The Red Cloud chief., 1888-07-20
ALL ABOUT

ALL ABOUT BEAVERS.
The Wonderful Ingenuity and Industry Of
These Interesting Creatures.
An idea prevails that the beaver
builds his dam for the purpose Of hav-
ing a nice swimming-pOnd in the neigh
borh0Od of his residence, which is al
ways made in the rivers bank. This
Is not true; for in every stream which
he inhabits. If this was his sole object,
he could select many natural places
where the water is without q ripple.
and it is both deep and broad.
The animal has a wiser object in
view. and it consists in providing
against the pinching wants of hunger
during winter. when nearly
thing green has lost its sap and nutri-
ton, and is as a body without blood
and animation. He therefore chooses
q place favorable for obtaining food.
and also where his labOrs will be as
sisted by natural formations or acoi-
dents in the rivers cOurse and con-
structiOn. Having pitched upon the
right section to build. he sets to work
with his fellows and fells giant trees.
In this he again exhibits his wonder
full instinct; for while n party is cut
ting with their sharp teeth the hard
wood of one side Of the tree. another
division is actively engaged ON the
other side. never forgetting to make,
like unto the wOOdmen. the lowest in
cisiOn on the side the tree is to fall.
which. to suit their purposes. is always
When q tree is thus fallen. it is at
tackled in its branches. which are 10
turned and woven together in the out
lines of the dam as to catch in their
meshes any floating material. OF receive
the tail-loads Of soil and rubbish which
they carry to it. Another and another
tree are then systematically fallen. and
arranged as is the first. until the work
is finished as completely as if it had
been planned and executed by rea-
Soning mind.
The finishing stroke sthe transport
ing Of the mud and laying it. In this
labor they show themselves to be ex-
cellent masOns. They now act in con-
cert. A large gang marches in line to
the bank. where they load each others
tails, and swim with their cargoes
elevated above and free from the water.
When they arrive at an unfinished point
Of the dam. they dump the mud. and
mold it in place. Their houses they
have previously built in the river
banks. These consist of holes which
lead into large and airy subterranean
rooms, and which are above the water
mark. In these houses they are said
to sleep and live in pairs; and. if We
could believe the story of old trappers,
they initiate human beings in managing
their household and in keeping house.
The main object they have in staying
the progress of the current of the river
Is to afford a deepplace. where. having
fallen numbers of trees. the deep water
will preserve tender and fresh the !
limbs and shrubs on which to subsist
Not only time present, but also
to come. 1t is we'll known that
branches Of trees and young will
lows, when placed in water. will keep
up partial life for q considerable length
time. On this principle the beaver
acts in submerging his food deep in the
water, where it will retain its verdure,
Ind where the freezing process that il
yOing on at the surface of the river will
lot bar his efforts in getting at his
tore of provisions during the winter
'eaSOn.
1t is said that the beaver goes 50 far
to bundle up small branches of trees
md willows. which they stow away in
he muddy bottom of the river. Tho
rapper. in his wondr0us yarns, insists
hat there r grades Of society among
'eavers. the same - among men. and
le will have it that they have their
head CHIEFS" that often individuals
'mOng them have slaves who stand
eady to do their masters bidding at
moments warning; for instance. to
ring them a bundle Of green twigs ON
rhich to feast. According to their
stories the life of q beaver
an not be rivaled in happiness; and if
re could put full credence in their do
criptien Of the pastimes of the ami
nal. his palace and luxu-ies, we could
My compare the beaver to a citizen
I Venice in her most palmy days
he difference between the two being
hat the former enjoyed himself more
n the water than the latter did in his
gOndOla.-Goiden Days.
MARRIED TO A QUEEN.
IN American DefAulter Strikes Il Rich In
South Secs. !,
In the divorce cas- decided by Judge
of the Supreme Court. Mrs.
amy A. Banks asks for her maidenly
reedOm on the ground that her hus-
and. Charles w. Banks, had been un- 1
aithful to her. ,
Not many years aOO Mr. Ranka then =