USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Swanzey > The history of Swanzey, New Hampshire, from 1734 to 1890 > Part 25
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Centre. Clark Brown, Jan. 17, 1815; Abel Wilder, Nov. 11, 1816 ; Abraham Stearns, March 29, 1819 ; Benjamin Page, Sept. 1, 1821 ; Amos Bailey, April 6, 1830 ; Elijah Sawyer, April 27, 1854 ; Willard Adams, 1861; Enoch Howes, May 28, 1872; Asa Healey, Nov. 23, 1881.
Westport. B. C. Peters, 1831; Sylvanus Bartlett, 1840 ; Benja- min L. Draper, 1858; Stephen Faulkner, 1859; Henry Holbrook, 1861 ; Sylvanus Bartlett, 1862; Edwin F. Read, 1868; George W. Brooks, 1870; Walter Marsh, 1882 ; Frank S. Faulkner, 1886.
West Swanzey. Jotham W. Frink, 1846 ; Joseph Hammond, 1861 ; Edwin F. Read, 1863 ; Salmon H. Fox, 1866; Obadiah Sprague, 1884 ; Addie J. Faulkner, 1889.
East Swanzey. Albert B. Read, 1873 ; George W. Willis, 1886 ; Albert B. Read, 1888.
THE WAR DEBT OF THE TOWN.
The debt of the town, principally caused by the war of the Rebel- lion, reached its highest figures according to the reports of the select- men in 1866. The amount then due corporations and individuals was $63,921.86 with assets of $8,403.73 ; leaving the net indebted- ness $55,518.13. Of $63,921.86, $11,000 was due the Savings Banks in Keene ; $120 the Congregational Society ; $800 the town offi- cers ; and the remaining $52,001.86 was due to seventy-one individ- uals, mostly citizens of Swanzey, and in sums varying from $50 to $10,000. This debt was gradually extinguished year by year, and in 1885 a balance in favor of the town was reported in the treasury.
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
TOWN PAUPERS.
How to care for the unfortunate poor by the public in the most hu- mane, and at the same time in the most economical manner, has ever been a problem of difficult solution. The practice of selling at public auction to the lowest bidder, the maintenance of a person by the week or year, as was done sixty or eighty years ago, would hardly be tol- crated now.
"In 1822, the maintenance of Adolphus Loveland was set up at pub- lic vendue, to be supported the term of one year with all necessaries of life, clothing, doctoring, etc., and struck off to Joseph Long ; and he is to receive $54, or in that proportion for a shorter time."
"March 13, 1821. The maintenance of Abigail Genney was set up at public auction to be supported the term of one year with all the nec- essaries of life, in health and in sickness, and pay physicians if nec- sary, and struck off to John Perry, and he to receive $21, or in that proportion for a shorter time."
At the annual town meeting in 1835 it was voted that the select- men contract with some person for the support of the poor for one or more years, not exceeding five years.
In 1837, the farm now occupied by L. J. Crouch was purchased for a "poor" farm, but used as such only a year or two when it was sold. After this, Moses Howard had the contract for many years for caring for all paupers in town, and following him, John Starkey had a simi- lar contract.
In later years the number of town paupers has been relatively. smaller than formerly,-the county assuming the support of those not having a residence in any town.
MARKING SHEEP.
The practice of marking or branding sheep, and having a descrip- tion of the mark or brand recorded by the town clerk, as authorized by law was quite common in the early years of the town's history. A few specimens are as follows :-
"Calvin Frink's mark. A crop off the tips of both ears, and a slit lengthwise of the right ear."
"Jonathan Hammond's mark. A crop off the left ear and a slit in the same."
"Elijah Belding's mark. A swallow tail in both ears."
"Wyman Richardson's mark. A round hole about half an inch in diameter in the middle of the left ear."
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259
MISCELLANEOUS.
A ROLLING STONE.
The large boulder that lies below the road a few rods west of the spring at E. Swanzey, rolled from the top of the hill over two roads about 1870, one afternoon just after the school children had passed beneath it on their way home from school. The rock supposed to be securely embedded had been undermined by the earth being removed for road repairing. The stone that lies on the west side of it was split off when it struck the lower road.
