the early spring, during the close
season for deer, and while riding 1eisurly
along the narrow path in one OF the lonelest
OF hollows, a man suddenly ste pped into the
path about twenty PAGES ahead of him, 60
ing in the same direction that he was, with
young deer lashed to his back and rifle in
hand. The hunter soon perceived that some
one was following him, and, turning half
round, he gave one glance at the horseman
and as suddenly disappeared in the thick lau-
rel that bounded the path on either side.
Our young Lycurgus was little nervous
about the occurrence until be got out of the
deep shadow of the valley into the settle
ments beyond, when the event passed COM
pletely out of his mind.
Fourteen years after that, he was COM
PEELED from similar causes to take the same
route. But having made late start from
Staunton, he knew he could not reach the
settlements on the far side of the valley that
day, but learning that our hero lived In the
valley, and receiving careful directions to
the house. he pushed across the mountains,
and as the shade Of night were just begin
ming to the fall he rode up to the door of
the house. Todd was instantly before him,
and after saluting him, he asked him if he
would keep him through the night. Rais-
ing his hand to his face as If shading his
eyes, he peered eagerly into the travellers
face through the gloom of the twilight, and
extending his hand in q moment, with a
cheerful laugh. he replied. 'sWell, man, bein'
as you didn't tell on me about that
deer that time, | guess you can stay,
and welcome, too ~ Neither man had seen
the other except on these two occasions, and
nothing more the first time than mere
glimpse, and scarcely more the second time
passed between them; yet after fourteen
years. in the fading light of that spring
evening, Todd knew the man who had kept
his secret so well.-J. N. Kinney IN Forest
and Stream.
WANTED TO SEE IT. Recently two men
met in Detroit and began threatening and
calling each other names. One finally call.
ed the other liar, and the two were about
to grapple, when woman opened the door .
and said
"Gentlemen, are you about to fight ~
''We are - they answered in chorus.
"Then have the kindness to wait mo-
3el,o
has been sick for weeks and weeks, and is
now just able to sit up. He is very down
hearted this morning, and if you'll only
wait until l can draw him up to the window
I know he'll feel very grateful to both of
you.''
She disappeared in the house, and after
one look into each others faces the men
| smiled, shook hands and departed together,
| A man once went to purchase horse of
Quaker. s'WiIl he draw well?'' asked the
buyer. "Thee will be pleased to see him
draw" The bargain was concluded and the
farmer tried the horse, but he would not stir
step. He returned and said, ''that horse
| will not draw an inch" 81 did not tell thee
| he would draw, friend. only remarked
that it would please thee to see him draw,
| and so it would me, but he would never graf
| ify me in that respect
| The Tribune says Lord Beacons1ield not
only knows everything, but much else be-
sides.' 1t should have said sbut much else in
addition besides.' .la
J Paul Boynton approaching marriage will
transfer him from cold water to hot water.
Totally Different From All Others
The "London Hair Color Restorer'' Is the
most delightful article ever introduced to the
American people, and is totally different from
all other Hair Restorers, being entirely free
from all impure ingredients that render many