The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-12-03

| The SNAKE AND THE CRocoDmE.-Tle
following thrilling account of an engagement
between a boa constructor and a crocodile, is
given by an eye witness:
1t was one morning that stood beside a
| small lake, fed by one of the rils from the
mountains. The waters were clear as crystal,
and everything could be seen to the very bot
tom, Stretching its limbs close over this
pond, was gigantic teak tree, and in its
thick, shining, evergreen leaves, lay huge
boa, III an easy coil, taking its morning nap.
Above him was powerful ape of the baboon
species, lecring race Of fscamps, always bent
on mischief
Now the ape, from his position, saw Il croco-
die in the water, rising to the top, exactly
beneath the coil of the serpent. Quick as
thought he Jumped plump upon the snake,
which fell with splash into the jaws of the
crockOdile. The ape saved himself by cling
ing to Il limb OF the tree, but battlekogal
immediately cOmmsuCcd iD ..the wuter.-kssse.
serpent grasped IL the middle by the eroce-
die made the water boil by his furious con
tortions Winding his fold round the body
of his antagonist, he disabled his two hinder
legs, and, by his eontractions, made the scales
and bones of the monster crack.
The water was speedily tinged with the
blood Of both cOmbatants, yet neither was
disposed to yield. They rolled over and
over, neither being able TO obtain a decided
advantage. All this time the cause Of mis-
chief was in II state of the highest ecstacy.
lie eaped up and down the branches Of the
tree, came several times close to the scene Of
the fight shook the limbs Of the tree, uttered
yell, and again frisked about. At the end
Of ten minutes silence began to come over
the scene. The folds of the serpent began
to be relaxed, and though they were tremb.
ling along the back, the head hung liieless in
the water.
The crocodile nlso was still, and though
only the spines of his back We're visible, it WAS
evident that he, too, was dead. The monkey
now perched himself on the lower limbs Of
the tree, close to the dead bodies, and anus
ed himself for ten minutes in making all
sorts of faces ut them. This seemed to be
adding insult to injury. One of mycompan-
ions was standing at Il short distance, and tax
ing n stone from the edge of the lake, hurled
itat the ape He was totally unprepared, and
as il struck him on the side Of the head, he
was instantly tipped over, and fell upon the
crockodile A few bounds, however, brought
him ashore, and taking to the tree, he spcedi-
ly disappeared among the thick branches.
A SECOND ULYssEs.-An old man, of very
acute physiognomy, answering to the name
of Jacob WimOt, was brought before the po-
lice Court of Philadelphia. his clothes
looked rs if might have been bought second
handed, in his youthful prime, for they had
suffered more from the rubs of the world |
than the proprietor himself.
"What business! None, Pm traveller"
"A yagabond, perhaps"
"You are not far wrong, travellers and va
bonds are much the same thing. The differ !
ence is that the latter travel without money,
and the former without brains"
"Where have you traveled!"
Gall over the continent"
"For what purpose"
observation"
"What have you observed!"
"a little to commend, much to censurc, and
very much to laugh at"
"Umph. and what do you commend"
"a handsome woman that will stay at
home, an eloquent preacher that will preach |
a short sermon, and gaod writer that will |
not write too much, and fool who has sense
enough to hold his tongue"
"What do you censure"
"a man who marres a girl for her fine
clothing, youth who studies law or mcdi-
cine while he has the use Of his hands, and
people who elect a drunkard or blockhcad to
office.
"What DO you laugh att"
81 laugh at man who expects his position
10 command that respect which his personal
qualities and qualifications do not merit
He was dismissed.