RAIN AND SNOW STORMS.
There were great freshets on the South Branch in August, 1826, and October, 1869. The bridge over the stream at E. Swanzey was taken away on both occasions. The storm which produced the last freshet was very extensive.
A remarkable storm occurred Oct. 9, 1804. It has been said that snow fell to the depth of two feet. The annual muster of the regi- ment to which Swanzey belonged was appointed to be held that day at Winchester. The storm prevented many of the soldiers from reach- ing the place, and no duty was performed by those that were enabled to get there. The great snow storm of March 12, 1888, prevented the annual town meeting from being held on the 13th. The roads were impassable for several days.
COLD YEAR.
The summer of the year 1816 has passed into history as the "cold season." The corn crop in this town was entirely destroyed. At that time corn constituted a large part of the food of the people, and the principal article for fattening their beef and pork. In such an emergency some supplies were obtained from Connecticut river towns.
GRASSHOPPER YEAR.
A severe drought prevailed in 1826 through the summer till late in August. The hay crop was very light and feed in pastures very scant. In some instances, farmers cut down trees for their cattle to browse upon. Grasshoppers were propagated in great numbers. It seemed for a time that they would destroy a large part of the crop that es- caped the drought. At mid-day the air was full of them, and at the approach of evening the fences were covered by the devastating hordes.
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HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
TEMPERANCE.
The subject of temperance has probably received very much the same consideration and attention in this as in other towns of New Hampshire. The habits and social customs of the people here have been similar to those elsewhere. From the first settlement of the town to 1830 most people believed that no harm resulted from the moderate use of spirituous liquors, and their practice was in accordance with their belief. It was believed that a person could withstand se- vere cold or great heat better after having drank a limited quantity of liquor. It was used by all classes of people both on festive and mournful occasions, at the raising of buildings, at military parades, on the farm and in the shop.
The selling of liquor at retail constituted a large part of the busi- ness of the hotel keeper and the country merchant.
It appears, however, that public opinion did not concede to any one the right to sell without a license. The object of the license was to keep the business in respectable hands, and keep those out of it who would not manage it with discretion. The following are samples of the licenses that were given from time to time, and the character of the men that obtained them.
"May 28, 1821. We the subscribers do license Abraham Stearns, jr., to retail and mix liquors in the store lately occupied by Cyrus Brooks in Swanzey, for six months.
Abel Wilson, Wyman Richardson, Farnum Fish,
Selectmen of Swanzey.
"May 29, 1821. We the subscribers do license Bela Chase aud Benjamin Page to retail and mix liquors in the store lately occupied by Abraham Stearns, jr., in Swanzey for the term of one year from this date.
Farnum Fish,
Abel Wilson,
Selectmen of Swanzey.
"May 26, 1824. To whom it may concern, we, the subscribers, do hereby license Jonathan Whitcomb, jr., to exercise the business of retailing of spirituous liquors at his store in Swanzey, for the term of one year.
Daniel Wetherbee, Shubael Seaver,
Selectmen of
Thomas Wheelock, jr.,
Swanzey.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
"Oct. 5, 1827. In consideration of twenty dollars paid by Messrs. John Stratton and Jonathan Whitcomb, jr., we, the subscribers, se- lectmen of the town of Swanzey, do hereby license said Stratton and Whitcomb, to mix and sell spirits by small quantities in their store, near the Baptist meeting house, in said Swanzey, for the term of one year from this date, and also to sell by retail all kinds of spirits at said store for the same term of time.
Elijah Belding, Amos Bailey,
Selectmen of Swanzey.
People did not believe in drunkenness at the time when most of them drank intoxicating liquor. They were rather tolerant of one who might on some particular occasion when the temptation was great, drink to excess, but the habitual drunkard was execrated then as he is now.
The work of those who first commenced to bring about a temper- ance reformation was mainly directed against the use of distilled liquor, and obtaining pledges not to use it, but allowing the use of wine and cider. But the temperance reformer soon found out the necessity of including all intoxicating liquor in temperance pledges, for consistent temperance work. In the early days of the temperance movement, it received a stronger and more powerful support from the clergy than from any other class of people. Many of the most popular doctors very early gave the cause their hearty support. No man in this vicinity did more for it than Dr. James Batcheller of Marlboro, by his influence and lectures.
