The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-09-06
The Snake-B Bitten sDutchman.s

4A0 0AoAS'O1ttS0 OUtCUm0Us
Some years ago. near the town Of Read
ing. Berks County. Psnnsylvsnia there
lived cosy old farmer, named Sweig.
hoofer-of German descent, and accent,
too, as his speech win Indicate. Old man
Sweighooffer had once served as men,
ber OF the legislature, and was no fool;
as he had long commanded a volunteer
corps Of rustic militia, he could hardly
be. supposed TO incline to cowardice.-
HIS boy Peter was his only son, a strap.
ping lad Of seventeen; and upon young
Peter and old Peter devoived the princi.
pal cares and tolls OF the old gentleman's g
farm, now and then assisted by the old
lady and her Two bouncing daughters
tor it is very common in thls State to see
the women aHd girls in the field and
| upon extra ocoSsions by some hired hands.
Well, ono warm day, in having lime, old
Peter and young Peter were hard al il in,
the meadow when the old man drops his
scy,he aud bawls out:
oh! niue Gott. Peteri'
What's de matter. fader?' answered
the son. strengthening up. and looking to-
wards his Sire. ~ iesis.1sA ~
oh, mine Got.' again cries the old
3 .Dunder,' echoes young Peter hurry.
ing up to the old man. .Fader what's de
natter?' = s.ii 4 fi.a4. sse is s.sael.ss sss
| .Oh. mine Colt, Peter. de shnake. bite
| mine leg!' -igii as4e sseszss 4ak .ss.s
II fanything il. particular was capable
Of Tightening young Peter, it was snakes
for he once Crippled himself for life by
tramping on crooked stick which broke
his ankle. and SO horrifed thea yonn gster,
that he liked 10 have fallen through him.
SELF }s & za.s as 81 .,ees.ss 4ssFs
AT a word snake, young Peter fell back
nimbly as . wire dancer, and bawled in
~ Where is de shnake7' GsseSt snistsfes.
'Aup mine trowsis. Peter-Oh, mime
Got.H riey sstss sstssts,l 10 s. r !.,s.s ssssM
] h.Oh. mine Got,. echoed Peter. junior.
skili4him iader. ' s718s - lrsifoitss 81
- 'No.a.no-s. he kill me, Peter; come
i quick? asstsI fzasS fsls 20 tsa3i5ss
But Peter, the youngsters cowsrdice
overcame his filisl love, while his fears
gave strength to his legs and he started
like scared LOCOMOTIVES, to call the old.
burly Dutchman, who was in distant
part Of the field, TO give his father lifi
with the snake. Old Jake. the farmers
assistant. came bungling along. ashsoon
as he heard the news, and passing by the
tence whereon Peter and his boy had
hung up their 'linsey wooasey vests. Jake
grabbed one Of the garments, and hurri.
ed to the old man, who still managed to
keep on his pins, although he was quak-
ing and huttefing like an aspen lest in .
June gale Of wind. .eqEs - atalw 10 0s
81 On. mine aGou!e Gomez come quick
1 Yacob!'i .hiaai aSsd leli ss;bad iasii
Vat you got, ehl shaakea' 81 Ssa siaid
s.Yaw, yaws Come come Yacob!h he
bites me all 10 pieces-here. aaup mine
leg
Old Jake was not particularly sensitive
to fear, but few people, young or old, are
dead TO alarm when 4 spizen' reptile is
making levy. Gathering up stiff, dry
| stalk Of a stslworth weed, old Jake told
the bossto s,snd ready, and he would at
least stun the snake by ssrspsor two. ii
hs did not kill him stone dead; and old
man Peter. loss 10th 10 have his leg bro-
i ken than to be bitten TO death. by the
viper, dssignsssd the spot TO strike, and
old Jake lst him have il. g
| The FIRST blow broke the weed, snd
also knocked old Peter off his pegs on .
! hay cock. 4tSa. sz
sOh,' roared Peter. .yod5 have broke
mine leg. and e tam shnaks's got AWAY
sVere2 vere?s cried cid Jake, moving
briskly about and scanning very marrow.
" the earth he stood upon. =
Never mind him. Yacob; help mo up;
III go homs!' Sse N
put on your vhess den, here i.is.' said
the old krout cater. ga,hsriDg up his boss,
and trying 10 GET the garment upon bic
humpy hack The nemsnt old Peter
. & 4 { ..