The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-08-05

an oblique direction till it arrived at the
point where it wished to place it.
| The long and large materials were al
ways taken first, and two of the longest
We're generally laid crosswise, with one of
the ends of each touching the wall, and the
other ends projecting out into the room.
The area formed by the crossed brushse
and the wall he would fill up with hand
brushes, rush-baskets, books, boots, sticks,
clothes, dried turf, or anything portable.
As the work grew high, he supported
himself on his tail, which propped him up
admirably; and he would often, after laying
on one of his building materials, sit up over
against it, appearing to consider his work,
or, as the country people say, 'judge it."
After this pause he would sometimes change
the position of the material Judged, . and
sometimes he would leave it in its place.
After he had piled up his materials in
one part of the room (for he generally
chose the same place., he proceeded to wall
up the space between the feet of chest of
drawers which stood at little distance
from it, high enough on its legs to make
the bottom roof for him; using for this
purpose dried turf and sticks. which he laid
very even, aud filling up the interstiees
with bits of coal, hay, cloth, or anything he
could pick up This last place he seemed
to appropriate for his dwelling; the former
work seemed to be intended for dam.
When he had walled up the space between
the feet of the chest of drawers, he pro
eeeded to carry in sticks, clothes, hay, cot
ton wool, etc, and to make nest When
he had done this to his satisfaction, he
would sit up under the drawers and comb
himself with the nails of his hind feet
Binny generally carried small and light
articles between his right fore-leg and his
chin, walking on the other three legs; and
huge masses, which he could not grasp
readily with his teeth, he pushed forwards,
leaning against them with the right fore
paw and his chin. He never carried any
thing on his tail, which he liked to dip in
water, but he was not fond of plunging in
the whole Of his body. III his tail was Kept
moist he never cared to drink; but if it was
kept dry it became hot, and the animal APP
peared distressed, and would drink great
deal
Binny must have been captured too
young to have seen any Of the building OPP
erations Of his parents or their eo-mates;
but his instinct impelled him to go to work
under the most unfavorable circumstances,
and he busted himself as earnestly in con-
strueting q dam, in room up three pairs
Of stairs in London, as if he had been lay
ing his foundation in stream or lake in
Upper Canada
Some highly comic scenes occurred be-
tween the worthy but slow beaver and a
light and airy macauco that was kept in the
same apartment. The macanco was
white-fronted lemur. and presented TO me
by the late Captain Marryai
AIacky would bound on Binny's back,
dance a kind Of saraband upon him, and
then leap before him; upon which Binny
would charge the dancer with the most de-
ternined heavy alacrity. Macky was over
his head and skipping on his great fiat,
scaly tail in second Then Binny would
shake his head, wheel around ike a pom
deroas wagon, aud By the time he had
brought his head where his tail was. Macky
had bounded from the tables and chairs on
and OF him twenty times. Binny Ut last
would slap his tai again and again against
the Hoor, till he made all ring; whereupon
Maeky would dance round him and cut the
most exfravagaut capers, touching Binny's
tail with his finger and jumping away as
quick a. thought
They had evidently good understand
ing with each other, and were on the best
terms. One day they were left together at
large in room where there was linen
press, the doors Of which wege left open.
Macky climbed the doors, ransacked the
press, pulled out the sheets, table-cloths,
etc. and threw them down to the beaver,
who, having make most luxurious bed,
laid himself down thereon; and when the
room vas entered, Maeky and Binny we're
found fast asleep, the former with his head
and shoulders piIlOwed upon Binny's com
Portable neck