Whenever the voters of Swanzey have acted upon the liquor question, the vote has been against licensing the sale of liquor when that has been the issne, and in favor of suppressing the sale of it; but there has generally been liquor sold in the town in defiance of law and the' public sentiment of the people.
BOATING ON THE ASHUELOT RIVER.
About the year 1800 a company was formed for the purpose of boat- ing on the Ashuelot river, the design being to take heavy articles brought up the Connecticut river in boats, transfer them by teams past the rapids in Hinsdale and Winchester, and then boat them to Keene. Locks were built at the falls in Westport and West Swanzey, and one loaded boat only was propelled up the river and the enter- prise was abandoned. "It did'nt pay." The locks at Westport were
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262
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
utilized by the manufacturing interests of the place and served as flumes for properly conveying the water.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The following persons have held commissions as justices of the peace in Swanzey.
Amos Bailey,
Franklin Holman,
Sylvanus Bartlett,
Enoch Howes,
Henry Baxter,
Asa S. Kendall,
Elijah Belding,
Josiah Parsons,
Luke Bennett,
Barnabas C. Peters,
Rufus Bowen,
William Read,
George Bucklin,
Benjamin Read,
Elijah Carpenter,
Elijah Sawyer,
Nehemiah Cummings,
Obadiah Sprague (not. pub.)
George I. Cutler,
Isaac Stratton,
Franklin Downing,
Alonzo A. Ware,
Stephen Faulkner,
Daniel Wetherbee,
Farnum Fish,
Thos. T. Wetherbee,
Calvin Frink,
Levi Willard,
Jotham W. Frink,
George W. Willis,
Joseph Hammond, Jr.,
Abel Wilson,
Charles N. Hills,
Volney Woodcock.
Aaron Holbrook,
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SUPERVISORS OF THE CHECK LIST.
1878 Joseph O. Gary, George E. Whitcomb,
Benjamin Read.
1880 George E. Whitcomb, George W. Willis, Henry Holbrook.
1882 Obadiah Sprague, Daniel Snow,
Park E. Wright.
1884 Park E. Wright,
Frank N. Stone, Arthur A. Woodward.
1886 Edmund Stone, George A. Seaver, Charles R. Worcester. Fred H. Dickerman, Arthur A . Woodward.
1888 Josiah Parsons,
1890 Josiah Parsons, Fred H. Dickerman, Arthur A. Woodward.
263
MISCELLANEOUS.
GREAT SNOWSTORM.
The greatest and most severe snowstorm ever known in Swanzey occurred on the 12th and 13th days of March, 1888, as realized by Edmund Stone, George A. Seaver and Charles R. Worcester, super- visors of the check list of the town. Agreeably to appointment they met at the town house on the 12th inst. at two o'clock P. M. for the correcting of the check list, and at four o'clock, having closed their session, on leaving the house, they found it almost impossible, on account of the driving storm and the depth of snow to reach the stable for their teams. Stone and Worcester, after consultation, finally started in the blinding storm for home ; but when about twenty rods away the horse fell in the snow and was partially buried therein ; they assisted it in rising, and were glad to return to the stable, on reaching which, Stone found both of his ears frozen.
Seaver with his team started for home at West Swanzey, three miles away, but was met by Stone and Worcester who told him that it was impossible to push through. Seaver replied that he must go home, as a man can always go home when he can go nowhere else, and moved on ; but soon confronted by the fury of the storm, he returned, and all put up for the night.
The next day, the warrant calling for a town meeting remained in the box unmolested, as it was impossible for the people to get to the town house. In the meantime, Stone harnessed his team and started for home about a mile away. He was met by his son Lyman with a shovel and succeeded in reaching home in safety. Worcester, also living about three-fourths of a mile out wallowed through amid the drifts and driving wind to his home.
