Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/350

 1 8 Journal of American Folk-Lore.

VI. WHY THE WOLVERINE BECAME A THIEF.

A man went out hunting with a wolverine. They were out three nights, and during the third night the wolverine rose and threw the man's shoes into the fire. In the morning the wolverine deserted the man, leaving him unable to travel. The wolverine then went out with another man, and served him in the same treacherous manner. He went hunting with a third man, and during the first and second nights he was very careful to provide for the man's wants. The third evening they took off their shoes and hung them before the fire, as is the custom of the country. The man soon rose and put on his shoes and again laid down. Later the wolverine got up, and, seeing a pair of shoes, thought they belonged to the man, and threw them into the fire. The next morning, as they rose, the wolverine said, " Where are your shoes ? " " On my feet," replied the man. " I have lost mine," said the wolverine ; " lend me yours, and I will go and get a pair for you." But the man refused. Just as he was leaving the camp the wolverine put his forefoot in the fire and burned it. " I will never hunt for myself again, but will always live by robbing the caches of the people." And that is why the wolverine is such a thief.

Frank Russell.

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