The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-04-28
THE BEAVER TRAP

| PhinaeS Parker was awake before the
| first streak of dawn, one cold winter
morning of 1710. Phinaes was bright
eyed lad of twelve, stout of heart and
strong of limb, and no little help to his
father in those days, when living in the
Connecticut colony, at least meant plenty
of hard work for everybody.
! The Parker home was, like most others
of the time, Lighthouse, well-built and
weltflled with children 1t was pleas
antly located near the Hop river and
commanded a beautiful view mp and
down the valley. Behind it the forest
stretched for many miles, broken by an
occasional clearing, in the centre of
which was a settlers cabin or frequent
~ circle of Indian wigwams.
When Phinaes opened his eyes on
this particular morning, he lay very still
and listened. He could hear the gentle
regular breathing of his younger broth
ers, Harland and Flavel, who lay sleep
ing in the same bed with him. Soon his
keenly sensitive ear caught another and
more welcome sound-a movement
in tho room below. His father was up!
Instantly he sprang out upon the icy
floor; quickly he pulled on his thick
wooden stockings, rough trousers and
jacket; then taking his shoes in his hand
and STOPPING to avoid hitting the rafters
he crept nOiselessly down the ladder
which led up to his loft
Asa Parker, stalwart, resolute but
pleasant-natured mar, stood raking open
the ashes in the fireplace. He was
dressed in leather breeches and jacket,
with long leggings of the same tough
material. About his waist was hunt
ing belt in which were thrust couple
of knives. He piled dry chips on the
emhers, and the flames burst forth just
as Phinaes came down froE: the loft.
His father heard his footstep AID turned
around. In the dancing freight the
strong resemblance between the two
faces was clearly visible. Both had the
Same ruddy complexion, bright blue
eyes and well-cut features. But now the
expression on the boys countenance was
pleading, while that of the father was a
mixture of approval and hesitation. They
looked at each other a moment in ST.
lence. Then Mr. Parker smiled slightly
and look of great delight Immediately
oVerspread the boys face
"You promised father" Phinaes said
putting down shoes and coming toward
the fireplace.
Il didn't count on your having such
sharp ears the man said laughing soft
ly. twill be long walk and cold
one for your young legs but you'll get
no harm from that And it is high time
that you were learning to be hunter.
If aught should happen to me, Phiuaes,
you are the main dependence of your
mother"
l. He laid his hand on Phinaes' shoulder
as he said this, aud looked thoughtfully
down at him. The boys heart sweiled !;
he drew himself up, and felt that years
had been added to his age, by this proof
of his father confidence.
They exchanged no more words. In
haste they warmed and ate the food
which the mother had left ready They
drew their fur caps we'll down over their
ears and buttOned their jackets closely
Last of all they put on their heavy
shoes. Then Mr. Parker sluug his pow.
deI-horn over his shoulder, took down
his gun and started toward the door.
Phinaes, with = st tut oak stick firmly
grasped, followed.
Tho moo2beams still lay upon the
snow as they walked along the narrow
path which led into tile forest. But day
break was near at hand; before they haG
goLe more than mile or two the sky
was rose. red. Phinaes thought that he
had never seen anything SO beautiful as
the scene which spread around him.
Now and then, rabbit or squire
scampered across their way, turning its
bright eyes lnquisitively at the intruder,
and darling away beyond the reach 81
harm. But neither of the two-leggec
folk, who went steadily forward through
the woods, was minded to disturb these
innocent denizens of the wilderness
|
proud to think even of a "brush," his
mind and heart was on higher game.
AS for his father, he strobe on viii
darkening brow and troubled thoughts
For some time back he had suspected
meddling at his beaver traps. These
were several miles from home, and theil
game formed no small portion of the
Parker revenues. Asa had been espec
tally successful during this season and
took great pride in his store of well
cured pelts. But of late he had fount
! his traps empty with many evidences
that his beavers had been stolen. Su"
prised, indignant, and at last casper
ated he resolved to keep sharp look
out, aud, if posSible,to discover and pun
ish the thief
As they appro .ched the place, he hal
regretted that he had allowed Phinae
to come with him. He was but n it'll
fellow, after all, and he would fain hav
him spared the dark side of life for
while longer. And yet-the thought
again recurring to him-if bullet from
the gun of this wary robber should la,
him low. Phinaes would then-bu
what was that? He looked closer; h.
saw family outlined footprint on tn,
snow, two of them, indeed, one follow
ing straight behind the ether. For al
instant his heart stood still. Only al
Indian walked like that They were no
far from his largest trap, and he knew
as surely as he did an hour later tina
those scarcely visible tracks KEEP; on t.
that place, branching neither to tn
right nor left.
He turned to Phinaes. He spoke t,
him in whisper.
''Phinaes," he said laying his hand OF
the shoulder fast growing to level wit
his Own, II must 60 ON alone, now
Climb into this tree and wait for me-
/ am not back within one hour follow
the path and find me. And whatever
happens be a good boy to your mother
Phinaes was much startled and aweC
by his fathers starnge manner. But h,
had been trained to unquestionlng ODE
dience.
eyes father" he said, looking VI
bravely at him.
| L 4 A.