Seaver, leaving his team, started for his home at twenty minutes past two o'clock P. M., crossing the trackless plain and having reached the road by the Indian sandbank where. seemingly, the drift was twelve or fifteen feet deep, and utterly impassable, he crossed the road and went up the river to Worcester's, thinking to reach the railroad at the Swanzey depot and find an easier and quicker route home. Worcester think- ing the trip would be a hazardous one, said he had better remain over with him. No, he said, he must go home. Worcester went with him to the railroad bridge and then returned to his home. After Seaver had crossed the bridge finding the snow so deep in the valley on the track that he could not make any advance, he climbed up on the east side of the bank to the wall, which was scarcely visible, using his umbrella as a support, and now at dark, he travelled on the wall to the end there-
264
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
of ; then, struggling to the track. notwithstanding he was very weary, he pushed forward till he reached the "Cut" on the road, near Eaton's burnt ruins, the snow being fully ten feet in depth here. He found him- self unable to advance a foot ; every effort to step dropped him lower in the snow. There in the darkness of night, strength nearly exhausted, clothes saturated with sweat, limbs badly cramped after a struggle of nearly half an hour, he felt that he could not get out, that there he must perish alone ; but knowing that, ceasing his efforts, chills would come upon him, and his desire being so strong to get home, he exerted his utmost strength to reach the highway. In treading his way his foot struck a small birch tree standing on the bank, bent down towards the track, under the snow. This he seized and pulled himself up to the bars, his foot striking a board about twelve feet long which he pulled out of the snow and placed it forward of him, on which he walked its length, and thus utilized the board till he reached O. S. Eaton's. Then, being so exhausted, he left the board and wallowed on till, passing N. C. Carter's, he came near Greenleaf's gate when, with the aid of his umbrella, he climbed the wall on which he made ad- vance, falling off, and climbing on again until he reached the Bailey brook, when he became so weak and badly cramped that he could travel no further. Here he discovered a light in the village; then with umbrella in hand laid horizontally on the snow he crawled on his hands and knees to the track (seemingly he could not move), for the first time in his life he became faint, and had not voice enough to call for help ; but he must go home, and with a strong will power he was enabled to reach the house of B. F. Bowen, and aided by him he reached home at twenty minutes past eight o'clock in the evening. Not until the 17th inst. were the roads opened so that he could go after his team.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
There is no record of any organization of Free Masons or Odd Fel- lows in Swanzey ; but at all times since near the first settlement there have been Masons in this town belonging to lodges in adjoining towns ; and since the institution of Odd Fellowship in this country the same may be said of that order. Some of the early clergy and other prominent men were Masons. In later years a multitude of secret societies have sprung into existence, some of an ephemeral nature, designed to ac- complish a certain object and then pass away, while others appear to be of a permanent character and have come to stay.
In 1856 the American or Know-nothing party, a secret political or- ganization, suddenly appeared in the country and very soon vanished.
265
MISCELLANEOUS.
Swanzey, in common with other towns in New England, helped to swell the wave that swept over the land. It is not well known who were the principal managers in this movement as few of the leaders care to be recognized as such in history.
Good Templars.
About 1868 the "Ark of Safety" Lodge of Good Templars, No. 78, was formed at West Swanzey. This was an organization in the interest of the temperance movement. Under the inspiration of Hon. A. S. Kendall and his wife, S. C. Kendall, O. Sprague and other temperance workers it flourished some five or six years and exerted a salutary in- fluence in training the youth in habits of sobriety and in restraining the illegal sale of liquor.
Golden Cross.
The United Order of the Golden Cross, Swanzey Commandery, No. 151, was instituted at East Swanzey, August 29, 1881. This is a benefit or life insurance association, designed also to advance social improve- ment, temperance. etc. The charter members were Edward Wilcox, Ellen A. Ramsdell, Alanson W. Banks, Albert B. Read, Thankful B. Read, William F. Read, Ella C. Read, Francis M. Taft, Sarah L. Taft, Nathan F. Newell, Emily B. Newell, Martin L. Lane, Flora E. Lane, Henry C. Lane, Lucy Mabel Lane, Joseph E. Long, Lois A. Long, James E. Handy, Arthur A. Woodward, Clara M. Lane, Ebenezer F. Lane. Hannah P. Lane, James M. Ramsdell, Hattie R. Ramsdell, Clara M. Lane. Dr. Geo. I. Cutler, Geo E. Lane, S. Lizzie Lane.
Over sixty others have joined this commandery and it has been at all times and now is in a flourishing condition.
