Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-10
FORCE OF IMAGINATION.


FORCE OF IMAGINATION. /
Some years ago, near the town Of
Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania,
there lived coy old farmer, named
Sweighofler-of German descent, and
accent, too, as his speech viii indicate.--
Old man Sweigholfer had once served as
a member in the Legislature, and was,
therefore, " no fools" and as he had also
long eompanded volunteer corps OF
rustic militia, he should hardly be sup
posed inclined TO cowardice. His son
Peter was his only son--a strapping lad
of seventeen; and upon cid Peter and
young Peter deyolved the principal
cares and tolls Of the old gentleman's
farm, now and then assisted by the old
lady and her two bouncing daughters
for it is very common, in that State, to
see the women and girls at work in the
felds-and, upon extra occasions, by
some hired hands.
Well, one warm day in haying time,
old Peter and young Peter were hard
at it in the meadow, when the old man
drops his scythe, and bawls out
/ o, mine 6ott, Peter.
whats de matter, f;ader - answers
the son, Strengthening up and looking at
his sire.
20, mine Gott, Peterr' ngain cried
the old fellow
Donder " echoes young Peter, hur-
rying up to the old man.
90, mine Gou, der snake bite mine
leg"
/ If anything in particular was capable
of frightening young Peter, it was
snakes for he had once nearly crippled
himself for life by trampling upon a
crooked stick, which clamped his ankle
|. and SO horrifed the young man, that h.
liked to have fallen through himself.
At the word snake, young Peter fell
back, nimbIy as a wire-drawer, and
bawled out, in turn
Where is der snake =
up my trowsis, Peter-o, min'
) Gott p
40, mine Gott!" echoed Peter, juniol
t =" kill him, fader5 kill him %
No-a, no-a, be kin me, Peter com'
a come quick-get off my trowsis p
4 But Peter the younger's cowardic'
5 overcame his filial affection, while hi
a fear lent strength to his legs, and be star
{ ted ike a scared locomotive to call the oil
e burly Dutchman, who was in q distan
part of the field, to give his father a lii
e with the snake.
/? Old Jake, the farmers assistant, cam
a bounding along as soon rs he heard sh
a news, and passing along the fence where
E on Peter and bis boy had hung thei
r. $ linsey-woolsey" vests, Jake grabbe
" one Of the garments, and hurried 10 th
! old man Peter, who still managed
! keep on his pins, although he was quail
r. ing and trembling Ike an asPen-leaf
Il June gale Of wind
r 20, mine Gott! Come, come quieI
II Jacob. He bite me all TO pieces -her
II up mine leg"
Old Jake was not particularly sens
y tiye to fear bat few people, young
u old, are dead 10 alarm when piz
nous" reptile j. about. Gathering 9
le the stiff dry stalks Of u stalaart wee
Of old Jake told the bozs 20 stand stead
"a and lle would al least stun the snake
y rap or two, ii he did DOT Kill her siol
4 dead and the old man Peter, iess 10
at to have his legs broken than 70 be- biiie
\. TO death by snake, designated slie "
70 afrike, aud old Jake les him have r.
m The flrs. blow broke tise weed, af
en- knocked old Sweiglsoifer Of his fel
"a, asd into a bayeocl.--eolim
70 sOg' roa4ed Old Peter, yoB bfDi
nc mine lex. and d. slIuake's gone =
ID VeFeg we're = cried Old JaAe, mo
20 iag briskiy aboui, sad scanning ve
narrowly the groand Be ato.4 gpoa.