The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1852-12-08

nidlu pOItlOh VI bhe LUNA udHHhn8 Ol u CAlp
to the stump, in order that blocks might be
placed under it, to keep it from falling quite
to the ground Sampson struck his axe into
the log, and began to look ior shady place
to sit down. ........ ..... ...I. ...
Near by grew stately Eastwood, from
the roots of which sprung up luxuriant
growth of shoots, surrounding the parent
tire. Rejecting that these Sould not only
shade him from the sun, but also serve as
protection against a swarm of flies, he de
termined to find resting place among them,
and began accordingly, to push them aside.
in search of the most comfortable spot.
AT that moment the chirping of sguir-
rel attracted his attention tC the vast mass
of earth which adhered to the upturned
roots Of the fallen tree. The little animal
was sitting on the summit of this mass, talk
ing saucily to Mr.. Keeper, who thinking
Of the corn it would consume during the
coming autumn, picked up a club, and with
a well aimed blow, knocked it into the deep
cavity left by the exhumed roots ofthe tree.
Mr.. Keeper with an eye to pleasing his lit
tie nephews, jumped into the hollow, pick
ed that kicking squirrel out the mud, and
having thrown it down by his vest, procee-
ded to ensconce himself in the bushes.
Mr.. Keeper found most comfortable
spot where he was quite concealed from the
sun and flies, and there leaning agains:: the
ancient basswood, heindulged in reYerie in
which nice widow, adelightful famil milyoI'chil-
drsn, cider jim the evening, andgooseberry pie
for dinner, were charminly mixed up together.
MIR. Keeper was startled from his pleas
ant reflections by dull cracking sound, in
the direction of the tree on which he had
been choping, pushing aside the bushes, he
saw the chip breaking, which he had left
the log hanging to the stump. .-.
No sooner had he spoken, than the trunk
dropped off, and instantaniouslY the huge
mass of roots and earth overbalancing the
stump, which was no longer attached to the
tree, turned slowly back, and fell with a
dull heavy report into its original bed.
"The dogsn' muttered Sampson, 'it is
lucky l didn't happen to lie picking that
squirrel out of the hollow just at this umee'
And he shuddered to think what horrd
death to be crushed under an avalanche OF
roots and clay.
Mr.. Keeper, however, sat still, and was
soon lost in another reyerie, from which he
was aroused by most extraordinary occur
renee.
1t afterwards appeared that Joe Symes,
the hired man, who was at work repairing
fence near by, had twice or thrice cast his
eyes in the direction of the fallen tree
Hearing the sound Of Keepers axe no lon
ger, Mr.. Symes looked shortly after, and
saw that worthy man in the hole under the
roots of the tree; and in little while, start
| led by smothered conclusion, he looked
again, and beheld the stump turned back.
At that moment Mr.. Bunker appeared, and
inquired for his brother-in in-aw. Both look
! in the direction of the stump, and seeing
nobody, Mr.. Symes suddenly exclaimed
al vow!" "
"What?"
81 bet Keepers been ketched under the
butt of that treew t1 "Ntl.t r.t'
MFR. Bunker thought it could not be; but
Symes assuring him that the last time thai
he saw Mr.. X, he was in the hole, both run
to the spot; "
"Good Lordv' cried Symes, "herc's his
jacket--there's his axe--l vow! he'sa gon
err,
This was the exclamation which aroused
Mr.. Keeper. He looked through the bush
es, and held his breath. "-a'
"Impossible!" said Bunker. nervously
"Where is MIR. Keeper thenT' demanded
Symes,
"Why he's walked off, | suppose"
"Wulked of--walked oil IN brllIn'' sun
without his hat? Look here!"
Symes picked up the bachelors hat close
by the Eastwood bushes, where Mr. Keeper
had dropped it, on going into his retreat
Il declare that looks bad! muttered Bun
ker,
r MIR. Keeper was on the very point OF show
ing himself, TO end the joke and have
grand laugh over it, when Mr.. Bunker made
the remark that looked bud. '..s"
Now Mr.. K. could not have the objection
to having any man say, such state OF things
looked bad. lie himself would been deep
ly impressed with the conviction thatit look
ed bad had he been under the stump. Yet
the manner in which Mr. B. made the re
mark, according to Mr. KS way OF thinking
looked bad in ITSELF 10 be bret, Mr.. BIS
countenanee and tone expressed satlsiac-
tion which he could not conceal; ana Mr.! a
thought lie would just try the experiment
of sitting still. ="
tLooks bad. Guess it does!' cried Symes,
and he swore by George, that IT heppe.'
wasn't under the stump, he was, and that Il