Its first officers were A. W. Banks, Past Noble Commander; Ed- ward Wilcox, Noble Commander ; Ellen A. Ramsdell, Vice Noble Com- mander : Martin L. Lane. Prelate ; A. B. Read, W. Herald ; Clara N. Lane. Keeper of Records ; Geo. E. Lane, Financial Keeper of Re- cords ; Henry C. Lane, Treasurer ; Ella C. Read, Warden Inner Gate ; A. A. Woodward, Warden Outer Gate.
The Noble Commanders have been Edward Wilcox, Jas. M. Rams- dell. Geo. E. Lane, A. B. Read. C. M. Lane, A. W. Banks, W. C. Belding, C. H. Applin, C. G. Ramsdell, A. A. Woodward, C. A. Bouvier.
The Golden Star Commandery. No. 319, U. O. G. C., was instituted at West Swanzey, July 16, 1887, by Deputy Grand Commander A. B. Read, with fourteen charter members as follows : Park E. Wright,
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266
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
Mary E. Wright, Herbert O. Young, Carrie E. Young, Charles B. Spar- hawk, Alice L. Sparhawk, Geo. B. Richardson, Ara L. Richardson, Ansel E. Bourn, Hattie E. Bourn, Edward H.Snow, Mary L. Handy, Albert M. Hardy, Calista Hill. The number of members January 1, 1892, is seventy-two. The Noble Commanders have been : Herbert O. Young, Charles B. Sparhawk. JJames E. Handy, Geo. W. Richardson, George C. Wright, Lester H. Towne.
Officers for the 1st term, 1892: N. C., P. E. Wright; V. N. C., Minnie Wright; W. P., James E. Handy ; W. H., Joseph Rugg; F. R. of R., Archie Thompson; R. of R., Nellie Thompson ; W. T., Carrie Young ; W. I. G., Addie Eames ; W. O. G., Ansel Bourn.
The Grange.
The organization called The Grange, for the especial benefit of farmers and their families, which has flourished for many years at the west, has only recently appeared in New Hampshire. Golden Rod Grange, No. 114, was instituted March 15, 1886, by general deputy E. C. Hutchinson of Milford, with the following charter members :- William C. Belding, Andrew B. Cook, Calvin E. Hills, Charles H. Rockwood, George Carpenter, Lyman M. Stone, Albert B. Read, Geo. L. Underwood. Zina G. Taft, William C. Belding, jr., Richard R. Ramsdell, jr., Marcus C. Stone, Benjamin F. Mead, Benjamin Read, Geo. I. Cutler, M.D., Mrs. E. H. G. Taft, Miss Nellie M. Belding, Mrs. L. J. W. Carpenter, Mrs. Leaffie J. Stone, Miss Alice A. ' Stanley, Mrs. Eva L. Ramsdell, Mrs. Anna G. Hills.
The following officers were elected :- Master, W. C. Belding ; Over- seer, C. E. Hills ; Lecturer, B. Read; Steward, C. H. Rockwood; Assistant Steward Z. G. Taft; Chaplain, L. M. Stone; Treasurer, George Carpenter ; Secretary, Mrs. Annie G. Hills ; Gate-keeper, G. L. Underwood ; Pomona, Mrs. E. L. Ramsdell ; Flora, Mrs. L. J. Stone ; Ceres, Mrs. E. H. G. Taft ; Lady Assistant Steward, Miss Alice A. Stanley.
The following have been the leading officers of The Grange since 1886 : 1887. Master, Chas. H. Rockwood ; Overseer, C. E. Hills ; Lecturer, B. Read.
1888. Master, C. H. Rockwood ; Overseer, C. E. Hills ; Lecturer, Mrs. E. H. G. Taft.
1889. Master, Zina G. Zaft; Overseer, Marcus C. Stone ; Lecturer, Mrs. E. H. G. Taft.
1890. Master, Marcus C. Stone ; Overseer, G. L. Underwood ; Lectur- er, Geo. Carpenter.
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MISCELLANEOUS.
