The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1823-09-03
MISCELLANY.
From the Winchester, (Ta.) Republican.
DrSpER .Tr ENcoI1Nrrrp

q x
tleman who lives near the place where
they occurred. They exhibit feroci-
ty, and at the same time fidelity Of
character that has few parallels.
On the 9th inst. negro called at the
house of Mr.. Lloyd Ward, on the A!leg.
hany Mountain, in Hampshire county.
and asked for something to eat. Upon
being Intercepted as TO his name, &c.
he produced pass, which Mr.. w. ON
examination, told him he would do well
to be cautious about showing for if the
person who gave it to him was discoy-i
cred, he would certainly be hung
Upon this, the negro tore the pass in
pieces, saying he never would betray
his friend, and confessed that he belong.
ed to person on Big Capon. Mr.
Ward then determined to apprehend
him if possible, and upon the negro's
asking if he would hire or buy him, re-
piled that he was not able to do either
himself, but that his neighbour proba-
bly, would, and offered to accompany
him thither. They went off together,
Ward taking his gun, which was loaded,
and the negro talking freely by the way,
without, however, exciting in the breast
of w. the least suspicion that he had
any base design. When advanced some
distance from the house, the negro sud-
denly faced round, sprung at w. and by
a violent effort wrested the gun from
bis hand, Immediately cooking and lew
cling it to fra. Most fortunately the
triggers were not set Git being doubles
barrelled) and while the ruiian was do
ing this, Ward gained tree few yards
distant, and stood the FIRE unhurt. He
then drew his hunting Ratchet, rushed
upon his adversary, who was armed
with large butcher knife, and dread
full combat (both being large men) en-
sued. Ward was assisted in the onset
by powerful dog, which was soon des-
patched, however, by a skilful stroke
upon the neck, and the conflict main
tanned single handed. 1t was horrible
ARRAY. Victory for hong time remain
ed doubtful, but at last decided for Ward,
the negro being exhausted fer loss of
blood, and surrendering at mercy. A
deep, though not dangerous wound in
the breast was the only severe hurt that
Ward had sustained, although his clothes
were literally torn in pieces. Receiv-
ing promise from the negro to remain
where he was until aid could be procur-
ed, he departed for that purpose, but on
returning found him gone; although
from the number and severity of his
wounds, it is highly improbable that he
will survive. Our informant adds. that
he never saw the ground torn so much
by bull hght--the bushes were all
spattered with blood, aud in many places
there was as much blood on the ground
as if some animal had been buDbered.
HABIT.
| DR.. Plot, in his history Of Stafford
shire, tells us of an ideot that lived
within the sound of a clock, who was
always amusing himself by counting the
bours of the day, whenever it struck.
The clock being spoiled, the ideot con-
tinued to strike and count the time
without it, In the same manner he did
before.
| A boy in Vermont accustomed 10
working alone, was SO prone to whistle
ing, that as soon as he was by himself,
he unconsciously commenced. When
asleep, the muscles of the mouth, chest,
and lungs were so completely concate-
mated in this association, he whistled
with astonishing shrillnes. A pale
countenance, loss of appetite, and al
most total prostration of strength, con-
vinced his mother it would end in death,
if not speedily overcome; which was
accomplished by placing him in the &C.
clety OF another boy, who had orders %
give him blow as often as he began to
whistle.
| An attorney insensibly contracted a
I habit ofnumbering his steps, when walk
ing, and, when in his Office, Of thinking
how many PAGES distant were certain
places in the neighbourhood. He found
it nearly impossible TO mediate on any
other subject. He fancies cure was
effected by walking oyer a stream, on a
pole, where be was III imminent danger
of being drowned.
"A Pious woman in the eastern section
OF New Hampshire, who drew large
quantities Of water from deep well,
with pole, was repeatedly observed,
at her evening devotions, before the
Bible, unconsciously moving her arms