Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-09-01

. a. - .
my silver opoiots on my shoulders, and my
red sash round my waist, aud the sword
that Governor Bagby give me, with the
gold scabbard a.hangin'a"
Just at this tnoment step was heard,
and before the Captain ard Betsy had re-
covered from the shock Of the intrusion,
Sheriff Ellis had stepped In the boat, and
asserted that S'tggs was his ptisoneN
"Trecd at last said the captain, ''but it's
no use frei,in'; the ways OF Providence is
mysterious But whar did you cross, Ellis! 81
"Oh, | knew you would be about the old
lick log fishing with Betsy I'll turn the ca.
nce, and Bets will take US across. cros-
sed at Hambrick's ferry, left my horse on
tcther side, and come down on you like a
mink on settin' hen. Come, come-i,'s
time we were offto Dadeville."
"Providence is agn me,' sighed the cap
tain. ''1'm pulled up with short jerk in
the middle of my kurreer. Well, butt he
continued, musing, "spose a feler tries it on
his own hook-no harm in takin' al, the
chances aint in Jail gefn
few yards below the boa, landing, there
grew out of the bank an immense water-oak
projecting over the water at an angle of about
forty-tive. A huge muscayine vine enwrap.
ped the oak in every part, lis branches and
,endrils covesiny it like network The grapes
were now ripe, and hung over the river
In brrchanal pfoison-
--'-' Purrc and gushing
Petty allowed the canoe to drop dows,
slowly. just outside of where the tips of the
lower branches Of the tree dalird with the
ripping weter. The fruit attracted the she.
ria IS eye and appetite, and reaching ont an
arm, laid hold of branch and began 10 pluck
and eat.
"Darn the grapes!" said Suggs, angrily
diets 90 on"
"Keep coo, III hl' my pocket frs,,;' said
the Sheriff. ..T -... t...
'Be in hurry, then, and if you lcsN gath
er The darned things, reach up and pull down
them big punches up ,har;'-pointing the fine
clusters higher than the Sheriff could reach,
as he stood up in the boa,-"Pul down the
vines TO you"
The Sheriff tried bu, the vines resisted his
utmost strength; so crying Steady he pull
led himself up clear Of the boats, and began
10 establish footing among the foliage.
AT this moment Captain Suggs made no
remark orally, but his eyes said 10 Betsy, a,
plainly as eye could talk, ''hit her lick
back, my GAL
Silently the paddle wen, into the water
Betsy leaning back with lips compressed
and in second the canoe shot ten feet out
frcm the tree, and the sheriff was left dang.
ling among the vines.
"Stop your blasted jokes" roared the Of
fcer. .F
"Keep cool, old Tap.my-shoulder, thar''
just tile smallest grain of a Joke in this here
that you ever seed. It's the coolest sort o
airnest.n
''What shallI do9 How shall get ont o
,his?n asked Ellis pi,ously. '
'Ect 90, drop into the water and water an'
swim out was the reply. #g
81 can't swim lick--how deep is il 7"
Suggs scented to ruminate, and then re
Piled ..... ....
"From-say-fifteen- at least tifteel
to-about-twenty.fiv feet. Ugly phce.
;'Good God ~ said poor Ellis, "you certain
ly wont leave me to drownA--my strengh,h i
failing already.'
''lf DON'T" said the captain, mos, empha
ticaly, ~ wish may be landed in a'hdusan'
foot h-," and saying word to Betsy; the.
shot rapidly across the rivet. ....
Kissing his companion as he stepped oht o
the boat, Suggs sought Button, who was iiet
in a thicket near by, and mounting him, pur
sued His homeward way.
"Neber despair" he said 10 himself, as h
logged along, "Never despair. Honesty,
bright watch out, hand in your fingers ant
one in your lap, and little grain OF hel
from Providence, will always fetch MAJ
through Never despair, I've been hunle,
, and tracked, and dogged like cussed vol
but the Lord is purvided, and my wors, 'a,
: my has tuck a tree. Git up Button, you bias
ted iiop-eared injnn,"