1891. Master, M. C. Stone ; Overseer, G. L. Underwood ; Lecturer, G. Carpenter.
1892. Master, Henry W. Banks; Overseer, L. Lowell Belding ; Lecturer, Mrs. L. A. Carlton.
The meetings of the Grange were held at the houses of the mem- bers and at the vestry of the Congregationl Church until 1891, when the membership was so large it was deemed expedient to hold them at the town hall. The numbers at the close of each year have been as follows : 1887, 31 : 1888, 40 ; 1889, 49 : 1890, 91 ; 1891, 125. It is the largest Grange in the county except that at Keene.
Lincoln Grange, No. 159, was instituted at West Swanzey, Dec. 31, 1890. with sixteen charter members, viz. : Geo. O. Capron, Rose L. Capron. James E. Handy, Mary L. Handy, Herbert O. Young, Carrie E. Young. Albert M. Hardy, Oliver Capron, Park E. Wright, Mary E. Wright, Geo. C. Wright, Minnie A. Wright, Geo. W. Richardson, Ara L. Richardson, J. Byron Porter, Flora M. Porter.
The following are its officers, viz. : Worthy Master, P. E. Wright ; Worthy Overseer, C. J. Eames ; Worthy Lecturer, J. E. Handy ; Worthy Assistant Lecturer, Mrs. Woodward ; Worthy Steward, B. C. Snow ; Worthy Assistant Steward, G. C. Wright ; Worthy Chaplain, A. M. Hardy ; Worthy Secretary, Mrs. S. C. Kendall ; Worthy Treas- urer. Mrs. Angie Woodward ; Ceres, Mrs. Wright ; Flora, Jennie Thorn- ing ; Pomona, Addie Eames ; Lady Assistant Steward, M. A. Wright. Number of members Jan. 1, 1892, 61.
A BEAR STORY.
About the year 1800 as General Philemon Whitcomb and two sons, Benjamin and Abijah, were examining a large territory of old growth pine timber about one-fourth of a mile south from Mrs. Susan John- son's, and near the "Ware Barn," their attention was attracted by the barking of their little dog, and on examination found that the dog had discovered some kind of an animal in a cave, under a huge boulder, now visible, which they thought might be a bear. They barricaded the entrance of the cave that he might not escape, and then sent for John Grimes, who being a hunter and trapper came with an axe, if need be, to kill · the bear supposed to be therein, if he attempted to escape; but the General. being a military man and fond of riding horseback, did not want the bear killed for he wanted to bridle her with a cod line and ride bear back, so Grimes told them to remove the obstruction from the entrance to the cave, while he with uplifted axe, stood ready to meet Bruin as she came out
268
HISTORY OF SWANZEY.
After patient waiting for the disturbance of the intruders to cease, the, rage of Bruin began to show itself, and she was determined to make her egress and eject her intruders or lay down her life in the confliet, and soon made her appearance when Grimes struck her on the head with the head of the axe. The blow staggered her back some- what ; but she soon rallied, and with increasing rage, made another attempt to come out, when Grimes plunged the bit of the axe into her head, but this did not stop her. Rage added to madness, she came out and the General, not having time to bridle her with cod line, sprang upon her back and rode away, not dismounting, until she fell dead under him, although not a great distance away. - E. G. S.
A WOLF STORY.
Many years ago there lived a Mr. Fairbrother in West Swanzey, on a farm once owned by Clement Sumner, later by Arba Stearns, and now owned by Charles J. Hanrahan, whose house stood east of the now-standing barn, and the road passed between them. While Mr. Fairbrother was shingling the roof of his building, the weather being warm and fine, his child, having been at play there, fell asleep on a pile of shavings which came from the shingles, and while quietly sleep- ing a wolf came from the near forest probably scenting the child, covered it with shavings, hastened back to the forest and invited his friends to share with him the collation which he had secured. The father discovered the wolf before he had fully hidden the child, and probably thinking the safety of the child would be more sure did not molest him till after he returned to the forest; then he descended, aroused the little sleeper and took it on the roof with him. Soon the wolf returned with two or three companions with sharpened appetites to enjoy the repast ; but when the wolf removed the shavings and found an empty table, and that the precious meal was gone, he appeared dis- appointed and troubled, whereupon the guests, greatly enraged at the imposition, pitched upon their host and killed him .- E. G. S.
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