The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1893-05-11
THE BEAVER TRAP.
Tna sroEr or EARLY ooBosIAL DAYS m
CONNECTICUT.


first streak AZ dnsn. one cold winter mvI
ing Of 1910
IhinasA was bright eyed lad ,
twelve. stout Of heart and strong OF limit
aud 90 little belp to bis father 10 thos
days, when liviag, 10 Connecticut colony
at least, mesnl plenty cthsri work io
everybody.
The Parker home was like most other
81 the time. log house, wei bnilt 40,
well hlled With children. II wss pleasu
4 iy located near the Hop river. snd com
nsnded beautiful view mp and down th
ysbey, Behind II tho forest stretched 10
many miles, broken by sn oocssioosl clear
ing, 10 the center OF which was settler.
cabin aud, more frequently. circle o
ladisu wigwsms.
When Phlf AS opened bis eyes on thi.
particular morning be lay very still and
listetei. He conld hear tho gentle. regu.
lar breathing OF his younger brothers,
Hsrlsnd aud Flsyel, who lay sleeping 10
the same bed with him. Soon bis keenly
attentive ears caught another and more
welcomed sound "a movement in the room
below. His father was upl Instantly he
pullad on bis thick wooden stockings
rough trousers and JACKET; then taking bis
shoes 10 bis hand and stopping to avoid
hitting the raiters, be crept noiselessly
down the ladder that led up to his loft,
Asa Parker. q st,lwart, resolute but
! jleassbt nstuted man, stood raking open
the asht 10 the tlieplice He was dressed
10 leather breeches and jacket. With long
legglns OF the same tough material About
his waist was hunting belt, In which
was thrust couple OF knives. He piled
dry chips on the tmbers, and the flames
burst forth Just as Phiness csme down
from tie loi,. His father heard his foot
steps and turned around.
10 the dancing fire light the strong re,
sem blsnce betwesn the two faces was clear
ly visible Both had the same rudy
.. bright blue eyes aud well cut
Gestures. But nov the expression on the
boys eountenaDce was pleading, while that
Of the father was mixture Of approval
aud hesitation. They lookel at each othl
er moment 10 silence. Then Mr.. Parker
smiled slightly. and q look OF great de-
hight Immediately overspr 'sd the boys
lace.
You promised. father, Phiness said,
putting down his sho's coming toward
,be fireplace
didn't count on you having such sharp
ssrs, the man said, laughing softly. Twill
% long walk and q cod one for your
Young legs; but you'll get no harm from
that, And tits high ime that you we're
learning to be hunter. II aught should
happen to me Phiueas, yon are the main
ief cadence of your mother.
He laid his hand on Phiness, shoulder
rs he said this, and locked thou 2htfully
Town ut him. The BOYS heat swell ed;
le drew himself up and felt that ears had
cen added to bis age by this proof OF his
athefs confidence.
Ihay exchanged 10 NO words. In
laste Il ey warmed aud ate the food which
he IL other bad leir ready. They drew
htir fur caps well down over their ears
nd bu toned Their jackets closely Last
II all put on their heavy shoes. Then Mr..
Parker sIung mis- powder horn over his
shoulder, took bis gun and itirted t1ward
be door Phineas, with stout oak stick
ituly eresped, followed.
The moobbeams still lay NJ o1 the snow
IS they walked tlong thu nHros path
'hich led into the forest. But day break
vas near at h,nd; befor they bad gone
more than mile ortvo. the sky was rose,
cad. Phness thought he bad never seen
nything 30 b. aniiful ss the scene which
presd about bin. NV aud then, a rab.
III or squirrel scam pered across their way,
urning their bright eyes inquinuvely at
he iniruders aud dating away beyond
o ,ch Of harm. Bat neither OF the two
rgged folk, WHO veot stssdily forward
trough the woods, was minded TO dis, ,
urb these inntc csui denizens OF the will !,
erness Pbioeas was, Tor cnce. too hsp
y and proud TO even think Of brush,
il MUD aud bis heart was on bi8h 1
anne.
As for bic father. be STRIDE on with :
arkenins bros and troubled thoughts
or some time back. be bad susps pscted
leidiing at biz beaver traps. Tbese we're
eversi miles fr IN home, aud Il cir & 'me 0
,rmed 70 small poriion Of the Parker a
tyenu Asa hs been especially success =
al during this season. aud took greet q
VI ie 10 his store Of well cured pelts. But 0
late be bad found his traps empty. with
lany evidences, that his beavers had been 7
iolen. snrprised. Indignant and ST lsst Q
rssperaied. he resolved 10 keep sharp
ool on, and, II possible, 10 discover aud
untsh the thief
As they approached The place. be bali !
eerelied that be bad slosed Pbiness 10 !
ONE uiih bin. He was bat little fell q
or. sitsr sli, srd he would fam have
pared tie dAri side Of li'e Tor sutile Ion, {
sr. Add YET the ibonehi sgsin recuru 4
hg to bin ~ a bale. from tbs gun Of
bs ~sry Iobber should lay him low. ,
'hinsss WOO d ihen hut what Was thsii q
ie looksd Loser; be s,s isiniiy outlined /
ootpr nj on the sbou. two Of then Indeed 9
ne iolloxins stfsisht btAind The Other.