IX 

 A NATURAL NEW ENGLANDER 



Whether one considers the woodchuck in its 

 relation to New England, or New England with 

 reference to the woodchuck, the singular adaptabil- 

 ity of each to the other is at once apparent. It is 

 the foremost success and pride of the Yankee that 

 he uses his means and material to the best advan- 

 tage, — gets the utmost effect out of the least 

 expenditure. It is the boast of the woodchuck 

 that he has reduced the life of a quadruped in a 

 northern climate to its lowest terms, and takes 

 less trouble and worry, in the course of a fat and 

 happy year, than any other beast of the field. 



This is true, and he and the Yankee manage 

 to thrive together, coming out about even when 

 the books are annually balanced in October. Each 

 reflects upon the other's qualities with growing 

 respect, while separated by winter; and studies 

 over the next move in the discussion of the 

 question, "Who owns the clover-patch.'" Then, 

 some fine spring morning, the man finds only 

 gnawed stubs in the place of certain succulent 

 young vegetables he had selfishly saved for his 



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