The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-16

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to and fro like drunken man." and all
his efforts to preserve firm footing and
maintain his balance, seemed alike I'M
availing. In this woful situation, chill
led, benumbed, and gasping for breath.
he thought of Sukey--he recollected
she had red hair. o, horrible! He
wished her and her red hair to the -!
1t was but momentary thought, his
next was of his life, and how to pre-
serve himself from a watery grave
He made one desperate effort-at-
tempted to step upon stone-the
stone rolled-Tim fell--the strong cur.
rent waited him, nolens volens, down
the stream. Away went Tim holding
on to his shoes and stockings.
For moment Tim struggled and
flounced in the water like fish on dry
land; but the river-god completely mas
tered him, and he soon became peace
able and floated quietly down the
stream. Alas! poor Tim! The tates
were against him, and were carrying
him sore against his will in direction
opposite to that of his hearts desire.
Let no unfeeling mlsanthropc smile at
his misfortune, for indeed it was enough
to melt heart Of a stone to see our
poorlover waited along amidst the foam
and froth Of the angry waves, unwept
and unmourned, with no kind friend
near to succor him in this hour of peril
and imminent danger. But we have
no time for reflection; so let US hasten
to the denouement or catastrophe Of our
story.
Onward the stream conveyed Tim
for near quarter of a mile, when by
chance he was thro wn into an eddy.
which was caused by the widening Of
the stream, forming hollow cove on
one side. 1t happened that into this
cove Tim was carried and snugIy Ge-
posited on rotten log among flags and
rushes with his head just outo of water.
In this condition he lay for some
time insensible, and might have lam
there till this time, had not a huge tur-
tie came swimming by in quest of food,
who, thinking Tins great toe would
make dainty morsel, laid hold of it
with no little eagerness. This severe
bite of the turtle reused Tim from his
lethargy, he started up, and crawling
through the mud and bulI-rushes, reach
ed the bank in safety. Here he sat
down, and began to examine himself.
His clothes were reekng wet, and he
was covered with mud from head to
foot. One shoe he had retained in his
hand with firm grasp; the other, to-
gether with his stockings, was gone;
his hat too was gone, the Lord only
knew where! He looked down and
saw his foot besmecred with blood
How all this happened he could not
tell. A sense of oppression about the
heart. and strange buzzlng noise in
the head completely bewlldered poor
Tim. He had an indistlnct recollec-
ton of something about Sukey, and he
imagined that she, like foul fend, had
been attempting TO drown him! With
a wild cry Of horror he started up, half
crazed, and ran with all his might over
the fields towards his home. This vi
olent exercise brought on pefspra-
ton, which served to restore his recol-
lection and dispel the Illusions of his
brain. On coming to his senses, his
first exclamation was: "Darn it, III
never 90 a-courtin' agin," and this he
kept repeating to himself till he reached
the house.
The evening sun was just setting
Squire Doohttle and his wife were set.
ting in the front Of the house. The
old gentleman was reading the Bible,
and the old lady looking at the pictures
in the "Pilgrim's Progress" when Tim
came up.
"La! Jimmy, what's the matter"
said the mother.
"Where, in the name Of wonder, r,have
you been, Tim!" exclaimed the father.
"Darn it," answered Tim, "lll never